Air Flow and Rad Placement for my first WC Build

[RandomSheepZA]

Hay all

So finally bit the bullet and bought myself some WC gear.
Please see the list below:

EK-Supremacy MX UNI
EK-CoolStream SE 120 (Slim Single)
XSPC 240 35mm Rad
EK-Vardar F3-120 (1850rpm) x 1
EK-XRES 100 SPC-60 MX PWM (incl. pump)
EK-ACF Fitting 10/13mm (3/8'' - 1/2'') - G1/4 Nickel (6 pcs)
EK-CryoFuel Blood Red Premix 900ml

So i know i don't have enough fans but i'll be purchasing an additional one Vadar as i will only be running the 240 for now.
As per my sig i have an Evolv ATX TG chassis and yes i know how restrictive the airflow is but am busy designing a case mode to circumvent this and once that is in place i'll add an additional 240 rad.

But for the time being, i am trying to work out the correct placement for the fans and rad and what i need to still get.

Here is what i was thinking so let me know what you think:

Front: 3 x Corsair ML120 (Red)
Top: 240 Rad with 2 x Vadar exhausting - Or 2 x ML120 Red
Rear: 1 x ML140 (just becuase i have this atm and its not being used)

I know if i am using the rad at the top i will need to block off the mounting tray to strop the air from recirculating back into the case.

Any advise would be most appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Flex]

Hay all

So finally bit the bullet and bought myself some WC gear.
Please see the list below:

EK-Supremacy MX UNI
EK-CoolStream SE 120 (Slim Single)
XSPC 240 35mm Rad
EK-Vardar F3-120 (1850rpm) x 1
EK-XRES 100 SPC-60 MX PWM (incl. pump)
EK-ACF Fitting 10/13mm (3/8'' - 1/2'') - G1/4 Nickel (6 pcs)
EK-CryoFuel Blood Red Premix 900ml

So i know i don't have enough fans but i'll be purchasing an additional one Vadar as i will only be running the 240 for now.
As per my sig i have an Evolv ATX TG chassis and yes i know how restrictive the airflow is but am busy designing a case mode to circumvent this and once that is in place i'll add an additional 240 rad.

But for the time being, i am trying to work out the correct placement for the fans and rad and what i need to still get.

Here is what i was thinking so let me know what you think:

Front: 3 x Corsair ML120 (Red)
Top: 240 Rad with 2 x Vadar exhausting - Or 2 x ML120 Red
Rear: 1 x ML140 (just becuase i have this atm and its not being used)

I know if i am using the rad at the top i will need to block off the mounting tray to strop the air from recirculating back into the case.

Any advise would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Why not place the rad in front?

I have always been a big fan of sucking in cold air over the rad.
It does not heat the air up THAT much, and if the whole system is watercooled it will not really matter. The cooler fresher air over the rad will be more beneficial.
Then top and back pure exhaust fans to get the hot air that might be lingering around out.

If you can push/pull the rad, even better.

 

[Joker3240]

I agree with Flex about the Radiator going in front.
The other reason I would put it there is because you will most likely put the Res in the front right corner. You would already have the Rad spacing covered in front for future planning. The top fans and Radiator will almost always sort itself out depending on your piping takeoff.
As long as there is a way out to accomodate the rate the air flows into the case there is never a real buildup of heat.

 

[RandomSheepZA]

OK kewl.
Thanks @Flex & @Joker3240
So my i would prefer to put the rad up front but my only concern is that until i do the CNC cutting on the front and top panel, then i won't get enough airflow though the front rad.

But i will organise some decent fans and see what happens. If i can get 4 then i'll run Push-Pull on the front and keep my 140's for the rear.

Thanks again chaps and am so looking forward to doing this build, been an aspiration for long time!

 

[Cookie]

Why not place the rad in front?

I have always been a big fan of sucking in cold air over the rad.
It does not heat the air up THAT much, and if the whole system is watercooled it will not really matter. The cooler fresher air over the rad will be more beneficial.
Then top and back pure exhaust fans to get the hot air that might be lingering around out.

