Some help with watercooling. First timer!!

[klepp1214]

Ok, ive made the decision to watercool my new setup. The decision was made after the fact that I'm getting ridiculously high temps with my zalman9700 and if im gonna pull out my board to reseat, i might as well do it right! Im booting into windows @ 500fsb but im stopping there because temperatures are like 50c @ idle and get up into the 70's under load. Yuck!

Anyhow, im setting my limit at around 200 bucks, and id like to get the northbridge watercooled as well. Anyone able to recommend a good kit? As a first timer should I get a pre made kit, or make my own? Resevoir type or the closed type?

any input/suggestions would be great!

 

[DJS2]

I built my own for the first time i WCed (I chose this because i enjoyed building my comp) and it was a lot of fun. I think you get a better deal as well if you build ur own and its not too difficult. Anyways, there are tons and tons of pre-made lists by users on here of full WC setups. Im sure you'll get responses but search a little as well, should be lots of stuff out there. Good luck

 

[Arcygenical]

Are you looking to cool your GPU?

If so, I don't see getting a GPU+NB+CPU setup for less than 250.

Get the MCW30 NB block, and a Fuzion CPU block, along with a swiftech MCP655 pump and a swiftech MCR220 rad.

All 1/2" fittings with the 7/16" tubes.

 

[michaLcoughliN]

Hmm with the Zalmon 9700 depending on your vcore your temps will be that high.

im running at 1.35vcore and idling at 32c and load 40c and im at 2.8 ghz..

Are you stable at 500fsb?? whats your vcore. And if you plan on Watercooling and only want to spend $200. one way of helping it is buying the hose. Homedepot sells for less then $1 a foot. If you buy from "performance-pc" or somewhere like that I've seen prices at $2-4 a foot. Rediculous.

And make your own kit, dont buy a pre-made kit. Read around the forums D-tek fuzion is highly recommended. and Swiftech always a fav for pumps

 

[Arcygenical]

Homedepot sells for less then $1 a foot. If you buy from "performance-pc" or somewhere like that I've seen prices at $2-4 a foot. Rediculous.

Masterkleer tubing is about a dollar a foot tops... 57c a foot in some places.

It's also 10x better than HD tubing.... All they have is the Vinyl stuff which you can't bend at all...

I've got some right next to me

 

[klepp1214]

As for doing my GPU id love to.. but its an 8800gtx and its wrapped nicely in a massive monster of a heatsink so assuming I could get it off, im fairly certain a waterblock for it would cost an arm and a leg.

Are most NB coolers adjustable as far as mounting? Ive heard that the board im using doesnt have standard NB holes and theyre pretty "off" compared to other boards.

Also, no need for a resevoir then?

How is maintenence on watercooling? Do blocks last indefinately or does corrosion get the best of them?

Evaporation?

Rules as to how much tube to run? Im not sure if things like the radiator will be going in or out of my case yet due to size and how much i can modify my case.. but is it a problem having the pump or radiator on the outside?

That about covers it for now, I'll look into some of the products you folks posted! If i can get more for my money by building my own I will absolutely. Problem is, no instructions that way!!

 

[klepp1214]

Oh, as for the question about my voltage etc @ 500 fsb. No its not stable. I can get into windows and play around but benchmarks all crash out on me. Thats with voltage as low as 1.4 but due to my cooling i dont want to go much higher on the voltage.

For example, running @ 1.4 @ 450fsb is stable as a rock, but under load my cpu ends up in the 70s before too long, probably too much as5 or a bad mounting job on the zalman (which im not a fan of btw!)

 

[DJS2]

As for doing my GPU id love to.. but its an 8800gtx and its wrapped nicely in a massive monster of a heatsink so assuming I could get it off, im fairly certain a waterblock for it would cost an arm and a leg.

There are a few reviews around here, i know theres one on a koolance block for the g80s, maybe look for it and read up.

Are most NB coolers adjustable as far as mounting? Ive heard that the board im using doesnt have standard NB holes and theyre pretty "off" compared to other boards.

Sorry you might have said, but what mobo do u have?

Also, no need for a resevoir then?

You can use a t-line or a res. I have used both and personally i love my swiftech micro res, fits great inside my case. T-lines are usually a little more simple to hook up, and they are cheaper, but id definately look into a res, they arent that expensive at all.

How is maintenence on watercooling? Do blocks last indefinately or does corrosion get the best of them? Evaporation?

Clean and replace the water/coolant every 1-2 years is what most people say. A block's lifetime.. not too sure, im pretty certain that you will want to upgrade by the time your block corrodes In a closed system you wont get really any evaporation. At first when you are leaktesting ur loop (a smart thing to do) I would leave the top open of either the t-line or res.

