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Liquid Cooling Setup for under $500?

J

Justintoxicated

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Apr 10, 2002
Messages
14,522
Hi Guys I have never done a liquid cooled computer before and my PC just bit the dust from some bad OCZ PC3200 C2 1 gig sticks.

So I'm starting over.

I'm going to RMA the memory, in the meantime I need to get into liquid.

I want a dual core AMD of course, and will likely need a new video card since AGP is not supported anymore. Bye bye 9800 pro :(

For $500 I need

Case
Radiator Preferably 2x120mm
Rez
Block for CPU
Tubing etc.

Recomend me some stuff!

I was looking at areocool masstige, CM Stacker (not sure which version), or Lian Li 2000b.
Not sure which will be the easiest to cram all my stuff into, nothing seems like it is exactly what I am looking for... :( I want to mount Radiators internal if possible but side or top or rear mounted is fine too so long as it is easy.

I do NOT have any special tools, just a dremel, but I MIGHT be able to find someone to cut me some perfect circles.

Can I do a worthwhile liquid setup for this price and are there any good Links to show how to assemble an entire system?

Thanks.
 
Mountaing a radiator should be pretty simple in the CM Stacker, you can mount a 2x120MM radiator in the front of the case.

If you're going with a higher ID tubing system. You might want to look into these parts:
Swiftech Storm or Apogee CPU block
Maze4 or MCW55 GPU Block
Black Ice Pro II Radiator
Any type of resoviour you would prefer
7/16" Tygon Tubing
 
have a look at the swiftech apex kit. i has all of the parts that you need for CPU cooling, with enough capacity to easily add GPU cooling to the loop.

since you have a large budget for this, you might want to go one step better, buying parts seperately, and getting the swiftech storm CPU block, instead of the apogee CPU block included in the current apex ultra kit.

the old kit with the storm: http://www.swiftnets.com/products/H20-APEX.asp
the new kit with the apogee: http://www.swiftnets.com/products/H20-220-APEX.asp

just look at the parts included in those kits, and you have a shopping list for most of your loop, regardless of what store you acutally buy from. add a MCW55 GPU block or a maze 4 acetyl top GPU block and it's ready to go.

you can probably buy seperate parts including the superior storm CPU block for a comperable price to what the apex ultra is giong for. download the instalation guide, and off you go.
 
Case: CM Stacker
Rad: Black Ice Pro (with 2 low CFM fans)
Rez: OPTIONAL --> Danger Den rez ill give you the website I prefer a t-line and filiport though
Block for CPU: TDX block 939
tubing: I went with 1/2" stuff so 7/16" is the best choice get it here and search this 5233K44 pretty cheap and good too
Pump: You will need one! I like the Laing D5.

All of this should be around $200 exact and provides sufficient cooling too :)

Someone please make corrections on my if needed.
 
GFreeman9 said:
Case: CM Stacker
Rad: Black Ice Pro (with 2 low CFM fans)
Rez: OPTIONAL --> Danger Den rez ill give you the website I prefer a t-line and filiport though
Block for CPU: TDX block 939
tubing: I went with 1/2" stuff so 7/16" is the best choice get it here and search this 5233K44 pretty cheap and good too
Pump: You will need one! I like the Laing D5.

All of this should be around $200 exact and provides sufficient cooling too :)

Someone please make corrections on my if needed.
Click to expand...

With the cost of the case it's closer to $325.00...
 
When everyone says CM Stacker they mean the 810 or the other version?

I'm not afraid of ordering seperart parts, I didn't eve realize there is a decent "kit" out on the market. I wanted to do this 3 years ago but did not have the cash, and lets just say all the kits were extreamly sub-par.

I was origionaly planing on purchasing a nice big heatercore with 2-3 120mm fans mounted to it, but I'd like to avoid complications if possible as my time is limited.

The only thing with teh stacker I'm confused on is why mount the radiators to the front? Looks like it takes up all your room there....

I would still need to mount a floppy, 2 CD/DVD-Roms, and 2 Hard Drives at minimum, along with a fan controller.

Right now I am using every single slot in my full tower...
 
