Water Cooling - Buyers Guide

Discussion in 'Die-hard Overclocking & Case Modifications' started by Preachergeek, Feb 7, 2007.

  1. SolidBladez

    SolidBladez Guest

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    Make sure the Thermochill has the newest 15mm spacing. The rest looks fine but I wouldn't use those high-speed Yates on that rad. You would be better off with low-speed (~1200 RPM).

    I personally don't like anything other than plain distilled water (plus some sort of additive). But you should be okay with that coolant.
     
  2. CsPeakZ

    CsPeakZ Member

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    How much would the fans change the performance? if it's a matter of dB levels then it doesn't really matter for my part.
     
  3. SolidBladez

    SolidBladez Guest

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  4. maxfly

    maxfly Ancient Guru

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    it looks like youve done your homework ;) i assume your going to be cooling the components in your sig? if so youve chosen well.
     

  5. CsPeakZ

    CsPeakZ Member

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    Thanks for the help and i'll be sure to switch to some mid RPM fans :)
     
  6. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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    hey guys l am looking at watercooling my system, and seeing if you gurus are able to help me out on choseing the parts or a whole set to go with,

    as with my sig, l have the following

    Case haf932
    motherboard: gigabyte EX38-DQ6
    CPU: Q9550,
    PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 850W
    Video card: ASUS GTX280


    but am at the moment only wanting to watercool my CPU, also the Reservoir would liket o find one to fit below/above the DVD drive


    any ideas Gurus
     
  7. maxfly

    maxfly Ancient Guru

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    what kind of budget are you looking to stay within shadow? also does your case have the 120x3 rad mount up top?
     
  8. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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    Nothing over $250aus and l think it does have a rad spot at the top as it can hold up to 3 fans at the top but if possible only have a 120x2 as don't realy want to take off part of the top of the case
     
  9. maxfly

    maxfly Ancient Guru

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    the best bang for your buck rad is the swiftech mcr220. for a pump i would go with either a swiftech mcp655 or mcp355 with a top. like this
    http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Laing-DDC-Top-POM-pr-4435.html
    either will be fine even if you decide to add blocks or another rad.
    for a res i would go with something like this
    http://www.petrastechshop.com/dadendu51bay.html
    altho there are much fancier 5 1/4in bay res options if thats what your looking for.
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...th=318&zenid=5a5852172a40e7787fabe62ed45e452a
    ^^^this is just give you an idea of what to look for. im not sure where youll be getting your gear from.
    then youll just need to decide on tubing,barbs and clamps. i would say 3-5ft of tubing should be plenty.
    as far as kits are concerned swiftech makes good ones but they are pricey. so its usually cheaper to piece a loop out vs a kit. other than swiftech most kits are not worth looking at tbh.

    edit-forgot to mention a cpu block! lol, the swiftech gtz and dtek fusion are both filthy cheap right now and they both perform very well. if you want the best of the best check out the heatkiller rev3 or the swiftech xt but they are expensive.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2009
  10. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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    sorry for the long delay on reply have been looking around with what you
    have said, thank you again for the above advise

    have come up with the following,

    any suggestions or comments are welcome, as l am a noob with watercooling,
    first time doing it and hope not the last.

    the only main thin l am having a problem is with the radiator as to the Barbs, it
    says on the site it come with 1/4" size, but with this am wanting it as 1/2" any
    suggestions as am looking at the following site:

    http://www.performance-pcs.com

    [​IMG]
     

  11. maxfly

    maxfly Ancient Guru

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    looks good, youll be very happy with the temps youll get with that loop. the G1/4 is in respect to the size of the threads on the rad fittings(where the barbs themselves screw into the rad). your rad will come with both 3/8in and 1/2in barbs so your good to go ;)
    the only thing you might want to change out is the clamps. i dont care much for the plastic clamps. ive found that either zip ties or ideally metal worm drive clamps work the best. the only other thing you may want to add is a set of metal barbs for your rad as the plastic barbs can make removing the tubing very difficult.
    goodluck Shadow and enjoy your new loop!
     
