New Build Log: Antec P280 Watercooled

Hello Sharkies,

I've been running an external watercooling setup for almost a decade.

It all started with the standard Lian-Li case popular in the early 2000's
I picked up a Weaponized (TM) Heatercore and shroud and ran tubbing to the external heatercore. Looked awesome for the college times with HydrX pulsing through its veins.

http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/9.jpg

A couple of years later I decided to ratchet it down a notch and go for something a bit more subdued. Something quiet! and not as flashy. My fiance at the time bought me a P182 for xmas and I decided to redo the water loop with quiet and sleek in mind. But again due to space and money restrictions the 360mm rad went up on top with some ultra quiet yate loons from PetrastechShop.

http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/10.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/11.jpg


I finally got the idea this year to redo the loop and shed that external setup for a classier and even quieter setup. Timman inspired this with his new 800D build (my case of choice, buy $$$) So I went with the P180 successor the P280. Its roomy (ATX-XL), great cabling features, and cheap!

Here is a list of the cooling parts used

Antec P280
XSPC Rasa CPU Block
Swiftech MCW60-R Universal GPU Block
Swiftech MCR320-QP Radiator
Swiftech Mico-res Rev2
4x Gentle Typhoon AP-14
Swiftech MCP655-B Pump
Masterkleer 1/2 ID 3/4 OD Tubing
Bitspower True Brass 1/2OD Fittings "Fat Boys" (Best fittings Ive ever used!)

And now the pics! Thanks guys and please let me know any opinions!

http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/12.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/13.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/14.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/15.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/16.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i...2012/01/17.jpg

Rest of the pics!

http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/3.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/4.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/5.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/6.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/7.jpg
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/8.jpg

Looks good man. How are the temps?

Awesome set up. I wish I still had pics of my Antec AMG1000 from years ago that was watercooled with Ace Hardware tube/fittings and a heatercore from an Oldsmobile that I brazed with fittings. Back in the Prescott days, watercooling was mandatory :D

How do you like the P280? I'm thinking about adding some noise padding to the interior of my set up eventually to cut down a bit on the fan noise. Its not loud, but it could be quieter.

That tubing you have must be some soft stuff. Those bend radii are insane and it is still holding its form. You may want to invest in some anti-kink coils just in case. It would suck to have those kink on you.

Here's what they look like:

http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2012/01/2.jpg

Also, what are you using any antimicrobial in your loop? You can pick up a Kill Coil for about 4 dollars. That will take care of any algae or funk that may want to build up over time since I believe you are using distilled water.

Temps are around 30C / 55C on the 2500K

Masterkleer tubing has an insane bend radius, its never kinked on me once. Its not soft at all, almost impossible to compress.

Im using distilled water with a custom CuSO4 solution as a biocide. Adding Ag or even Ni to a Cu based loop is too high of a galvanic potential for my tastes, I stick with Cu and Brass only.

The P280 is quite nice, its a definite feature upgrade from the P180 line, better cooling, cable management and size. That being said it is not built as solid as the former, its an ongoing trend for high end, non "gamer" cases.

Gah. Why must everyone suddenly be swinging back to watercooling. I had just convinced myself that aircooling was good enough! :mad: :p

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Originally Posted by James

Gah. Why must everyone suddenly be swinging back to watercooling. I had just convinced myself that aircooling was good enough! :mad: :p

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TBH Good air cooling is good enough, I just like the tinkering aspect of WC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flutie98

TBH Good air cooling is good enough, I just like the tinkering aspect of WC

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Lies and filthy lies!

Good aircooling usually means keeping a GPU and CPU ~60-90ºC.

Good water cooling usually keeps it around 45ºC. :p

*Edited because I was wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by James

Lies and filthy lies!

Good aircooling usually means keeping a GPU and CPU ~50ºC.

Good water cooling usually keeps it around 35ºC. :p

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35C Load? No way!

My GPU stays at 43C load with a massive overclock and hacked firmware for higher voltages. It was at 90C at stock settings on air. My CPU is at around 44C load at 4.2Ghz.

It could be lower, but I opted for the EX360 slim instead of the RX360 fat to save money and space. I may end up going with a RX360 eventually or adding 3 more yate loons for a push/pull config.

GPU is the biggest difference. Plus the fun factor.

I kind of want to try submerged mineral oil on an old rig I have sitting around, but that will have to wait until after grad school :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flutie98

35C Load? No way!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Timman_24

My GPU stays at 43C load with a massive overclock and hacked firmware for higher voltages.  It was at 90C at stock settings on air.  My CPU is at around 44C load at 4.2Ghz.

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45ºC, my mistake. lol

Still, way Waaayyyy lower than Air cooling.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by James

45ºC, my mistake. lol

Still, way Waaayyyy lower than Air cooling.

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Got ya, The main reason I still do it like Timman said, GPU temps and noise levels are just insanely better. I get around 41C load on my 6870 with Furmark running. I dont think the temp advantage on the cpu is all that beneficial besides maybe a 100Mhz or 2, nothing really noticeable besides in benches.

Nice build there! I'm thinking of doing a very similar build, but with a slightly thicker radiator. So I wonder, how much space do you have below the radiator? If I'm not mistaken, you radiator + fans are 5,9cm thick in total, right?

Thanks in advance!

Flutie, how have you liked those gentle typhoons?

Nice setup. Any particular reason though why your fan controller is upside down :confused:

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Originally Posted by Steven P Jobs

Any particular reason though why your fan controller is upside down :confused:

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I saw that too and was wondering....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by James

Gah. Why must everyone suddenly be swinging back to watercooling. I had just convinced myself that aircooling was good enough! :mad: :p

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It was good enough until the high end CPU's came out. My Q9550 quad core was ok with the aftermarket fan but with the 2700K, I didn't want to risk it. My corsair H80 is a great setup and very reasonable pricing. I'm not brave enough to build my own liquid cooling from scratch though.

The Gentle Typhoons are the best fans Ive ever used hands down. They cost an arm and a leg though....

The fan controller was miss manufactured and was on sale (mounting holes were drilled upside down) Its behind a door so I could care less :D