If you're ok with the Stacker's size, then the Gigabyte Aura can fit a 2x120mm rad inside on the back thanks to its 2x120mm exhaust :D It even includes slots for tubign if you have an externally mounted radiator, but you probably don't need more than a 2x120. Otherwise, the component choices people have listed are pretty good suggestions, and are about the best you can get performance wise without getting into chillers or peltiers or other subambient cooling.
 
Dont get the stacker, get the Gigabyte Aurora case, it is tailored specifically to watercooling, not to mention it is aluminum so it should be a good bit lighter.
 
Don't believe anything these guys tell you as I think they get a commission from Swiftech. :p
 
rtierney said:
77 bonneville heatercore, baby.

$20 from autozone. dont be fooled into buying that super expensive painted shit from other companies. paint it later if you're desperate for it to look nice.

throw in $20 for tygon tubing, $20 for radbox (if you even need it), $5 for hydrx, $10 for 120mm fan(s), $1 for distilled water, $100 for a pump and poly res combo, and like $100 for a swiftech cpu and gpu blocks and you got yourself a quality setup for ~$276

as for the case, eh, it doesn't matter much to me. the hardware inside is what matters.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the BIPII at $36 IS so expensive... :rolleyes:
 
why the swiftech storm of apogee as opposed to the MCW-6000 or 6002? i'm very happy with mine... and my 77 bonneville heater core :p
 
Elysian said:
why the swiftech storm of apogee as opposed to the MCW-6000 or 6002? i'm very happy with mine... and my 77 bonneville heater core :p
Click to expand...
those 6000s are out-dated. They may be good, but they aren't the latest and greatest.
 
CRXican said:
those 6000s are out-dated. They may be good, but they aren't the latest and greatest.
Click to expand...
the MCW6002 is a better performing waterblock than the apogee.
 
Top Nurse said:
Don't believe anything these guys tell you as I think they get a commission from Swiftech. :p
Click to expand...
i think that i trash talk the apogee as much as some A-C fans do........but whatever.

the storm is a great block. the D5 is a great pump. the MCR220 isn't a bad 120.2 rad (when it doesn't ship dented) the rest of the kit is blah.

the apex just has good hardware for a reasonably wide range of noise levels and heat loads, all in one box. there are things that i don't like about it, but it is a good match for an awfull lot of users.

if dangerden would kick out something of similar performance, and maintained the good build quality that i seen in my own oldschool DD gear, i woiuld be willing to reccomend that as well.
 
The Case is VERY Important to me. I'm sick of dealing with my old case, that cost me alot to turn it into something other than an eyesore. I HATE working on anything in my case too, so easy access is VERY important this time around for me.

The Gigabyte case looks kind of cheap, it looks like the driver bay cover is plastic, also I'm not a fan of those on my gaming PC's so I would have to rip that cover off. The plastic feet look identical to those on my 10 year old case I'm using, it just looks plain cheap to me, and it looks like I could have trouble mounting things like fan controllers in there. it looks very narrow from front to back, which is the problem I have now. Anyone have a picture of one with a large MB installed to prove me wrong? Better yet one with a liquid cooling setup installed?

I like the stackers size but I would prefer something LARGER I have a tendency to fill up drive bays extreamly fast.

I'm tempted to buy a PC75 used to really want this case, just not sure how I could setup the liquid cooling in it. I may have to wait for that new TSJ07 o drop in price and pick it up :(

I just found out that either my CPU or MB in my current rig is toast thanks to OCZ memory :(

First thing I need to order is the case...I'm still stuck here as the only case that looks good is the moded PC75 from Frozen CPU or the TSJ07....I am EXTREAMLY disapointed witht he lack of cases suitable for 2x120mm radiator.

Willthe $20 heatercore from autozone perform as well and mount up as easy? I don't care abotu an extra $20 to make things easier, but I'm not to fond of kits so I may go with DIY setup.
 
the $20 heatercore from autozone will perform about as good as any. it'll fit two 120mm fans with shrouds almost perfectly.
 
And after you factor in the cost of a shroud, hardware and a can of paint to cover up the rad's butt ugliness you've just pushed the final cost up to over $40. Just as well to buy a BIP II and save some time, space (face it, the bonny core and shrouds takes up hella space) and trouble.
 
