Inexpensive custom WCing starter equipment list.

The 1st post needs to be updated. This is still good for general info but the sites listed have changed their stock in most cases.
 
Quoll said:
The 1st post needs to be updated. This is still good for general info but the sites listed have changed their stock in most cases.
Click to expand...

+1

Could some of you water cooling knowledgeable folks post some updated budget WC kit part suggestions?
 
ditto. I am thinking about water cooling and would find an updated list useful. another good sticky would be watercooling friendly cases. I see a lot with the holes in them already, but that doesnt mean they work well.
 
+ 1 I'm working on a new build for an 800D need some advice for a water cooling set-up for a 1366 mobo and nvidia 470 gtx water cooling solution.
 
Same here.

Want to water cool my i7 and 2x GTX460 in my Lian Li v2100. Any insight would be great.
 
I thought I would throw in my thoughts

Block: Enzotech Sapphire Rev A $47 (free shipping) (for the money it is the best block out there, it performs within 1c or 2c of the most exspensive block on the market, it has nice barbs, all cooper construction, cheap... list goes on and on why you should use this block)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835708019

Radiator: Swiftech MCR320 $50 (great radiator, does pretty well even on slower fans)
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-pr-3320.html

Fans: YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SH-12 $3.30 (x3 or x6 for push-pull, great fans, if thy are too loud just trim them down with a fan controller, they really are not that loud)
http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Case-Fan-D12SH-12-High-Speed-pr-3771.html

Tubing: Masterkleer 7/16id x 5/8OD $0.49 per foot (10 or 15 feet, just heat it up in boiling water for a few seconds and it will slide right over 1/2" barbs, it will be tight and will not need clamps but I would still use them anyway )
http://www.jab-tech.com/Masterkleer-Tubing-7-16-ID-5-8-OD-pr-3079.html

Fillport: $7
http://www.jab-tech.com/Enzotech-FillPort-Matt-Black-BNPH-ID1-2-G14-pr-4697.html

Clamps $0.40 (medium size, I would get 12 of them)
http://www.jab-tech.com/Plastic-Tubing-Clamps-Black-pr-3522.html

T line: $1 (simple way to fill and bleed a loop)
http://www.jab-tech.com/1-2-T-Line-for-1-2-ID-Tubing-Black-pr-3519.html

Fittings:
bitspower silver 1/2" $3.50 per unit (need at least 4, maybe more, the silver that these fittings have will protect your loop from creepy crawlies growing in your loop)

pump: a few choices on this

Swiftech MCP 355 12v DC Pump (fits in tighter spaces, great for a longer loop) $67
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP-355-12v-DC-Pump-pr-3510.html

A little more powerful than the above listed pump, maybe be harder or simpler to fit, depends on the case really)
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP655-B-12-VDC-Pump-Without-speed-controller-pr-3803.html

for the budget minded
XSPC x20 750 res/pump combo (cheap, allows you to not purchase a t line and fill port)
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-X2O-750-Dual-5.25-Bay-Reservoir-Pump-pr-4728.html

even more budget minded:
Hydor L30 (is A/C Powered, will need a relay I will talk about that on the bottom) $40
http://www.crazypc.com/products/hydor_l30-9338.html

if you are a cheap skate penny pinching turdmonger then this is the pump for you
Via Aqua 1300 or larger $17
(great pump, has been used since the dawn of water cooling, I have owned one and it is still alive after 8 or 9 years, still pumping away and I bought it used, this will also need the relay listed below)

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/ViaAqua1300.html

pump relay: $5 call Electronics Supply in Kansas City, MO Toll Free (800) 669-3752
tell them you need a double pole single throw relay(at least thats what I recall) just tell them you have a low draw AC 110v device that you want to turn on when the relay senses a 12 volt DC signal... it's less than $5 and a much better price than the $20 or $30 for the 'proper' kit

electronics supply website: www.eskc.com
 
Olle P said:
I disagree.

First the one or two loop issue:
Two loops is exactly what not to use. The main reason for this is that CPU and GPU(s) rarely work at full load at the same time. With separate loops (or regular air cooling, for that matter) you need to dimension it to cool off the maximum power generated by that part of the computer, but with a single full loop you only need to cool off the average power generated over a somewhat longer time span.
The more water you have in the system the more thermal inertia will be present,
and so there's an increase in the averaging time with resulting reduced maximum cooling requirement.

Then the cost issue:
If low cost is more important than low noise there's no need for full cover graphics blocks. Regular heatsinks mounted on the VRMs combined with a fan blowing at them (and the RAM) is sufficient when using cheap GPU only blocks.
_____________________________________________________

I've been considering water cooling for my own computer, to make it more quiet. But to do that is pretty much impossible without spending some $400 or more, since it requires (amongst other things) a quiet pump, a large passively cooled radiator, CPU block and full graphics block.

