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So confused with WC

S

scwam

Gawd
Joined
Jul 26, 2005
Messages
829
I'm new to this and researching it. I have an Opteron 170 that does 2750 at 1.45vcore on an xp-90 due to one bad core. That core does 2850 at a much higher vcore of ~ 1.55. I would like to know what are the best cpu and 7800GT water blocks as far as cooling is concerned. Good looks would be nice but cooling is most important. I'm currently looking at Danger Den Maze 4, Swiftech Apogee/Storm. And, which pumps are good and don't produce much heat and low profile at the same time too? My budget is 150 to a max of $250 bucks.
 
i have a swiftech storm and a maze4 im looking to sell, havent put on the fs/ft forum yet. pm me if youre interested.
 
$250 gets a very good kit.

Heres my Suggestions.. i will give you 2 options.. both very good options at their price points.

$36 Rad - BIP II
$50 CPU Block - TDX BLock
$45 GPU Block - Maze 4
$48 Pump - Hydor II l30
$15 Fill Port and Res - Danger Den Fill Port and Res
$8 ten feet of Clearflex hose - Clear Flex
$6 for 13 clamps - PLastic CLamps

Thats $208 for a complete, very nice kit, ok so add in a little distilled water, and some coolant.. and your talking $215. So even with Taxes and Shipping your under $250.

Now if you want to get closer to $250 without taxes or shipping...

you could replace the $50 TDX with a $59 Storm that is on sale at crazypc

Storm

and upgrade the $48 Hydor Pump to a Swift tech 655 for $77 655

Those 2 changes bring you to $255, right in your Price range.

At the $215 option, gives you the flexibility for more "bling" with maybe a more expensive Res, Worm Clamps, etc..

Any which way.... $250 gets you a very nice set up.

Chris
 
if you're looking for performance, you don't want the DD maze 4 CPU. use either the TDX or RBX if you want a DD CPU block. the maze 4 GPU block is fine, though. the swiftech MCW55 GPU block is also okay.

with the budget you've put up, you're proably not looking at a top performance loop. smal pumps that work well are expensive: around $75 US, which would be half your low range budget right there. another $75 or so for the storm, and that is all of your low-range budget accounted for with no rad or tubing.

i think that you could probably get top end equipment for $250, but the first thing that i would change to trim that budget down away from your maximum would be to go over to an AC powered aquarium pump. second thing to cut back on would be the CPU block, moving down from the storm.

laing D5 pump(from dangerden or swiftech)
swiftech storm CPU block
maze 4 acetal GPU block
black ice pro 2 rad
T-line and hoses

would put you up around $250

knock the pump back to a hydor L35 to save about $20
knock the CPU block back to a MCW 6002 to save about $30. (i don't like or reccomend the apogee, myself)
 
if it were me ied got with
some 120.2 rad.--call it 35 bucks
swiftech storm or the new block they have-50 bucks
maze 4 for gpu (since your on a budget) 45
swiftech mini res--14 bucks
dont slack on the pump get somethin that flows like a D5 and its fairly small --75 bucks
tubing-10 bucks

235 is what i come up with and you will have a nice loop
give or take a few bucks for shipping and stuff like clamps or zip ties
 
You can tell from sig what i would recommend but the CPU block would have to go with the appogee as everyones charging 80.00 for storm now.
 
I'm collaborating everyones common ideas and going with the common denominator in regards to each part. All the input is appreciated. So from the sound of it it seems the Maze 4 is the best gpu block and that the TDX may be superior to the Storm? I've been reading about the storm and don't really see it's advantages other than looks.
About pumps: how is this one http://www.crazypc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9335

In regards to using AC fish pumps, what is the disadvantages. I used to have a salt water aqarium and I know those pumps are tough.
 
.xXLucidXx. :
what is "120.2 rad"? Is that a radiator?

Are there other better alternatives to the DD tdx/rbx and the Storm?
Are these D5 pumps operatoring at some of the lowest temps? I live in Florida and don't want the pump heating the water up too much.
 
no, the TDX is not superior to the storm. the TDX is cheaper, looks nice, performs reasonably well. the storm performs a good bit better.

the pump that you put up is really good for low noise and compact size. it gets really good head pressure as well.

about the only problem with using that particualr pump it that it might not produce enough coolant flow to push the storm out noticeably ahead of blocks like the MCW6002. it's a really close match between the storm and the MCW 6002 on the low end of the performance per flow curves, with the storm only widening the gap at reasonable high flow rates.

it's not that the storm is likely to perform worse on the low end of the curve, it's just that you can get very similar temps with a substantially cheaper block if you are not pushing enough flow to get the most out of the storm. that's why swiftech was including the MCP350 with kits using the MCW6002 and the D5 in the kit using the storm.

the only two disadvantages with fish pumps are that they are typically larger than the DC pumps and you have to run the electrical cable for them, as opposed to just hooking it up to the PSU. most people who use AC pumps also set them up with a relay so that they cycle on and off at the same time that the computer does, however for pumps rated for a continuous duty cycle, that's not strictly necessary.

i use an aquarium pump myself: it works fine, and was cheaper than a DC unit.
 
scwam said:
.xXLucidXx. :
what is "120.2 rad"? Is that a radiator?

Are there other better alternatives to the DD tdx/rbx and the Storm?
Click to expand...
a 120.2 is a rad that uses two 120 mm fans on one side of the rad, like the black ice pro 2, the black ice xtreme 2 or the thermochill PA120.2 rad. it's just a handy short hand based on thermochill's naming scheme for their rads.

the MP-05s are pretty competative as well: http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=209

the swiftech MCW 6002 is another good block, recently discontinued: i'd be looking for it on clearance. it's ugly, but VERY effective.
 
D5 pump, G4 CPU block, Maze4 GPU block, 120.2 heatercore or 120.3 normal rad. Pretty much what everyone is saying.

The only thing i'd do differently is i'd say screw the res and get a T-line. Less space/cost, easy to fill, zero flow restriction.
 
I found a site that is selling the Danger Den TDX with and Danger Den D5 pump together as a new combo for $106 to $114 total (shipping included in these prices, depends on which shipping method, 2day, std, etc). Is that a good deal? How about that pump?
 
With the IHS on, you wont see a big difference between all these CPU blocks. But in order of best performance down:

Storm
MP05
TDX
Apogee
 
Which Black Ice model is best? I see several that are xtreme, etc. I know the 3 fan is supposed to be the best but I see more than one of them.
 
BIxtreme is better with HO fans and pro better for low cfm fan go to Hardwarelabs to see plus DD has a link to a radiator test.
 
The 3X120mm rad is kinda overkill unless you plan on doing some extensive cooling like SLI and dual processor. For a single CPU and SLI, the 2X120mm should still be adequate and the 2X120 is alot easier to mount/install considering the how long the 3X120mm is.
 
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