water cooling for a noobie?

What case are you using? Installs are fairly easy. If you dont have the room to mount internally, you will sometimes have to drill 2 holes in the case (if your case doesnt have them, my Antec300 didnt) for the tubing. Just a step bit for a drill is all you need. As long as you have basic mechanical skills, you will be OK.
 
easy peasy,

measure twice, drill once

I like to drill a pilot hole to guide the step bit

step bit not cheap, available in the special electricians tools section of the home despot
 
doz said:
What case are you using? Installs are fairly easy. If you dont have the room to mount internally, you will sometimes have to drill 2 holes in the case (if your case doesnt have them, my Antec300 didnt) for the tubing. Just a step bit for a drill is all you need. As long as you have basic mechanical skills, you will be OK.
Click to expand...


Antec nine hundred two. Also is this a good kit? Or go with this?


http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoel.html
 
The first kit you linked is decent for starting out with.

The second one has a 3x120 Rad, if you don't plan on cooling anything put your CPU a 2x120 will be just fine. They are both pretty decent kits but you will have a much greater sense of accomplishment if you put your own kit together and pick it all out yourself.
 
madmike0408 said:
The first kit you linked is decent for starting out with.

The second one has a 3x120 Rad, if you don't plan on cooling anything put your CPU a 2x120 will be just fine. They are both pretty decent kits but you will have a much greater sense of accomplishment if you put your own kit together and pick it all out yourself.
Click to expand...

Maybe down the road i will want to do GPU?
 
As an owner of two of those kits I'd say skip them. The plastic fittings on the reservoir and radiator blow goats. They are prone to leaking when flexed in any direction even in the slightest. This can happen under the weight of the tubing alone. The water block is pretty good as is the radiator, so it's not like the whole kit sucks but you can get the good parts from the kit separately. Things like those plastic fittings have to go. That pump is actually a really good one but frankly it's a big bastard and it you'll need to drill holes to mount it. Not hard but you have to find suitable space for it in your case. Another complaint I have is with that reservoir. I've got a couple of them and I don't like them at all. Their mounting solution sucks. Their size and mounting hardware really makes their placement a bit tricky and again the plastic fittings suck. If you do decide to use that kit you have to make sure that your tubing doesn't torque the fittings in any direction at all.

Putting together a water cooling kit isn't as hard as it sounds and I think you'd get better results in the long run going that route. Another option which I rarely ever see get mentioned is with something like the Koolance Exos or some of their other products designed for internal installation. If money isn't the concern and you want something more noob friendly, you've got some options but as I said the price goes up. Koolance has some pump / reservoir combinations that would make for a very nice clean installation. Just mount the reservoir / pump combo with the fittings of your choice, add a radiator, tubing and a water block and you are all done. This setup simplifies your installation and your tubing by quite a bit. With the right case, or the use of a radbox for mounting the radiator outside the case you may not have to do any drilling or cutting to install your setup.

I know, Koolance isn't exactly popular on the forum here but frankly their products perform well and are easy as hell to work with. Yes you can get the same cooling for less money, (I do realize that) but the simplicity of the parts I described, or even an Exos 2 / 2.5 or whatever makes for a very easy way to get your feet "wet" with watercooling. You unpack the Exos, attach fittings, tubing and a waterblock. Then fill it up and let the air bleed out of the system and you are all done. What could be easier?
 
Dan_D said:
As an owner of two of those kits I'd say skip them. The plastic fittings on the reservoir and radiator blow goats. They are prone to leaking when flexed in any direction even in the slightest. This can happen under the weight of the tubing alone. The water block is pretty good as is the radiator, so it's not like the whole kit sucks but you can get the good parts from the kit separately. Things like those plastic fittings have to go. That pump is actually a really good one but frankly it's a big bastard and it you'll need to drill holes to mount it. Not hard but you have to find suitable space for it in your case. Another complaint I have is with that reservoir. I've got a couple of them and I don't like them at all. Their mounting solution sucks. Their size and mounting hardware really makes their placement a bit tricky and again the plastic fittings suck. If you do decide to use that kit you have to make sure that your tubing doesn't torque the fittings in any direction at all.

Putting together a water cooling kit isn't as hard as it sounds and I think you'd get better results in the long run going that route. Another option which I rarely ever see get mentioned is with something like the Koolance Exos or some of their other products designed for internal installation. If money isn't the concern and you want something more noob friendly, you've got some options but as I said the price goes up. Koolance has some pump / reservoir combinations that would make for a very nice clean installation. Just mount the reservoir / pump combo with the fittings of your choice, add a radiator, tubing and a water block and you are all done. This setup simplifies your installation and your tubing by quite a bit. With the right case, or the use of a radbox for mounting the radiator outside the case you may not have to do any drilling or cutting to install your setup.

