First time WC setup

[NitroTurtle]

Well, I had the bleeding nearly complete last night. Only thing left was to remount the CPU block. I left it hanging out over a bucket, kinda propped up on the side, because I wanted to make sure the block itself didn't leak after I put it all back together. I left and went to the movies, hung out at a friends for a few hours, returned about 4 hours later to find the half the water was now gone.

After some inspection, I discovered a nozzle on my NB block had come loose, due to the rotation of the connected CPU block twisting the connecting tubing. So, live and learn I guess, I've chalked it up as a newbie mistake and now waiting for everything to dry. Luckily, the system was not powered on and it seems most of the fluid was caught by my vid card heatsink.

I've taken it all apart, and it's now drying, but I need to order some thermal pads to use on the card before I reattach the heatsink. I also figure, since I have it all torn apart now, I'll go ahead and order the F3 fans, and I'm considering just getting a new vid card heatsink.

So I'm out of commission on that machine until I get my parts. I should have it all back together next weekend and I'll report back. I sure hope my temps go down after going through this 'initiation'.

Also, would it be safe to apply a small amount of thread locking compound to the nozzles, and if so, is there any particular kind recommended?

 

[aigomorla]

you dont need it if you went the d-tek barb route.

Just tigthen them til its tight. You cant overtighten and have the oring seal slip off on the d-tek barbs. Thats why i recomended them.

Sorry to hear about your leak. Dont worry, everyone gets them once in a run. It just means you overshot your carefulness last night.

But hopefully things will get better on this run.

 

[NitroTurtle]

This is long overdue, but I've been considering making some changes so I figured I'd post some pics of my current setup.

Front
Side
LCDs

I'm planning to add a 4870x2 and considering a full cover block either added to my existing loop, or in another loop. What would I need to add a second loop that would handle that card? I was thinking another microres, mcp355, mcr220 and a full cover block on the card. Does that sound about right?

(btw, yes I'm completely hooked.. I'm not sure I'll ever go back to boring old air cooling )

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: NitroTurtle

I was thinking another microres, mcp355, mcr220 and a full cover block on the card. Does that sound about right?

(btw, yes I'm completely hooked.. I'm not sure I'll ever go back to boring old air cooling )

Yes that sounds right. What about a TOP for that pump?

 

[NitroTurtle]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: NitroTurtle

I was thinking another microres, mcp355, mcr220 and a full cover block on the card. Does that sound about right?

(btw, yes I'm completely hooked.. I'm not sure I'll ever go back to boring old air cooling )

Yes that sounds right. What about a TOP for that pump?

I'm not real sure what a different top actually does for me, or which one to get. I'm also a little unsure about where I'm going to fit the 2nd radiator. It looks like I could lay one on the bottom and that would work, but I'm not sure I want to raise the case up to allow airflow through the bottom. Another option, is move the PS to the bottom and put the rad on top, but I kinda like having the PS somewhat hidden from view since it's hard to clean up the mess of wires. I think I may end up mounting it externally on the back of the case, I'm just not sure how badly it will block access to the connections back there.

I'm assuming a mcr120 would be pushing it to cool that card? That would sure be a lot easier to fit. Another option is to move the 4 drives from their current bay (takes up 3 bays) and instead figure out a way to mount them somewhere else. This would allow me to fit an mcr320 in the front, and possibly run a single loop, but I kinda like the idea of two loops and I'm not sure if that would have the capacity to handle everything.

Suggestions are welcome. I figure it will probably be another month or so before the price of the cards stablizes and blocks are available, so I have a little time to plan

 

[aigomorla]

XSPC top is my recomendation. If you dont need a res, the regular top is fine as well.

the 120 will keep your cards in check. Probably get you close to air or below, wont get you the OMG WOW temps tho.