  12. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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    l've added some reusable claps, as with the image above are those ok to use, and also the tubing is that a good brand, and also the fluid,


    sorry for all the stupid questions lol noob here lol
     
  13. maxfly

    maxfly Ancient Guru

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    i would go with these for the clamps.
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=298&products_id=25829
    ive found the plastic ones just arent as secure and sometimes are impossible to tighten down far enough. that tubing is top notch, tygon is a excellent choice. if your looking for colored dyes i would suggest going with a colored tubing rather than the dye. with a dye you inevitably end up with pink or light blue water after a few monhts :( also, despite their claims it doesnt help temps.
    for your liquid i would go with straight distilled water with either petras ptnuke
    http://www.petrastechshop.com/peptpcobi1.html
    or slap one of these in your res.
    http://www.petrastechshop.com/sikibyia.html
    both work very well.
    no worries with the questions ;) my motto is do it right or dont do it at all. not to mention weve all had to start somewhere.
     
  14. Terrorizor

    Terrorizor Ancient Guru

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    $336 ? ...seems kinda high for a 220/single cpu loop. you don't need the stackable version of the mcr220 though if it is going to be your only radiator. plus it is more expensive .

    is your case a haf 932 or 922? because that will decide what radiator you should get for sure. among other little details .
     
  15. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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    l have the Haf 932, if there is a way to bring the price down a little l am happy to.
     

  16. Terrorizor

    Terrorizor Ancient Guru

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    you could go with something like this for a more powerful easier to manage , and fast to bleed/fill/drain system for $285~

    swiftech mcr320 - $67
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4309

    swiftech mcp655 -$65
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=201&products_id=3112

    swiftech apogee gtz - $60
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=493&products_id=24230

    bitspower 5.25 bay res w-g1/4" fillport - $45
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=318&products_id=23550

    swiftech hydrx - $2 (just get some distilled water from a walmart or grocery store and mix like the bottle says , easy as pie)
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=384&products_id=1955

    swiftech chromed brass 1/2" barbs - $5 /pair( get 3 sets, radiator ,res ,and a set to split between a drain and the other for the fillport for the haf932 ;) see below)
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=341&products_id=21386

    swiftech 1/2" case mount fillport - $10 (get 2 so you can make a drain as well as mounting the haf fillport to easily empty/fill the res at any time without removing or disturbing a thing in the case)
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...=product_info&cPath=346_341&products_id=24652

    primoflex pro lrt 7/16id-5/8od black tubing - $2/foot
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=292&products_id=24502

    with 7/16 tubing over 1/2" barbs , you can pretty much use whatever clamps you want to just make sure you pick clamps that are exactly 5/8 OD. and if you use nylon clamps like what comes with the gtz and the pump, close them with a pair of needle nose pliers .



    or you can get this for $240 , if you do , get 2 sets of swiftech brass 1/2" barbs like what the gtz comes with(linked above) to replace the nylon barbs the res and radiator come with. with this kit you get everything but distilled water .

    http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...=product_info&cPath=202_604&products_id=24646




    or if you want something ultra cheap and basic for around 170~..

    xspc x20 450 res/pump combo - $50
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=367&products_id=25392

    swiftech mcr220 - $50
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=3653

    enzotech sapphire - $38 (comes with fittings &worm drive clamps)
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=492&products_id=22690

    enzotech 1/2" fittings - $3 each (get 4 - 2 for res, 2 for radiator)
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=446&products_id=24481

    you can use same tubing from the setup above. and ditto on the clamps . 5/8od. ditto ditto on the hydrx ,its cheap and good.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2009
  17. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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  18. Terrorizor

    Terrorizor Ancient Guru

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    you can use 1/2" tubing if you would like. but if you do choose 1/2id -3/4od tubing i would take maxfly's advice and use worm drive clamps like he had linked in a previous post .

    7/16id -5/8od" tubing just fits tighter around the 1/2" fitting to lessen the possibility of leaks , and lessen the importance of the clamp.
     
  19. shadow70

    shadow70 Master Guru

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    oh ok didn't know that, will go for them then, thanxs for the advice,

    will go through everything tonight and will post my finial things l am giong to get,

    as will try and get them this week. as going to have some money to get this coming in about 10 days yehhhhhhhh.


    thanxs again to all for the great advice has helped a water noob work out the best things. lol
     
  20. Alkerion

    Alkerion Guest

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    Hi,
    I'm new to Water cooling, and I'm bit lost with all that choice, anyone can help ?

    I'm looking for an external kit to cool my 5870, but I would like something silent en efficient enough.

    Any suggestion ?

    Thanks
    BR
     

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