I know, Koolance isn't exactly popular on the forum here but frankly their products perform well and are easy as hell to work with. Yes you can get the same cooling for less money, (I do realize that) but the simplicity of the parts I described, or even an Exos 2 / 2.5 or whatever makes for a very easy way to get your feet "wet" with watercooling. You unpack the Exos, attach fittings, tubing and a waterblock. Then fill it up and let the air bleed out of the system and you are all done. What could be easier?
Click to expand...

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8..._Kit_-_Black_-_no_nozzles_-_EX2-750BK-V2.html
Thanks Dan, is this the kit?

I have an antec nine hundred two. What fittings for an i7 1366?? Or just pick me out the easiest way to go. It can be external or internal. make it simple. lol cpu for now maybe gpu later.

http://www.koolance.com/default.php
 
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race301 said:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8..._Kit_-_Black_-_no_nozzles_-_EX2-750BK-V2.html
Thanks Dan, is this the kit?

I have an antec nine hundred two. What fittings for an i7 1366?? Or just pick me out the easiest way to go. It can be external or internal. make it simple. lol cpu for now maybe gpu later.

http://www.koolance.com/default.php
Click to expand...

That's not really a kit. That's just the Exos 2 and it's installation hardware. You still need fittings, a water block, coolant and tubing. The fittings are up to you. The size of the fittings are dependent on what size tubing you decide to use. I like 1 1/2" (13mm), ID 3/4" (19mm) OD. (ID=Internal diameter, OD=outer diameter) tubing. You'll need a water block for it too. The CPU 345 from Koolance is a great block. So I'd just order them from the same place. If you want to handle GPUs, and north bridges as well you should probably go with the Exos 2.5 which is a triple radiator unit.

It's expensive to be sure, but very easy to setup and to use. It provides you with a no drill installation option, though you'll need to go with smaller tubing (for the I/O slot cover it uses) than I chose unless you have tubing holes in your case already. (Many newer cases already do so you might have them already.) If you change out your hardware a lot like I do this is actually a very attractive option. Add yourself some quick disconnects in your tubing to make separation of the Exos 2 from the computer easier. This enables you to change out blocks or add blocks much more easily. It can be used with other cases easily and moved between systems. Again all in all it's about the easiest way to water cool your system. You can of course add quick disconnects to any water cooling setup but the radiator and other hardware is tied to the case without taking everything apart. The Exos makes moving to a new case really easy.
 
Dan_D said:
That's not really a kit. That's just the Exos 2 and it's installation hardware. You still need fittings, a water block, coolant and tubing. The fittings are up to you. The size of the fittings are dependent on what size tubing you decide to use. I like 1 1/2" (13mm), ID 3/4" (19mm) OD. (ID=Internal diameter, OD=outer diameter) tubing. You'll need a water block for it too. The CPU 345 from Koolance is a great block. So I'd just order them from the same place. If you want to handle GPUs, and north bridges as well you should probably go with the Exos 2.5 which is a triple radiator unit.

It's expensive to be sure, but very easy to setup and to use. It provides you with a no drill installation option, though you'll need to go with smaller tubing (for the I/O slot cover it uses) than I chose unless you have tubing holes in your case already. (Many newer cases already do so you might have them already.) If you change out your hardware a lot like I do this is actually a very attractive option. Add yourself some quick disconnects in your tubing to make separation of the Exos 2 from the computer easier. This enables you to change out blocks or add blocks much more easily. It can be used with other cases easily and moved between systems. Again all in all it's about the easiest way to water cool your system. You can of course add quick disconnects to any water cooling setup but the radiator and other hardware is tied to the case without taking everything apart. The Exos makes moving to a new case really easy.
Click to expand...


There are holes in my case's so I will not need the I/O slot cover holes, but this will be external? so use quick disconects so I can go to another case? or also can just use with a tech station? Also what fittings for the CPU 345? How is it powered? Thanks Dave.
 
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race301 said:
There are holes in the case, but this will be external? and use quick disconects so I can go to another case? or also just use with a tech station? Thanks Dave.
Click to expand...

Yeah this is an external unit. If you use quick disconnects on your lines that come out of the Exos, you can easily move it to other machines, other cases, or use it on a tech station.
 
Dan_D said:
Yeah this is an external unit. If you use quick disconnects on your lines that come out of the Exos, you can easily move it to other machines, other cases, or use it on a tech station.
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Also what fittings for the CPU 345? I just saw on the Koolance fourms that the 345 is discontined? Does it need a 1366 adaptor? There are some to buy on line. How is unit powered?
 