I would hafta recomend the lian li pc-v2000, it's just huge... Should be very easy to work in if my pc-v1000 is anything like it, which it is. You can mount a BIP3 on the middle divider thing, but it will require a little modding, with a dremel you should be fine. Add a D5, Swiftech Micro Res, plus a Storm CPU block.
 
i'm biased because of my own case, but i think that the lian-li PC7077 is one of the nicer full towers out the. it has lots of drive bays, room to stick a rad up top if you're good with a dremel.

http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/S_C_PC-7077A.htm
add a HDD cage if you like.....room for most anything else you want to put in there.

i have the PC6077 mid-tower myself.
 
i would have to agree with some of the others and recommend the Gigabyte Aurora Case. There's a good amount of space to work with, looks pretty decent, and is catered towared water-cooling. Here's my recommendations:

cpu block: Storm
radiator: BIP II
Pump: MCP655 or D5 pump
Tubing: you gotta go with Tygon 7/16" ID
I say forget the rez and go with a t-line setup.
 
DFI Daishi said:
i'm biased because of my own case, but i think that the lian-li PC7077 is one of the nicer full towers out the. it has lots of drive bays, room to stick a rad up top if you're good with a dremel.

http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/S_C_PC-7077A.htm
add a HDD cage if you like.....room for most anything else you want to put in there.

i have the PC6077 mid-tower myself.
Click to expand...


The rad up top works well on most cases, it will only take up 2 drive bays, and the PC6077 has plenty of drive bays.

Also, the Gigabyte door is all metal, and quite sturdy. Unfortunately I dont think it has a full 270 turn radius like the door on my P180.
 
Unfortunately my skills with a dremel are limited to thigns other than $250 cases thjat require perfect circles to be free handed into the top. HellI can't even draw a perfect circle let alone cut one into a case.

Thats why I was thinking to maybe get the PC75 online someplace then buy the top from frozen CPU for $70.

Would this be my best bet for the price?

As far as teh CM Stacker 810, would I be able to mount the 2x120mm heatercore and fans to the backwall or will it be in the way? would imagine it would be in the way since I don't see anyone doing this.

The gigabyte is looking better, but it seems to have the same kind of issue, would the radiator fit on the back wall where the 2 120's go or would it be in the way?
 
Justintoxicated said:
Unfortunately my skills with a dremel are limited to thigns other than $250 cases thjat require perfect circles to be free handed into the top. HellI can't even draw a perfect circle let alone cut one into a case.

Thats why I was thinking to maybe get the PC75 online someplace then buy the top from frozen CPU for $70.

Would this be my best bet for the price?
Click to expand...
you don't need to cut perfect circles with the dremel, a kind of digital 8 shape works. i managed it myself with my dremel.......didn't come out perfectly or anything, but after working up the nerve for a good long while, i did it and it works.

the radbox would let you install the rad only having to drill a pair of holes in the back of the case.

regardless, that's only applicable if you like the case to begin with.
 
ok so what makes the Gigabyte so liquid cooling oriented? I don't see a place for the 2x120mm radiator?

If I get the Stacker I am thinking I would have to mount the radiator outside the case, perhaps this is better anyways? Then I could simply get the apex and have decent liquid.

I can't see myself sacrificing all my 5.25 inch bays jsut to have the radiator in the front. I like the look, but there would be no place for 2 Opticals, a fan controller, and floppy.

I really like the V2000B but I do not know the extent of modifications that would need to be done to stuff the radiator inside the case.

Right now I must say a PC75 from frozen CPU is pretty tempting, then just buy the additional $80 top plate....And be done with it. But I like the upside down MB in the V2000B better, just looks like it is alot of work to fit the stuff inside.

And downsides to getting something like the PC75? Only thing I can think of is no place to hide cables and less usable space.
 
Crazy Larry said:
If this is your 1st time into water cooling, why not go simple, like a Koolance case?

Here is a case direct from Koolance for $268.99:

http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=28_43&products_id=187

Then just add the cpu water block and any other you need (GPU, Hard Drive, System Memory, etc.)

Very easy to set up, no drilling holes in case, etc.
Click to expand...

Well, how well would it work compared to a kit like the apex? Can I chage out the fans? Are those 120mm fans on top? If their 80's it pretty much defeats any purpose in switching to liquid for me...

