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New H2O System Build – Review (Please)

H

HDW101

n00b
Joined
Dec 25, 2006
Messages
18
Hi Everyone,

I’ve been doing system builds, well… since Al Gore invented the Internet, but this is my first water cooled setup.

Here is a floor plan based on the Lian Li 1200 Plus and the Asus Striker motherboard. My aesthetic constraints are: no cutting of the external case walls and everything should fit in the case. I like the sleeper look.

I would appreciate any comments on the layout, cooling capacity, and anything else. Thanks. Does this look like too much plumbing?

Thanks for your comments.

PC Parts List:

CASE LIANLI|PC-V1200BPLUS II
PSU ENERMAX|EGA1000EWL-DXX 1000W
ASUS Striker Extreme Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i
2 x BFG Tech BFGR88768GTXWC50E GeForce 8800GTX
Core 2 Extreme QX6700
OCZ FlexXLC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2
NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5"
3 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (RAID 0)
2 x LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-05
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer

H2O Cooling Parts:

Alphacool Laing DDC-Pump 12V Ultra
2 x Black Ice GTX Gen Two Xtreme 120 Highest Performance Radiator (GTX120)
2 x Alphacool Heattrap RegCooler Asus SLI
2 x Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Water-block
PrimoChill ICE Non-Conductive Liquid Cooling Fluid
10’ PrimoFlex Tubing 1/2 ID x 3/4 OD
4’ Swiftech 1/4" ID PVC Clear Tubing

Here is a rough layout I’m considering:
pcbuild.jpg


Diagram View:
H2O Routing.jpg
 
Wow that will be one nice build. Everything looks good to me, however I'm not sure about the 2 x Black Ice GTX Gen Two Xtreme 120 Highest Performance Radiator (GTX120)..I think you need high cfm fans for it to work good. Key words being I think. Someone else will know.

Personally based on what I just said I'd go with BlackIce Pro rads.
 
Sta!nless said:
Wow that will be one nice build. Everything looks good to me, however I'm not sure about the 2 x Black Ice GTX Gen Two Xtreme 120 Highest Performance Radiator (GTX120)..I think you need high cfm fans for it to work good. Key words being I think. Someone else will know.

Personally based on what I just said I'd go with BlackIce Pro rads.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Just ordered the H2O setup. Still have a bit of fabrication to do for radiator mounting brackets, etc.
 
have you checked to make sure if the ASUS Mosfet coolers are compatible with your board?

The only Heattrap MOSFET blocks I know of are for the A8N series and earlier P5 mobos.
 
n00btard said:
have you checked to make sure if the ASUS Mosfet coolers are compatible with your board?

The only Heattrap MOSFET blocks I know of are for the A8N series and earlier P5 mobos.
Click to expand...

Well they look kinda similar, LOL, just kidding.

It was a safe bet that Asus would be using the same parts bin across their models.
It took a while, but I found a thread in the Asus forum of someone using them.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...&model=Striker+Extreme&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

Picture002.jpg
 
damn, that's a nice computer...

good luck on your watercooling loop, will be looking forward to it
 
annaconda said:
Umm where do you get these steel 90 degree elbows.
Click to expand...

HERE if you don't mind getting raped by the price of the fittings.

HERE if you don't mind getting raped by the shipping charge.
 
Umm i am going to HomeDepot after work they have some 90 degree 1/2" elbows 4 for $4.

I will post back with the result and pictures.
 
Where are you mounting the radiators? (sorry if you already said and I missed it)
When I did my pc-v2000 (similiar to your 1200), I was easily able to fit a Black ice pro 120 between the front fan and hdd racks, screwing it directly to the fan. The hdd's recieved good airflow and didn't seem to restrict the radiator at all.
The other fit in the rear 120mm exhaust fan. If I had it oriented so the radiator fittings were at the bottom, it slightly bent the aluminum plate down, but hardly noticeable. If you put it so that the fittings are at the top, it will fit better, but block your first pci-e slot...not a big deal if you're not planning on using the pci-e x1 slot.
I can find pics if you like.
Also, if you get creative I bet you can fit a radiator to the bracket the holds the side fan on. Part of that bracket, the circular (octagonal?) part that directs the airflow at the cases' side opening can be removed. Once that's gone, you could move the bracket closer to the video card and fit a radiator there...I think. Just an idea.

~edit~
Have you considered using 7/16 tubing instead of 1/2" ?
It has nearly the same internal diameter of 1/2" tubing, but the the external diameter of 3/8" tubing. After reading recommendations from people like the famed Cathar, i decided to try it out and couldn't be happier. Just as easy to route as 3/8 with the flow of 1/2" tubing. Also, since it is slightly skinnier, it fits on 1/2" fittings without the need for clamps. My system uses all 7/16 tubing with 1/2" fittings and no clamps...not a leak at all.

