Help building a WCing set up, minus the CPU

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Wraith28k

Weaksauce
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Mar 5, 2006
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Hey all, I need some help working out a watercooling setup to go along with the phase change system that I'm looking into getting from Jinu117.

I'm not experienced in this area at all, but I've been reading and trying to learn, but it's a bit complicated ;)

Since the phase change will be taking care of my CPU, I'd like to watercool all of the other hot components. I guess a list of the parts that will be in the rig would help:

Case: Lian-Li V-2000B with Jinu117's custom phase change in the lower section
Mobo: Either DFI Lanparty Expert or Asus A8N32-SLI
Proc: The Opteron 170 in my sig.
RAM: 2GB Corsair PC4000 or 4400
Video: Dual 7800GTXs which I plan on OCing as well.
HDD: WD 150GB Raptor
I think that's all the relevant parts. I'm going to be overclocking this rig as high as it will physically go, so I definately want to WC the chipset and video cards, but would there be any benefit to watercooling anything else (RAM, HD, etc)?

From what I understand, I'll need a radiator with fan(s), pump, blocks, and all the assorted tubing/fittings/etc. I'd like to have a reservoir to make filling/bleeding easier, and I'd prefer it to all fit inside the case if possible. I'm looking for high performance, so I'm not horribly concerned with price as long as it's worth it. Any kind of parts list would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Considering how yoru going phase with this (thus noise probly isn't an issue)... I'd say WC your GPU and possibly your NB (not really neccisary) and just throw a 120mm fan over the mobo.

If you can fit it, get a dual 120mm rad, but a single will do fine for just a pair of GPUs. Thermochill PA series seems to be the popular choice right now.

As for GPU blocks, DangerDen's maze 4 is pretty good, silverprop HL is the best, and swiftech makes a fairly good block too. If you want a full coverage block, DD makes one, or EK makes a really sexy one.

Chipset blocks: look into the EK blocks, there is a thread abou their x1900GPU cooler recently, so you can find their site from that.

Pump: The Laing D5 is pretty good (DD-d5, swiftech mcp-655), but a smaller option is the Laing DDC (3/8" native tubing).
 
Pump: Laing D5 is your best bet for performance.

Since you are going for an all out performance loop, the only large bore block for your motherboard chipset is from www.ekwaterblocks.com . They also make some pretty nice full coverage blocks for a good price too, which come with a sink for the Vregs. I say get the NF4 motherboard block, and a 7800 SLI full coverage kit from EK. Then buy the radiator and pump from a store in the states.
 
Excellent! Thanks guys.

Since I'm in the States, is there any problem ordering from EK? I've never bought anything internationally before, so I don't know what to expect.

Also, any suggestions on a dual 120mm Rad? It seems like DD makes several, and it seems like they're solid performers.

Thanks again all, I have some place to start now :)
 
If you're only cooling system components minus the CPU, a dual 120mm rad will be more than enough. A Black Ice Pro 2 radiator has pretty good rates of flow restriction, and really gets rid of the heat. The difference between a single radiator and a dual radiator, for your application, will be noise. A dualy will let you run your fans both at about 6v and still achive really good cooling. You could watercool the HDs to remove heat from the case, but they *really* dont need it. Just a low speed 120mm fan blowing over them and you're fine.

That goes for ram too... I have yet to find an *in production* ram waterblock that doesn't have major flaws (like thin tubing, leaks, major restrictions, etc.). Once again, ramsinks and a slow, thin 80mm fan can be modded to look really good over your ram modules.

I'd suggest the Black Ice Pro (BIP) or Black Ice Xflow (BIX) 120.2 radiators. They'll perform about the same, so get whatever's cheaper. Just be warned, the BIX radiator is a full inch and a half longer than the BIP (my downfall :( ).

Ordering from outside of the country shouldn't cause you any problems at all. I order things from the US all the time, and I'm in Canada. The worst I've ever gotten is a bit of a delay at customs, and be prepared to pay to get stuff across the border, it's generally a bit more expensive.

Good luck, I can't wait to see how far you can push your processor.
 
Yeah, I'm really liking this processor, I don't usually get lucky with them but it seems like I might have this time.

I have the benefit of having the V2000.. which is a BIG case. So hopefully I won't have a problem fitting everything in there, even with the bottom portion taken up by the Phase equipment.

Ah, one more question I thought up.. what should I fill the system with fluid-wise? Are there any good premixed fluids or should I go with some percentage of distilled water and antifreeze?

Thanks again for the help, I'm learning :)
 
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