This is my first custom loop, and so far I’m really happy with the results. As I learned more about flow, I ended up changing my tube routing. The first image shows the current setup, the second shows it before the tube changes, and the third is how the system looked before I built the loop. The rest of the images show the build in its current state.
I picked up Honeywell 7950 thermal pads for both the CPU and GPU but decided to hold off installing them until I saw how the temps looked. From what I understand, they don’t really kick in until around 50 °C. In Resident Evil 3 Remastered with everything maxed, I stay in the low 50s. Under heavy sustained loads, I’ll hit low 70s, and HWiNFO sometimes logs quick spikes into the low 80s, though I never catch them in real time, so I’m assuming they’re just brief jumps before dropping back down. Seems normal to me, but I’d be interested to hear what others think.
Full Specs:
• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
• GPU: MSI RTX 5090 Vanguard SOC
• Motherboard: MSI MEG Z890 Godlike
• RAM: 64 GB G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400
• Storage: Samsung 9100 Pro 2 TB PCIe 5.0 +
• Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB PCIe 4.0
• PSU: MSI MEG Ai1600T Titanium
• Case: MSI MEG Maestro 700L PZ
• Fans: 6X MSI MPG EZ120 ARGB (adding another)
• Cooling: Full custom loop with EKWB Quantum Series – CPU block, GPU block, dual P360M X-Flow rads, D5 pump/res combo, EK fittings, EK CryoFuel