Consider custom water loop instead of AIO
Opened this issue · 3 comments
The Alphacool Eisbaer is an all-in-one or "AIO" CPU cooler. Most AIOs are factory-sealed and designed never to be opened, but this one does let you open the loop and expand it with new components, which is cool. But it does introduce several limitations:
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You're locked into the 11mm OD/8mm ID tube size, which is thinner and less popular than the 13mm OD/10mm ID or 1/2" ID / 3/8" OD or 3/4" ID / 1/2" OD dimensions. Or you could just throw away the fittings and tubes that come with the kit, but then why buy it as a kit at all?
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Limited fluid volume in the reservoir will limit the loop's cooling capacity if you decide to cool the GPU too.
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You could probably fit a bigger radiator in the case than this 2x120mm one.
Take a look through some of the CPU AIO kits and Radeon 5700 AIO kit and see what components are bundled together. If you just buy those same components unbundled, you can choose the specific fittings, tube dimensions, etc. There might be a slight discount when bundled but I don't think it's too much.
If I were you, I recommend a slightly modified version of what I have:
- Alphacool reservoir + pump combo
- Alphacool 3x120mm radiator
- Alphacool discrete CPU block
- Don't have a strong recommendation for GPU waterblock. I've got an Alphacool, but it was a pain in the ass to assemble.
- Primochill 3/4" OD / 1/2" ID flex tubing
- Primochill 3/4" / 1/2" straight compression fittings for most connections
- Primochill 3/4" / 1/2" rotary angled fittings for connections in corners.
I recommend a smaller radiator than the 3x140mm one I have, which turned out to just barely fit into my case (n.b. there are 3x140mm and 3x120mm variants out there). And I recommend larger tubing than the 13mm/10mm I have, which ends up being fairly easy to kink.
I think my case should be sufficient for 140, but that might also be the upper limit (and thus just barely fit).
2x140mm? Could you fit a 3x120mm?