1st attempt on WC (2nd thread)

[simonabram86]

Hi all,

I am still mixed up on some parts that i'm gonna be buying.
Here's my system:
-CM Cosmos S
-Asus Rampage 2 Extreme
-i7 920
-GTX 275 SLI
-ABZ tagan 1100watt PSU
-6G GSkill DDR3 @ 1600

Ok, i have a budget of $450 for this setup.

Here's what i have in mind:
-Heatkiller 1366 LT : http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...cts_id=25217:7116a17adeb083e503821ec53e7ae19a


-Arctic Cooling MX-2 compound : http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22176

-Swiftech MCP655-B w/out speed cntrller : http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...ucts_id=3112:0554ca7b3e0506bb5c7708bdfee9d5a5

-TFC X-Changer 360 : http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=23558
this rad will be paired w/ Antec Tricool at 79cfm/30dba 120mm fans (rad will be mounted on top, inlet/outlet facing down)

-Koolance Reservoir inline 120mm v2 : http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...cts_id=25438:66ff6c92da860d5784367c6741a14ee1

-10' of Tygon tubing 1/2"ID 3/4OD : http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2729

-8 pcs of Koolance compression fittings 1/2ID 3/4OD : http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24526

-UN design pump bracket : http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25294

-Koolance drain valve 1/2" : http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=203&products_id=23416

-Distilled water + PT Nuke

Ok, that's all what i have in mind. Now here comes the dilemma:
1) TFC exchanger is hard to find, if i cant find one, what would be a good radiator for my system (note that in the future, as i gain knowledge/experience, i might WC the others like N.Bridge S.Bridge G.Cards, etc)

2)for now i have 8 pcs of koolance compression fittings, how many more fittings do i need ? do i need any other barbs/clamps/fittings ??

3)3x antec tricool fans will blow the rad w/ air from inside the case (push pull method)

4)for the liquid, i want something that lights up. is it ok if i add a uv-blue dye but still mix it up w/ distilled water.

5)is the reservoir good?? do i need a bigger one? or should i just get a swiftech micro res?

6)i might also add a flow meter, anyway.. i've seen people debating about the loop order. What is the best loop order?? i was thinking pump/block/rad/res

also (i might as well ask now) about leak test: what's the best way to do it. I watched some vids where guys just attach the loop to the motherboard inside the case w/out any other hardware, fill the water up, tilt the case/sideways, and run the rad for 15 times (2-3 sec) until all the bubbles come out.

before i work on this WC setup, i will drill/cut holes/and paint my case. so 2 weeks from now, i will be buying all the parts. So this will be my 1st attempt WC-ing, i built 3 aircooled systems already, so im not too newbie to computers, but plzzz....I need as much help n tutors

Thank You All[/SIZE]

 

[ebloc]

1) Personally, I've had good experiences with Thermochill radiators. PA120.3's are a little expensive, but they are supposed to be some of the best. As for watercooling the chipset, it won't make huge difference and may just increase your CPU temps.

2) If you use 7/16" ID tubing over 1/2" barbs, clamps are pretty much redundant. In your case, the compression fittings are fine. Make sure all your fittings/barbs are metal, because plastic ones will eventually leak.

3) You want the fans blowing OUTSIDE air through the radiators. The radiators must get the coldest air possible, and the inside of your case does not have it. For the most part, pushing vs pulling with the fans produces negligible temp differences.

4) Pentosin is good for this.

5) Reservoirs are only used to conveniently fill and bleed the loop. Get whatever res is cheapest and fits your case best.

6) Everyone likes a different loop order; personally, I think pump->rad->block->res->pump is best. This way, the water going into the block is at its coolest.

7) Don't put any hardware in your case while you leak test (except for PSU and your loop). Just connect the green pin on the ATX power cable with a black pin to power on. Wrap some paper towels around your barbs and run the loop for about 24 hours, checking to see if the paper towels are wet. You may also want to tilt your system around to get all the air bubbles out.

 

[simonabram86]

so what should i do bout the rad?? i dont think its possible to mount the rad on front. just to let u know if i mount rad on top (upside down) i'll have 2x120mm 96cfm fans doing push pull, sucking outside air into the case. also another 96 cfm (intake fan) on the bottom.

is any xspc or swiftech 360 rad good ?? besides tfc xchanger?

thanks

 

[ebloc]

so what should i do bout the rad?? i dont think its possible to mount the rad on front. just to let u know if i mount rad on top (upside down) i'll have 2x120mm 96cfm fans doing push pull, sucking outside air into the case. also another 96 cfm (intake fan) on the bottom.

is any xspc or swiftech 360 rad good ?? besides tfc xchanger?

thanks

Mounting the rad on the top of the case is fine, although completely bleeding the system will be difficult. Since you have a 360mm radiator, you want ALL 3 fans one the same side of the rad. So a cross-section would look like: grill | case | fans | shroud (optional) | radiator. The fans will be pushing outside air through the radiator.

The XSPC RX360 is also a good rad to consider.

 

[TurK-FX]

use 7/16" tubing. it fits perfectly to 1/2' barbs, you dont even need a clamps, but used them just in case. I read a lot of review about PA120.3 it is good but performance difference between PA120.3 and swiftech mcr320 is not as much as the price difference.

Go with swiftech. it is easier to install in your case.

read this 3 radiator shootout review