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New to watercooling.

I

ImAgainstIt

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 16, 2008
Messages
155
I want to get a watercooling system up and running, right now it would be for just CPU cooling, but eventually down to a GPU/Chipset(x58)/i7/ram system, I'm just wondering what a good system to go with would be. right now I'm looking at the Thermaltake 680, but not sure of any other models which may be better. anything with an LCD/temp would be cool as well

Thanks
 
I'm generally:
1. Anti-thermaltake. I don't like the quality of their parts, and their waterblocks just aren't competitive for cooling or flow. I'd recommend Swiftech, EK, or Dangerden parts, generally.
2. Anti-kit. Buying a block, some hose, clamps, pump, res, and rad makes for some savings over a kit generally. You lose cool-LCD but I think you can pick that stuff up as well.

Also, building your own loop from scratch is a good learning process and a fun project,

Also I would never WC ram, you're just impeding flow for something that's usually passively cooled.
 
The only problem with buying most of these parts is that I'm limited to a few stores.
www.memoryexpress.com being the only local one I can actually go to and the rest being e-stores.
www.ncix.com
www.tigerdirect.ca

The local store has a limited selection, thermaltake and a few danger den parts. How does dangerden compare to Swiftech, EK and Koolance?
 
Sidewinder Computers and Jab Tech have always treated me well. You can never go wrong with Swiftech parts.
 
Swiftech look to have some good parts, but I just don't like the external cooling.

Right now I am looking at Danger Den

some questions though, what is the dif between these
DDC-12V Rev 2
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX10563(ME).aspx
DD-D5 12V DC
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX10562(ME).aspx

what is the better of those two? and is there anything that will allow me to monitor and/or control the The loop? temperature and speed. prferably LCD

Also, I'm looking at the 5.25 Bay Reservoir, is there any need to go bigger with the dual 5.25 reservoir? as for the blocks, I'm planning on staying away from aluminium.
 
1. Thermaltake kits are crap. Do not buy any thermaltake water cooling products.

2. What do you mean you don't like the "external cooling" with Swiftech parts? Swiftech carries water blocks, radiators, pumps, and reservoirs, all of which can be used internally.

3. The DDC3.2 with a XSPC top is better than the D5, but without an aftermarket top, the D5 is better. Also, I would recommend shopping at Jab-Tech or Petras for water cooling gear.

4. I would either recommend a t-line or a Swiftech micro res instead of a bay res. I have heard some horror stories about bay res's leaking. The micro res's are very solid and reliable and cheap.
 
ok, staying away from the thermaltake line.

the reason i wanted a bay res was aesthetics. as for the DDC top, this would be it right ? http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Laing-DDC-Top-pr-4124.html what is this part for ?

and going for what you said, My list currently looks like
DDC-12V + the XSPC top unless Swiftech as one better
Swiftech Apogee GT
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev 2


As for radiator I'm not sure on as i don't know what size or setup to go with (single / dua; / triple / quadruple)

and Tubing, I have no idea.

Thanks for the advice, just when I first checked out Swiftech all I saw were the external ones.
 
I'm using the micro rez and the Apogee GT. Every day I regret not going with the Apogee GTZ, I could recommend that one all day (plus it can mount to LGA1366 with an adapter bracket).

If you're going with 1/2" barbs I'd recommend the 7/16" Inner Diameter (ID) clear masterkeeler tubing. That's what I started with and it's pretty easy to handle (boil water and dip the end into the boiling water for a minute before you work it over a barb).

Black tubing is cool (what I'm using now), but I'd recommend clear for a first time user so you can see and defeat air pockets easily.

Any radiator you can mount internally if your case can handle it. It really just bolts to a 120mm fan. For my setup I dremeled out the bottom of my 5.25" bays so I could fit another single 120 rad inside my case. If you're just cooling a CPU a single 120, dual 120, or 2x single 120 would be fine. The dual or 2x single would allow you to add a GPU block in the loop without really having to expand. If you're doing huge overclocks on a quad you'll need more rad though. More rad usually requires going outside the case.
 
Ok, I'll go with the GTZ, and use the bracket when I go to 1366 sometime this year.

I'm looking to go with a blue-ish theme and with dye will I be able to get that with the ID clear masterkeeler tubing? also is just boiling the tube then putting it over enough ? can it ever come off / leak ?
also do you recommend those size barbs and all ?

As for rads I'm choosing between these -
Swiftech MCR-220
XSPC RS 240
XSPC R120-D
They're all Dual Rads, my case should fit them (CM Stacker 830)
as for liquid what do you suggest?
 
I liked my Swiftech 220, and my current 120 BIPs (black ice pros) are nice. I've never used XSPC products so I can't impart any personal experience with them.

Clear tubes would be good for a blue theme if you go with a blue dye additive. The tubes will be permanently stained blue on the inside after a few months, so you couldn't switch to like red (wouldn't look clean, anyways) without swapping the tubing.

Oh, I forgot to mention worm clamps are you friend. For 1/2" barbs, people often say 1/2" ID with clamps or 7/16" ID without clamps. I go 7/16" ID with clamps. I wouldn't risk my expensive components to a tube-barb leak or tube pop. Look for worm clamps at your local hardware store. Look online for water cooling with worm clamps to see what they look like (they're all the same for any hose clamping just with different sizes).

For liquid, I use 8 parts distilled water, 1 part antifreeze. Distilled water is the best for heat conductivity, and the antifreeze is a biocide so algae or bacteria can't grow in your loop. Any ratio between 10-20% antifreeze is fine. For you though you might be considering blue fluid -- either straight from a bottle or as some kind of additive to distilled water, either way it should be a biocide.
 
