First timer Questions in general and potentiall wall-mount?
Hey everyone,
I’m currently running the following setup and thinking about moving into custom watercooling for the first time:
- Corsair 5000T case
- Corsair iCUE LINK H150i RGB (currently cooling a 7800X3D, planning to upgrade to a 9950X3D in the near future or next gen eqivalent)
- XFX Merc 7900XTX (Upgraded as needed)
- ASUS ROG X670E Hero
- ROG Thor 1200W PSU
So far I’ve only ever used AIOs, so I have basically zero handson experience with custom loops.
My main concern is noise. I’m aiming for a very quiet system, ideally close to silent even under medium to medium/heavy load. I’ve read that more radiator surface = lower fan speeds = less noise, which sounds perfect in theory, but I’m not sure how that translates in practice.
That leads me to a few questions:
1. Is a custom loop actually worth it for noise?
I don’t mind the cost too much, but I want to make sure I’m not chasing diminishing returns compared to just running a high-end AIO + good GPU cooler.
2. Radiator setup recommendations?
Given my case (or potentially going wallmounted), what would you recommend in terms of:
- Number and size of radiators
- Push vs push/pull
- Fan choices for quiet operation
3. What parts do I actually need?
From what I understand:
- CPU block
- GPU block (for 7900XTX)
- Pump/reservoir combo
- Radiators (thinking about 4+ 420/360 rads? (360 would be thick ones))
- Fittings + tubing (soft vs hard?)
- Coolant
Anything I’m missing? Any “must-have” brands or parts you’d recommend for a first build?
4. Expected noise levels?
Realistically, how quiet can a well-built custom loop get?
Can it be near-silent at idle and still very quiet under load, or is pump noise always noticeable?
5. Wall-mount / open-frame ideas
I’m seriously considering ditching the case and going for a wall-mounted or open-frame setup to:
- Save desk space
- Show off components
Does anyone have experience with:
- Good wall mounts / open-frame cases
- Custom metal frames
- 3D printed solutions
Is this a terrible idea long-term (dust, vibration, safety), or totally viable if done right?
6. Future proofing
I’d like to design the loop so I can easily upgrade the GPU later without rebuilding everything from scratch. Any tips for planning ahead?
Would really appreciate any advice, especially from people who switched from AIO -> custom loop and care about silence.
Thanks! :)