Water Cooled Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO Project Build

[Chicken Patty]

Hello all,
So decided to abandon my earlier project as that was pretty much already done and I had a new case coming in that had more water cooling potential such as a distro plate, etc. So this is where this project currently sits.

The PC is running with my old setup from the H7 Flow case. However, I'm going to drastically change some things. I have an ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero motherboard arriving hopefully early next week which helps me tremendously because my current CH VI board does not have 3-pin A-RGB headers, so I have to add more cables and stuff by using the Deep Cool RGB converters. So that alone should help me clean up the wiring just a tad.

Now, for the components, I want to get the following and I'm looking for suggestions, so please let me know what you think and/or suggest.

I need:
-Front or side distro plate for the case, can't find any in stock anywhere, only for regular Dynamic case (Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO)
-CPU water block
-Radiator (Looking to mount a 360mm up top)
-Fluid
-Hard Tubing (never bought, so any that you guys recommend?)
-Any tools for doing hard tubing (already have a heat gun)

Parts Enroute:
-ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero Motherboard

But just to get some pictures going, this is how the build sits now with the AIO, this is how it'll stay until I take it apart again once I have all the custom water cooling parts. I did use some black tape to cover off the side of the motherboard tray for now as I am eventually going to add fans there, but for now, since I'm not using it figured I'd block it off and put some cables behind it. Yes, it's ghetto, but it's only temporary till the build is finished.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Hello all,
So decided to abandon my earlier project as that was pretty much already done and I had a new case coming in that had more water cooling potential such as a distro plate, etc. So this is where this project currently sits.

The PC is running with my old setup from the H7 Flow case. However, I'm going to drastically change some things. I have an ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero motherboard arriving hopefully early next week which helps me tremendously because my current CH VI board does not have 3-pin A-RGB headers, so I have to add more cables and stuff by using the Deep Cool RGB converters. So that alone should help me clean up the wiring just a tad.

Now, for the components, I want to get the following and I'm looking for suggestions, so please let me know what you think and/or suggest.

I need:
-Front or side distro plate for the case, can't find any in stock anywhere, only for regular Dynamic case (Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO)
-CPU water block
-Radiator (Looking to mount a 360mm up top)
-Fluid
-Hard Tubing (never bought, so any that you guys recommend?)
-Any tools for doing hard tubing (already have a heat gun)

But just to get some pictures going, this is how the build sits now with the AIO, this is how it'll stay until I take it apart again once I have all the custom water cooling parts. I did use some black tape to cover off the side of the motherboard tray for now as I am eventually going to add fans there, but for now, since I'm not using it figured I'd block it off and put some cables behind it. Yes, it's ghetto, but it's only temporary till the build is finished.

I'm not a water block guru but EK's older water block is still on sale. I'm using it currently and have no complaints.

This person in the link below seems to make distroplate for Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO in both single and dual D5 designs. Seems quite interesting. I almost got one for my original 011D but I didn't want to give up my front glass but his designs seem to be a bit better than EK's in terms of placement of ports and pump.

PC Water Cooling | Radikult Custom

Radikult Custom makes one-of-a-kind water reservoirs for your water cooling needs. Whether it be for work or gaming computers, our specialized reservoirs will enhance the look and performance of your PC.

www.radikult-custom.com

 

[Chicken Patty]

I'm not a water block guru but EK's older water block is still on sale. I'm using it currently and have no complaints.
View attachment 259538


This person in the link below seems to make distroplate for Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO in both single and dual D5 designs. Seems quite interesting. I almost got one for my original 011D but I didn't want to give up my front glass but his designs seem to be a bit better than EK's in terms of placement of ports and pump.

PC Water Cooling | Radikult Custom

Radikult Custom makes one-of-a-kind water reservoirs for your water cooling needs. Whether it be for work or gaming computers, our specialized reservoirs will enhance the look and performance of your PC.

www.radikult-custom.com

As far as the water block that is a sweet deal. Was looking at some monoblocks for my board. Not sure if monoblocks are worth it or not over a traditional CPU water block. Any input on that?

