Seeking advice

[Alizee-]

Alright I'm finally coming around to getting my hardware and in the past I've done some watercooling research, anyhow the parts I decided on buying as far as hardware has changed a little(for the better). I'm curious to know what parts are essential to get waterblocks for, what would be ideal to get waterblocks for, and what isn't too big a deal either way. Also if you don't think it needs a waterblock what do you suggest otherwise? I'll be OC'ing not sure to what extent yet.

Hardware specs:
Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
X2 4400+
7900 GTX
1 x 4 gb DDR400-500(haven't quite decided on this last part)

Anyhow, that's the basis of it, I've looked at some watercooling kits, since I may need to add additional waterblocks would it be smart to get a kit then add blocks or just do it all from "scratch" essentially? Thanks in advance.

 

[malicious]

how much patience and money do you have ..

if low on patience and high on money then jsut get a kit and add a gpu block if needed

if high on patience and low on money then piece a system togther from lightly used parts here on the fs thread....

I like these parts but you should do your own research and make your own decision:

D5 Pump
TDX = lots of them in the fs forum .. alos this is a good block for the money
BIP 2 or 3 w/ low speed fans .. i.e. yate loons
Maze4 Gpu block
T line and fillport over res
MasterKleer 7/16ths tubes .. www.cooltechnica.com

should run you 200 or less if you buy used

 

[theseeker]

I would dissuade you from buying a "kit". Research the components that you want to cool and determine what you want to achieve.

What case will you be using? Lets go from here.

 

[Alizee-]

As far as cases go, that kind of put me in a bind, my current rig is an acrlyic case which I like, but as far as water cooling, I'm not sure if I wanna go that route again, plus I haven't really seen any acrlyic cases with 120mm fans nor kind of the layout to go about drilling one out, though it's possible. As far as aluminum goes I haven't checked over specific ones, browsed over some Lian-Lis, any other recommended brands? And as far as the money/patience meter goes, patience is no problem, money..isn't really a problem to an extent..I'd like to keep it under 300ish, 400+ is pushing it.

 

[malicious]

http://www.clearpc.ca/

 

[Alizee-]

Alright, I think I've seen clearpc before, but they seem to have redone their site or at least something is different, anyhow, so far I checked out some of the stuff. My questions at this time are
1.)If I go with a X1900XTX, the maz4 appears to work as well on it, correct?
2.) The waterblock for the cpu and gpu are good to go, will a chipset cooler be a good idea or for now I can skip it?
3.) For the radiator/fan setup, malicious you suggest 2 or 3? Where would this be best to locate it? Also keeping in mind of the acrlyic case. Side, rear, top, or elsewhere?

 

[theseeker]

Alright, I think I've seen clearpc before, but they seem to have redone their site or at least something is different, anyhow, so far I checked out some of the stuff. My questions at this time are
1.)If I go with a X1900XTX, the maz4 appears to work as well on it, correct?
2.) The waterblock for the cpu and gpu are good to go, will a chipset cooler be a good idea or for now I can skip it?
3.) For the radiator/fan setup, malicious you suggest 2 or 3? Where would this be best to locate it? Also keeping in mind of the acrlyic case. Side, rear, top, or elsewhere?

1. The ATI cards tend to run warmer than NVIDIA cards so I would suggest a full card cooler. Aqua, Alphacool or EK all make good ones, but it would depend upon the size of tubing you prefer.

2. You can skip the NB, but I would not if you can afford it. The NB gets hot.

3. I prefer multiple RADS, but if you only want one, use a 360 if you have the space.

 

[Alizee-]

For the rads, I guess I'm clueless here more than anywhere, by 360 do you mean design or is that the name of a particular product? And when you say you run multiple rads, is that like multiple 120's, if so why not just a rad that accepts 3 120's?

 

[theseeker]

For the rads, I guess I'm clueless here more than anywhere, by 360 do you mean design or is that the name of a particular product? And when you say you run multiple rads, is that like multiple 120's, if so why not just a rad that accepts 3 120's?

Sorry for the confusion. The Rads come in multiple of 120's, as in surface area of 120mm fans. I prefer multiple 120 Rads, but if you prefer having one Rad, I would go with a 360. A 240 looks like this a 360 looks like this and the 120 looks like this

I also like one internal 240 and a very large external rad. The possibilities are endless.

 

[Alizee-]

if I go with a 360 externally--bear in mind it's gonna cost me a bit to get all this hardware, so I can add more later if needed--for a 360, where would you recommend mounting it? On top, side, or where?

Also a question that came to mind, I'm probably gonna go with a 520w OCZ powerstream or enermax liberty 500w, it'll work for crossfire and all that good stuff, but with watercooling too(having never done it before) will that be ok for power as well?

Getting a lot closer to having everything answered, I appreciate all the help everyone has been giving.

 

[theseeker]

if I go with a 360 externally--bear in mind it's gonna cost me a bit to get all this hardware, so I can add more later if needed--for a 360, where would you recommend mounting it? On top, side, or where?

Also a question that came to mind, I'm probably gonna go with a 520w OCZ powerstream or enermax liberty 500w, it'll work for crossfire and all that good stuff, but with watercooling too(having never done it before) will that be ok for power as well?

Getting a lot closer to having everything answered, I appreciate all the help everyone has been giving.

A 360 works best on top. I would go with the Liberty for the PSU.

 

[Alizee-]

I'm glad you recommended the liberty actually, why? Acrlyic + modular = more cleanliness in the case. I guess as far as fans go..anything goes? Or do I need to pay particular attention to any kind? Also one thing..it might of been answered, but I don't see it anywhere, what's a good size tube di? It would seem to me like 3/8'' is the best because not too small so it's efficient, but not too big to reduce excess clutter.

By the way, this 360 good? I noticed the different fitting types, there a best one or just personal preference? http://sharkacomputers.com/blicepro12tr.html

 

[theseeker]

I'm glad you recommended the liberty actually, why? Acrlyic + modular = more cleanliness in the case. I guess as far as fans go..anything goes? Or do I need to pay particular attention to any kind? Also one thing..it might of been answered, but I don't see it anywhere, what's a good size tube di? It would seem to me like 3/8'' is the best because not too small so it's efficient, but not too big to reduce excess clutter.

By the way, this 360 good? I noticed the different fitting types, there a best one or just personal preference? http://sharkacomputers.com/blicepro12tr.html

A very good RAD, but the next generation will be out in the next week.

 

[Alizee-]

I guess I'll wait a week then, I think at this point I have most things figured out.

Tubing, rad/fans, res, pump, coolant.

Only thing I'm unsure about is which waterblocks I want to get exactly. I'm thinking of getting the aqua computer chipset block, for the cpu still not really sure despite suggestions..seems like the most important one, but unsure. And for the gpu, with the price everything will cost in the end(hardware included), I might go with just the gpu cooler and not a full one, but yet I don't wanna skimp out. I was thinking of going with just a gpu wb for the x1900xtx and then when/if I get another..since that's gonna be more heat, to get 2 full gpu wb's at that time, that sound like a good plan? I think that's everything for the whole loop covered, so I guess I just need to keep thinking on a cpu block..anyone is free to persuade me any which way towards the best block.

 

[n00btard]

How about the Innovatek XxK? It's roughly $300 US at FrozenCPU, and the rad itself is worth $200 when bought seperately. Pump is also worth about $120 when bought seperately, the price of the CPU block, fittings, tubing and additive also comes in the kit so you're getting one heck of a deal for $300. Add the Graph-o-Matic Rev.3 and the feet thingymabobber for the passive radiator, and that's about $400 right there.