Hey mate!
I feel like I'm closing in on this build, enough that I can share a few things with you, especially if you're one of these people who fell in love with the T1 or SFF in general and wants to do a watercooled build.
This whole process started on March or April 2020...
I had not built a computer for quite some time so I started by catching up on current tech watching YouTube videos (LTT, GN, ...) and then I stumbled upon Optimum Tech's channel and to be honest, that's how I discovered the SFF world and that's how I started wanting to do a watercooled build.
At the time the cases I had in mind were the Dan A4 and the Ncase M1.
I had known for a while the FormD T1 was the case I wanted but it was not available to the public back then that's why I was leaning towards the Ncase M1.
This was the period 10th gen Intel processors were about to get released, so I decided on a build and then started asking for advices on Reddit:
I was able to preorder the T1, for the 2020-07-31 batch.
I started building on August 17th (1st delivery attempt was 1 or 2 weeks before that, I was on holiday at that time).
A little while later, I wanted to find a waterblock for my GPU so I took it apart and asked Reddit again:
Note that I could've used the T1 in 3 slot mode and call it a day, this is totally unnecessary here and actually pure madness, but you will find out I'm quite the madlad.
Now let's talk numbers...
When I ordered the parts, I used the following spreadsheet to keep track of the prices, I didn't order everything at the same place to get the better price (delivery included).
Here's what I paid then:
Also note that I already owned the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GAMING OC 8G (rev 1.0) which I paid 792,90 € from LDLC on 2019-08-20, shipping included.
There you have it! 2 363,46 € or 2794,48 $ USD for the start of this build.
Oh, I almost forgot, you need to add some Noctua Chromax fans to this:
Note that I bought three 15mm fans, but you would only need one or two at that point, depending on how you build.
Now let's actually see what this is all about!
The unboxing of the FormD T1:
Around the same time I recieved the GPU Waterblock from Aquatuning, and it was broken...
I decided to test fit it before sending it back to get a new one:
It happened to be a perfect fit!
Note that I had to pay myself (I might have done it wrong?) for the RMA shipping expenses, for something that arrived broken.
Here are a few assembly pictures:
So here we are with a working computer that won't close on the CPU side panel (but still, it's kitten approved):
That was the first time I built the T1, in 3 slots mode so that the GPU would fit. It stayed like this for a while.
Until I decided to tidy up my desk, then I switched to 2 slots mode:
So now, the CPU side panel would close, but the GPU side panel would not.
Until I recieved get the new GPU waterblock and used an extension set from Aquatuning I had bought with the one that arrived broken. Here are the prices I paid for these:
Let's see how it went:
I think it went really well!
Then I had to bleed the AIO, and while doing this I realized that I had too much tubing and that the quick-disconnect fittings were taking too much space in the case anyway. So I got rid of them and tubed directly to each components:
That's definitely better! That's also not really an AIO solution anymore, more of an assisted custom loop lol...but hey! the case is closing, on both sides:
Here you can see how I routed the tube, how I oriented the PSU, which fan I used and how:
Then I came accross a post by wispy-matt on Reddit and how he used the fillport on the LT Pump/Block as an Inlet, and I did the same because it helped with my tubing route and I think airflow too:
I even added a side fan:
It looks like we're done with that build, no?
But there's something bothering me a little, look at that bend:
It turns out the screws on the backplate of the waterblock are too thick. We'll leave it like that for now, but we definitely will come back to fix this!
MAGNETS!
Also, I ordered some magnets and epoxy glue so that the panel would not fall anymore when you remove the top panel.
Here's what I bought to do it.
I think you can get a better glue because once opened this one became really hard to use a second time.
I also tried out a few configuration tweaks to see how I could put hard drives or solid state drives in:
Turns out you would need specific eblowed SATA power cables for the one hidden in the front panel.
Okay, so we have that case built, both CPU and GPU are watercooled, we've put so many fans, so how's performance?
Well, you have to know that if I bought the i5-10600k it is certainly to run it overclocked to at least 5Ghz.
And well, I don't have exact numbers from then, but I can remember the numbers weren't that great IMHO.