If you can push/pull the rad, even better.

3rd, flex's recommendation.

I have the same 1x 240 on the front on a phantek P400s. Pulling air in over rad.
1x 120 rad on the exaust pushing air through
2x intake/exaust fans on top



GPU block incoming

 

[Flex]

OK kewl.
Thanks @Flex & @Joker3240
So my i would prefer to put the rad up front but my only concern is that until i do the CNC cutting on the front and top panel, then i won't get enough airflow though the front rad.

But i will organise some decent fans and see what happens. If i can get 4 then i'll run Push-Pull on the front and keep my 140's for the rear.

Thanks again chaps and am so looking forward to doing this build, been an aspiration for long time!

Doing a custom loop is so much fun and so fulfilling once it is all done and working 100%.

 

[Joker3240]

When I do my WC I generally try and use the following steps:

1. Find a case I like and look at other WC builds with selected case
2. Investigate the airflow and mounting bracket placements.
3. Download the picture off the net and plan placement and lengths of pipes and equipment and ask on forum for advice
4. Spec equipment and buy
5. Build it

I know it sounds obvious but the more you plan and the simpler your build the better the results.
I also find it very hard to go back and add things later.

 

[Joker3240]

3rd, flex's recommendation.

I have the same 1x 240 on the front on a phantek P400s. Pulling air in over rad.
1x 120 rad on the exaust pushing air through
2x intake/exaust fans on top



GPU block incoming

View attachment 33740

Notice the space between the radiator and the GPU. Always something that needs considdering when you build.

 

[Cookie]

Notice the space between the radiator and the GPU. Always something that needs considdering when you build.

The space between the 240 front rad or the 120 top rad?

The skull is snug in there. If my GPU was slightly longer I would have had to go for a regular/thinner reservoir.
So yes, planning placement is top priority.

Going for a vertical mount GPU block as well. I hope I dont run into issues there

 

[Flex]

3rd, flex's recommendation.

I have the same 1x 240 on the front on a phantek P400s. Pulling air in over rad.
1x 120 rad on the exaust pushing air through
2x intake/exaust fans on top



GPU block incoming

View attachment 33740

<3 that thick AF Rad!

 

[Cookie]

<3 that thick AF Rad!

Almost had to swap it out for a thinner rad. Its 47mm thick! It didn't fit in the front panel

 

[RandomSheepZA]

Awesome guys and thanks for the feedback, it is really appreciated.
So i'll use both rads and will spend the next week getting fans and doing proper planning.

I have one last question, hard or soft tubing.
I know the fittings that i am getting with the kit are for soft but hard just looks so purdy.
I do understand that this then adds additional complexity to the build but i do have some assistance from one of the forum members.

Anyway, thanks again

 

[Flex]

Awesome guys and thanks for the feedback, it is really appreciated.
So i'll use both rads and will spend the next week getting fans and doing proper planning.

I have one last question, hard or soft tubing.
I know the fittings that i am getting with the kit are for soft but hard just looks so purdy.
I do understand that this then adds additional complexity to the build but i do have some assistance from one of the forum members.

Anyway, thanks again

If you have the time, patience and tools. Def hard tubing.
Looks 100 times better.
And it is so much fun (if it goes right).

If you do go hard, watch lots of vids. Get lots of lubricant, and be prepared to do 1 bend 50 times in the beginning.
You will also need different connectors for hard tubing as well.

 

[Cookie]

My first build I went straight to hard tubing even though I was advised against it. So its really up to you. Just prepare to put more effort in.

It is a lot more difficult because,
- You will mess up a few bends in the beginning ( very frustrating)
- Making sure your tube is the correct length is sometimes tough when you have more than 1 bend in your tube. (Buy more tubing than you think you need and then buy more than that.)
- Hope to god it doesn't leak. (It may leak if your bends are to close to the fittings). I put a little Marine glue inside some of the fittings to make sure its extra sealed.
- If you have the bending kit it should come with an Inside-outside Reamer. I used a cutting blade and some sand paper. Did a similar job.

