Help Deciding On First Water Cooled System

[practal]

Im getting ready to do my first water cooling set up and I just want to make sure Ive got everything right.

The system:
e6600
MSI 975x
2GB Buffalo Firestix DDR2 800
EVGA 7800GTX
OCZ 700w
CM Stacker

Water Cooling Set-Up:
Swiftech MCP655
Coolingworks Coolrad 32T Triple 120mm Radiator
Swiftech Apogee
KOOLANCE GPU-180-V06 MB Chipset (Northbridge)
KOOLANCE CHC-A05 (Soutbridge)
Swiftech MCRES-Micro
and an undecided GPU block

Does this look good for a WC set-up or do I have to much on a single loop?

I plan on upgrading to an 8800GTS in the next couple of months. Most GPU blocks will work on different graphic cards, correct? I want to get the loop setup with the 7800 and just swap the card out.

Most of my components are 1/2", Koolance are 1/4", so I was going to go with 1/2" or 7/16" tubing. I dont plan on taking the system apart for awhile so 7/16 shouldnt be an issue for me.

What are all of the smaller things I need? Ive read a ton about loop components but I havent found much on the smaller things. To get this loop complete, what am I going to need besides what I mentioned above?

If you can suggest any alternative parts then please do so. Ive been reading but it all seems to be about Swiftech, Danger Den, and Koolance. I know there are other brands out their I just cant seem to find them. Id like to get the best performance for my money, $200-$300 range.

 

[Arcygenical]

7/16" tubing will not fit reliably over 1/4" barbs.

DO NOT get 1/4" parts if your loop is going to be mainly 1/2"!

7/16" IS BASICALLY 1/2" but only about a millimeter smaller.

As for a GPU block, unfortunately, right now there's no blocks that fit both an 8800 level card and any of the 7x00 level cards. THe swiftech MCW60 is the closest, but you need to change a holddown plate, that still required the draining of the system.

 

[Stoney]

I would wait until you upgrade to the 8800gts. Two months isn't that long a wait.
I would also replace those koolance chipset coolers with danger den ones.
I only use swift tech, danger den and ek watercooling products.
All your other parts look ok, although i don't have any experence with the radiator you chose. I prefer thermochill radiators myself
Oh and use metal hose clamps.

 

[Arcygenical]

That radiator is a good choice BTW.

 

[malicious]

i would say the north and south bridge cooling is a waste but to each his own

edit: also i would use a fill port instead of a res but that's also a personal thing

 

[Arcygenical]

i would say the north and south bridge cooling is a waste but to each his own

edit: also i would use a fill port instead of a res but that's also a personal thing

Depends on the board... The SB block, I agree, total waste, but the NB's on the P965 and P975's get damn hot.

When you're watercooling, without the extra airflow around them (from the CPU fan) they really burn up. Mine was approaching 62'c in Speedfan at 500mhz.

 

[Don_1]

Depends on the board... The SB block, I agree, total waste, but the NB's on the P965 and P975's get damn hot.

When you're watercooling, without the extra airflow around them (from the CPU fan) they really burn up. Mine was approaching 62'c in Speedfan at 500mhz.

QFT

 

[rjblanke]

I think the southbridge is a waste, I usually don't recommend watercooling the northbridge, but there are reasons to do it. To each their own. But if you do, get a block that is 1/2", such as a MCW30. I would recommend waiting till you get the GTS and getting an EK fullcover.

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/produ...d=146&osCsid=0f1f10c81962029d30f0a2e6439535cc

This is my own personal opinion, though, and I recommend fullcover b/c then you don't need to deal with all the ramsinks, etc...

Waiting a couple weeks may be a good option, too, since Swiftech is coming out with two new Apogees and D-Tek just released their Fuzion block. May be worth it to see how they perform.