[Guide] - Building a Custom Watercooled Workstation

Bridger · Posted Sun 17 Sep, 2017 4:31 PM

With the death of my Main Workstation, I am going to build very soon a new High End System, but I am going to need an Emergency System in case I loss my Main System again.

I also know that we have some Tech Enthusiasts in the community and I thought I make it a Build Log. It is the first time I am doing something like this so I am going to learn a lot and I hope it will be helpful for everyone who plans to do the same.

Ok and now to the most important things the parts list:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 1700X
MB: ASUS Crosshair VI Hero
STORAGE: Samsung 950 PRO NVMe M.2
Case: [URL="http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-s"]Fractal Define S
GPU: EVGA Nvidia Titan X Hybrid Maxwell (Still a very powerful card)
MB-Monoblock: EK-FB ASUS C6H RGB Monoblock - Nickel
GPU-Block: EK-FC Titan X - Nickel
RAM: 16GB GSkill FlareX 3200Mhz

I will add pictures and more usefull information ASAP.

3.2.1. Start

Ned'ya · Posted Sun 17 Sep, 2017 5:20 PM

Good luck with your build, I will watch closely as this is also something I want to do in the future [emoji16]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bedders · Posted Sun 17 Sep, 2017 5:25 PM

Looks like fun Bridger, I've never attempted a custom water cooling loop (as I don't trust myself to spend thousands on a system then lose it all when I fail to secure a pipe fastening...)

Will be following with interest - Good luck!

Infinity · Posted Sun 17 Sep, 2017 7:32 PM

Have fun with it! I'll be observing as well, no pressure!

aceman67 · Posted Sun 17 Sep, 2017 7:35 PM

You going hardline with this?

Bridger · Posted Sun 17 Sep, 2017 7:42 PM

Originally Posted by Bedders

I've never attempted a custom water cooling loop (as I don't trust myself to spend thousands on a system then lose it all when I fail to secure a pipe fastening...)

There is always the chance for a leak, as long as the system is not powered on you are fine and those high praised AIO are also not without risk.

Originally Posted by aceman67

You going hardline with this?

Yes it will be a hardline system

Bridger · Posted Tue 19 Sep, 2017 12:30 PM

I received today the Water Blocks for the Motherboard and the Graphics Card including the Backplate.

The quality of the parts is amazing, the package includes everything you need including tools and you get more than enough thermal pads in case you screw up.

Motherboard Block:

Graphics Card Block:

Backplate:

In the next update I will apply the Waterblock to my Graphics Card.

Bridger · Posted Tue 26 Sep, 2017 6:52 AM

Ok I lied first I added the Monoblock on the Motherboard

I repleaced my Case with a Fractal Design S for better Watercooling.

Bridger · Posted Wed 27 Sep, 2017 1:41 PM

And here is the transformation of my Water Cooled GPU to a Water Cooled GPU

- - - Updated - - -

PS: I am praying day and night that I have not screwed up anything.

Curzon Peers · Posted Wed 27 Sep, 2017 2:09 PM

Personally, I don't think the miniscule extra boost clock on the X processors is worth the premium they charge. Better to just save the money by getting a 1700 or go all in and get the 8 core 1800X (sadly no 1800)

It's a shame the mATX and ITX segments of the motherboard market are weak for Ryzen. Getting a full ATX board is such a waste of space when you only have one graphics card..

Silynn · Posted Wed 27 Sep, 2017 2:40 PM

Definitely appears to be a sexy beast. I have used PCPartPicker to build my last two systems.

I do like the liquid cooling for my systems as they seem to be a bit more quiet than my fan-cooled system (back-up system).

P.S. I like your computer work mat.

Bridger · Posted Wed 27 Sep, 2017 2:49 PM

There are 5 Mini-ITX and 34 µATX Boards available I would not call that weak.

Since it is a big case and I put some Radiator, Reservoir... in it is full enough and SLI and Crossfire are dying anyway.

- - - Updated - - -

PS: Thanks Silynn

aceman67 · Posted Wed 27 Sep, 2017 4:55 PM

Very true on the SLI/Crossfire thing, AMD just the other day said that they are ending further support and development for Triple and Quad card setups in their gaming drivers.

Workstation, on the other hand, that's different.

Personally though, for the same price, possibly cheaper, I would have gone with the Fractal Design Define S. It's built for custom loop water cooling, supports all MoBo sizes and comes in a mini-variety.

Bridger · Posted Wed 27 Sep, 2017 6:26 PM

In a post earlier I actual said that I switched to that case.

Curzon Peers · Posted Fri 29 Sep, 2017 6:56 AM

Originally Posted by Bridger

There are 5 Mini-ITX and 34 µATX Boards available I would not call that weak.

That's not nearly as many as any given generation of Intel sockets receives. AM4 is still fairly new at this stage, and up until Ryzen actually came out, most manufacturers had little faith in AMD.

Originally Posted by aceman67

Very true on the SLI/Crossfire thing, AMD just the other day said that they are ending further support and development for Triple and Quad card setups in their gaming drivers.

I'm surprised it took them this long. Nvidia ended support a while ago (though you can still request 3 way SLI drivers from their tech support department)

[quote[Personally though, for the same price, possibly cheaper, I would have gone with the Fractal Design Define S. It's built for custom loop water cooling, supports all MoBo sizes and comes in a mini-variety.[/QUOTE]

That's a good case, yes.

[Guide] - Building a Custom Watercooled Workstation

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