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race301 said:
Also what fittings for the CPU 345? How is it powered?
Click to expand...

The Exos 2 / 2.5 is powered by a cable that runs to a I/O bracket that installs in one of your cases expansion slots. Internally it uses a 12v 4 pin molex connector for power. The 345 can use any fittings you like. Once you've chosen your tubing size you buy two sets of fittings. One for the Exos and one of the water block. I'm using the CPU-350 Acetal water block myself. I am using the same 1/2" 13mm ID / 3/4" 19mm OD fittings that I used on the back of the Exos 2.5 because 1/2" (13mm) ID x 3/4" (19mm) OD tubing is what I've chosen to to use.
 
Dan_D said:
The Exos 2 / 2.5 is powered by a cable that runs to a I/O bracket that installs in one of your cases expansion slots. Internally it uses a 12v 4 pin molex connector for power. The 345 can use any fittings you like. Once you've chosen your tubing size you buy two sets of fittings. One for the Exos and one of the water block. I'm using the CPU-350 Acetal water block myself. I am using the same 1/2" 13mm ID / 3/4" 19mm OD fittings that I used on the back of the Exos 2.5 because 1/2" (13mm) ID x 3/4" (19mm) OD tubing is what I've chosen to to use.
Click to expand...

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5...eaded_Nozzles_Pair_NZL-V13KG.html?id=uMutKqia

Are these it? I think i should get the 350 also
 
lollerskater69 said:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1451956
Click to expand...

Now that you seem to be picking some of your own parts, I'll refer you back to this previously suggested thread.

It's an excellent thread even if you're NOT new to WC'ing.

Instead of the CPX-pro pump, two equally viable options are the Laing D5 (aka swiftech mcp655) and the Laing DDC 3.2 (aka swiftech mcp355), however these 2 pumps perform best with an aftermarket pump-top. Sticking with the CPX-pro will keep things inexpensive, simple, and quiet.

I would suggest piecing together your own kit. It's not much more difficult to assemble, and the performance per dollar should be greater.
 
Archmage said:
Now that you seem to be picking some of your own parts, I'll refer you back to this previously suggested thread.

It's an excellent thread even if you're NOT new to WC'ing.

Instead of the CPX-pro pump, two equally viable options are the Laing D5 (aka swiftech mcp655) and the Laing DDC 3.2 (aka swiftech mcp355), however these 2 pumps perform best with an aftermarket pump-top. Sticking with the CPX-pro will keep things inexpensive, simple, and quiet.

I would suggest piecing together your own kit. It's not much more difficult to assemble, and the performance per dollar should be greater.
Click to expand...

You do not like the Koolance? Its seems nice & simple?
 
race301 said:
You do not like the Koolance? Its seems nice & simple?
Click to expand...

Don't let that bother you. Many people don't like them. For some people Koolance isn't "l337 enough and for others they contend that you can get the same or possibly slightly better performance for far less money building your own setup. This is absolutely true. I said as much earlier. The Exos is a good unit and it is easy to use which is why I like them. If you change hardware out often I think they are the way to go. It allows you to move the whole setup to another case and it doesn't clutter up the inside of the case making it easier to work in. All your monitoring hardware is built into it and it is just a really nice setup in general.

I change cases, motherboards, CPUs etc constantly. I decided the Exos 2.5 was the way to go for my needs. it makes the installation far easier and again, I can port this over to new cases really easily. The Koolance Exos is one of the easiest ways to add water cooling to your computer. The downside is that you pay for it. Getting an Exos is expensive. Especially for the 2.5 (triple radiator) model.
 
race301 said:
Dan, LOL What does l337 enough mean? I`m going with the Koolance Exos 2.5. so I can do GPU`s in the future. Do you think it is safe to buy this refurb?

http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=792

Also what color do you have? I will buy that first, and add rest over next few pays. :( I should have everything ready in next 6 weeks or so. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Probably. I don't know. I have no experience with Koolance's refurbished products. For the modest savings I went ahead and bought a new one.

race301 said:
This may work also?

http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=593
Click to expand...

Yes that will work but it isn't needed. You should have two grommets in your case to allow you to run tubes of virtually any thickness into your case.
 
Only the pump is worthwhile.
Top 3 blocks are HK 3.0, GTZ, Enzotech Saphire Rev. A
Pump D5 or MCP355
Tube Primochill LRT or Tygon, First built just use some cheap clearflex
mcw320qp if you are under budget or XSPC RX 360.
Fittings use bitpower compression or fatboys which you have to use clamps.
No need for reservoir because a T line works just as good. Res are prone to leak, crack because of the internal preasure it builds up due to evaporating water.
All that should cost you may be $30 more than that lousy kit.
 