Also, guys over on the Danger Den forums have bashed the GTX gen Black ice radiators to no end, citing such things as increased resistance to airflow while not really dropping temps a whole lot. The good 'ol Black Ice pro style is probably best if you can't use Thermochill radiators due to budget or space concerns.
 
HDW101 said:
I was going to mount one in the lower drive bay and one in front of the motherboard.

As best laid out plans go … Just got the case, now I’m thinking it will may not work.

What do you guys think of these alternatives? Not too sure about aluminum radiators…

http://store.pcpowerzone.com/koininlicosy.html
http://store.pcpowerzone.com/koeh1kwseblr.html

runner6m, I would love to see pics of your setup.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'll try to get some pics tonight when I get home from work.

Most will recommend you stay away from aluminum due to corrosion concerns, as well as inferior heat conductivity. If you really want to though, let me know. I have that exact same radiator/fan combo in your second link, the three-fan version. I never used it due to it being aluminum, so it's just sitting at home...I could sell it for dirt cheap. Keep in mind though, it only has 3/8" fittings.
 
runner6m said:
I'll try to get some pics tonight when I get home from work.

Most will recommend you stay away from aluminum due to corrosion concerns, as well as inferior heat conductivity. If you really want to though, let me know. I have that exact same radiator/fan combo in your second link, the three-fan version. I never used it due to it being aluminum, so it's just sitting at home...I could sell it for dirt cheap. Keep in mind though, it only has 3/8" fittings.
Click to expand...

I've sent you a PM regarding the Koolance radiator...
 
Hmmm . . .

You might want to swap out the BIX rads with Black Ice Pro . . .or even a Coolingworks radiator as they perform relatively better, especially with lower CFM fans.

I would also consider not WCing the mofsets or south bridge as it would just restrict flow.

Lastly, you may want to consider the EK full cover blocks for the 8800GTX. From what I've heard, it's a bitch to cool all of the "hot spots" on the 8800GTX with MC14s.

[EDIT] I didn't see that the OP was rather old. May be a bit late on the advice :-p. Sorry.
 
Hi, No not too late. The project was stalled due to parts availability. Since, Asus’s Striker is on a perpetual back order.

I have to water cool the mofsets since the Striker will be mounted in BTX fasion and Asus heat pipes tend to ever heat when mounted inverted.


jnick said:
Hmmm . . .

You might want to swap out the BIX rads with Black Ice Pro . . .or even a Coolingworks radiator as they perform relatively better, especially with lower CFM fans.

I would also consider not WCing the mofsets or south bridge as it would just restrict flow.

Lastly, you may want to consider the EK full cover blocks for the 8800GTX. From what I've heard, it's a bitch to cool all of the "hot spots" on the 8800GTX with MC14s.

[EDIT] I didn't see that the OP was rather old. May be a bit late on the advice :-p. Sorry.
Click to expand...
 
Almost done.... Loop is finished, just need to rid a tiny leak.

Final parts list:

CASE LIANLI|PC-V1200BPLUS II
PSU ENERMAX|EGA1000EWL-DXX 1000W
ASUS Comando MB
EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Air for now
Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Corsair XMS 9136 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2
NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5"
Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive(RAID 0)
PLEXTOR 16X DVD±R DVD Burner
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer

H2O Cooling Parts:

Asetek WaterChill Xtreme Integrated Pump (modified)
Swiftech Radiator - MCR220 Quiet Power Series Dual 120 mm
Alphacool NexXxoS XP Socket 775 Water Block
1 x Alphacool Heattrap RegCooler Asus SLI
2 x MIPS ASUS Chipset Freezers
XP+ EXT (Extreme Performance) Coolant - UV Red
10’ PrimoFlex Tubing 3/8


pc1.jpg

pc2.jpg
 
Maybe this has already been said, but IMHO running two loops would be highly beneficial. I don't think you want the very high heat output (but also can take it) of the mosfets in the same loop with your low heat output (and can't take high heat) of your cpu. Both rads won't be able to get rid of that much heat that quick and you'll just raise the water temp too much.
 
Finalized. Had to go with 2 top rad holes to vent the case due to temp build up.
What do you guys think?

pc3.jpg

pc4.jpg

pc5.jpg

pc6.jpg

pc7.jpg
 
ygpm i think i'm gonna do the same thing but i have some questions.
how did you mount the rad? is it mounted on the the drive bays?
what is the mesh thing on the top that is occupying 3 bays?
how does the system cool?

nvm you had to drill holes which i don't have a dremel for
 
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