Thread: Building a new computer

So there are two types of liquid cooling. The easier and more modern option is called closed-loop, which means all the liquid is already contained in the radiator and the loop. Heat is transferred into the liquid right on the CPU, then is transferred up the radiator where the heat is pushed out of the case by fans. The H80i GT and H100 are examples of closed-loop coolers. They're quite simple to set up, though some cases (not the NZXT ones we have) have compatibility issues with the radiators

The older, more complicated, but ultimately most effective option is custom loops. Those require custom piping and a reservoir to replenish the coolant as it's used. They're probably not for beginners, and they're quite a bit more expensive, but the cooling results are some of the best.

https://www-ssl.bestbuy.com/profile/...92405a#!/view/

Let me know if this link works for you guys, this is what I currently have set up.

Is the H80i a closed loop then?

Originally Posted by bust331

https://www-ssl.bestbuy.com/profile/...92405a#!/view/

Let me know if this link works for you guys, this is what I currently have set up.

Seems to require having a Best Buy account, and the site refuses to let me create one.

Originally Posted by bust331

Is the H80i a closed loop then?

I modified the post about liquid cooling a few seconds after posting it to make it more clear. The H80i and H100 and the like are all closed loop.

You already have the CPU. motherboard, and case I have in mind.

Here is the GPU
PNY GeForce GTX 970 4GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card Black VCGGTX9704XPB - Best Buy

PSU
Corsair RM Series 1000W Power Supply Black CP-9020062-NA - Best Buy

RAM
PNY 2Pack 8GB PC314900 DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory Kit Black MD16384KD3-1866-K-X10 - Best Buy

Disc drive
Asus 48x Write24x Rewrite48x Read CD 16x Write DVD Internal Bluray ReaderDVDWriter Drive Black BC-12B1ST - Best Buy

HDD
Seagate 2TB Internal Serial ATA Hard Drive for Desktops Multi STBD2000101 - Best Buy

SSD
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-cs11...&skuId=3935073

CPU cooler
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cooler-m...&skuId=4923764

The CPU cooler may be switched out for the H80i, I planned on use the SSD to run the operating system (I can't remember but I think this is possible) and the HDD for whatever programs, movies, games or anything I download to. I'm not sure though if this stuff is all compatible with each other though or if I am missing anything.

Socket 2011 is quad channel. You need 4 dimms. 4 x 4GB if you want 16GB ram.

So, you need to ask yourself a couple questions. One, do you need 1000w for your rig? Total, your system is only going to pull maybe 400w with an overclock on your CPU and GPU. Another 970 adds another 180 some watts to that total, so 1000w doesn't seem strictly necessary, especially when you said you wanted to save some cash. (Edit) Keep in mind CPUs and GPUs are only getting more energy efficient. The days of needing 1000+ watts to power a mid-range SLI setup are starting to go away.

Two, do you want your games to load significantly faster too? Your games won't benefit from the speed a solid state drive offers if you only have room for your OS and maybe a handful of games. Unless, of course, you only play and care about a handful of games.

Lastly, don't feel pressured to go into closed loop cooling. There are some risks associated with them (namely frying some of your hardware should a leak ever develop), but otherwise you should be good to go.

Note: if you're using the 4670k (LGA 1150) that RAM is fine. If you're using the 5820k, that's on the X99 platform, which means you'll have to buy a quad-channel kit of DDR4 (NOT DDR3) to get that board up and running. DDR4 will be a bit more expensive.

TBH, my closed loop did work well for the two or so years it lasted, but even with the overclock I had, I was still fine with a good air cooler when I had to replace it. About the same effort to set up. The loop died due to a pump failure, but it was low maintenance (pretty much just cleaning out the fan/heatsink. I had an older version of the H100. Solid build like most Corsair products.

Games on the SSD. It's good not just for single player load times, but also for loading MP maps.