My Watercooling Setup

[tcorbyn]

Hi Guys....

My all my parts came today so I thought I would upload some pics and make a thread of it! :D



http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1883/27423810qk8.jpg
Radiator: Thermochill PA120.3, It dont look so big there but thats because the case is HUGE too (Lian Li PC-A70)!

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9069/rad2wz8.jpg
It lookd a little bit bigger there, Dont you think?


http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/8591/47920379ww7.jpg
Pump, CPU block, tubing and coolant.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1007/59795617ja9.jpg
Case: Massive LianLi PC-A70.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4246/cpublockag5.jpg
CPU Block: EK Supreme 775.

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/614/cpublock2fi1.jpg
CPU block after having been taken apart.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2969/resik1.jpg
Reservoir + Pump, XSPC res with Laing DDC1+ Ultra 18W pump

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2480/coolantil3.jpg
Coolant: F1 UV black never thought black would work but recently ive seen some pics and they looked too cool to pass on so I went for the black and if it doesnt work (aka doesnt look as I had hoped) I'can just chage the coolant.

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/851/tubingiq2.jpg
Tubing: 1/2" ID Tygon R3603, beautiful just as I had hoped nice and thick! Shame they sent me the wrong barbs and its too big for me to use gues im gunna have to get the barbs changed. :rolleyes:


Im gunna get this lot cleaned and leak tested, hopefuly it will all be setup tomorrow and ill have some pics of it all working by then. :D

Thanks for looking,
tCorbyn

[spoony]

I am glad to see you already got your stuff. I can't wait to see the finished product!

[tcorbyn]

Thanks, I think im gunna go for it and buy a GPU block aswll...
Do you think my temps on the CPU will chage adding a GPU to the loop?

[tcorbyn]

Just cleaned the radiator now the whole house smells like vinegar :lol2:

Here i'm testing the pump I think somthing is wrong because its making alot of noise and there is air in the loop.

(PUMP/RES ---> RAD ---> PUMP/RES)

I cant leak test yet due to the wrong set of barbs I was sent :cussing: I should be getting a new set tomorrow.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/6255/11042008088iz7.jpg

[smee]

Uh oh, Vinegar???? Did you wash it out really really really really good with really really really hot water??? (I'm being a little sarcastic here, but still serious.. :D)

If not, make sure you do that, and you'll also want to clean out your pump and res now that it's got that vinegar in it too.
We don't recommend usuing vinegar to clean radiators anymore, it's better to use just hot water, you'll avoid many problems doing this. :up:

Looks good so far though!! MORE PICS MORE PICS!!!!!! :D :rofl: :ROTF: :p:

[Waterlogged]

Yes, where did you get the silly idea to use vinegar from?

[fluke420]

Yes, where did you get the silly idea to use vinegar from?

Here.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=54331

[Waterlogged]

Here.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=54331

Wasn't that supposed to be edited already as per the poll Maxxx had up? Sheesh!:rolleyes: :shakes:

[Yeknom]

Well, as long as vinegar wasn't in the rad for over an hour, it should be okay.

[Kilyin]

I hope that's a cell phone camera.

[fluke420]

Wasn't that supposed to be edited already as per the poll Maxxx had up? Sheesh!

An update would be nice. I also followed those instructions as I am building my first wc setup.

Hot distilled water it is. Is rubbing alcohol ok?

[TheSilence]

Yeah I almost used vinegar too until I read the last few comments in the thread that said it needed to be updated. Someone should edit it.

[tcorbyn]

I used vinegar to flush it, then left it to stand for EXACTLY 60 minutes. After I flushed it with distilled water and then boiling distilled water then more distilled water and so on...

The last pic was taken after all that and it’s just pure distilled water NO VINEGAR going through the loop, I wish I knew that about vinegar before I did all this, oh well I think it’s ok thanks for the concern guys but please update that guide!

More pics coming soon...

[smee]

I used vinegar to flush it then again and left in for EXACTLY 60 minutes then wased it with distilled water and then bioling distilled water then more distilled water and so on...

The last pic was taken after all that and its just pure distilled water NO VINEGAR, I wish I knew that about vinegar brfore I did all this oh well I think its ok thanks for the concern guys!

more pic coming soon...

Alrighty, you've done well!!
Looking forward to PICCS!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[[XC] NetburstXE]

I want MORE PICS! Looking good so far.

[tcorbyn]

I also cleaned the base plate of the CPU block in vinegar (left for 1h then lightly scrub with a toothbrush) do you think that could have don’t it any harm? I cleaned it after of course in distilled water but the vinegar left some circle marks on it :(

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/5323/12042008104ar1.jpg


Sorry its not the best picture in the world but its actually quite hard to take pictures of something so shiny and Kilyin it is a camera phone!

