First Water Cooling build ever

[Kenmitch]

Playing around with water cooling is fun!

CPU temp seems fine. The GPU temp seems like it's on the high side for water. Are you sure you got a good mount on the GPU? I'd think the temps would be closer to your CPU's.

Looking at the GPU block images and your above photo it looks like it would function better if you flipped your hoses around. Swiftech doesn't state which way to mount it as far as I could find. Did see a couple of postings here and there saying use long side as in for better results tho.

I used these images to come to the conclusion it would work better flipping them around.

 

[badb0y]

Hmm sounds good so what's te best way to go about changing the hoses? Drain loop and switch them? Should I run the leak test for 12 hours again? How exactly do I effectively drain the loop? Last time I pulled the hose out and water fell all over me lol.

 

[Kenmitch]

Looks like you got enough hose to swing your video card out of the case enough to put a bowl or something to catch the water. I wouldn't reuse what you spill tho

If you could track down something like the following you could gently clamp down both hoses to minimize water loss, leakage, mess. As long as you don't smash the hoses down hard these wont damage them.

Lisle Hose Pinchers Manufacturers Part Number #22850

These are pretty cheap and most likely will set you back for less than $10 for the set. Most likely they'll have them at a auto parts store in the specialty tools section. If you know any auto techs you may be able to borrow a pair as most will have them or something similar. They make another version which looks more like pliers also. Might cost a little more.

KD Tools 3791 Hose Pinch-Off Pliers 3/4"

Part NumberKDT3791

Alot of options to clamp but the above give you an idea of what to look for if you decide so. They are not a must have for water cooling but they can save alot of time and mess if you have them when needed.

You'll have to blead the loop again and do some leak testing. Only the hoses you disturb will be candidates for leakage.

I could just never do the 12hr leak testing thing. I just power up the pump with another rig and watch while I fill and blead it out. Once blead and full I just leave the side of case off and leak test on the fly! Most leaks are visible right away with slight dripping etc.

 

[badb0y]

Looks like you got enough hose to swing your video card out of the case enough to put a bowl or something to catch the water. I wouldn't reuse what you spill tho

If you could track down something like the following you could gently clamp down both hoses to minimize water loss, leakage, mess. As long as you don't smash the hoses down hard these wont damage them.

Lisle Hose Pinchers Manufacturers Part Number #22850

These are pretty cheap and most likely will set you back for less than $10 for the set. Most likely they'll have them at a auto parts store in the specialty tools section. If you know any auto techs you may be able to borrow a pair as most will have them or something similar. They make another version which looks more like pliers also. Might cost a little more.

KD Tools 3791 Hose Pinch-Off Pliers 3/4"

Part NumberKDT3791

Alot of options to clamp but the above give you an idea of what to look for if you decide so. They are not a must have for water cooling but they can save alot of time and mess if you have them when needed.

You'll have to blead the loop again and do some leak testing. Only the hoses you disturb will be candidates for leakage.

I could just never do the 12hr leak testing thing. I just power up the pump with another rig and watch while I fill and blead it out. Once blead and full I just leave the side of case off and leak test on the fly! Most leaks are visible right away with slight dripping etc.

Thank you for all the help!

Will switch the pipes tonight!

 

[badb0y]

Well guys you won't believe this. One of the screws on my GPU block was loose and I guess the block wasn't making good contact with the GPU. My max temperature in Furmark now is......41 degrees celsius .

 

[Kenmitch]

Well guys you won't believe this. One of the screws on my GPU block was loose and I guess the block wasn't making good contact with the GPU. My max temperature in Furmark now is......41 degrees celsius .

That's more like it. Now ya gotta bump up the speed on her

How are you cooling the memory and vrm's?

 

[badb0y]

2 of my RAM chips are uncovered because of the barbs/pipes getting in the way.

I have no way to test the temperatures on my VRMs either.

 

[Kenmitch]

Sucks about unknown vrm temps. My 5850's would hit the 90*c when it was on air. I went full water block so at 1000/1300 they went down to the 50's.

Do you swap video cards a lot? I woulda went full block.

 

[badb0y]

Sucks about unknown vrm temps. My 5850's would hit the 90*c when it was on air. I went full water block so at 1000/1300 they went down to the 50's.

Do you swap video cards a lot? I woulda went full block.

I switch my card every year, only reason I went universal lol.

 

[chimaxi83]

where'd you buy your parts from? was this a Rasa 240 kit base with GPU block and 120 rad added on?

I'm piecing together my build

 

[badb0y]

where'd you buy your parts from? was this a Rasa 240 kit base with GPU block and 120 rad added on?

I'm piecing together my build

No I bought the CPU and GPU block off of MrK6.

I bought the rads from Jab-tech and Sidewinder

Tubing from Jab-tech

RAMsinks /Mosfet sinks/barbs/clamps from Sidewinder Computer

Pump from bmaverick over at Overclock.net He sells the OEM DDC pumps for 35$ which is a steal.

Reservoir I bought off of someone at [H]


Total was probably around 200$-230$ not quite sure because I bought it in pieces.

 

[chimaxi83]

Cool man thanks for the reply, good info on those pumps :thumbsup: