Dumb questions from a noob

[peacetilence]

These might be a dumb questions, apologies in advace. I've done alot of research these past few days looking at cases and WC setups

The PC is a
170 Opteron
7800GTX 512
EVGA SLI N4 mb (this will possibly change when funds are available)
1x2 gigs Corsair Value ram (this will probably change as well)
3 HD's (will probably add one or two more in the future)
1 sound card
1 TV tuner
Cooler Master Praetorian case (80mm fan version, it's crammed as it is)

My plans for WC setup are

AquaXtreme White Water Limited Edition Universal CPU Water Block - 1/2"
2 x 120mm Scythe DFS122512L Case Fan (60.09 CFM/27.92 dBA) for the radiator
HW Labs Black Ice Xtreme II Radiator
Danger Den Laing D5 Inline 12vDC Pump
Swiftech MCRES525 "BAY RES" Reservoir (Fits 5 1/4" drive bay)
MCT-40 Non-Conductive Solution
Danger Den NV-78 GPU block for 7800GTX 512

(anything I should change here?)

I'd like to make this as simple as possible without any mods or fabing on the case since I lack the tools and have no experience with that sort of thing.

The two cases I'm looking at are:

Gibabye 3d aurora:
I'm not too hot on this case since it's mid tower and I don't really like the look, the only thing that really appeals to me is that it supports the use of an external rad out the box. I think my components might cramp it too much as well.

CM Stacker:
More appealing to me, but wouldn't I have to mod the case for the radiator? If it was internal wouldn't I lose alot of the benefit of having WCing? How would I mount the 2x120mm radiator in it anyways?

I'd love to buy a lian li v2000 or silverstone case,they look much better than either of these two cases both from an aesthetic and technical standpoint but I just can't justify the added cost.

I appreciate any and all input. Apologies for all the dumb questions.

 

[MadMikeSS]

Why are you going with an outdated design in the AquaXtreme White Water? I would recommend either the MP-05 series or the DD TDX or MCW6000.

As far as case goes. I just got a V2000-B and hands down it's the best case I have gotten yet for setting up watercooling. Tons of room. I have a Silverstone TJ06 and that was excellent for my watercooling setup before, but the V2000-B beats it hands down. The cost is definitely justified, on top of the Lian-Li case being of top notch quality.

 

[peacetilence]

Why are you going with an outdated design in the AquaXtreme White Water? I would recommend either the MP-05 series or the DD TDX or MCW6000.

As far as case goes. I just got a V2000-B and hands down it's the best case I have gotten yet for setting up watercooling. Tons of room. I have a Silverstone TJ06 and that was excellent for my watercooling setup before, but the V2000-B beats it hands down. The cost is definitely justified, on top of the Lian-Li case being of top notch quality.

I'm not sure, the MP-05 version does look a heck of a lot better though.


how do you mount a dual 120mm radiator in the v2000? That case allows a BTX configuration right? I might just upgrade my case motherboard and memory for the time being and old off on the WC a bit longer.

 

[DFI Daishi]

how do you mount a dual 120mm radiator in the v2000? That case allows a BTX configuration right? I might just upgrade my case motherboard and memory for the time being and old off on the WC a bit longer.

doing this would give you better value.

if you DO decide to go for water:

switch the black ice xtreme 2 rad for a black ice pro 2 rad: cheaper and better performing with quiet fans.

not a whole lot of point in shelling out for the NV78: maze 4 GPU and some ramsinks are much cheaper and perform as well.

the white water was a great block, but showing it's age at this point. swiftech storm is best commercially available, if you can swing the price tag. the MP-05 series blocks are pretty good, but even more restrictive than the storm, which is hardly free-flowing. you've listed a good pump so you should be fine. other blocks to look out for are the swiftech MCW6002 on clearance, great block, or the apogee if all else fails.

 

[Dark_fire]

how do you mount a dual 120mm radiator in the v2000? That case allows a BTX configuration right? I might just upgrade my case motherboard and memory for the time being and old off on the WC a bit longer.

mount it on the back, cut a hole in the top of the case and mount, somewhere in the psu.hdd area

 

[MadMikeSS]

That case allows a BTX configuration right?

Well, it's not truly BTX, but the motherboard is mounted upside down in a pseudo BTX style. But since you are going with an Opty, this case will suit it just fine. I have an Opty in mine.