As far as the reservoir, just a few minutes ago I ordered a Bykski (did I get that right?). Only one I could find in stock and comes with a pump, albeit a DDC one. But the reviews I did find, as long as the pump doesn't run hot don't tend to give issues usually. I've owned plenty of DDC pumps in the past and have had no issues either. But thanks for the link, this is definitely something I'll keep in mind if for some reason I'm not happy with the purchase. EK is out of stock and it costs an arm and a leg anyways

 

[A Computer Guy]

As far as the water block that is a sweet deal. Was looking at some monoblocks for my board. Not sure if monoblocks are worth it or not over a traditional CPU water block. Any input on that?

If your VRM heat output and heatsinks are good I wouldn't bother with a monoblock unless you really like the aesthetic especially with the RGB. I did it specifically with my ASRock Master SLI/ac for better VRM heat management (plus it was on sale 50% off at the time) but that board had crap VRM's. Since it's a larger mass it soaks up more heat but it was a bit of a pain to get on and off when I needed to do a CPU swap or clean the block. One thing I didn't like was the monoblock didn't have full IHS (you should check for this) coverage on my CPU which I think would have helped a little bit but otherwise it just worked fine. The velocity has full coverage on the IHS and I have no complaints although it's not the breadwinner of water blocks as far as I know but if you get it on sale that's a win against more expensive blocks in my opinion. The shipping cost however might be PITA so I would shop around and don't spend an obscene amount on a block if you don't have to.

As far as the reservoir, just a few minutes ago I ordered a Bykski (did I get that right?). Only one I could find in stock and comes with a pump, albeit a DDC one. But the reviews I did find, as long as the pump doesn't run hot don't tend to give issues usually.

Can you provide a link for what you got?

I've owned plenty of DDC pumps in the past and have had no issues either. But thanks for the link, this is definitely something I'll keep in mind if for some reason I'm not happy with the purchase. EK is out of stock and it costs an arm and a leg anyways

Yea If I had to do-over I would have liked to try https://www.radikult-custom.com/ offerings. The EK design is mediocre, more expensive, and I think they could have done a much better job to not loose some configuration options with the original 011D case and their distroplate. I'm not sure if the same applies for the EVO EK distroplate but the EVO also seems to resolve some of the issues with the 011D too.

(sorry for all the edits)

 

[A Computer Guy]

I need:
-Radiator (Looking to mount a 360mm up top)

Depending on the distroplate it might favor a bottom rad (a dual rad hookup top and bottom) so that is something you might consider when planning your tubing routes.

-Fluid

I use EK Cryofuel that seems to work well enough and change it once a year. It supposedly has a 2yr shelf life so I always keep a spare and get a new one when swapping fluid so I always have 1 spare. I've seen some people complain about it. I had 1 bad mix once (some kind of debris) but fixed it by running it through a coffee filter so I just always be sure to double check the fluid now before I refill.

 

[Chicken Patty]

If your VRM heat output and heatsinks are good I wouldn't bother with a monoblock unless you really like the aesthetic especially with the RGB. I did it specifically with my ASRock Master SLI/ac for better VRM heat management (plus it was on sale 50% off at the time) but that board had crap VRM's. Since it's a larger mass it soaks up more heat but it was a bit of a pain to get on and off when I needed to do a CPU swap or clean the block. One thing I didn't like was the monoblock didn't have full IHS (you should check for this) coverage on my CPU which I think would have helped a little bit but otherwise it just worked fine. The velocity has full coverage on the IHS and I have no complaints although it's not the breadwinner of water blocks as far as I know but if you get it on sale that's a win against more expensive blocks in my opinion. The shipping cost however might be PITA so I would shop around and don't spend an obscene amount on a block if you don't have to.

My current board doesn't need the extra cooling, the new board I have en route shouldn't either as it's pretty much an improved version of my board and a newer chipset. So I think I'll be fine there. I'll definitely look now into that block that's on sale and see if I find it at the same price where the shipping won't kill me. Monoblock was just something I saw and caught my eye but didn't think I'd need it to be honest and I have plenty RGB already, don't want more hehehe.