Also, I ran into a problem which is that while I could setup the Fans RPM/PMW configuration from the CPU Package °C, I could not adjust RPM from the GPU temperature.
So after looking here and there (mostly fabio, Goatee and matt builds), I noticed that Aquacomputer Quadro thing, and choose to order one along with a fluid temperature probe and I put it on my radiator :
A the same time, I decided to move to three slot mode again because of the GPU waterblock bend we talked about earlier:
Can you see the damage the waterblock screws have done to the riser cable? ? So yeah, I decided to use the 3 slot mode but to move the riser position so that the GPU would be near the side panel.
Oh and you can see the Quadro:
By the way, here are the prices I paid:
From there, I was able to use Aquasuite software to parameter a fan curve from the liquid temperature. I must say it is really cool.
A temperature sensor is already bundled with the Quadro but I prefered to have a fitting with the proble inside. I will use the one that was included for ambient temperature probably.
I'm pretty sure you didn't notice, but a few months have passed and we're now in November mate!
And I did order a few things...
SCREWS!
So yeah, do you remember that bend on the GPU waterblock? Well I ordered some screws (actually I ordered all M3 screw sizes lol), some are also for the T1 because when you rebuild all the time like me and you're a brute well, they get damaged.
Let's make that waterblock better and also add an M.2 at the back:
This went great, I'm able to put the riser cable near the motherboard again, and I have no more bend on the GPU waterblock!
Also, I've found a nice spot for my Quadro:
OK that's quite awesome, but you know what would be?
Better temperatures!!
And from lurking around from quite some time now, I figured the way people like fabio, Goatee and matt added more radiator volume to their build was what I wanted to try out.
Note that you could just use an AIO on the CPU and run the card on Air and call it a day, but I told you already that I'm mad mate! And I like learning new stuff.
So yeah, if I want to add radiator volume, I need a stronger pump, like a DDC one.
And it happens that Nouvolo released a CPU block which fits the T1 in 3 slot mode that you can put a DDC pump on.
You need the T1 in 3 slot mode to add a radiator on the side.
Here comes the Aquanaut and the M2426!
J-Hack's M2426 (24 to 6 pins) is named after it's functionnality, so yeah with this you don't need that huge bloat of 24 pin ATX wires, that's even better than cable management lol!
I got myself a bunch of EK fittings, some 13/10 clear tubing, an XSPC 240mm radiator and Sytche 15mm fans (AliExpress 27.24€ for two pieces), and of course a DDC pump and a heatsink because I've read horror stories where it can catch fire...:
Seller is EKWB.
But the thing is I'm on a backorder for Low Profile 90° fittings from Koolance (ordered at highflow.nl) for quite some time now, and that I can not close my T1 because I'm waiting for these to arrive...so it looks like this right now LOL:
Here are the prices for the Low Profile fittings I'm waiting for:
Also, it turns out the pump I ordered EK DDC 3.25 is not PWM (I just took the DDC pump with the highest version number, what and idiot!)...so I got myself a PWM one, and when I compared both PCBs they are the same...(facepalm):
So I'm gonna solder a wire to make it PMW. But yeah I have two pumps now...I might use it for something though!
I also recieved two awesome products IMHO, a reservoir and Koolance's Quick-disconnect fittings, it really make filling the loop much easier:
OK, that's it...for now!
Now, have I achieved the temperatures I was aiming for?
Yes I have! ?
I ran Prime95 and also Unigine Heaven 4.0 (1440p, max settings) and that GPU is like at 55°C when I do, as for the CPU it's like 75°C if I remember well.
The fan are not even going to 100% RPM, it's quite silent IMHO.
Was it worth it?
Well, to be honest I spent a lot more money than I should have, especially considering that I've could just stayed with a 120/240 AIO on the CPU and the GPU aircooled.
But still, I've learned a lot, and I love my build.
So yes, it was worth it, for me. Now if you ask me if you should do the same thing, well I can't say.
What's left to do?
I'm waiting for two things:
Oh! and I forgot to mention this but early in the build I started using these to protect the fans, turns out I also use them to protect my radiators while I'm flipping the case to chase air bubbles:
I hope you can learn from my experience on this build mate!