Cheers
Olle
Click to expand...

Olle,

I'm new to this thread, which is why I'm replying in October to your April posting. :p

To add to your point about why a single loop may be better, consider that not everyone who overclocks will have dual or triple heat-monster GPUs. me, I want to build a "Photoshop killer" system, not a gaming system. I need only a mid-range GPU,and only one, because Photoshop supports only a single GPU. And if you look a the thermal loads generated by ATI (not nVidia ! LOL ) mid-range GPUs, you're lookinng at maybe 100 watts, peak. And in the typical Photoshop workflow, you're probably not stressing the GPU most of the time you're working. Clear?;)
 
I don't even know where to start with water cooling. I'm completely new to it but I want to get started. Any beginner's guide to water cooling or anything like that?
 
EricFX1984 said:
I thought I would throw in my thoughts

Block: Enzotech Sapphire Rev A $47 (free shipping) (for the money it is the best block out there, it performs within 1c or 2c of the most exspensive block on the market, it has nice barbs, all cooper construction, cheap... list goes on and on why you should use this block)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835708019

Radiator: Swiftech MCR320 $50 (great radiator, does pretty well even on slower fans)
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-pr-3320.html

Fans: YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SH-12 $3.30 (x3 or x6 for push-pull, great fans, if thy are too loud just trim them down with a fan controller, they really are not that loud)
http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Case-Fan-D12SH-12-High-Speed-pr-3771.html

Tubing: Masterkleer 7/16id x 5/8OD $0.49 per foot (10 or 15 feet, just heat it up in boiling water for a few seconds and it will slide right over 1/2" barbs, it will be tight and will not need clamps but I would still use them anyway )
http://www.jab-tech.com/Masterkleer-Tubing-7-16-ID-5-8-OD-pr-3079.html

Fillport: $7
http://www.jab-tech.com/Enzotech-FillPort-Matt-Black-BNPH-ID1-2-G14-pr-4697.html

Clamps $0.40 (medium size, I would get 12 of them)
http://www.jab-tech.com/Plastic-Tubing-Clamps-Black-pr-3522.html

T line: $1 (simple way to fill and bleed a loop)
http://www.jab-tech.com/1-2-T-Line-for-1-2-ID-Tubing-Black-pr-3519.html

Fittings:
bitspower silver 1/2" $3.50 per unit (need at least 4, maybe more, the silver that these fittings have will protect your loop from creepy crawlies growing in your loop)

pump: a few choices on this

Swiftech MCP 355 12v DC Pump (fits in tighter spaces, great for a longer loop) $67
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP-355-12v-DC-Pump-pr-3510.html

A little more powerful than the above listed pump, maybe be harder or simpler to fit, depends on the case really)
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP655-B-12-VDC-Pump-Without-speed-controller-pr-3803.html

for the budget minded
XSPC x20 750 res/pump combo (cheap, allows you to not purchase a t line and fill port)
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-X2O-750-Dual-5.25-Bay-Reservoir-Pump-pr-4728.html

even more budget minded:
Hydor L30 (is A/C Powered, will need a relay I will talk about that on the bottom) $40
http://www.crazypc.com/products/hydor_l30-9338.html

if you are a cheap skate penny pinching turdmonger then this is the pump for you
Via Aqua 1300 or larger $17
(great pump, has been used since the dawn of water cooling, I have owned one and it is still alive after 8 or 9 years, still pumping away and I bought it used, this will also need the relay listed below)

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/ViaAqua1300.html

pump relay: $5 call Electronics Supply in Kansas City, MO Toll Free (800) 669-3752
tell them you need a double pole single throw relay(at least thats what I recall) just tell them you have a low draw AC 110v device that you want to turn on when the relay senses a 12 volt DC signal... it's less than $5 and a much better price than the $20 or $30 for the 'proper' kit

electronics supply website: www.eskc.com
Click to expand...

How would this compare to some of the starter kits like the Rasa 750 RS240? just curious :)
 
dancoppen said:
I don't even know where to start with water cooling. I'm completely new to it but I want to get started. Any beginner's guide to water cooling or anything like that?
Click to expand...

I don't have experience with this particular pump/res combo, but from others I've used you're always much better off going with a separate pump and res or t-line. Otherwise you might as well use a hefty air cooler and call it a day. Unfortunately, as many have noted in this thread, you really get what you pay for. My last water cooling adventure cost just about what my system upgrade cost (about $500 give or take). If you are going wc, you ought to do not only the cpu but videocard(s) as well. Many do the nb/sb even ram (although not many now days). For most performance setups you would need two loops which automatically puts you at two pumps and two rads. That with the cpu block and possibly two very expensive full coverage vga blocks (which are quickly outdated and become useless) and one quickly realizes wc is an enthusiast hobby :eek:
 
Olle P said:
I've been considering water cooling for my own computer, to make it more quiet. But to do that is pretty much impossible without spending some $400 or more, since it requires (amongst other things) a quiet pump, a large passively cooled radiator, CPU block and full graphics block.
Click to expand...

