New to h2o, Advice/Help Appreciated

thor88

n00b
Joined
Apr 12, 2010
Messages
11
Alright, so i pretty much have no idea what I'm doing as far as picking out parts for this goes. I know the basic stuff I need to setup a water cooling loop but i have no idea about how good or bad the parts I'm looking at are. I know there is no "best" part usually... but I am mainly worried about getting a piece of crap that is gonna break or leak. Any input on this is very much appreciated.

Here's a list of things I am looking at buying after I make sure they aren't terrible:

Radiator: Koolance 3x120mm
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_457_667_673&products_id=25441
CPU Block: Heatkiller Rev3 1156
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_498_495&products_id=26574
Pump/Res: EK-Reservoir Combo w/ EK-DCP 4.0
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_318_659&products_id=26774
Tubing: Koolance 1/2"ID 5/8" OD
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_413_455&products_id=25001
Fittings: Koolance 1/2" Compression
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_346_203_478&products_id=21278
Anti-Microbial: .999 Fine Silver Strip
http://www.koolertek.com/computer-parts/pc/Antimicrobial-Silver-Strip-for-Coils-176p2247.htm

This is going to be cooling an i7 860 @ 4.0ghz and 1 GTX 480 Hydro Copper.

As a final question, where do you put the silver coil? I would assume the reservoir but I'm a total noob at this.
 
Note: My fan choices are based on personal experience. Most of everything else is just based on the reviews of other people...though I do have watercooling experience, and I have used DDC and D5 pumps, and EK, XSPC, and swiftech products...and Tygon

http://skinneelabs.com/cu1020v.html?page=5 - That Koolance radiator is designed to be used with high RPM fans only

Radiator Alternatives:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_457_667_671&products_id=25389 - XSPC RX360 radiator (Lower Fin-per-inch for quiet computing)

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thpa3xra.html (Thermochill pa120.3; almost as good as XSPC RX360 for quiet computing, but better when used with higher performing fans)

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcqupo3xbl.html - swiftech mcr320, if you want the best bang for the buck.

http://skinneelabs.com/triplesv2.html?page=4 - Skinnee's triple Radiator roundup - observe the bottom 2 graphs. Based on this review, and another which favored the XSPC RX, that'd be my choice unless you can fit one of these: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thpa420ra.html - reviewed here: http://skinneelabs.com/pa140.3.html?page=5 (140.3 radiator. I'd use the xigmatek xlf-1453 fans, amazon).

Waterblock:

http://skinneelabs.com/ek-supreme-hf.html?page=5 (EK supreme HF is the best performing block Skinnee has tested). http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_498_490&products_id=27631 - (sale on gold version) - not sure if 1/2" compression fittings will fit on this block. Better check.

Tubing:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ty1idx3odlat.html - Tygon R3400 tubing. The good stuff... better bend-radius, less kinky...heh

Pump: [Note that EK and XSPC also make pump-top / reservoir combos that may suit your needs better than the following options - I'm listing them in case you want a separated setup, and to illustrate that you need not use a stock pump]

I probably wouldn't use that EK pump... I'd just use a regular Laing DDC 3.2 or 3.25 (koolance pmp-400) or Laing D5 vario, and then I'd get an aftermarket pump-top (I'd use EK for that).

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...e=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=22586 - DDC 3.25 rebranded as Koolance pmp-400

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_439_770&products_id=24825 - EK X-top rev2 for DDC-series pumps (transforms DDC-series pumps into the highest-flowing option available (XSPC and EK have dual/triple DDC kits for monster setups as well)).

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...ge=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=3112 - Laing D5 as swiftech mcp655

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_439_770&products_id=24823 - EK X-top for D5

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...e=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=20655 - DDC 3.2 as swiftech mcp355 (almost as powerful as ddc 3.25)

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...ge=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=2539 - DDC 3.1 (or 3.15 now?) as swiftech mcp350 - use for quiet computing possibly

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...e=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=24272 - Dangerden CPX-pro (I'd actually probably use THIS for quiet computing... better than a stock ddc 3.2 often, requires no pump-top, cheaper, and relatively quiet).

EDIT: http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_439_770&products_id=22868 - Here is EK's DDC X-res top... integrated reservoir. Not sure how good it is, but I trust EK for the most part.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_439_769&products_id=23357 - Here is the much cheaper XSPC version. This was the original top performer, but I'm not sure how reliable the manufacturing is on these parts. It might still be good, but I think the early batches had some issues. I had one, and it was great...but I remember others complaining at the time.



Silver coil can go in the reservoir, sure.

Koolertek also sells my favorite fans, the scythe GT AP-15 (take suggestions from others as well. I feel like I'm advertising for scythe... I just like the fans, esp. at 9-10v).

EDIT2: And the Evga GTX 480 Hydro Copper uses a swiftech-based block. It's a good one, but I don't think it keeps the VRM as cool as some of the other blocks. I'd be waiting on tests from EK and Koolance (I've seen some numbers already, and some more reliable tests are coming).
 
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Cool man, this is the kind of info i was lookin for. Thanks for the advice :D
 
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=250163 - Here is the ongoing GTX 480 GPU-block review thread. It's slow-going... I need to find the user-numbers I thought I saw earlier.

Edit: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=250149 - user numbers on the EK GTX 480 block. Looks good. I'll find more later.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/reservoirs.html - in the reservoirs section, the iandh reservoirs are pretty good too.

