Rigid S/S Tubed Build

[Dia01]

It has been awhile since my last post, but I check in daily at TPU. I’ve searched around but I don’t really see any builds done with rigid tubing used to water cool, well not a full build as far as I can see. But I know the idea has been mentioned from time to time. So, I’ve been toying with the idea of completing a build with stainless steel tubing and since the opportunity has arisen I plan on putting this plan into practice.
The build is overkill, but being a somewhat enthusiast, I couldn’t help myself and have already purchased all the gear.

Build:
Corsair 800D
X58 Saberthooth
Corsair AX1200 Gold Power Supply
Intel 980x
Palit 580GTX SLI
Corsair CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 12GB (3x4GB
OCZ 80Gb Vertex II (OS)
WD Caviar Black 1TB (Storage)
Samsung SH-B123A 12X Blu-ray DVD Combo Drive

EK-CoolStream RAD XT 360 (TOP OF CASE)
EK-CoolStream RAD XT 240 (BOTTOM OF CASE MOD)
EK-Supreme HF Acetal+Nickel (CPU)
EK-FC580 GTX Acetal Nickel (GPU’s)
Laing D5 pump (INSTALLED IN DUAL RES)
XSPC Acrylic Dual 5.25” Reservoir

I plan on installing 3/8” stainless steel rigid tubing to all blocks accompanied with Swagelok compression fittings, 1/2” will be too bulky. Since the compression fittings are a tapered thread, I will have to re-thread each of them to a parallel thread and also cut them down a bit as the thread lengths are a little too long. I can get the tube and fittings for free, too expensive otherwise.

Being rigid, there are a few negatives, mainly being non-flexible and also the conductivity properties of the tube. So in order to maintain the loop periodically I’ll also need to tee off a drain valve. Filling the loop will be done at the res. The water blocks will be in parallel purely for aesthetics and for temperature evenness across the GPU’s. As for the conductivity issue, all piping will be done in a fashion which shouldn’t cause an issue.

The loop will be RES/PUMP – 360 Rad – CPU – 240 Rad – GPU 1&2 – back to RES/PUMP

So I’ve spent some time in google sketchup to lay it all out with the closest dimensions and all should fit and hopefully look alright once completed.

Let me know what you all think and any criticisms are welcome. I'll commence the build in about a week.

 

[sneekypeet]

cool concept. my only thought would be to put fittings on the floor level of the case. might make plumbing a ton easier to install

 

[Sinzia]

subb'd
I like where this is going.

 

[copenhagen69]

sub'd

 

[mlee49]

Wow, thats a crap ton of 90º fittings. Hope your pump doesn't die in like 100 hours. Better yet, probably should get two.

 

[Dia01]

Wow, thats a crap ton of 90º fittings. Hope your pump doesn't die in like 100 hours. Better yet, probably should get two.

There actually won't be any 90º fittings, the tubes will be 90º bent with tube benders. Flow may or may not be an issue until I practically find out I suppose, fingers crossed all will be good.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Maybe build a case/rack totally out of tubing like a skeleton effect with cooling running through the entire system.

 

[Dia01]

Maybe build a case/rack totally out of tubing like a skeleton effect with cooling running through the entire system.

I was looking at one today you linked to some time ago - http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=170938

 

[Deleted member 74752]

I remember that one...that had to be the most worrisome project ever. Turned out pretty cool tho.

 

[mstenholm]

Sub'd. Just got my 800D and NB/SB heatsinks to go with the CPU this morning. You will have more luck at fitting your two rads then I will for my quad.

Will you make a cut on the reverse side of the case for the exhurst from the dual rad? It is the 18 W pump, right?

Eidt: Just saw your gallery. You do have free exhurst. Good.

 

[Dia01]

Sub'd. Just got my 800D and NB/SB heatsinks to go with the CPU this morning. You will have more luck at fitting your two rads then I will for my quad.

Will you make a cut on the reverse side of the case for the exhurst from the dual rad? It is the 18 W pump, right?

Eidt: Just saw your gallery. You do have free exhurst. Good.

I'll have to remove the bottom HDD cage to mount the 240 rad to exhaust through the side panel, a little bit of modding to do. The D5 is a rebadged MCP655 as I understand and @ 12v it is rated at 24w going by the MCP655 spec's. I spent a large amount of time choosing cases but at the end of the day the 800D just fitted the purpose, I suppose that's why its so popular with water cooling.

 

[Dia01]

Began with the tedious task of removing the tapered threads on each of the fittings for parallel threads. The fittings I'll be using will be Swagelok S/S Male NPT Straight 1/4" thread 3/8" tube.

Photo showing tapered thread of fitting.

Firstly, cutting compound needed to remove the tapered thread.

Need to cut the thread down to appropriate size for the blocks, approximately 5-6mm thread needed to suffice otherwise they'll be too long.

Installed O-Ring to seal the connection. One down, 9 more to go.

 

[Dia01]

All fittings cut down to size, just awaiting for the remaining water cooling parts to arrive and I'll begin assembly.

 

[copenhagen69]

looking good

 

[Dia01]

I now have most of the gear just awaiting on the following items then the build will commence, hopefully this week

5ea x D12SL-12 Yate Loon Fans
1ea x Laing D5 12 Volt Pump
1ea x XSPC Dual 5.25” Reservoir
2ea x EK-FC Link GeForce
1ea x EK-FC Bridge DUAL Parallel
2ea x EK-FC580 GTX Backplate

 

[copenhagen69]

awesome!!

 

[Liquid Cool]

Subbed. Haven't seen a rigid tube build since the early days and I've only seen one - made out of copper.

Looking forward to updates...

Liquid Cool

 

[copenhagen69]

pics?

 

[Dia01]

pics?

The last items only dispatched yesterday and I should have them early next week. Once I've got them I'll commence the build.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Subbed. Haven't seen a rigid tube build since the early days and I've only seen one - made out of copper.

Glass or some kind of clear material would be so awesome.

 

[Loosenut]

A very ambitious project, can't wait to see updates.

 

[copenhagen69]

The last items only dispatched yesterday and I should have them early next week. Once I've got them I'll commence the build.

awesome!!

 

[Jack Doph]

Looks very nice mate.
What about condensation though?
I noticed you're a QLDer like me, so this would be a consideration I figure..
Perhaps employ some basic foam insulation, not unlike that used for Aircon tubing?

 

[Dia01]

Looks very nice mate.
What about condensation though?
I noticed you're a QLDer like me, so this would be a consideration I figure..
Perhaps employ some basic foam insulation, not unlike that used for Aircon tubing?

I've never had problems with condensation since you will never cool below ambient with a rad. Leaks though is a problem which I need to be very careful with, but the swagelok fittings are quite good, use them in industry all the time. Hybrid cooling or peltier cooling for that matter is a different story, condensation can be problematic below ambient.

Good to see a fellow QLDer

 

[EarthDog]

I think this will LOOK cool, but be utter hell changing anything out of it.