More pics tomorrow when I put it all together and the replacement barbs come (hopefuly!)

[tcorbyn]

I got some more pics here pre-build:


http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/8153/12042008105rh0.jpg
This is all the junk I managed to rip out of my LianLi PC-A70.



http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7596/12042008106ky6.jpg
Half a day later, a million cuts, bangs and dead dremel bits later my empty, striped case ready for that ginormous radiator! I know it doesn't look like much! :rolleyes:



http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5826/12042008107lf9.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4361/12042008109nn9.jpg
The radiator all kited out and ready to stick to the case... FOREVER!



http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9849/11042008103sq3.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1984/12042008108zu1.jpg
I was not sure how to place these fans :confused: The fans are the stock Lian Li fans because I happend to have a few lying around (i forgot to buy good ones) but i'm going to change them all for sharkoon silent eagle aka 'Golf Ball' fans, if there is anything better on the market atm please let me know. I have them now pushing air up through the radiator but PLEASE tell me if that is wrong...

More pic coming soon...

[teko]

Normally it's said to be best to pull air trough the rad, and san ace 1011 (never seems to be sold anywhere) s said to be the best fans, but if you go to the air cooling section there is a test of fans ;)

[Loser777]

Normally it's said to be best to pull air trough the rad, and san ace 1011 (never seems to be sold anywhere) s said to be the best fans, but if you go to the air cooling section there is a test of fans ;)
Not just normally, but you'll see a 5C+ difference in temps. It doesn't matter if the air from the rad ends up in the case, just have air being blown into the rad actively.

[tcorbyn]

Normally it's said to be best to pull air trough the rad

Ok thanks I will flip them around before I mount it to the case.


san ace 1011 (never seems to be sold anywhere) s said to be the best fans

I will try to get these fans but they dont seem to sell them ANYWHERE in the UK?? There is an XS thread (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2760573) that proves this (link to UK shop, but now doesnt have them). :( Ive heared that the Yate Loon ones are ok, any comments on them?
Is there any fans that are as good in the UK? Oh and please make it a quiet one!

[tcorbyn]

As promised, more pics... ;)
Now got the rad mounted on the case, had to make holes in the top and it was more of a job than I forst thought but then again i'm no modder!

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3259/12042008110hh1.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9189/12042008112jx2.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9784/12042008111ry5.jpg

Now i'm gunna get back to work building this rig!

[teko]

I got mine 1011's from a scrapyard, paid 4$ for 5 of them along with a 20kg server case :p But no, they are almost impossible to get :( But looking good so far with the build, I like your rad mounting thingies :)

[fadetoblack]

tcorbyn, where did you get that mounting hardware for the radiator (the z bend things)? did you make those yourself?

also, ive got the same rad and was looking for a full tower case to put it in. how much modding is required to fit the pa120.3 in the pc-a70? and then in addition to that, mounting a pa120.2 in the front bottom?

[Waterlogged]

Why did you mount the rad like that? That's definitely one of the more um...."unique" (possibly not meant in a good way:shrug:) ways to mount a rad I've ever seen. Where is it going to get the cool air from?

[tcorbyn]

I got mine 1011's from a scrapyard, paid 4$ for 5 of them along with a 20kg server case :p

OMG! I wish I had a scrap yard near me! :mad:


tcorbyn, where did you get that mounting hardware for the radiator (the z bend things)? did you make those yourself?

No, I did not make them. I bought them from watercooling UK they are XSPC Radiator mounting Kits (http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_73&products_id=336) I bought 3 but only two are needed to mount a triple rad.


ive got the same rad and was looking for a full tower case to put it in. how much modding is required to fit the pa120.3 in the pc-a70? and then in addition to that, mounting a pa120.2 in the front bottom?

Not much! I was exaggerating a little bit before... I love the case, bargin too I picked one up for £123 at yoyo tech and its way big enough for a triple and a double rad (ive even seen pics of people who have 2 doubles and a triple!)

To mount the triple rad at the :

1) Attach XSPC mounting kit to the rad (+fans but that goes without saying) the screws that come with it dont fit in thermochill rads but I found that using ordinary mobo screws it goes on (almost) perfectly.

2) Take the top panel off the case, it's held on by only 4 screws.

3) Place the rad with the mounting kit facing down on the inside/bottom of the panel.

4) Put two strips of masking tape along the line where of the mounting kit were.

5) Mark EXACTLY where the holes of the mounting kit z things are on the masking tape.