Can you provide a link for what you got?

Well, I had bought this but for some reason got canceled cause they couldn't charge my card? I checked my bank and everything was fine, so I took the opportunity and purchased one from the link you sent me from Radikult . He's close to me so shipping was not expensive and should be relatively quick. Worked out.

This is the original one I had bought:

Bykski Distro Plate for Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO - PMMA w/ 5v Addressable RGB (RBW) (RGV-LAN-O11-EVO-P)

Bykski Distro or distribution plates are a unique way to outfit your cooling loop. These are designed case specific to fit perfectly to create amazing cooling loops and a stunning visual look. Ports are lined up for perfect lines to each cooling device. The Distro plate is engineered to be used...

www.bykski.us

Yea If I had to do-over I would have liked to try https://www.radikult-custom.com/ offerings. The EK design is mediocre, more expensive, and I think they could have done a much better job to not loose some configuration options with the original 011D case and their distroplate. I'm not sure if the same applies for the EVO EK distroplate but the EVO also seems to resolve some of the issues with the 011D too.

I did see a video from Radikult and it's impressive what he's done. I'm excited to receive mine, hopefully later next week. I'll update here so you can check it out as well

 

[thesmokingman]

You don't need or really want a monoblock, especially an EK one given how it's designed. Performance suffers vs individual block, and the vrms on x570 don't get that hot, and you don't have an msi board so all good.

 

[Chicken Patty]

You don't need or really want a monoblock, especially an EK one given how it's designed. Performance suffers vs individual block, and the vrms on x570 don't get that hot, and you don't have an msi board so all good.

Figured as much, like I said it just caught my eye. But thank you both for the feedback

 

[cvaldes]

I recently took up custom cooling, so my experience is limited to 2-3 builds however I'll offer a few comments. I have two current PCs with custom cooling and the primary one is listed in my System Specs, a Lian Li O11D Mini.

First, I don't have any experience with distribution plates or hard tubing.

I've only used CPU waterblocks from Alphacool and they work fine.

Basically any 360mm radiator will cool a Zen 3 CPU.

Originally, I was cooling my 5900X with an XSPC TX360 (ultraslim, 20.5 mm thick) radiator, plenty of cooling capacity. I reconfigured the components a bit; by vertically mounting my graphics card, I had to lose the top radiator. A rather ordinary side-mounted PrimoChill 240mm EximoSM Ultra radiator (40mm thick) -- repurposed from a previous build -- is still plenty for the Ryzen 9 despite losing 120mm of radiator length and a fan.

In fact, I successfully cooled a 5600X with a PrimoChill 120mm radiator in my decommissioned build.

The Alphacool NexXos ST30 radiator (360mm long, 30mm thick) works fine for cooling my 3080Ti.

The only fluid I've used is distilled water with a few drops of biocide.

 

[Chicken Patty]

I recently took up custom cooling, so my experience is limited to 2-3 builds however I'll offer a few comments. I have two current PCs with custom cooling and the primary one is listed in my System Specs, a Lian Li O11D Mini.

First, I don't have any experience with distribution plates or hard tubing.

I've only used CPU waterblocks from Alphacool and they work fine.

Basically any 360mm radiator will cool a Zen 3 CPU.

Originally, I was cooling my 5900X with an XSPC TX360 (ultraslim, 20.5 mm thick) radiator, plenty of cooling capacity. I reconfigured the components a bit; by vertically mounting my graphics card, I had to lose the top radiator. A rather ordinary side-mounted PrimoChill 240mm EximoSM Ultra radiator (40mm thick) -- repurposed from a previous build -- is still plenty for the Ryzen 9 despite losing 120mm of radiator length and a fan.

In fact, I successfully cooled a 5600X with a PrimoChill 120mm radiator in my decommissioned build.

The Alphacool NexXos ST30 radiator (360mm long, 30mm thick) works fine for cooling my 3080Ti.

The only fluid I've used is distilled water with a few drops of biocide.