Alright thanks for your reply, I've looked into everything pretty much and I think I've got it

Reservoir
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev 2
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCRES-Micro-Rev-2-pr-4312.html

Pump
DD / Laing DDC-12V 18 Watt Version 3.2
http://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=281&cat=23&page=1

XSPC - Laing DDC Top
http://www.jab-tech.com/popup_image.php?type=D&id=4124&title=XSPC - Laing DDC Top&area=C

CPU Block
Swiftech Apogee™ GTZ CPU Waterblock (1/2" & 3/8", Intel Socket 775)
http://www.petrastechshop.com/swapgtzcpuwa.html

And a few feet of Masterkleer Tubing 7/16" ID 5/8" OD or Tygon R-3603 7/16" ID 5/8" OD Chemical Tubing
http://www.jab-tech.com/Masterkleer-Tubing-7-16-ID-5-8-OD-pr-3079.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/Tygon-R-3603-7-16-ID-5-8-OD-Chemical-Tubing-AAC00033-pr-3957.html

Liquid -
Pure Distilled Water + some Antifreeze w/ Dtek Liquid F/X UV Dye: Visible Blue

Controller I am looking at -
Thermaltake HardCano SE Water Cooling Accessory A2349, w/ Blue Backlight LCD Display
http://directron.com/a2349.html
or any other one?

The Radiator I'm still not sure on, The one's I'm looking at are
XSPC R120-D
Swifttech MCR-220
Black Ice GTX 240

or Black Ice GTX 360 Rad (3 slot) my computer has 3 front 120mm slots, what is slowing me down on the radiator is whether not later on I would have to have a radiator inbetween components too stop them from heating each other. which now that I think of it may be

GTX 240 + GTX 120 (dual rad + single rad)

How many barbs will I need? do I need clamps? will plastice tube clamps be ok? also how would I attach the XSPC top to the Pump ? and will the Reservoir hold enough? I'm planning on adding extra tubing later as well as GPU/Chipset coolers. also, when all of this arrives, do I need to clean it or run any setup?

Thanks

edit

the DDC w/ XSPC top is it better than http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19862&vpn=MCP655&manufacture=Swiftech

and how do these ad's compare
FeserOne X-360
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28901&vpn=4260119641020&manufacture=Feser One

Black Ice GTX 360
http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-Ice-GTX-360-Radiator-pr-3613.html
 
A couple things:

Another option I forgot to mention was instead of the micro res and that top you picked out, you can get one of these:
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Acrylic-Reservoir-for-Laing-DDC-pr-4123.html
It improves the pump like the other XSPC top and also functions as a reservoir.

As for the rads, a Swiftech MCR220 is perfect for just your cpu. If you eventually want to expand to cool your gpu(s), you might want to consider adding another loop. Alternatively, you can plan to put everything in one loop and buy a large rad now and eventually add components. It really depends on what parts you have or will add. If you have an i7 and add a 4870 or a GTX295 or something hot, you should probably buy something like a Feser quad or something that can handle a huge heat load. If your components run fairly cool, you might be able to get away with a MCR320.
 
Sorry for so much questions, but I'm still pretty nooby at this.

Ah ok I'm getting confused now though. What does the top actually do? and how does it improve the pump? and if I was to use that part then I wouldn't need that MCRES Res right ? I'm not worried about price so if the other way was better yet more expensive and more components, I'm ok with it.

Also, is another loop a full loop like pump and all ? or is it just rerouting through a second rad inbetween GPU and cpu? (res > pump > gpu > rad > cpu > rad > res*).

I've got enough slots in the front for a triple rad, but could also add in a rad on the side or top of the case.

How does the Feser / MC320/220 compare to the Black ice line ?
http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-Ice-GTX-360-Radiator-pr-3613.html

Will they all handle components running fairly hot? I'm trying to avoid external parts, and I have no room for a quad rad.

And is the danger den better than the scythe pumps? I'm not worried about price or anything, I just want to get some good parts.

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to wrap my head around all this. Thanks for all the info
 
The black ice GT rads aren't as good as the swiftech, feser, and TC ones.

If price isn't an issue, I would definitely run two loops. That means two completely separate loops each with their own blocks, pump, and rad. The top for the MCP355 improves performance. If you get the res top you do not need another res. So, I would say go for two loops, each with a PA120.3 or a MCR320 and each with an MCP355 with res top.
 
If you want a cpu only loop now and eventually will go two loops, then a good start would be the MCP355 with XSPC res top, a GTZ, and a Feser 120.3 or a Feser 120.2 rad. Then when you want to cool more stuff, you can add another loop.
 
Ok then I'm going for the 355 with restop.

Fesar 120.2 Rad
Apogee GTZ
a few feet of Masterkleer Tubing 7/16" ID 5/8" OD
Pure Distilled Water + some Antifreeze w/ Dtek Liquid F/X UV Dye: Visible Blue

how many barbs will I need ? just 1/2" correct?
also, will i need clamps ?

Thanks alot for all your help
 
ImAgainstIt said:
Ok then I'm going for the 355 with restop.

Fesar 120.2 Rad
Apogee GTZ
a few feet of Masterkleer Tubing 7/16" ID 5/8" OD
Pure Distilled Water + some Antifreeze w/ Dtek Liquid F/X UV Dye: Visible Blue

how many barbs will I need ? just 1/2" correct?
also, will i need clamps ?

Thanks alot for all your help
Click to expand...

You'll need 2 barbs and 2 worm clamps per component, but some/most components come with barbs. I haven't looked at the res top so I dunno if that counts as a separate component from the pump. I'd get at least 8 feet of tubing, it's nice to have spare and you'll be needing at least some leeway.
 
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