6) Using a drill bit that goes through the holes on the mounting kit but is a TINY bit smaller than the screws you will be using drill holes where you have marked on the tape then, without scratching the case much (I did and I wasn’t happy!) remove all the metal shavings from the top of the panel.

7) Get a screw the same size as the one you will be using to attach the rad and screw it through the holes to give them a thread, do this will all the holes.

8) Place the panel on top of the radiator and check if all the holes line up.

9) Screw all the mounting z things through the top of the case

10) Put the top of the case back on and bobs your uncle there you have it! :p:


Why did you mount the rad like that? That's definitely one of the more um...."unique" (possibly not meant in a good way) ways to mount a rad I've ever seen. Where is it going to get the cool air from?

The back of the case has a large vent and the radiator is slightly suspended so the air goes in at the top then is sucked down by the rad, I would have liked to have fans at the top and bottom but there is not enough space and having fans at the top posed more problems than having it at the bottom.

Its all built now im gunna take some pics and up them in a sec! :D

[tcorbyn]

I have been having problems with my computer and I will have to upload them tomorrow... :rolleyes:

[crackbag]

very nice man!

[LOPa]

WOW!!! Very nice setup!! Cant wait to see final pics!!! :up:

[tcorbyn]

As promised here are the pics of my finished rig! Hope you guys like it :up:

I've changed the fans for some red zalman ZMF3 ones they are a little noisy but they look realy cool and hey that's what matters! I think they are good on the cooling/air flow as well (better than the stock lian li fans anyway). Has anyone got these fans and what do you think of them? How difficult would it be for me to add annother block to the loop now and maybe while i'm at it change the coolant?? Anyway for now I am very happy there has been a few problems along the way but all sorted now!! Im clocked to 4GHz stable but thats the same as on air. My CPU temp is 44c almost not moving idle and 50-56 stressed, I thought these temps would be a little better with the thermchill pa120.3 rad Does that seem right to you guys??

Ide like to say thank you to the members of this forum for helping me along the way this build I know its not much for most of you on here but for me its a start and who knows how it will end up!

:D :D :D THANKS FOR LOOKING! :D :D :D

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/1254/13042008123jq0.jpg

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/4515/13042008122hy0.jpg

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/3765/13042008120uz2.jpg

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/5563/13042008126ek4.jpg

[tcorbyn]

I am not happy with the final look of it all :confused: I dont think the red of the fans particularly works with the UV lights. Im thinking about changing the fans and the lights for some say... White ones? What do you think? Please reccomend colour schemes so I can play around with it a bit and see which ones suits me best! :D
Cheers!

[Delirious.]

I am not happy with the final look of it all :confused: I dont think the red of the fans particularly works with the UV lights. Im thinking about changing the fans and the lights for some say... White ones? What do you think? Please reccomend colour schemes so I can play around with it a bit and see which ones suits me best! :D
Cheers!

Yeah,

Go with the blue LED

[tcorbyn]

Blue lights and blue fans? I quite like white do you think white lights and colourless silver fans could look ok?

Please keep em coming!

Also what temps should I be expecting on the CPU (intel 8400 45nm CPU should be running very cool)? I think my temps are a little high! @ around 44c idle and going up to as much as 60c+ stressed! (they are readings from Core Temp, Real Temp marks them a little lower)...

[GR33N]

Maybe you should try to put the fans getting air to the radiator

Nice rig :up:

[tcorbyn]

Maybe you should try to put the fans getting air to the radiator

I tried having the fans blowing through the radiator and my temps were MUCH higher (around 10c more). Now I've got them sucking air through the rad and my temps are much much better!

[crackbag]

nicely done! short simple and clean!

[Polizei]

Why didn't you cut a vent hole in the top of your case? Your radiator would get fresh air and your temperatures would go down considerably.

[tcorbyn]

Why didn't you cut a vent hole in the top of your case? Your radiator would get fresh air and your temperatures would go down considerably.

Thank you very much! I will do that, I thought my temps were very hummm... "abnormal"

[WizardofOz]

Thank you very much! I will do that, I thought my temps were very hummm... "abnormal"

Hi, I like what you have done and I am about to embark on a similar project and since you are going to cut, what are tools do you need for putting all the components together and the cutting.
Great Job

[Polizei]

Hi, I like what you have done and I am about to embark on a similar project and since you are going to cut, what are tools do you need for putting all the components together and the cutting.
Great Job

You can use a Dremel (or Dremel clone) or a jigsaw to cut the case.

As far as putting the rest of the stuff together, a sharp knife to cut the tubing, drill to drill holes to mount the radiator to the case, and a screw driver for the actual mounting of fans and radiator.

[WizardofOz]

You can use a Dremel (or Dremel clone) or a jigsaw to cut the case.