Thank you for the feedback. Not worried about cooling performance much as I know mostly anything will cool it properly. But I do want it to be future proof if later I add in the GPU to the mix. So in that case I rather a 360mm rad or something along those lines.

For the block was just asking cause I haven't done a custom loop in a while and I know a shit block can make a break a loop as it has happened to me before with an old TT loop I had.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Once I see someone going for a distro plate all I can say is try not to use to many 90 degree fittings
The more you use the more noisy you pump will be.
So don't get lazy and use 90's bend your tubing instead your pump will love you for it and allow you to run it full blast and never hear a peep out of it

 

[ThrashZone]

Hard pipe I don't bother with seeing it makes simple tasks more difficult
Example just changing thermal paste it a major pain.

So I would suggest adding some quick disconnects between water blocks.

 

[ThrashZone]

Mono block if you do use one make sure to prep the back of the case so you can get to all the mounting screws without total disassembly.

 

[dgianstefani]

Depending on the distroplate it might favor a bottom rad (a dual rad hookup top and bottom) so that is something you might consider when planning your tubing routes.

I use EK Cryofuel that seems to work well enough and change it once a year. It supposedly has a 2yr shelf life so I always keep a spare and get a new one when swapping fluid so I always have 1 spare. I've seen some people complain about it. I had 1 bad mix once (some kind of debris) but fixed it by running it through a coffee filter so I just always be sure to double check the fluid now before I refill.

Try mayhems XTR, never needs changing, maybe run it through a paper coffee filter after the first year to remove any gunk from the rest of the loop. Two years now and still good as new for me.

 

[Chicken Patty]

Hard pipe I don't bother with seeing it makes simple tasks more difficult
Example just changing thermal paste it a major pain.

So I would suggest adding some quick disconnects between water blocks.

What pipe/tubing do you suggest running?

 

[Chicken Patty]

Mono block if you do use one make sure to prep the back of the case so you can get to all the mounting screws without total disassembly.

Probably won't be but thanks for the heads up. Thank you for all the info by the way.

 

[Chicken Patty]

Try mayhems XTR, never needs changing, maybe run it through a paper coffee filter after the first year to remove any gunk from the rest of the loop. Two years now and still good as new for me.

Thank you for the suggestion, will look into it when the time comes

 

[AM4isGOD]

I'm using the XL case version with 2x 360mm rads in top/bottom, with CPU and GPU cooled, I'm using EK black tubing.

 

[Chicken Patty]

I'm using the XL case version with 2x 360mm rads in top/bottom, with CPU and GPU cooled, I'm using EK black tubing.

Can you post pics of the setup? Would like to check it out.

 

[AM4isGOD]

Can you post pics of the setup? Would like to check it out.

 

[ThrashZone]

What pipe/tubing do you suggest running?

Hi,
All i use is soft tubing so no idea about hard stuff
I use some local stuff from modmymods.com

ModMyMods 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD Flexible PVC Tubing - Crystal Clear (MOD-0003) - 3/8” ID x 5/8” OD Soft Tubing - Tubing ModMyMods.com - PC Watercooling Parts and Accessories

 

[Chicken Patty]

View attachment 259623

That looks good man. Love the red. Thanks for posting. Have any pics with more lighting? Just looking for ideas.

 

[Chicken Patty]

Hi,
All i use is soft tubing so no idea about hard stuff
I use some local stuff from modmymods.com

ModMyMods 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD Flexible PVC Tubing - Crystal Clear (MOD-0003) - 3/8” ID x 5/8” OD Soft Tubing - Tubing ModMyMods.com - PC Watercooling Parts and Accessories

Thank you will check it out.

 

[ThrashZone]

Thank you will check it out.

Hi,
Best water blocks are local as well
Optimus Advanced Water Cooling

 

[dgianstefani]

Hi,
Best water blocks are local as well
Optimus Advanced Water Cooling

Oooo they're spicy all right, I have one

However in testing TechN Germany was apparently ever so slightly better performance wise. I suspect they might not be as nice aesthetically or pure build quality though.

Went with Optimus when I built my current system as Brexit was making imports from Germany into UK very difficult.