New Watercooling Build! Need Help!!!

[JoeOnePack]

Hey guys,

I finally jumped into my build. I was going to start it right after I got back from picking up my GTX 670, but happened to fall asleep on the couch from 8:30pm until 12:40am. I've been researching and slowly putting the computer together. A couple small hitches along the way, but so far it's been simple.

Now before I start connecting tubing I have a few questions to ask.

#1 Do the compression fittings need to be tightened with a wrench or is super human hand tightness enough?

#2 Is my resevoir upside down? Does it matter?

I'm not too thrilled about the resevoir and pump being dead center in the case. I wanted it off to the backside of the case, but there was only one mounting hole in the 5.25 drive bay. I may consider drilling a hole closer to the back.

#3 Would you recommend this?

#4 Did I screw in the CPU Block too far? I see others that stick out much farther. I did not screw in the secondary nuts at all. Just the main screws I screwed down until all four were hand tight.

#5 How should I set up my loop? The rad ports are on the left side of the case.


Here are some pictures.


By kyle87t at 2012-06-06

By kyle87t at 2012-06-06

By kyle87t at 2012-06-06

By kyle87t at 2012-06-06

By kyle87t at 2012-06-06




Thank you!!!

[SugarJ]

I'll take on as many as I can answer.
1. Hand tight. You should be able to tighten it down until there's a 2-3mm gap between the base and the ring. Use a rag if the fittings are knurled, or your fingers will get chewed up a bit if you are doing all of them.
2. Yes, it's upside down. And yes, it matters with the Micro-res.
3. Mount it wherever you like. If it helps to shorten tube runs, I'd recommend moving it.
4. haven't used that block, can't help.
5. I'd run the tubing as follows: Pump to Rad, Rad to CPU, CPU to Res, Res to pump.

Sleeving and cable management looks good so far.

[JoeOnePack]

Originally Posted by SugarJ

I'll take on as many as I can answer.
1. Hand tight. You should be able to tighten it down until there's a 2-3mm gap between the base and the ring. Use a rag if the fittings are knurled, or your fingers will get chewed up a bit if you are doing all of them.
2. Yes, it's upside down. And yes, it matters with the Micro-res.
3. Mount it wherever you like. If it helps to shorten tube runs, I'd recommend moving it.
4. haven't used that block, can't help.
5. I'd run the tubing as follows: Pump to Rad, Rad to CPU, CPU to Res, Res to pump.

Sleeving and cable management looks good so far.

Thank you so much for your response. That cleared up most of my issues.

I bought two 6 pin pci-e expecting to use a 7970 and picked up the 670 last night not knowing it used a 6 and 8 pin. Now I have to use the stock crappy 8-pin until I get a matching blue one. The horror!!!

[dandelioneater]

This looks like a really nice, clean build. GJ so far . One thing I noticed is that it may be rather difficult to connect tubing to the resevoir if it is in that position. The video car is quite close to the barbs and that would make for a very tight bend for your tubing (I am not sure you'd be able to even do it unless you have 90 degree fittings). You may try and move the reservoir more to the right (closer to the 200mm fan and that would give you more room. Where do you plan to place the pump? On the bottom of the case?

edit: hmm just looked at the pics again and if you were to move the reservoir outwards towards the side panel, away from the motherboard, it would be ok.

[Slaughter]

Also keep in mind, if you are trying to line your pump up with your res, that you have the outlet facing the pump and would therefore try to fill the res from below. It's a backwards design in my opinion. :P

As far as the wiring goes, I would run the PCI-E from the bottom grommet keeping a nice straight line to the card. Otherwise what SugarJ said pretty well sums it up and like him, I haven't used that block either.

[JoeOnePack]

Originally Posted by Slaughter

Also keep in mind, if you are trying to line your pump up with your res, that you have the outlet facing the pump and would therefore try to fill the res from below. It's a backwards design in my opinion. :P

As far as the wiring goes, I would run the PCI-E from the bottom grommet keeping a nice straight line to the card. Otherwise what SugarJ said pretty well sums it up and like him, I haven't used that block either.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. This is what I was thinking of doing.


By kyle87t at 2012-06-06




I have run into a couple problems. I had a feeling I would. The compression fitting does not fit properly under the res as it is recessed and doesn't allow me to screw it in all the way.

If I decided to use the bottom port as a drain, the two side ports on the res will not allow two compression fittings side by side because they are too big. 1/2x3/4" fittings. No go on the res.

What do I do? :S

[dandelioneater]

Originally Posted by JoeOnePack

I'm not quite sure what you mean. This is what I was thinking of doing.
I have run into a couple problems. I had a feeling I would. The compression fitting does not fit properly under the res as it is recessed and doesn't allow me to screw it in all the way.

If I decided to use the bottom port as a drain, the two side ports on the res will not allow two compression fittings side by side because they are too big. 1/2x3/4" fittings. No go on the res.

What do I do? :S

what about adding a second washer as a spacer on the bottom port? I dunno if that would work, it may not seal well either.

Alternatively, you could just use one of the plastic barbs on the bottom, and then use the one compression fitting on the inlet of the res.

[Slaughter]

The arrows indicate the direction of flow. You are fighting gravity.

The blue box indicates what I was referring to for the PCIE cables.

[JoeOnePack]

Originally Posted by dandelioneater

what about adding a second washer as a spacer on the bottom port? I dunno if that would work, it may not seal well either.

Alternatively, you could just use one of the plastic barbs on the bottom, and then use the one compression fitting on the inlet of the res.

A washer or another oring for the compression fitting. I could use a barb for the bottom.

I am slightly confused about something. The two silver EK fittings on the CPU are physically smaller than the Black Feser fittings I have and they are supposed to be the same size. Is this normal? If the feser's were the size of the EK's, I could fit them side by side and just use the side ports on the res, but noooooo. Not today it seems. :D

[dandelioneater]

Another thing to consider:

for that pump, the inlet is the horizontal barb. and the outlet(discharge) is the vertical. So you would want the vertical to be connected to the radiator and the horizontal one to connect to the resevoir.

http://www.swiftech.org/Installation...ide_MCP655.pdf

edit: check the pic 2 posts back.