Rules as to how much tube to run? Im not sure if things like the radiator will be going in or out of my case yet due to size and how much i can modify my case.. but is it a problem having the pump or radiator on the outside?

Run as little tubing as you can without compromising anything. Having the pump and rad outside will be fine, just make sure wherever the rad is that its getting good airflow.

 

[Arcygenical]

DJS2, couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[klepp1214]

kIck ass thanks a ton for the info. To simplify things for myself, im going to order all from one place. Dangerden it seems. The TDX block, and im gonna do the gpu as well. And I guess ill end up spending what it takes "ouch"

my motherboard is a GA-965P-S3 just hoping that with the monster 8800 in there that a NB cooler will fit for one, and for two that it will mount w/ the hole issues.

Ill get one of those mini resevoirs they offer with the filler thingy then! 10 foot of tubing should be enough? Anyone used their UV "colored" stuff ? or should i just go w/ the tygon?

Also wanted to ask I'll need 1 hose clamp per end of each peice of hose right? How bout fittings? In total I'll just need 1 T fitting correct? the rest of the fittings that go to the block/radiator/etc should come with them?

 

[Arcygenical]

kIck ass thanks a ton for the info. To simplify things for myself, im going to order all from one place. Dangerden it seems. The TDX block, and im gonna do the gpu as well. And I guess ill end up spending what it takes "ouch"

my motherboard is a GA-965P-S3 just hoping that with the monster 8800 in there that a NB cooler will fit for one, and for two that it will mount w/ the hole issues.

Ill get one of those mini resevoirs they offer with the filler thingy then! 10 foot of tubing should be enough? Anyone used their UV "colored" stuff ? or should i just go w/ the tygon?

Also wanted to ask I'll need 1 hose clamp per end of each peice of hose right? How bout fittings? In total I'll just need 1 T fitting correct? the rest of the fittings that go to the block/radiator/etc should come with them?

Can I make a suggestion? Don't order from DD... Go to either Jab-Tech or Petras. They're both amazing. Petra's even a member here on these boards (he's a great guy that really knows his stuff).

Don't get me wrong, DD is a great store and all, but their service isn't up to [H] standards IMO... I had a bad experience with them 2 times in a row... I've placed 27 orders from Jab-Tech and never had anything go wrong.

Either way, get the Masterkleer 7/16" tubing. It takes some work to get over the barbs (you boil the ends first then jam it on) but it cools to create a waterproof seal. I don't even use hose clamps with mine! (although you should) Petras is OUT of this tubing for the next week or so but Jab-Tech has it, as well as a few KICKASS fans (the reason why I reocmmended Jab-Tech, which is equally good and has it in stock, just no account on [H]).

10ft of tubing is good.

Get the MCR220 radiator incase you were indecisive on this. The 4$ yate loon fans at Jabtech are the best for these radiators. A personal sample of mine showed that 24/300 of them were BAD, so get an extra fan just in case.

Check out This link. for the MCW30 waterblock. As you can see the mounting is very flexible.

If you DO order from Jab-Tech, get the Fuzion block as well... An extra 10$ should get you about a 7c temp difference. I went from 56 load (lapped TDX) to 51 load with my new fuzion (got tired of selling them and not having one) that came in this morning. I just got it set up. I love it!

If you have any additional questions and want my real-time input... Add my business MSN account. I plan and build these loops for a living, and I'd be glad to help. Check my Profile for the account address (hint, it's my username @gmail.com)

 

[klepp1214]

thanks for all the help thus far! albiet shopping is taking alot longer than expected!! How about EK products? good/bad/feedback?

 

[Arcygenical]

thanks for all the help thus far! albiet shopping is taking alot longer than expected!! How about EK products? good/bad/feedback?

Awesome? They're really great.

 

[klepp1214]

Hmm any idea which of their Northbridge Coolers work on a GA-965p-S3?

Theyre showing the intel version using hook mounting and as far as i can tell.. the heatsink on my northbridge uses pushpins.

Need to clarify before i place an order (gonna get their 8800gtx block too) as price as prety much become no object. GF busted out the credit card for me LOL.

Also so I get a handle on things here is what I know i'll need.. if theres anything else, please add/let me know. and ty once again for the help with this, when im done ill be sure to post results, pics, the whole shabang.

Radiator + fans
Pump
Tubing
3 waterblocks (vga,cpu,nb)
1 T fitting
1 mini reso w/ fillport

(all 1/2 ID tube w/ 1/2 OD fittings correct? clamps needed?)