For more information to read at your leisure (in addition to the stickies on this forum):

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70 - Xtremesystems liquid cooling section. There is a sticky at the top.

http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=9714 - XS' enemy site, but very useful. This thread has some basic video how-to's, and the 2nd page has a video on fittings.

http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=4126 - another review of XSPC RX360 pitted against TC PA 120.3. You'll see that they are nearly equals, with the XSPC winning below 1200 RPM, and TC above 1600 RPM.

http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=4924 - yet another radiator roundup. Note the Swiftech numbers

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/sificoda.html - fittings comparison compilation - good effort by Sidewinder there

http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=6340 - DDC pump top comparison... difficult to decipher, but he likes the EK X-top v2

http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=5128 - reservoir top comparison - he likes the EK restop again here. If you look at the flow-meter, it reads higher. (FuFuFu = Koolance in this case). - they have certain names they cannot mention.
 
Wow man.. talk about going above and beyond. Thanks for all the useful links.. powering through these later on tonight should be fun.
 
I do this because it literally pays for me to have this type of information handy.

It's not a job, but just a mildly profitable hobby which I enjoy :)

Edit: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=250336 - Evga hydro Copper numbers straight from GABE. - perhaps that's enough info to make a decision... so you can disregard my earlier comments on GTX 480 blocks.

http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/712672-eastys-road-nv-gtx-480-sli-2.html - and here is the GTX 480 on an mcw60 gpu block + stock ram-plate-sink left in place.

http://67.90.82.13/forums/showthread.php?t=248660 - evilclocker has user numbers on his DangerDen GTX 480 block. He says he has the Koolance block as well...

http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=25015 - discussion on tubing, recommending tygon r3400 first, then primoflex pro lrt. I'd take a different tygon (r3603) before the LRT.
 
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When I did my water cool build I also came here asking for help. When I went to MicroCenter one Saturday during this build, the guy I talked to there said something to me that has stuck since "Once you get done with your first water cooling project you will be an expert". The thing is he was pretty close to right. Though I am not an "Expert", I am certainly much farther in my understanding - like lightyears.

The reason for stating that was to tell you that once you get done with everyones advice here and you actually build the thing - it will be one educational experience you will not probably forget. I went from a budget build to an extreme build before I realized what happened, one thing lead to 20 others.

All I can say is prepare. I took parts advice and most of it was dead on, but some would not work in the case I was using so I ended up making a ton of returns and lost a lot of money on return shipping and restocking fees. Always order a tad extra if the budget allows - nothing sucks more than being so close, yet one connector short. Make sure your parts will fit, many times you just will not know until the items are in hand, but you can ballpark if you think about it. Order enough tubing to make mistakes - like many mistakes. Also use lots of cable ties to secure your tubing (cheaper than tubing clamps).

I see that you have this listed:
Anti-Microbial: .999 Fine Silver Strip
http://www.koolertek.com/computer-pa...s-176p2247.htm

Another option is using .999 silver coated connectors. That is what I decided to do, I basically only use these but a couple should do fine in a normal loop.
Bitspower True Silver G1/4 High Flow 1/2" Barb - BP-SLWP-C01
http://www.jab-tech.com/Bitspower-True-Silver-G1-4-High-Flow-1-2-Barb-BP-SLWP-C01-pr-4397.html

I can only say from personal experience that the Swftech Apogee XT CPU cooler is not a good option. I had a nightmare trying to get the thumb screws to tighten down and actully catch on the threading to begin with, which does not give you a warm fuzzy if you barely can get it to catch, will it pop off anytime soon. Swiftech was great at shipping new screws (twice) that really never worked, but the quality control of their supplier on the screws and bracket are not the best - just be warned if you have a moment you decide to get a Apogee XT - don't. I also had a Swiftech MCP355 pump go from brand new to dead in 2 weeks, so be careful. Bitspower, Enzotech, Watercool/Heat Killers, EK, and XSPC are some good products to consider.

Good luck and best wishes with your build.
 
I don't remember you saying anything about the apogee XT CAV, when you were doing your project. That's too bad. I wonder if it was the motherboard though - I had an XT on my rampage II gene, and the screws worked fine. I've since replaced with an EK supreme HF (but that was more a TIM thing then dissatisfaction with my board). I will say the EK and heatkiller have metal backplates which are certainly more comforting to my mind
And a dead pump - you just are not a lucky man CAV.

I'm going to disagree with CAV on the cable ties vs tubing clamps though. I like metal reusable clamps. It's more personal preference, but I like the look better as well as the function (you don't have to cut them off to take off the tubing). Of course, if you choose to use compression fittings (you mention them in the first post), then clamps are a moot point.

One thing to pay attention when using those compression is it is far easier to leave a leak with compressions. First, make sure you screw the bottom down firmly, but not overtighten. You shouldn't be able to see the O-ring from the side. The tubing has to be pushes as far down to the collar as possible, but not past it (or the compression ring won't fit right and it'll leak). Make sure there isn't any pulling on the tubing - the compression will get pulled off easier then a barb because it is shorter (it'll take more pressure initially, but has less to travel).
I prefer bitspower clamps above koolance, but that again is personal preference. I've heard complaints about corrosion with koolance, but haven't really seen it myself. Bitspower also makes true silver compressions, but not for 5/8th OD I think.
I also like jabtech and sidewinder above performance pc's - it's a price thing though.

As the others said, gl with your build. Post up some pics when it's complete.
 
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