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Beginner i7 WC Setup

jdogg707

jdogg707

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 5, 2004
Messages
1,043
I have decided to put together a new system with the following components:

Intel Core i7 920 Processor
Asus P6T X58 Motherboard
6GB G.Skill 8-8-8-21 DDR3 1600
2 x BFG 1GB GTX280 OC Video Cards
Creative X-Fi PCIe Sound Card
300GB Western Digital Velociraptor
640GB Western Digital Black Edition
LG 6X Blu-ray Burner/HD-DVD ROM
Antec Twelve Hundred Full Tower Case
Antec Quattro 1000W PSU

I will be using this system for 70% gaming, 30% video encoding. I would like to water cool these components mainly to try and keep things cool, but also to be able to maintain moderate overclocks without a ton of stability issues due to heat. These are my questions:

1. I would like to watercool the CPU, Northbridge, and both my GPU's. I am assuming I will need two different Radiators for two loops, one for the GPU's and the other for the CPU/Northbridge. Is this correct? What size radiators would I need for each loop?

2. Obviously, what equipment do I need? Which blocks? Radiators? Pumps? Reservoirs? Tubing? Fittings? Am I missing anything? I'm not too concerned about the cost as long as I can justify the performance.

3. Will the performance/quiet justify the cost of water over quality air cooling?

4. What type of maintenance am I looking at?

5. Anything else I need to know? Where is the best place to buy the equipment at?

I appreciate all your help and advice guys!
 
First read these guides about the basics of water cooling if you haven't already:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202394

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=282232

1. I would like to watercool the CPU, Northbridge, and both my GPU's. I am assuming I will need two different Radiators for two loops, one for the GPU's and the other for the CPU/Northbridge. Is this correct? What size radiators would I need for each loop?

For the CPU/NB loop I would do a dual rad. For the two GPU's I would do a triple. This all depends on what will fit in the case and whether you want to mod the case or not. I like Feser rads over Thermochills because performance is the same and Feser uses standard fan spacing and fittings. Swiftech's MCR series are a great bang for the buck and you will only loose about 10-20% performance vs. a Feser.

2. Obviously, what equipment do I need? Which blocks? Radiators? Pumps? Reservoirs? Tubing? Fittings? Am I missing anything? I'm not too concerned about the cost as long as I can justify the performance.

The choices are endless, however, to keep it simple stay away from anything aluminum and kits in general are a no, no. The only water block I know of currently that will fit an I7 is the Swiftech GTZ with an additional adapter. Other brands such as D-tek and EK will have theirs out soon. I usually recommend getting a MCP355 pump with the XSPC res/top to simplify pump and res, plus it is one of if not the best performance around. With the GPU's, you will need to decide on full cover blocks or chip only blocks like the MCW60's from Swiftech. Full cover blocks, look nicer, cool the entire card but cost more. Chip only blocks cool the gpu better, are universal so you can use them from one card to the next, cost less, but require memory sinks to cool the memory. NB cooling can be done with various universal blocks, not a big deal on the X58 since the memory controller was moved to the CPU. Tubing, up to you, I like 3/8" with compression fittings, looks nicier and it is easier to use. Thicker walled tubing will not kink as easy, but it is harder to run. Planning takes care of a lot of the issues presented by thinner walled tubing. Fitting wise, I like Koolance compressions because they work well and are cheaper than compression fittings ($9 a pair).

3. Will the performance/quiet justify the cost of water over quality air cooling?

Depends on how much you value those two things. Typical setup can run you from $200-$300 to cool the CPU, NB and dual GPU's. On the high side you could spend $700-$800. I do it because it cools much better than the best air cooler and is definetely quieter, but it will cost you more than the best air coolers on the market.

4. What type of maintenance am I looking at?

Typically you will need to drain and swap the water out every 6-9 months, but it varies. Put a drain line in and it will make cleaning simple.
5. Anything else I need to know? Where is the best place to buy the equipment at?

Read the guides. Places to buy from:
Jab-tech.com
Petrastechshop.com
performance-pcs.com
frozencpu.com
NCIXUS.com

There are more mentioned in the guides.

Have fun with it.
 
Swiftech mcw60-r's are good for the gpu's, get the ramsink swiftech offers for gt200 cards also. Fuzion or swiftech apogee GTZ cpu block is nice, I have an mc-tdx from danger den on my i7 setup, it performs fine, maybe a degree or 2 warmer than a fuzion or gtz block. Most of the top cpu blocks perform within 2c of each other so any you choose will be fine. i7's run hot so you will still see load temps in the 60's and 70's on prime95 load with a healthy oc on water still, unless you turn HT off, then it will drop nearly 10C. Although I rarely see anything over 50-60 range during typical use. My gpu's idle low 30's and load high 30's... all on the same loop with a mcr320-qp rad with 3 scythe sflex 1600rpm fans, mcp 355 ddc 3.2 pump with xspc ddc top and a swiftech micro res ver 2, distilled water only with primoflex 3/8" ID 5/8" OD tubing.
 
doox00 said:
Swiftech mcw60-r's are good for the gpu's, get the ramsink swiftech offers for gt200 cards also. Fuzion or swiftech apogee GTZ cpu block is nice, I have an mc-tdx from danger den on my i7 setup, it performs fine, maybe a degree or 2 warmer than a fuzion or gtz block. Most of the top cpu blocks perform within 2c of each other so any you choose will be fine. i7's run hot so you will still see load temps in the 60's and 70's on prime95 load with a healthy oc on water still, unless you turn HT off, then it will drop nearly 10C. Although I rarely see anything over 50-60 range during typical use. My gpu's idle low 30's and load high 30's... all on the same loop with a mcr320-qp rad with 3 scythe sflex 1600rpm fans, mcp 355 ddc 3.2 pump with xspc ddc top and a swiftech micro res ver 2, distilled water only with primoflex 3/8" ID 5/8" OD tubing.
Click to expand...

Are you cooling the NB as well? If so, what are you using?
 
So this is what I put together from my research. The only thing I am still confused on is what barbs I need to buy. I know compression nozzles are the best, but I'm not sure what to get. Is anything else missing? Do I really need to drop this much on a good water cooling setup? Could I do everything on a single loop with a quad Feser rad?

2 x Swiftech MCP355 12v DC Pump - 127.90
2 x XSPC Acrylic Reservoir for Laing DDC - 77.90
Swiftech Apogee GTZ Extreme Performance Waterblock - 64.95
Swiftech Apogee-GTZ-Ci7 for Intel® Core® i7 Compatibility - 10.95
2 x EK Waterblocks EK-FC280 GTX SLI - Acetal - 259.90
2 x EK Waterblocks EK-FC280 GTX RAM Backplate - 35.90
Feser X-Changer Triple 360 mm Extreme Performance Radiator - 134.95 <--GPU Loop
Feser X-Changer Dual 240mm Extreme Performance Radiator - 109.95 <--CPU Loop
10' Tygon R3400 1/2in. ID 3/4in. OD Laboratory Tubing # AAE00038 - 32.00 <--I prefer the black
2 x Feser One F1 Cooling Fluid - UV Clear / Blue - 1 Liter - 35.90
20 x Breeze Miniature Hose Clamp 7/32 in. to 5/8 in. - 7.20 <--Do I even need these with compression fittings?

Total: $897.50 (All from Sidewinder right now)

Thanks for all your suggestions!!!
 
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