modified H20-220 compact or custom?

[staradderdragoon]

So here's the dilemma....

As part of the Intel Retail Edge program, I'm able to get the QX6850 for 240 bucks...i'm thinking about getting that and a new motherboard because my P5N32-E is a POS and my dad wants a quad so i can give him my Q6600.

from what ive been reading, is that the QX6850 outputs more heat and that liquid cooling is recommended if you plan to overclock (which i do of course).

So heres the thing, i read a tomshardware article about their high end build and they used the H20-120 compact kit + a dual radiator. I was thinking about doing the same with a 220 + a single radiator. I didnt think about the kit too much until i read this article and i have the exact same case. So what im trying to decide is whether or not to do that, or pick out parts and build a custom LCS?

i was thinking about a MCP655 vario pump, Fuzion v2, MCR220 and MCR120, micro res, and tygon tubes, etc....
the price difference isnt much so i'm wondering what i should pick? are there any long term issues with each?

 

[mavalpha]

I'd go custom. From personal experience, the Apogee-Drive (pump+block used in the Compact) loses a lot of head compared to the MCP350 pump on which it's based. I had a customer at MicroCenter who put an Apogee Drive and an Apogee GT onto a dual-Opteron build, and the pump didn't have the power to push through both blocks. Two rads will be just as bad. The MCP350 is a great pump by itself, but its output needs to be channeled to get any pressure. That MCP655 loop looks nice.

 

[jws2346]

There is no doubt in my mind kits, especially Swiftech or some of Petra's kits have their place in WC'ing (most are "newb" friendly and some come with everything except distilled H2O). Don't tell anyone, but when I first started getting wet (not literally, just an expression) I had a Koolance 1/4" inch tube EXOS with 3x 80mm fans (chuckle, chucke) and then a 3/8" inch tube Nautilus 500 (good kit IMO for cpu only, even quads)

I have modded (ie MCR220 on Nautilus 500) a few kits, but what it all comes down to is IMO you're way better off with a custom DIY build, one that you "tailor made" for you system (no kit that I know of has the first rate products, usually brand allegiance),

By the looks of your "thought list" you have some "dynamite" parts there, IMO they'll be better than a "jury rigged" Swiftech kit.

IMHO there ain't nothin' like the looks (case winder) of a quality built and effective WC'er.

Good luck with whatever you decide and please keep us posted

 

[Russ]

i was thinking about a MCP655 vario pump, Fuzion v2, MCR220 and MCR120, micro res, and tygon tubes, etc....

Do this but without the MCR120. A single 1x120 rad isn't going to add much to your loop, the loss in flow and such is probably going to completely offset any heat it manages to move.

Other than that, great choices. I use all of those except the CPU block (back when I made my loop the Storm was king. )