See you soon!
I feel like I'm closing in on this build, enough that I can share a few things with you, especially if you're one of these people who fell in love with the T1 or SFF in general and wants to do a watercooled build.
This whole process started on March or April 2020...
I had not built a computer for quite some time so I started by catching up on current tech watching YouTube videos (LTT, GN, ...) and then I stumbled upon Optimum Tech's channel and to be honest, that's how I discovered the SFF world and that's how I started wanting to do a watercooled build.
At the time the cases I had in mind were the Dan A4 and the Ncase M1.
I had known for a while the FormD T1 was the case I wanted but it was not available to the public back then that's why I was leaning towards the Ncase M1.
This was the period 10th gen Intel processors were about to get released, so I decided on a build and then started asking for advices on Reddit:
- Which SFF Case could I use with a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GAMING OC 8G GPU ? (2020-04-21)
- I'm planning on making this build, what's your advice on it ? (2020-06-01)
I was able to preorder the T1, for the 2020-07-31 batch.
I started building on August 17th (1st delivery attempt was 1 or 2 weeks before that, I was on holiday at that time).
A little while later, I wanted to find a waterblock for my GPU so I took it apart and asked Reddit again:
Note that I could've used the T1 in 3 slot mode and call it a day, this is totally unnecessary here and actually pure madness, but you will find out I'm quite the madlad.
Now let's talk numbers...
When I ordered the parts, I used the following spreadsheet to keep track of the prices, I didn't order everything at the same place to get the better price (delivery included).
Here's what I paid then:
| Part | Name | Price | Shipping | Additional Costs | Seller |
| CPU AIO | Alphacool Eisbaer LT240 CPU | 90,74 € | 11,90 € | Aquatuning | |
| LP DDR4 RAM | Corsair Kits de mémoire VENGEANCE® LPX 32 Go (2 x 16 Go) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 – Noir | 184,99 € | 4,98 € | Corsair | |
| SFX PSU | Corsair SF Series SF750 — Alimentation SFX hautes performances 750 watts certifiée 80 PLUS Platinum | 157,90 € | 4,98 € | Corsair | |
| CPU | Intel® Core™ i5-10600K Processor | 359,99 € | 4,95 € | TopAchat | |
| MOTHERBOARD | Gigabyte Z490I AORUS ULTRA | 289,99 € | 4,95 € | GrosBill | |
| CASE | FormD T1 | 177,61 € | 29,60 € | 23,00 € | FormD |
| M.2 SSD | Samsung Serie 970 EVO 1 To | 224,99 € | 0,00 € | Amazon | |
| Total | 1 486,21 € | 61,35 € | 23,00 € | ||
| Total with shipping fees | 1 547,56 € | ||||
| Total with shipping fees and customs | 1 570,56 € |
Also note that I already owned the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GAMING OC 8G (rev 1.0) which I paid 792,90 € from LDLC on 2019-08-20, shipping included.
There you have it! 2 363,46 € or 2794,48 $ USD for the start of this build.
Oh, I almost forgot, you need to add some Noctua Chromax fans to this:
| Name | Price | Shipping | Seller |
| Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap, Ventilateur Silencieux Haut de Gamme, 4 Broches (120 mm, Noir) | 21,91 € | Amazon | |
| NF-A12x15 PWM chromax.Black.Swap, Ventilateur Silencieux de Faible Épaisseur, 4 Broches (120x15 mm, Noir) x3 | 74,70 € | Amazon | |
| Total | 96,61 € | 0,00 € |
Note that I bought three 15mm fans, but you would only need one or two at that point, depending on how you build.
Now let's actually see what this is all about!
The unboxing of the FormD T1:
Around the same time I recieved the GPU Waterblock from Aquatuning, and it was broken...
I decided to test fit it before sending it back to get a new one:
It happened to be a perfect fit!
Note that I had to pay myself (I might have done it wrong?) for the RMA shipping expenses, for something that arrived broken.
