Help planning 1st WC loop

[Slartibartfast]

Hey guys, I'm starting the initial planning phase of my first WC loop. I am hoping to put it together next month, and I have a few questions and could use some feedback.

First of all, my goal with this system is pretty straightforward. I am only going to be cooling two Opteron 248's running at stock speed (I will still have a decent amount of air flowing through the system for everything else). I don't want to wc the gpu right now as it's only a 7600gt running at stock, and I'm probably going to want to spend some cash on a nice DX10 card when they come out.

I'm hoping to see temps in the 30's under load. Budget is flexible, I'm envisioning it will be around $300, less is good, a bit more is ok if need be. I'm not one to skimp on parts if I think it's worth it.

The case is a Silverstone TJ07, and for now assume that I'll be using 1/2" ID tubing.

So first of all, some parts questions:

Over in this post ElMoIsEviL put together a simple loop for me, consisting primarily of a Danger Den MAG II LE pump and a pair of DD Maze 4 cpu blocks. Not that I don't trust EIMo, I was just wondering what other people thought of this. It looks ok to me, I like the small size of the pump as space is going to be a tad tight, and I have plenty of 3-pin headers. Is that pump going to provide enough flow?

For the radiator, I was thinking of a Thermochill PA 120.2 as they were highly recommened in XS's watercooling guide. However, I'm wondering what I could use for a shroud. This shroud is listed as being 40mm deep. So if you take 60mm for the rad + 40 for the shroud + 25 for the fans, you end up with 125mm, which is going to be too deep to fit into the case (I'm planning on mounting it in the bottom of the case in the open psu bay in a similar fashion to what sprocket did. I'm not sure of the exact amount of space there but I think it's going to be only about 80mm tops.

If need be, I can use that external radiator mount (forget who makes it) and attach a single 120 off of the back of the case, but I would much rather invest in a 120.2 now in case I need the extra cooling power later. I would also prefer an internal solution.

I like the idea of using a 5.25" clear bay resevoir. I think it would look cool and would provide a quick clue of a leak. Also, by putting it in my top bay I think it will be higher than all of the other components. It will be close to cpu2, but def. higher than the rad/pump/cpu1 (mobo is supermicro h8dce).

For tubing, my only real question is whether or not I should go with 7/16" instead. I've read they provide good flow and also fit very nicely over 1/2" barbs. Any thoughts on that?

For clamps I want to use steel worm-drives. They seem to come in a variety of sizes. I imagine 9/16" would be adequate? Does anybody know of a good place online to purchase them?

For fluid, I know I've read recently about a koolance fluid that was fairly popular (can't seem to find the thread atm). I like the idea of just buying something that will do the trick, as I live in a tiny apartment and would much rather not have to deal with buying a few things and then mixing them.

So what do you guys think so far, am I on the right track here at all?

Additionally, I have a few procedural questions - just looking for some advice from those more experienced than I at this.

Do you typically fill the system, and then mount it all in there, or the other way around? I ask because I'm imagining that if I have everything mounted, and then I go to fill the res, I'm going to need to add a few inches to the tubes connecting to the res, that way I can slide it out of the bay, fill the system, then slide it back in.

Also, what is the general opinion on cleaning parts before using them? The guide at XS has a pretty extensive cleaning procedure, but I've also noticed that some people here just flush their stuff with distilled water first.

Anyways, I'm sure I'll have more questions but this is pretty huge so far. Thanks in advance for any and all input

 

[Justintoxicated]

Shroud Solution.

Don't use one PA Thermochill does not need one. At least I don't use one on mine, other than the one that is build to the radiator. Used Zip TIes to mount the Panaflo L1A's to it through the screw holes.

Get the DD TDX for CPU and Maze4 GPU Block

Ditch the Bay Rez and just use a T-line wit a fillport.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Thanks for the reply

Shroud Solution.

Don't use one PA Thermochill does not need one. At least I don't use one on mine, other than the one that is build to the radiator. Used Zip TIes to mount the Panaflo L1A's to it through the screw holes.

Ok cool, I did not know that. Is there a reason I shouldn't be screwing fans to the rad?

Get the DD TDX for CPU and Maze4 GPU Block

I was of the understanding that to use the TDX blocks I would need a higher-flow pump. Is that correct? Also, I'm not going to be using a gpu block

Ditch the Bay Rez and just use a T-line wit a fillport.

Would a t-line be significantly easier to fill? I really like the idea of using a bay res, and it's not like I'm short on bays (have 7 total, 2 free currently).

 

[Justintoxicated]

DD has a good price on the D5 with TDX Combo. You can also change the nozels in the TDX for increase flowrate is you buy the nozzel kit, It does work better with high flow, but the maze4 is out of date.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I've heard that the tdx blocks work with a dd mag II LE if you take the jet out, do you happen to know if that would work? I don't have a lot of floor space in my case so a small pump is very appealing.

 

[Arcygenical]

I've had a bay res. And I literaly ripped it out of my system, and threw it against a wall. It's honestly the toughest thing to bleed ever! I did find an awesome solution, however. I cut a 120mm hole on the top of my case, added some C moulding, and put on the thin typhoon 120mm radiator. It looks awesome because I can see my water flow on the top of my case, and any lighting goes right through it (I got the clear kind).

Oh yeah, it's easy to bleed... Tlines and Bay res's are not.