 

[Arcygenical]

You don't need a Tline if you have a reservoir... The point of the res is to replace the Tline (or vice versa).

1/2" OD fittings with 1/2" ID tubing is correct... But remember I recommend the 7/16" masterkleer tubing, its a much better fit.

IF you get 1/2" ID tubing then you NEED HOSE CLAMPS. 1 for EVERY barb... if you go 7/16" you don't *need* them but I recommend them.


The MCW30 NB block is compatible with push pin setup... The Maze 4 is what I use on my P965 board (same chipset, same mounting setup). You'll use screws rather than pins with the WB.

 

[klepp1214]

You know, I was on this kick, of having the entire system match, manufacturer wise. But with the "stock" problems im having, im going to follow your guys recommendations.

Im gonna purchase the masterkleer tubing from whatever vendor I can find it at.

Im gonna get myself one of those swiftech NB blocks (even though ive read reviews of really weak contact pressure) (and i love the clear tops >.<

Im gonna get the fuzion cpu block (booo no clear top again!)

Stuck on the 8800gtx block, recommendations on which to buy? Koolance, DD, EK are all ive found. and correct me if im wrong but the EK seems to only come with funky sized fittings?

The pump the higher the flow rate the better? is that all im looking for? Because to save on shipping im gonna try to buy from a vendor that has the "most" of what im buying in stock. (suggestions?)

Radiator (same as above)

Fans (same)

Resevoir (totally want one of the smaller/smallest ones possible)

Dye/Additives (no clue!! which additive do i want for best performance etc?)

sorry for the repetitve questions, this just turned out to be alot larger of a job than I thought and im eager to get it ordered. If i can get this chip to post into windows @ 500fsb @ stock voltage i wanna see what i can do under water =) Even though my ram is kinda meh.

thanks again for all the help! I ought to ship someone my zalman 9700 for all the input *wink*


EDIT Gonna purchase from Jab-Tech.. everything but the VGA waterblock as it seems he doesnt have any for the 8800gtx at the moment. Can you recommend me a product list from there ie: everything I need aside from tubing, cpu block, nb block? I have those already in my cart =)

 

[klepp1214]

You know, I was on this kick, of having the entire system match, manufacturer wise. But with the "stock" problems im having, im going to follow your guys recommendations.

Im gonna purchase the masterkleer tubing from whatever vendor I can find it at.

Im gonna get myself one of those swiftech NB blocks (even though ive read reviews of really weak contact pressure) (and i love the clear tops >.<

Im gonna get the fuzion cpu block (booo no clear top again!)

Stuck on the 8800gtx block, recommendations on which to buy? Koolance, DD, EK are all ive found. and correct me if im wrong but the EK seems to only come with funky sized fittings?

The pump the higher the flow rate the better? is that all im looking for? Because to save on shipping im gonna try to buy from a vendor that has the "most" of what im buying in stock. (suggestions?)

Radiator (same as above)

Fans (same)

Resevoir (totally want one of the smaller/smallest ones possible)

Dye/Additives (no clue!! which additive do i want for best performance etc?)

sorry for the repetitve questions, this just turned out to be alot larger of a job than I thought and im eager to get it ordered. If i can get this chip to post into windows @ 500fsb @ stock voltage i wanna see what i can do under water =) Even though my ram is kinda meh.

thanks again for all the help! I ought to ship someone my zalman 9700 for all the input *wink*


EDIT Gonna purchase from Jab-Tech.. everything but the VGA waterblock as it seems he doesnt have any for the 8800gtx at the moment. Can you recommend me a product list from there aside from the pump/rad/cpu/nb/tubing you suggested above? I have those in the cart, but as for miscellaneous things such as additives and extra fittings or clamps or fans that fit that radaitor etc. im clueless =) as for resevoir or lackthereof, consensus is go w/out one? If so I need a T fitting and a fillport correct?

 

[klepp1214]

OK here's what i purchased!! Did I do good? =)

1 Fuzion CPU block
1 Swiftech MCW30 NB Block
1 Swiftech Pump (the one recommended)
1 Swiftech Radiator (the one recommended)
2 of the recommended fans for the radiator + grills cause no way is it gonna fit inside my case!
1 Dangerden Delrin Fillport
1 Bottle of Primochill PC Ice (1 bottle gonna be enough?)
15 feet of 7/16 ID masterkleer tubing
5 clear T-fittings (Y-fittings were out of stock and no clue will i need these anwyhere but off of the fillport?)
and a dozen hose clip/clamps

sound good enough/about right?

Now I just gotta find a 8800 cooler in stock somewhere w/ 1/2 OD barbs (think the EK has 3/8)