Most bang for the buck?

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Kueller

Supreme [H]ardness
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TL;DR version: Alphacool XT45 or Swiftech MCR320-XP?


I'm putting together a parts list for my first loop. I'd like to start with just a CPU block with plans to add a GPU block later.
I like the idea of slimmer tubing around the cpu socket so I was thinking of running 3/8 ID through the block(s) into the Res and 1/2 ID from the Res -> Pump -> Rad then back to 3/8 ID coming out of the Rad. Is this going to cause any problems?

Can't decide between these two radiators. The MCR320-XP is slimmer, and less expensive, but the XT45 also looks very good and seems to do better at lower fan speeds. I'm leaning towards the MCR320xp mostly b/c it's less expensive, but if someone has a compelling case for the XT45 I'm open to it.
Swiftech "eXtreme Performance" Triple 120mm Radiator MCR320-XP - 1/2" Barb fittings $69.95
OR
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 360mm $75.99


Swiftech MCRES-MICRO™ Rev. 2 Reservoir $24.95
Swiftech MCP655™ Series 12 VDC Water Pumps - With Speed Control $76.95
XSPC Raystorm CPU Waterblock - Intel - 3/8" Barb $52.99
2x Alphacool 13/10 (10x1.5mm) Compression Fitting 45° Revolvable G1/4 - Deep Black $13.90 (I would like to use these on the CPU block, but is a revolvable fitting going to present a leak hazard?)
HydrX anti-microbial anti-corrosion additive $1.99 (Or just add a spoonful of antifreeze?)


With MCR320-XP total is: $240.xx +$13 shipping
With Alphacool NexXxos XT45 total is: $248.xx +$13 shipping
Prices are from performance-pcs, which has an 8% off coupon this week that would bring the MCR320 setup down to ~$220 +$13 shipping.

Tubing and Hose clamps: $5 @local hardware store?
Speaking of tubing the $3/ft tubing is a joke. The $0.30/ft stuff at lowes will still get the job done, right?

Anything glaring I'm missing here? I tried to keep the price down as much as possible without sacrificing too much quality. I'm justifying the expense of the 45° compression fittings for the CPU block as being less likely to kink the tubing.
 
With careful placement of aAlphacool 360 monster rad you can get away without using a res. Just the radiator to the pump to your cpu/gpu then back to reservoir.

One of those monster 360 radiators with good fans should work out well with just about any cpu single gpu combo.
 
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The stuff at lowes will have a shitty bend radius, save your money. You can get McMaster Tubing or Durelene pretty cheap and it will work out much better for you. I have used mcMaster for a long time, but I'm finally getting some better stuff. My McMaster clouds but it might be ok with straight water, I just wanted something a little nicer. In the big picture even $2.50 a foot isn't that big of a deal, but yes you can do it for less, just don't get the hardware store stuff IMO.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/othertubing.html

You should not need 90's or 45's for the CPU if you get the right tubing, rotary fittings should be ok, bt why not just use regular compressions or barbs if your on a budget?

I would stick with 1 tubing size if possible, but if your using a D5 variant then you can use 1/2" ID for just that one connection fine (just get the right barbs).

I would get the aplhacool UT45 or thicker if it fits, if you want to save money on radiators buy a used one :) for example, I just picked up two XSPC RX480's for $130 total, I would have preferred UT60's but not for double the price!
If you want to save money you can do a T-line instead of a radiator, although a $20 micro rez will save some work when bleeding.
 
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Somehow I forgot to address fans. To start with I plan to use some 1400rpm PWM fans I have. If I can find some of the famed GT AP15's in stock and on sale, I would like to try them out later.

I thought about things a bit more, and considering the hose routing, and wanting to keep a consistent hose size I'm leaning towards this D5 Acrylic pump-top Reservoir and just going with 3/8 ID throughout.

Just out of of curiosity, do you think any single 360mm rad would be capable of cooling a CPU and a dual GPU card like a 690?
 
Kueller said:
Somehow I forgot to address fans. To start with I plan to use some 1400rpm PWM fans I have. If I can find some of the famed GT AP15's in stock and on sale, I would like to try them out later.

I thought about things a bit more, and considering the hose routing, and wanting to keep a consistent hose size I'm leaning towards this D5 Acrylic pump-top Reservoir and just going with 3/8 ID throughout.

Just out of of curiosity, do you think any single 360mm rad would be capable of cooling a CPU and a dual GPU card like a 690?
Click to expand...

That Res won't work unless you buy/already have a "pump top" for the D5, which is another $25+..I personally think pump tops are an insane rip off, unless you get a good deal on a used one like I did..

As for the second question, any 60mm thick 360mm radiator should be just fine to handle an overclocked quad core + 690 GPU..
 
Kueller said:
Somehow I forgot to address fans. To start with I plan to use some 1400rpm PWM fans I have. If I can find some of the famed GT AP15's in stock and on sale, I would like to try them out later.