Here are a few assembly pictures:
So here we are with a working computer that won't close on the CPU side panel (but still, it's kitten approved):
That was the first time I built the T1, in 3 slots mode so that the GPU would fit. It stayed like this for a while.
Until I decided to tidy up my desk, then I switched to 2 slots mode:
So now, the CPU side panel would close, but the GPU side panel would not.
Until I recieved get the new GPU waterblock and used an extension set from Aquatuning I had bought with the one that arrived broken. Here are the prices I paid for these:
| Part | Name | Price | Shipping | Seller |
| GPU Waterblock | Alphacool Eisblock GPX-N Acetal Gepource RTX 2080/2080Ti M02 (2070 & 2080 Super) - avec Backplate | 103,43 € | 11,90 € | Aquatuning |
| Tubing extension | Alphacool Eisbaer GPX Extension Set 90° | 13,02 € | N/A | Aquatuning |
| Total | 116,45 € | 11,90 € | ||
| Total with shipping fees | 128,35 € |
Let's see how it went:
I think it went really well!
Then I had to bleed the AIO, and while doing this I realized that I had too much tubing and that the quick-disconnect fittings were taking too much space in the case anyway. So I got rid of them and tubed directly to each components:
That's definitely better! That's also not really an AIO solution anymore, more of an assisted custom loop lol...but hey! the case is closing, on both sides:
Here you can see how I routed the tube, how I oriented the PSU, which fan I used and how:
Then I came accross a post by wispy-matt on Reddit and how he used the fillport on the LT Pump/Block as an Inlet, and I did the same because it helped with my tubing route and I think airflow too:
I even added a side fan:
It looks like we're done with that build, no?
But there's something bothering me a little, look at that bend:
It turns out the screws on the backplate of the waterblock are too thick. We'll leave it like that for now, but we definitely will come back to fix this!
MAGNETS!
Also, I ordered some magnets and epoxy glue so that the panel would not fall anymore when you remove the top panel.
Here's what I bought to do it.
I think you can get a better glue because once opened this one became really hard to use a second time.
I also tried out a few configuration tweaks to see how I could put hard drives or solid state drives in:
Turns out you would need specific eblowed SATA power cables for the one hidden in the front panel.
Okay, so we have that case built, both CPU and GPU are watercooled, we've put so many fans, so how's performance?
Well, you have to know that if I bought the i5-10600k it is certainly to run it overclocked to at least 5Ghz.
And well, I don't have exact numbers from then, but I can remember the numbers weren't that great IMHO.
Also, I ran into a problem which is that while I could setup the Fans RPM/PMW configuration from the CPU Package °C, I could not adjust RPM from the GPU temperature.
So after looking here and there (mostly fabio, Goatee and matt builds), I noticed that Aquacomputer Quadro thing, and choose to order one along with a fluid temperature probe and I put it on my radiator :
A the same time, I decided to move to three slot mode again because of the GPU waterblock bend we talked about earlier:
Can you see the damage the waterblock screws have done to the riser cable? ? So yeah, I decided to use the 3 slot mode but to move the riser position so that the GPU would be near the side panel.
Oh and you can see the Quadro:
By the way, here are the prices I paid:
| Name | Price | Shipping | Seller |
| Aquacomputer Contrôleur de ventilateur QUADRO pour ventilateurs PWM | 40,24€ | 11,90 € | Aquatuning |
| Aquacomputer Temperatursensor filetage intérieur / extérieur G1/4 | 9,10€ | N/A | Aquatuning |
| EK Water Blocks EK-CryoFuel, 1000ml premixed fluided fluid - Clear | 8,99€ | N/A | Aquatuning |
| Total | 58,33 € | 11,90 € | |
| Total with shipping fees | 70,23 € |
From there, I was able to use Aquasuite software to parameter a fan curve from the liquid temperature. I must say it is really cool.
A temperature sensor is already bundled with the Quadro but I prefered to have a fitting with the proble inside. I will use the one that was included for ambient temperature probably.
I'm pretty sure you didn't notice, but a few months have passed and we're now in November mate!
And I did order a few things...
SCREWS!
