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Bummer! Need new WC advice ... desperately!

I

ih8spam

Weaksauce
Joined
May 6, 2007
Messages
80
Sigh ... I have finally thrown up the white flag on my WC system build.

It's been almost 3 months without a main computer now, and I need to get the system running again.

Things have not been working well with my Antec P180B case (which originally looked like it was going to work). In the end, there was just not enough room. When the pump came loose, I decided that I need to look at other options. I don't feel that I can trust my system to be on 24/7 in the current setup.

I was building my WC system with a Petra's Tech SLI Elite kit. I'm sure that I should be able to salvage some parts from the PT SLI Elite kit.

What I'm looking at now is a Koolance PC4-1026BK or PC4-1036BK, and using the cooling blocks from my PT SLI Elite kit.

Will this be a good case / WC option for my Athlon 4400+ / Dual 8800 GTS system?

I can't find any real reviews of the Koolance PC4-1026BK or PC4-1036BK for installation or performance. It looks like the Koolance kits have a similar Laing DDC pump, so I would have a spare from my previous purchase (though, I may be wrong on this).

I'm not hard-over on the Koolance cases, but they looked like a good fit. What are your thoughts, oh wise Water Wizards?

IH8Spam
 
Why not just by the parts you need separately instead of another kit and save the money?
 
BrinNutz said:
Why not just by the parts you need separately instead of another kit and save the money?
Click to expand...

BrinNutz - It's a good question. I guess the main thing is that I'm frustrated and tired of throwing hundreds of more dollars at this thing and still not have it work. I did a lot of research and asked a lot of questions before I purchases my current equipment, but couldn't get my current configuration to the point of being as reliable (in my mind) as my old heatsink & fan combination. In fact, it has never had any coolant added. Once the pump came loose, I realized it wasn't going to work for me.

I will be running my system 24/7 (It serves a web page), and I need something reliable.

I've already bought 2 cases that I can't use. Now that I need to buy a third case, I figure that I really should be looking at something more of a "turn-key" setup that has already incorporated the water cooling, so that I only have to run a few lines to get my system operational.

IH8Spam
 
I would avoid koolance, especially considering how much you've apparently spent $600 for a triple rad in a case seems a little stupid.
 
The coolermaster stacker will take a triple rad in it easy...in the front, or in the bottom with slight modification. I use a silverstone tj-09b but it's only running a dual 120 rad.
 
Thanks for responding, guys! Forgive me if I'm a little short-tempered right now. Let me give you a little more info on my situation:

1) I am going to put my house on the market within the next 2 weeks. If I don't have my main system totally up and running within this time period, I won't have a main computer for the next 6 - 12 months. I need a solution that gets me running reliably without case mods, or trying to figure out how I have to lay things out. At this point, time is much more important than the money that I've already sunk into my setup.
2) If I could go back to an air-cooled system at this point, I would. Seriously. However, since I've taken the HSF off my 8800's, I have to find a WC solution that works. (And, the fact that a single 8800 would overheat in my case removes the air-cooled option)
3) I have a full-time job, repairs to do on my house, and not a whole lot of time to spend on modding my case at this point.
4) To express my frustration level at this point: I almost purchased a Dell 720 H2C yesterday, ready to say "Screw it!" to all the money I have thrown at my current system. If the 720 H2C actually liquid-cooled the 8800 GPUs, I may have actually bought one yesterday. Thank goodness that better sense came through! :) However, that was when I realized that getting a case that was pre-modded for water cooling may be my best option at this point.

Arcygenical - Here's some photos of my setup:


Reservoir area:

Loose pump:

Where my rad would be installed if I continued the build:


IH8Spam
 
Thanks, guys!

I ordered a Koolance PC4-1026BK from FrozenCPU yesterday. I will be able to salvage most of what I have already purchased from Petra's Tech. I will be using all the cooling blocks, coolant, and connection hardware.

It's a shame that I couldn't my previous installation to work, but I'm glad I tried. I learned a bit from the experience. (As the old saying goes, "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.")

If the PC4-1026BK works out OK, I'll be happy - The system should be able to take me through the next couple of iterations of my usual system upgrades with room for growth.

IH8Spam
 
Eh, that's a fine case in reality, just a bit expensive (Although not that much money considering the case it's self is about 200$).

It'll do you fine :)
 
Arcygenical -

Yeah, it's a bit pricey. However, if I bought it when I first started my WC expedition, I would be quite a few hundred $$ ahead right now. :)

I shudder to think of how many dinero I've thrown into this effort so far. That's one more reason I'm just interested in getting the system running, and the heck with the price (within reason). I really don't want to "experiment" anymore.

It looks like the PC4-1026 WC system could last me for quite a few years of upgrades, so I won't mind spending the money (it will be time averaged over a few years).

I'll report on my progress / results after I get the system up and running.

Cheers!

IH8Spam
 
sabregen said:
got pictures? I can't see anywhere at all that will house a triple internally.
Click to expand...

Agreed...I am trying to pull off the same exact thing thing: CM Cosmos with a triple rad (PA120.3) but I just got back from Fry's and I REALLY don't think it will be an easy fit.

Based on the spec's i found for the rad, and my in-store measurements of the spot up top, you would have to mount it to the underside of the top hatch and then put two 25mm fans up top in push. (My best guess would be to pull air from the top and force it out the back and bottom)

Here are the problems I see, but I haven't actually tried this yet so this is all speculation:

1) The 120.3 is 430.2mm long, at that length it's well into the top 5.25" bay, and at a height of 64 mm (accounting for the tubing connectors) it will hit the posts that the drive rests on.

2) If you mount fans up top, the rear most 25mm fan will be too high by a few mm at the rear since the grills slope back at that point.

3) If you have fans doing push-pull the lower pull fans might hit the memory bays on most of the boards I'm looking at.

I'm half-way tempted to look at the 120.2 or the BlackIce but I know what kind of results the 120.3 can put out and i *REALLY* don't want a UFO case, it's ugly. Functionally supreme, but damn ugly.
 
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