The case is ok... A bit old really might be a tight fit with a bit of clutter to be honest. I would have to question wether or not spending $100 more for the PC75 would be worth it.
 
man, for $500 you could get a killer aquacomputer setup. and your temps would not be noticably different from the swiftech kit.
 
well the koolance looks like it solves a number of problems, But I usualy like to build replaceable stuff....

I'm thinking the stacker with the radiator from the apex sticking out the back, would be a bit cheaper and the radiator is outside the case either way, hell it's probably better off in the back than on top anyways.

I can easily drill holes, I have a few holesaw bits for my drill...

I'm so confused as to what to do at this point....

So far I'm thinking a cheap stacker with radiator mounted externaly might be my best bet, of hell even a PC2000B with radiator mounted externaly isn't bad... it's a shame no1 makes a real case with liquid in mind yet.....
 
Getting a Stacker and putting the rad outside of the case defeats the purpose of the Stacker IMO.
 
Right, but fitting 2 CDROMS 2 HD's a a Fan controller is all but impossible if I do not.

And I don't think that is really asking for much.
 
CRXican said:
have you even looked at the case? there's like 10 bays in the thing
Click to expand...


Sure did, 6 are used by the 2x120mm alone so I'm short a few drive bays, I also think it needed a 5.25 to 3.5 adapter which takes up 3 more 5.25 inch bays. Leaving me with one 5.25 inch bay right?

Wait thats the first time I sceent eh adapter installed in the floor, is it just drilled into place there?
 
Justintoxicated said:
Sure did, 6 are used by the 2x120mm alone so I'm short a few drive bays, I also think it needed a 5.25 to 3.5 adapter which takes up 3 more 5.25 inch bays. Leaving me with one 5.25 inch bay right?

Wait thats the first time I sceent eh adapter installed in the floor, is it just drilled into place there?
Click to expand...
Honetly I don't know that much about the case. I do know that thing can be moved around though.
 
BioPort said:
man, for $500 you could get a killer aquacomputer setup. and your temps would not be noticably different from the swiftech kit.
Click to expand...

AIR is just a few degrees from the Swiftech kit but it's noticable and considerably cheaper than an A.C. setup. The A.C. setup would have load temps way closer to air cooling for way more money so what's the point? A way to blow $500? That makes a whole lot of sense. -not :rolleyes:
 
Well from the looks of things, it is either get the stacker, aero masstige, or cut into the top of the case, which would likely be a $250 case....

I dunno if I want to put my future Raptor drive lose on the floor though, I'm going to call my friend and see if he knows anyone with a water jet laser.

I'm looking into the liquid cooling components, I have alot of research to do and a broken PC at home to do it on :(, I really do appreciate all the links

Thanks.
 
With the Armor case you can stand the rad up in the front of the case, mount the hard drives in the gondola in the rear of the case and still have 4 free optical drive bays which is a nice plus.

If you do go the Armor route be aware that the black one is steel and not aluminum so it's pretty damned heavy when built...to the tune of 68lbs. The silver case weighs less than half the weight of the black case bare.

That means a built PC would weight about 15lbs less. It's something to consider.

The Gigabyte case on the other hand has 2-120mm rear fan holes spaced just about perfectly for a rad mounting. This is why everyone keeps telling you to consider it as a case for your setup.
 
madmat said:
With the Armor case you can stand the rad up in the front of the case, mount the hard drives in the gondola in the rear of the case and still have 4 free optical drive bays which is a nice plus.

If you do go the Armor route be aware that the black one is steel and not aluminum so it's pretty damned heavy when built...to the tune of 68lbs. The silver case weighs less than half the weight of the black case bare.

That means a built PC would weight about 15lbs less. It's something to consider.

The Gigabyte case on the other hand has 2-120mm rear fan holes spaced just about perfectly for a rad mounting. This is why everyone keeps telling you to consider it as a case for your setup.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will look into the Armor some more. The Stacker 810 also has 2 rear 120mm fans. Witht he Gigabyte case, woulden't the radiator have to go outside the case it seems like it would clutter over the MB otherwise?
 
Yes, it would go outside the case but that's why Gigabyte put in the pop-outs for passing the hose through to the rear of the case...
 
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