I thought about things a bit more, and considering the hose routing, and wanting to keep a consistent hose size I'm leaning towards this D5 Acrylic pump-top Reservoir and just going with 3/8 ID throughout.

Just out of of curiosity, do you think any single 360mm rad would be capable of cooling a CPU and a dual GPU card like a 690?
Click to expand...

Take a look at this thread for pump top performance. I don't think they are a waste, especially if you want to reduce the tubing size and gain a little performance. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums...Top-Testing-(EK-Alphacool-and-Koolance-so-far) I'm going with the EK top, but the koolance is good too. Maybe the alphacool if you want to risk it, maybe his was just cut a little off. However is there any reason you don't want to run 7/16th or 1/2 inch tubing, then you really wont need a pump top or reducers etc.

ccityinstaller said:
That Res won't work unless you buy/already have a "pump top" for the D5, which is another $25+..I personally think pump tops are an insane rip off, unless you get a good deal on a used one like I did..

As for the second question, any 60mm thick 360mm radiator should be just fine to handle an overclocked quad core + 690 GPU..
Click to expand...

It looks like the pump top is built into it?
 
@Justintoxicated
That Duralene tubing seems like just want I'm looking for.

@ccityinstaller
My understanding is that the pump top part is built into that reservoir actually. At least I hope so, it didn't mention needing any additional parts.
http://images.xs-pc.com/product_images/large/XSPC-D5TANK-4.jpg


As for the 360 Monsta suggestion...It's awfully expensive. Would the UT60 360mm be a decent compromise or is the monsta really worth the extra $$?
 
I suppose I could do 1/2-3/4, I just feel like the 3/8-1/2 tubing will be easier to route around and look a little less massive. So mostly aesthetics...
 
Kueller said:
@Justintoxicated
That Duralene tubing seems like just want I'm looking for.

@ccityinstaller
My understanding is that the pump top part is built into that reservoir actually. At least I hope so, it didn't mention needing any additional parts.
http://images.xs-pc.com/product_images/large/XSPC-D5TANK-4.jpg


As for the 360 Monsta suggestion...It's awfully expensive. Would the UT60 360mm be a decent compromise or is the monsta really worth the extra $$?
Click to expand...

Mosta preforms best with push/pull fans if if I remember, I think the UT60 is about the same with only push. I'm sure google will find you the answer.
 
Kueller said:
As for the 360 Monsta suggestion...It's awfully expensive. Would the UT60 360mm be a decent compromise or is the monsta really worth the extra $$?
Click to expand...


I think the Monsta would be the better choice for maximum performance and with some room for future upgrading.

Just make sure you have clearance for push/pull fans for maximum performance.


It's possible to run the Monsta without a reservoir if you can place it vertically in your case with the connections at the bottom. You can use one connections to feed the pump and on the opposite side you have 1 connection that you can run up to the top of your case and use it as a small reservoir with the tubing (just to keep an eye on liquid level and you can also use that point to fill the radiator. If you can pull this off all you need is the Monsta and a good pump. For pumps check out the Koolance PMP-500. Its a power house.
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2012/12/13/koolance-pmp-500-pump/

Use xtreme coupon at check out for 5.1% off at FrozenCPU. Also I have had terrible customer service from PErformancePCs and great customer service from FrozenCPU.
 
SonDa5 said:
I think the Monsta would be the better choice for maximum performance and with some room for future upgrading.

Just make sure you have clearance for push/pull fans for maximum performance.


It's possible to run the Monsta without a reservoir if you can place it vertically in your case with the connections at the bottom. You can use one connections to feed the pump and on the opposite side you have 1 connection that you can run up to the top of your case and use it as a small reservoir with the tubing (just to keep an eye on liquid level and you can also use that point to fill the radiator. If you can pull this off all you need is the Monsta and a good pump. For pumps check out the Koolance PMP-500. Its a power house.
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2012/12/13/koolance-pmp-500-pump/

Use xtreme coupon at check out for 5.1% off at FrozenCPU. Also I have had terrible customer service from PErformancePCs and great customer service from FrozenCPU.
Click to expand...

I ordered from performance PC last week and it went super smooth and shipped really fast. Mostly because they also have a 5.5% off coupon and were cheaper.

Personally I don't like the idea of using a radiator as a reservoir. I would rather use a T-line because then you can see when the fluid is getting low and needs to be topped off. It would also likely be much easier to do said topping off if you added a fillport to the top of the case (requires drilling a large hole though). Actually using the monsta in the same orientation, you could probably add a fill line and fill port to it, instead of filling it directly, and then you would know when to top off before the radiator started to get low (fill the coolant past the top of the radiator into the fill line). That would actually be pretty slick if it works for you :)
 
Im with justin, the reservoir is an important part to me. It's like the heart! or stomach!
 
I picked up 2x D5's and 2x MCR420's locally for $160. I guess I'm looking at external mounting now...
 
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