Who says?

Why would you bother passively cooling instead of getting 2 Yate Loons and undervolting them/running below 100%?

They are not loud.

And no one said you need to get a full graphics block - though honestly full GPU blocks are the one abnormally expensive problem with watercooling, and it hasn't gotten any better in the last 5 years. (Sigh.)

I bought my watercooling loop ~6 years ago. Spent prolly $250 on it, maybe $300. Over the years I have replaced the radiator once ($40), reservoir twice ($30 together), and removed my chip-only GPU block when I upgraded my video card. Also prolly spent $10-15 on more tubing/clamps/etc.

There is a large upfront cost, but after that I've spent an average of $10-15 a year, and my current loop can probably go on for years to come. I'll probably need a new pump soon-ish, but $70 and then that'll be good for another 7-8 years.
 
Sooo.. it seems like the starter kits from alphacool and XSPC are pretty good now?

Considering picking up the Alphacool ST-30 since I need a slim radiator setup.
 
I would suggest the Switftech H220 "AIC" for beginners and budget minded enthusiasts. I quoted all in one because it can be taken apart, refilled and expanded on. The pump is good for 2x240 rads, multiple gpus and processors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-ly5nKc7ok

They have been selling like hot cakes for $140. Just some info.
 
Oh thanks!

I thought the H220 was a clsoed loop which is why I disregarded it.

I initally was just going to cool my CPU so I was lookin at it a ton, but I wanna expand to my GPU. 29 mm rad too :) Limited by my HAF912 unfortunately... Although I may just end up coughing up 100 and buying a Fractal Midi R2 right now. But that's another thread!
 
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Im looking to update this sticky to make it more relevant, If any of the regulars want to give some input before I go ahead and update the main post please jump on the IRC I sit in (#hardfolding on freenode) or shoot me a PM (the IRC is preferred). Want to try covering the spectrum of new products and get functioning links going.
 
You have my interest as I'd love to try water cooling my next GPU to get some first hand experience but the current thread seems a fair bit out of date.
 
would love to see this updated to base my buy choices off of instead of starting a "spec me a w/c build, tell me what to buy" thread.
 
Doesn't MasterKleer have leeching issues? I know it's more expensive but aren't you better off going Primochill Advanced LTR? Tubing is one place I wouldn't skimp if it saves you the headache of having to break down your whole loop to completely clean out your blocks. I didn't realize how old the first post was, so to answer my own question please don't use MasterKleer you will have loop maintenance issues if you do.
 
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Can someone do an update to this, alot of the parts aren't for sale anymore and the info is outdated, im really interested in doing an open loop config.
 
the Danger Den CPX Pro pump the OP has listed is a jingway product, EK also rebrands this part with a mount for their cylindrical resevoirs, not that I would ever advise anyone to do business with EK.

It is a good pump.
 
any new or updated info for this thread? i'm leaning toward doing a water cooling setup finally but those GPU water blocks.... damn
 
If you do not like the price of full cover blocks, try looking for universal or gpu die only blocks and just cool the vrms with frag tape and copper heatsinks.
 
If looking to get into WC, but don't know where to start, or not sure about quality of components, EKWB has actual kits. Normal retail parts packed up in a bigger box. Pricing is very good at $225 straight from EK. Everything you need is included, except for a liter of cola, erm, distilled water.

This is video rundown of the kit. They have a 240mm version, and a 360mm version at this price point. If your budget is higher, they also have these kits with higher end parts.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Actually ended up scoring some nice deals on eBay for new equipment :) I'm on to phase 2 now which is going the full "show grade" setup. Looking in to what case I want, working on getting hardline tubing, fittings for that, possibly more rads etc. I have a theme picked out already that I think everyone will love but for now here is what I have setup (this was on my test bench at work) until I gut it all and re-do it:

finished_zpsqqwvlcwz.jpg
 
Yeah, custom WC on the cheap can be tricky.

I first started my shopping based off of Swifty kits and other cheaper solutions, and working my way up from there, but even doing that, once I started adding all my fittings and whatnot, the total price just grew faster than I expected.

WC prices are sneaky. Individually the parts all seem reasonably priced, but then you add it all up and get a little sticker shock. So many of the small parts just add up. I wanted to do a custom loop last spring, but adding up the costs, I just couldn't justify it then.

In the end I just bit the bullet and spent $800+ on parts for my first WV loop, because I didn't want to have to break into it immediately in the future if I was unhappy with anything.

I figure now I have a good base setup, and the next time I have to break into my loop to make changes, the costs will be more incremental, as I already have all the basics.
 
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