Need help picking parts for a loop

[rampantandroid]

Hi All,

Having failed at using aircooling on my 5970 (the AC Accelero cooler killed my card, had to RMA it...the replacement still rattles.) I'm looking at doing watercooling now.

TO start with, here's the relevant parts of my build:
eVGA x58 3x SLI
Reference 5970
intel i7 920
Case is the CM HAF932

Now, I obviously want to cool my card, and my CPU would be nice - but it's already on a TRUE-120, and doing pretty well. My X58 also has a noisy NB fan (it's a blower. I HATE blowers) and ideally I'd like to keep the entire system inside the case.

My thoughts so far have been:
a 3x120 radiator mounted at the top of my case
the EK 5970 full coverage block - seems like that one is the best for cooling the VRMs, but I've always heard good things of DD, so if someone can offer a comparison of the DD to the EK block, that'd be great - I found none when looking online.
Possibly an EK block for my motherboard: link
Some CPU waterblock

Unsure of the pump - something on DC I assume, not sure of a good pump, let alone a good tubing size. I assume going for 1/2" would be a good choice? What about what the loop would look like? Would the loop go CPU -> NB -> GPU -> rad -> pump?

What about adding in a 120mm rad on the back of the case (or the bottom, where there are also holes for a fan) somewhere in the loop? Where would a resevoir fit in (and the HAF932 has a hole for a fillport, how, if at all, could I use that?)

Here's the parts I'm thinking of:
CPU Block
Pump or after reading people seem to say this is better - generates less heat. Why does it have a 1/2" inlet, and 3/8" outlet?
Rad
5970: EK or DD
Chipset

What about kits - any good ones?

Now, what do I need to worry about with metals mixing? WHy are some blocks nickel plated - does nickel not react with copper or anything? Is nickel plated better? What do I need to worry about fittings, will places like frozenCPU include ones that are good if I pick them with the block?

Tubing I assume people prefer tygon? What about coolants to use - distilled what, or are there non-conductive solutions out there?

Never done watercooling before, but stared at it for years, so any advice and input on parts would be GREALY appreciated!

 

[nissanztt90]

Id recommend...

For CPU blocks the Swiftech Apogee XT over the Koolance.

For the rad the Swiftech MCR 320 over the Black Ice. But id really recommend the XSPS RX360...that may be out of your budget though.

For the pump the D5 type over the DDC. Doesnt matter which brand you get. If you do decide on the DDC you might want to consider a top for it.


For tubing i prefer 7/16 x 5/8. I used to use Tygon but im going to try Primochill this time around i think. Ive heard its almost as good as Tygon. I like that their tubing doesnt have any markings on it and they have different colors if thats your thing.

For loop order it really shouldnt matter too much except you should have the pump draw from the resevoir. I like to do res -> pump -> rad -> cpu -> gpu -> res.

Ive used distilled water with success...no problems with algea but if you like you can put silver in the loop...or something like the Silver KillCoil.

I dont recommend dyes or coolants as they tend to gunk up blocks and radiators.