So yeah, do you remember that bend on the GPU waterblock? Well I ordered some screws (actually I ordered all M3 screw sizes lol), some are also for the T1 because when you rebuild all the time like me and you're a brute well, they get damaged.
Let's make that waterblock better and also add an M.2 at the back:
This went great, I'm able to put the riser cable near the motherboard again, and I have no more bend on the GPU waterblock!
Also, I've found a nice spot for my Quadro:
OK that's quite awesome, but you know what would be?
Better temperatures!!
And from lurking around from quite some time now, I figured the way people like fabio, Goatee and matt added more radiator volume to their build was what I wanted to try out.
Note that you could just use an AIO on the CPU and run the card on Air and call it a day, but I told you already that I'm mad mate! And I like learning new stuff.
So yeah, if I want to add radiator volume, I need a stronger pump, like a DDC one.
And it happens that Nouvolo released a CPU block which fits the T1 in 3 slot mode that you can put a DDC pump on.
You need the T1 in 3 slot mode to add a radiator on the side.
Here comes the Aquanaut and the M2426!
| Name | Price | Shipping | Additional Costs | Seller |
| Aquanaut - CPU+Pump Water Block (Intel) × 1 | 54,08€ | 24,50€ | 30€ | Nouvolo + Fedex (15€ Fedex Fee + 3€ Fee VAT + Aquanaut French VAT) |
| Total | 108,58€ |
J-Hack's M2426 (24 to 6 pins) is named after it's functionnality, so yeah with this you don't need that huge bloat of 24 pin ATX wires, that's even better than cable management lol!
| Name | Price | Shipping | Seller |
| J-HACK M2426 (Customizable Kit) | 43,99 € | 11,03 € | J-HACK |
| PSU Adapter: ATX to M2426 Adapter Cable Length: 180mm PSU Model: Corsair SF Platinum | 4,70 € | N/A | |
| Total | 59,72 € |
I got myself a bunch of EK fittings, some 13/10 clear tubing, an XSPC 240mm radiator and Sytche 15mm fans (AliExpress 27.24€ for two pieces), and of course a DDC pump and a heatsink because I've read horror stories where it can catch fire...:
| Item | Sku | Qty | Subtotal |
| EK-DDC 3.25 (12V DC pump) | 3831109862629 | 1 | €68.03 |
| EK-DDC Heatsink Housing - Black | 3831109862674 | 1 | €20.12 |
| Subtotal | €73.46 | ||
| Shipping | €13.60 | ||
| Tax | €14.69 | ||
| Grand Total | €101.75 |
Seller is EKWB.
| Name | Price | Quantity | Subtotal | Seller |
| EK Water Blocks Bouchon EK-CSQ Plug 1/4" - Noir (Code article 12589) | 2,90 € | 1 | 2,90 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks EK-Quantum Torque Extender Rotary MM 14 - Noir (Code article 14861) | 6,90 € | 4 | 27,60 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks EK-Quantum Torque Extender Rotary MF 14 - Noir (Code article 14865) | 6,90 € | 4 | 27,60 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks Embout Métal Droit 1/4" pour Tuyau 10/13mm - EK-Torque STC-10/13 - Noir (Code article 14384) | 6,95 € | 2 | 13,90 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks EK-Quantum Torque Angled T - Noir (Code article 14451) | 9,90 € | 1 | 9,90 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks EK-Quantum Torque Angled 45° - Noir (Code article 14445) | 9,90 € | 4 | 39,60 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks EK-Quantum Torque Angled 90° - Noir (Code article 14448) | 9,90 € | 6 | 59,40 € | DocMicro |
| Halloween COUPON | -14,83 € | 1 | -14,83 € | DocMicro |
| Insurance | 2,13 € | 1 | 2,13 € | DocMicro |
| Shipping | 9,40 € | 1 | 9,40 € | DocMicro |
| Total | 177,60 € |
| Name | Price | Quantity | Subtotal | Seller |
