Ultimate $5000 Gaming PC Build - RTX 3080 & Ryzen 9 5900X Water Cooling

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: My First Custom Water Cooled Gaming PC Build
2. Components Overview
   1. ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080
   2. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
   3. Corsair HydRax Water Cooling Gear
   4. Corsair XD5 RGB Pump Reservoir Combo
   5. Corsair XR360 Radiators
   6. Corsair MP600 Core NVMe SSD
   7. NZXT N7 B550 Motherboard
   8. Corsair iCUE 5000X Case
   9. Corsair Dominator Platinum RAM
   10. Corsair QL Series Fans
3. Preparing the Build
   1. Installing the CPU Water Block
   2. Mounting the Motherboard and RAM
   3. Installing the GPU Water Block
   4. Preparing the Radiators and Fans
   5. Installing the XD5 RGB Pump Reservoir Combo
4. Building the Custom Water Cooling Loop
   1. Planning the Loop
   2. Connecting the Components
   3. Filling and testing the Loop
5. Performance and Benchmarks
   1. GTA 5
   2. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
   3. APEX Legends
   4. Valorant
   5. Cyberpunk 2077
   6. Fortnite
6. Conclusion

🖥️ My First Custom Water Cooled Gaming PC Build

In this article, I will take you on a journey through my first-ever fully water-cooled gaming PC build. I am going to build a custom loot build with an ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080 graphics card, an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X CPU, and an array of Corsair HydRax water cooling gear. So buckle up and get ready for an exciting adventure into the world of custom water cooling.

Components Overview

Let's start by taking a closer look at the components that will make up our epic water-cooled build.

ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080

At the heart of this build is the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080, widely regarded as one of the best graphics cards on the market. It features the flagship design from ASUS and comes with a new water block from Corsair specifically made for the ROG Strix 3080.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

For the CPU, we have chosen the powerful AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. This beast of a processor will be water cooled using the Corsair XC7 water block, which matches the overall aesthetic of our build.

Corsair HydRax Water Cooling Gear

To achieve the ultimate cooling performance, we have opted for Corsair's HydRax water cooling gear. This includes the XD5 RGB pump reservoir combo, XR360 radiators, and a variety of fittings to connect all the components in our loop.

Corsair MP600 Core NVMe SSD

In addition to the powerful CPU and GPU, we have also decided to water cool our storage. We will be using Corsair's MP600 Core NVMe SSD, which not only offers blazing-fast speeds but also comes with a water block specifically designed for it.

NZXT N7 B550 Motherboard

To provide a solid foundation for our build, we have chosen the NZXT N7 B550 motherboard. This motherboard offers great features such as built-in Wi-Fi 6, a rear I/O shield, and support for PCIe Gen 4, making it a perfect match for our high-performance components.

Corsair iCUE 5000X Case

To house all these powerful components, we have selected the Corsair iCUE 5000X case. This case not only offers ample space for our custom water cooling loop but also comes with a stunning tempered Glass panel to showcase the beauty of our build.

Corsair Dominator Platinum RAM

For memory, we have opted for the Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4 RAM. With its sleek design and high performance, this RAM will complement our build perfectly.

Corsair QL Series Fans

To keep everything cool and visually stunning, we have chosen the Corsair QL Series fans. These fans feature vibrant RGB lighting and will provide excellent airflow throughout our system.

Preparing the Build

Now that we are familiar with all the components, let's dive into the build process. We will start by preparing the components and getting everything ready for the water cooling setup.

Installing the CPU Water Block

Our first step is to install the water block for our CPU. The Corsair XC7 water block is specifically designed for our AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. We carefully mount the water block, ensuring proper contact with the CPU. The pre-applied thermal paste ensures optimal heat transfer. Once installed, we connect the compression fittings to secure the tubing in place.

Mounting the Motherboard and RAM

With the CPU water block in place, we proceed to mount the NZXT N7 B550 motherboard in the Corsair iCUE 5000X case. We also install the Corsair Dominator Platinum RAM for high-performance memory.

Installing the GPU Water Block

Now it's time to tackle the GPU water block installation. We remove the existing cooler from the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 3080 and replace it with the Corsair water block. This water block will not only keep our GPU cool but also adds a stunning visual element with its RGB lighting.

Preparing the Radiators and Fans

To ensure optimal cooling performance, we install the Corsair XR360 radiators. These radiators, similar to what you would find in an all-in-one cooler, will be the core components of our water cooling loop. We also replace the stock fans with the Corsair QL Series fans, which will not only enhance airflow but also add a touch of RGB beauty to our build.

Installing the XD5 RGB Pump Reservoir Combo

To complete our water cooling loop, we install the Corsair XD5 RGB pump reservoir combo. This combo unit will store our coolant and circulate it throughout the system, ensuring all components stay cool under heavy loads. The white color of the XD5 RGB pump reservoir combo matches our overall build aesthetic perfectly.

Building the Custom Water Cooling Loop

With all the preparations done, it's time to build our custom water cooling loop. We carefully plan the route of the tubing, making sure to connect all the components effectively. The soft tubing from Corsair's HydRax kit allows us to create smooth curves and achieve the aesthetic we desire.

Filling and Testing the Loop

Once the loop is complete, we proceed to fill it with coolant and test for any leaks. We take extra precautions to prevent any spills or leakage, ensuring a safe and reliable water cooling system. With the loop successfully filled and tested, we are now ready for the final step.

Performance and Benchmarks

One of the most exciting parts of building a high-performance PC is testing its capabilities. We benchmarked our custom water cooled gaming PC in various games to see the FPS figures it can achieve. Here are some highlights from our gaming Sessions:

• GTA 5: Achieved an average of 157 FPS on high settings at 4K resolution.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: Averaged 133 FPS on high settings with DLSS enabled at 4K resolution.
• Apex Legends: Reached an average of 144 FPS on high settings at 4K resolution.
• Valorant: Surpassed 300 FPS on high settings at 4K resolution, making the Game incredibly smooth.
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ran at 62 FPS on high settings with DLSS enabled at 4K resolution, showcasing the power of DLSS technology.
• Fortnite: Achieved 238 FPS on competitive low settings at 1080p resolution, ensuring a competitive edge in fast-paced gameplay.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my first custom water cooled gaming PC build has been an incredible journey. The combination of powerful components and the beauty of a custom water cooling loop has resulted in an exceptional gaming experience. The performance benchmarks highlight the immense power of this system, allowing for smooth gameplay even at high resolutions. I am thrilled with the results, and I hope this article has inspired you to explore the world of custom water cooling. Happy gaming!