You also don't need to spend R1k on a bending kit, but the kit does make it a little easier. The kit has an Inside-outside Reamer which helps but as I said you don,t need it.

All you really need is THIS guy a heat gun, some sand paper and one of those orange stanley knives.
Oh and a tiny hacksaw


Watch all the youtube video's.

This is only my second build so I am by no means an expert. Take my advice with a pinch of salt

Have fun getting the air bubbles out of your loop

 

[Flex]

OH AND VERY IMPORTANT WITH YOUR FIRST OR ANY CUSTOM LOOP.

LEAK TEST!!!

Run the pump for atleast 24 hours with your PC internals covered wit kitchen Towel. Any wet spots, and got to do the piece over or fix the connector. Just make sure the rest of your pc is not powered on at all.
Most stressful thing ever.

 

[Cookie]

[/QUOTE]
View attachment 33761[/QUOTE]


Good idea with the bottle to fill the res. I always struggle to fill my res.
I spilt some fluid trying to fill it mien recently and had a mild heart attack

 

[Flex]

Good idea with the bottle to fill the res. I always struggle to fill my res.
I spilt some fluid trying to fill it mien recently and had a mild heart attack

Oeh jah no! Learned that the hard way.

It is actually a bottle you use for an enema. Can't suck the liquid back in again. So works perfect

 

[Cookie]

Oeh jah no! Learned that the hard way.

It is actually a bottle you use for an enema. Can't suck the liquid back in again. So works perfect

HAHA SIES!!!!

I used one of my kids spiderman water bottles with a straw that was perfect It was close by and made sense at the time

 

[Dom]

Will leave a few bread crumbs here as I may need some advice for the weekend when I set up my custom loop with the following:

2 X EK PE 360 rads (GPU & CPU)
6 X Cooler Master Silencio
1 X Alphacool GPU waterblock
1 X XSPC Raystorm Pro CPU waterblock
1 X XSPC X20 750 Dual Bay Res (GPU)
1 X mini res from Amazon (CPU)
1 X P.Lotor pump from Amazon (CPU)
2 X Kill coils
2 X XSPC temperature monitors

All with some EK PrimoFlex (clear) within this Heavy MOFO

P.S I am super nervous

 

[RandomSheepZA]

Will leave a few bread crumbs here as I may need some advice for the weekend when I set up my custom loop with the following:

2 X EK PE 360 rads (GPU & CPU)
6 X Cooler Master Silencio
1 X Alphacool GPU waterblock
1 X XSPC Raystorm Pro CPU waterblock
1 X XSPC X20 750 Dual Bay Res (GPU)
1 X mini res from Amazon (CPU)
1 X P.Lotor pump from Amazon (CPU)
2 X Kill coils
2 X XSPC temperature monitors

All with some EK PrimoFlex (clear) within this Heavy MOFO

P.S I am super nervous

Hay, make you own blerry thread man [emoji12]
Better post photos boet!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Flex]

Will leave a few bread crumbs here as I may need some advice for the weekend when I set up my custom loop with the following:

2 X EK PE 360 rads (GPU & CPU)
6 X Cooler Master Silencio
1 X Alphacool GPU waterblock
1 X XSPC Raystorm Pro CPU waterblock
1 X XSPC X20 750 Dual Bay Res (GPU)
1 X mini res from Amazon (CPU)
1 X P.Lotor pump from Amazon (CPU)
2 X Kill coils
2 X XSPC temperature monitors

All with some EK PrimoFlex (clear) within this Heavy MOFO

P.S I am super nervous

Gonna be a lekke setup. All hard tubing?
Good luck!


P.S You should be nervous!

 

[Flex]

Hay, make you own blerry thread man [emoji12]
Better post photos boet!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

I am sure he will chop

 

[Dom]

Gonna be a lekke setup. All hard tubing?
Good luck!


P.S You should be nervous!

Na, I opted for some soft tubing and will take pics (hopefully not of a "fish tank" )

 

[RandomSheepZA]

Na, I opted for some soft tubing and will take pics (hopefully not of a "fish tank" )

Good luck dude!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk