• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Need help with water cooling

J

johavoll

n00b
Joined
Feb 15, 2013
Messages
11
i am planning on watercooling my cpu and later my graphics card(but don't mind the gapic card for now). i have a define r3 case so i cant have a dual rad in the top so i have decided that since i can't have a dual i need to have a thick one. i was thinking of this one:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...20mm_Radiator_-_80mm_Thick.html?tl=g30c95s159

and mounting it in the bottom of my case.
there are som things i know i want but there are some that i don't(i want compression fittings and the rad i linked).
still need pump, tubes, reservoire, what spesific fittings i want and cpu block.
i have a i7 2600k LGA 1155.
so i tought that you nice people over here could help me :)

i would prefere it if all of the parts where from frozencpu.com and ofcourse that they fit together. also i am trying to stick to a black and blue theme

i have a budget of about 400 dollars so be creative on what parts i should get.
thank you in advance :)
 
Last edited:
400 budget might seem a lot, but it's really not in the scheme of watercooling.

Radiator thickness is not a substitute for radiator area. It can make up for some deficiencies, but not all of it.

This build has a 240 radiator on the top and a 120 on the bottom. I've also seen the hard drive trays removed and a 240 placed on the front with a 120 on the rear. You'll need low profile RAM if you use a radiator on the top.

Google Fractal R3 watercooling to get a sense of what people have done, and what you can do.
 
thanks.
my budget can stretch to like 600-700 if i want to but i am not really sure. gonna look into mounting it in the front since i already removed the harddrive trays(shit was bendt).
do you have anny recomendations when it comes to pumps, reservoirs, cpu block and maby other things you think should be considered?
 
Two of the most popular pumps for watercooling: MCP 355, MCP 655, and their other variants. Also known as Laing DDC and Laing D5, or Koolance PMP-400 and PMP-450.

Reservoir: Use whatever you like best. Look up reviews to make sure it's good quality.

CPU block: A good budget one is the XSPC Raystorm. Typically around $50. Another good one is the Swiftech Apogee HD.

Tubing: Tygon gets recommended a lot, but it's expensive. I use Primochill tubing, and it's worked perfectly for me, although some people have had issues. I would get at least 6 feet in case you make a mistake.

PT Nuke or a silver killcoil is a must.

Use distilled water from your local grocery market as your coolant. Usually about $1-2 for a gallon.

Avoid anything EK. It's not that their products are bad, well, their nickel plated products are absolute crap, but their customer support is complete crap.
 
thanks you have been very helpfull! :)
will post pics when i get around to buying and installing everything.
 
Either 1/2 ID 3/4 OD or 3/8 ID 5/8 OD. For all practical purposes, 3/8 ID is easier to work with because it bends easier without kinking and is smaller, which would be a good thing for your small case. There's virtually no performance difference between the two.

I use 1/2" ID 3/4" OD because I like the look of larger tubing.
 
thanks. i have picked out parts for around 600 dollars. going for dual 120 mm in the front and the pump you recomended. so i am looking forvard to ordering and putting everything together
 
 
Just for comparison sake:

You might consider an MCP 355 pump with an XSPC pump-top reservoir. This setup has excellent pump output (nearly as good as the pump you are considering, and less space)

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7..._w_MCP-350355_No_Fittings.html?tl=g30c107s152

Also....the Tygon you are planning to use is horrid. After about a week of use it will begin to cloud up, unless you are using a dye to color your water, in which case the tubing will stain that color forever. The cloudiness isn't anything that bothers function, it just looks like shit. The tuding is also a bit floppy.

I use Tygon in all my builds, but I use black R3400 3/8 x 1/2. For colors otherwise, I like the basic Primochill......http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata..._info&cPath=59_413_292_1152&products_id=25905

If you want a good, cheap clear tubing, I'd recommend buying Frozencpu's home brand, it's pretty good.

I'd rethink the tubing size.....I've used 3/8 ID by 1/2 OD forever. it looks good, it is flexible and the compressions aren't as expensive as larger diameter tubes.:D

Take a look at this cpu block......http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_971_498_495&products_id=26574 this block is solid copper, looks great and is simple to install. Depending on the reviewer, it generally ranks in the top two for cooling. It's the block all otehrs are compared to generally. I have three of them and would't consider anything else. I've used Raystorms and Swiftech products, this one is just better, IMO. (buy the backplate if you get one)

As far as vendors....sidewindercomputers generally has the best prices on pumps (the guy also bought out Petra's) and tubes, sometimes compressions, Performance-pcs has the largest inventory of tubing and connectors and those hard to find items.....but their shipping is crazy high.....Frozen is good but their prices are often higher than the other two.....also go to jab-tech, they have a limited inventory but their prices are often very good.
 
Last edited:
You should also look at Jab-tech and Sidewinder Computers. They often have really competitive prices.
 
Jab-tech has the best prices but their selection leaves a bit to be desired nowadays. Back when I first got into watercooling Jab-tech was my go to.

I'd have to say PerformancePC's has the best selection but their prices haven't always been competitive. Being in Florida means I get my stuff next day most of the time but tax sucks though. Always a catch!
 
do you recomend me to mount the radiator in the front with the outlets on the bottom or the top?
 
johavoll said:
do you recomend me to mount the radiator in the front with the outlets on the bottom or the top?
Click to expand...
You should mount the radiator anywhere it fits well with space for you to work.
The location of the fittings is irrelevant. It's harder to work on the connections if the fittings are located on the bottom though.

I generally place them to have the shortest length of tube from point to point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top