| XSPC Radiateur TX240 (Code article 14222) | 63,50 € | 1 | 63,50 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks Tuyau EK-DuraClear 9,5/12,7mm - Boite de 3 Mètres (Code article 13564) | 14,50 € | 1 | 14,50 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks EK-AF T-Splitter 3F 1/4" - Noir (Code article 12937) | 8,90 € | 1 | 8,90 € | DocMicro |
| EK Water Blocks Embout Métal Droit 1/4" pour Tuyau 10/13mm - Pack de 6 - EK-Torque STC-10/13 - Noir (Code article 14755) | 39,90 € | 1 | 39,90 € | DocMicro |
| Insurance | 1,27 € | 1 | 1,27 € | DocMicro |
| Warranty Plus | 8,75 € | 1 | 8,75 € | DocMicro |
| Shipping | 9,30 € | 1 | 9,30 € | DocMicro |
| Total | 146,12 € |
But the thing is I'm on a backorder for Low Profile 90° fittings from Koolance (ordered at highflow.nl) for quite some time now, and that I can not close my T1 because I'm waiting for these to arrive...so it looks like this right now LOL:
Here are the prices for the Low Profile fittings I'm waiting for:
| Pos. | Code | Product | Quantity | Unit price | Subtotal |
| 1 | NZL-LXG2-BK | Koolance Swiveling Elbow G1/4 Low Profile NZL-LXG2-BK Black | 6 | €12,95 | €77,70 |
| 2 | Verzenden na betaling GLS | 1 | €16,95 | €16,95 | |
| Reward points: 6 | Subtotal: €94,65 | ||||
| BTW 21%: €16,43 | Total excl. VAT: €78,22 | Total cost: €94,65 |
Also, it turns out the pump I ordered EK DDC 3.25 is not PWM (I just took the DDC pump with the highest version number, what and idiot!)...so I got myself a PWM one, and when I compared both PCBs they are the same...(facepalm):
So I'm gonna solder a wire to make it PMW. But yeah I have two pumps now...I might use it for something though!
I also recieved two awesome products IMHO, a reservoir and Koolance's Quick-disconnect fittings, it really make filling the loop much easier:
| Product | Price | Quantity | Tax | Subtotal | Seller |
| 10MM (3/8 ID - 1/2 OD) Schroeffitting - Koppeling - Black - QD3-FS10X13-BK | €16,49 | 2 | €6,92 | €32,98 | Highflow |
| 10MM (3/8 ID - 1/2 OD) Schroeffitting - Stekker - Black - QD3-MS10X13-BK | €18,14 | 2 | €7,62 | €36,28 | Highflow |
| EK-DDC 3.2 12V PWM pump | €62,77 | 1 | €13,18 | €62,77 | Highflow |
| EK-RES X3 150 Tube Reservoir | €43,76 | 1 | €9,19 | €43,76 | Highflow |
| EK-Torque STC-10/13 (Black) | €5,74 | 2 | €2,42 | €11,48 | Highflow |
| Subtotal: | €187,27 | ||||
| Shipping cost: | €10,70 | ||||
| Taxes: | |||||
| BTW 21% (NL001636459B34) | €41,58 | ||||
| Total: | €239,55 |
OK, that's it...for now!
Now, have I achieved the temperatures I was aiming for?
Yes I have! ?
I ran Prime95 and also Unigine Heaven 4.0 (1440p, max settings) and that GPU is like at 55°C when I do, as for the CPU it's like 75°C if I remember well.
The fan are not even going to 100% RPM, it's quite silent IMHO.
Was it worth it?
Well, to be honest I spent a lot more money than I should have, especially considering that I've could just stayed with a 120/240 AIO on the CPU and the GPU aircooled.
But still, I've learned a lot, and I love my build.
So yes, it was worth it, for me. Now if you ask me if you should do the same thing, well I can't say.
What's left to do?
I'm waiting for two things:
- an order from MDPC-X / Cable Sleeving with tools to make my custom cables, rewire the pumps, etc...
- an order from Highflow.nl with the Koolance Low Profile fittings I need to be able to close the T1
Oh! and I forgot to mention this but early in the build I started using these to protect the fans, turns out I also use them to protect my radiators while I'm flipping the case to chase air bubbles:
I hope you can learn from my experience on this build mate!
See you soon!
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