As far as putting the rest of the stuff together, a sharp knife to cut the tubing, drill to drill holes to mount the radiator to the case, and a screw driver for the actual mounting of fans and radiator.


Thanks I shall visit the local Hardware

[fadetoblack]

You can use a Dremel (or Dremel clone) or a jigsaw to cut the case.

As far as putting the rest of the stuff together, a sharp knife to cut the tubing, drill to drill holes to mount the radiator to the case, and a screw driver for the actual mounting of fans and radiator.

sorry to derail the thread, but i had a question regarding tools also. i was also gonna go out and buy a dremel and was wondering will just any dremel do? i dont need a separate drill right, can i just get a drill bit for the dremel? and what bit or whatever would i need for cutting a case?

[tcorbyn]

Yes i used a dremel for mods on the actual case, I say "mods" but I mean very minor stuff just to get rid of the hard drive bay at the top. Now looking back it would have been easier to use a drill (the funny screw thing that you have to drill to get out) insted of wasting yet annother dremel bit! To make the holes on top pannel of the case to hang the radiator I found it much better/easier to use an electric screwdriver (hand held 7.2v BOSH i think it was...) with a drill bit than with the dremel and Ive got to say they came out better than I thought they would! :D I wrote a sort of mini guide on the last page of how I mounted the radiator have a look if that interests you!

[tcorbyn]

Hi, I like what you have done and I am about to embark on a similar project and since you are going to cut, what are tools do you need for putting all the components together and the cutting.
Great Job

Yes i used a dremel for mods on the actual case, I say "mods" but I mean very minor stuff just to get rid of the hard drive bay at the top. Now looking back it would have been easier to use a drill (the funny screw thing that you have to drill to get out) insted of wasting yet annother dremel bit! To make the holes on top pannel of the case to hang the radiator I found it much better/easier to use an electric screwdriver (hand held 7.2v BOSH i think it was...) with a drill bit than with the dremel and Ive got to say they came out better than I thought they would! :D I wrote a sort of mini guide on the last page of how I mounted the radiator have a look if that interests you!


sorry to derail the thread, but i had a question regarding tools also. i was also gonna go out and buy a dremel and was wondering will just any dremel do? i dont need a separate drill right, can i just get a drill bit for the dremel? and what bit or whatever would i need for cutting a case?

I got the Dremel 300-1/55 (http://www.dremeleurope.com/dremelocs-uk/Product.jsp;jsessionid=8307D299785347E64D2AE19B999 CB017?language=en-GB&prod_id=289&ccat_id=471) and its great because it came with quite a few usefull bits and a really cool flexi arm thingy. I would recomend that one although it was a bit steep when i bought it I no nothing of current prices :up:

[tcorbyn]

Sorry For Double Post, Only Ment To Edit First One!

[tcorbyn]

Yes you could easily get it all done with a dremel, I would get a good bit for making screw holes and thats it! Glad I could help :)

[WizardofOz]

Yes i used a dremel for mods on the actual case, I say "mods" but I mean very minor stuff just to get rid of the hard drive bay at the top. Now looking back it would have been easier to use a drill (the funny screw thing that you have to drill to get out) insted of wasting yet annother dremel bit! To make the holes on top pannel of the case to hang the radiator I found it much better/easier to use an electric screwdriver (hand held 7.2v BOSH i think it was...) with a drill bit than with the dremel and Ive got to say they came out better than I thought they would! :D I wrote a sort of mini guide on the last page of how I mounted the radiator have a look if that interests you!







Thanks for the Information, sad to say I am HandyMan Challenged!!!! And yes I did read your mini guide, but will re-read it a couple more times.

[fadetoblack]

tcorbyn, can you measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the case up to bottom of the 5.25" bays? i was wondering how tight of a fit a pa120.2 would be in the front where the two 120mm intake fans are. thanks

[Polizei]

Looks like a PA120.2 could fit there, but just barely.

[tcorbyn]

Ive seen it done, I've even seen people put to pa120.2s there! I'm not at home at the moment but I will measure it as soon as I get back, sorry!

[Waterlogged]

Just a word of caution about drilling metals with a Dremel. 5000 RPM (slowest RPM on a Dremel) is usually too much for most commonly available drill bits to handle and they'll burn up. Best to use a drill for drilling and the Dremel for cutting/sanding/polishing.

[tcorbyn]

So anyway back to what this thread is about.... COLOUR SCHEMES ANYONE?

[Jamestuk]

purple fans! lol no idea if you could get them. but would look good :)

[tcorbyn]

lol what do you think of having a white brade on all wires, pale blue fans and white lights ?