Description

My current system works fine for the games and workloads that i demand of it. I don't play too many AAA titles so my i5-4670k and STRIX 970 are keeping up quite well. I also know that DDR5 is coming out soonish and I don't want to be trapped like i was 3 years ago when i purchased my DDR3 build months before DDR4 came out. So this time I decided to wait and upgrade my case and go into watercooling.

My favorite color combination is orange/black (obviously) and i wanted to do the best i could. Since i didn't change the motherboard i wasn't able to totally color match it, but the main components being the tubing, reservoir and the case are all in the intended color scheme..hopefully in a few years i can get a motherboard to match.

Comments

  • 11 months ago
  • 2 points

Never seen a cpu block used on a gpu before, clearly making waves in pc building right here. Very nice build :)

  • 11 months ago
  • 3 points

It's not a CPU block, it's just a universal VGA block.

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

Thought the same! Maybe you should check the GPU VRM temps.

  • 11 months ago
  • 3 points

my VRM temperatures are not a problem since the bottom fans are the intake. Cool air blows over all the VRMs and keep them surprisingly cool.

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

Not everyone has cash to pour down cash for a $1000 loop. I’m guessing this on is in the $300 to $400 range. And as SwiftSeb states it’s a universal VGA block.

  • 11 months ago
  • 2 points

My reason for using a Universal VGA waterblock is that they don't make any full cover waterblocks for my STRIS GTX 970. I would get a full waterblock if i could. and i didn't want to only "Half cool" my system. Also it wasn't that cheap of a loop. While the Universal block is only 59.99 a full cover block is about 150. So i really only "saved" $100...all in all my build cost me close to $1000 (the estimates from the configurer seem a bit high)

Edit: i also add the cost of the case as apart of watercooling since my old case wouldn't facilitate watercooling on the scale i wanted to.

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

Thank you for the compliment. As someone else mentioned it isn't a CPU block it is a universal VGA block. Nobody makes full cover waterblocks for my STRIX GTX 970 any more and they seem impossible to find. I also intend to eventually upgrade it so i might as well watercool what i have and then get a full cover block when i get a new one later.

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

doesnt ek have one ?

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

They used to, all their current models are out of stock with no plan on restocking them

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  • 11 months ago
  • 2 points

Unpopular Opinion: Soft tubing looks better than hard tubing for short runs like this. Well done!

Did you modify the case at all to get the radiator ports to work at the bottom? My EK SE 360 wouldn't fit in the side with the ports at the bottom as there was only a cutaway at the top of the case.

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

No, I tried to modify the case to fit the radiator in the inside of the case....but it didn't fit. I mounted the radiator with the openings on the bottom because it was not as tight if I put the opening on the top since I had my second radiator and the fans ontop

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

Yea, I figured most people would prefer side + top radiator which would mean using the ports at the bottom for the side. I guess it just depends on the radiator port layout if it will fit in the side.

Edit: OK, i totally see now that it IS NOT mounted on the side and both fans and radiator are inside with the motherboard. I initially thought you somehow made it fit in the side chamber area in that orientation. I was wrong!

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

Who needs a full cover block when you have 3 fans blowing on your GPU!

  • 11 months ago
  • 1 point

Full cover blocks always look cleaner and was my first choice :)

  • 10 months ago
  • 1 point

Hey there! What GPU riser did you use? Lian Lis' own one which you can buy with the Case takes up a fan slot on the bottom of the Case and I would like to avoid that. I am also looking at your reservoir... I must check if I can fasten mine also in that position. Did you use a special part to fit it there? Once I get my case I will be able to check that. Otherwise maybe I buy yours or your reservoir mount.

PS nice build!

  • 9 months ago
  • 1 point

hi, sorry for late reply. I did in fact use the Lian Li vertical GPU kit which included the plate for vertical mounting of the gpu, a riser cable and the base mounting bracket.....However as you can see in myset up i did not have the space for that base mounting bracket. The good news is that the side pci slot mounting is strong enough to hold it without the base....so overall there are 2 remaining slots on the case.

  • 9 months ago
  • 1 point

Hey! Thanks for your answer. I guess in your case, as you are no using a full cover block it isn't heavy. Do you think it would hold a full cover block? I have a 1080ti I am trying to decide. Or maybe there are generic raisers? I need to check that.

Thanks again! :)

  • 9 months ago
  • 1 point

yes 100% i think it would hold a full water block. It is very sturdy!

  • 9 months ago
  • 2 points

Awesome! Thanks for your help! :)