Fafeifa said:
Only the pump is worthwhile.
Top 3 blocks are HK 3.0, GTZ, Enzotech Saphire Rev. A
Pump D5 or MCP355
Tube Primochill LRT or Tygon, First built just use some cheap clearflex
mcw320qp if you are under budget or XSPC RX 360.
Fittings use bitpower compression or fatboys which you have to use clamps.
No need for reservoir because a T line works just as good. Res are prone to leak, crack because of the internal preasure it builds up due to evaporating water.
All that should cost you may be $30 more than that lousy kit.
Click to expand...

The updated version of the kit actually comes with the Swiftech Apogee GTZ waterblock. The radiator itself isn't bad but I agree that a triple radiator is the better way to go. Especially if you want to add hardware to your loop down the line. The fittings I can agree with as those that come with the kit are lousy. I also agree with your comment on the T-line for the most part except I wouldn't say it works "just as well" as a reservoir. Bleeding the system of air takes 50x longer than it does with a reservoir.
 
Dan_D said:
The updated version of the kit actually comes with the Swiftech Apogee GTZ waterblock. The radiator itself isn't bad but I agree that a triple radiator is the better way to go. Especially if you want to add hardware to your loop down the line. The fittings I can agree with as those that come with the kit are lousy. I also agree with your comment on the T-line for the most part except I wouldn't say it works "just as well" as a reservoir. Bleeding the system of air takes 50x longer than it does with a reservoir.
Click to expand...

OK may be i left that part off, but it doesn't take extra space and bleeding isn't very hard if you have the case upside down if you want it completly out however yeah you need to run it 12 hrs or so but i can get a decent bleeding with about 10 min.

This is the small price you pay but the reservoir is just too messy, i agree it make things look good but having a closed system and water trying to expand the most prone part for leakage is the resservoir unless of course it is a good one but still... Res may be if you have a full tower for mid tower settings a T line is enough having more water is not going to help increase in performance unless you have such a huge mass that it takes a indefinite time to reach the equilibrium.
 
I don't care for reservoirs myself. I was just saying that they make setting things up a bit easier. I agree that it's just something else that can go wrong. In fact I've had that happen before. I had a Swiftech micro-res crack on me and that sucked pretty bad.
 
Oh yah buy one of this to power up the pump when refilling otherwise is going to be very messy tinkling with an old psu's and other shennanigans.
 
Fafeifa said:
Oh yah buy one of this to power up the pump when refilling otherwise is going to be very messy tinkling with an old psu's and other shennanigans.
Click to expand...

Never had any problems using an old PSU to start my pump. It doesn't make life any harder.....

OP Consider you can get more cooling power for the money if you go with a custom WC setup. Watercooling isn't rocket science, just use logic and ask questions. If your going to find yourself moving your WC setup to another system every day or two, the Exos may be a viable option for you as it is Dan.
 
lollerskater69 said:
Never had any problems using an old PSU to start my pump. It doesn't make life any harder.....

OP Consider you can get more cooling power for the money if you go with a custom WC setup. Watercooling isn't rocket science, just use logic and ask questions. If your going to find yourself moving your WC setup to another system every day or two, the Exos may be a viable option for you as it is Dan.
Click to expand...

Koolance have nice fittings and QDC i wouldn't use their system because they have aluminum that only lets you use their overpriced nickle plated blocks. I'd look elsewhere is not like you are getting any worse cooling if you get something else.
 
Fafeifa said:
Koolance have nice fittings and QDC i wouldn't use their system because they have aluminum that only lets you use their overpriced nickle plated blocks. I'd look elsewhere is not like you are getting any worse cooling if you get something else.
Click to expand...

Yep, if you can find an alternitave to a Koolance product, please buy it. Koolance has had some problems with quality control. They have nice 120x38 fans though!

The Exos being a complete unit I haven't heard of many horror stories that weren't caused by the user.
 
The Exos itself is actually a fairly nice unit. It cools really well and Kyle has used and abused a bunch of them. But yeah, if you are the kind of guy who keeps a case for several years through a ton of upgrades then the Exos may be a bit unnecessary. For me I change cases a couple times a year and I change hardware far more frequently than that. Being able to move the Exos from one unit to the next was really appealing for me.

Another thing is, it's a time saver. I really don't have time to take everything apart and do custom water cooling. It can take hours to figure out the optimal position of everything and then perform the install. An Exos is something I can literally have up and running inside a few minutes.
 
race301 said:
You do not like the Koolance? Its seems nice & simple?
Click to expand...

I actually have no problem with Koolance. Ever since they came out the KL-350 waterblock, they have been releasing some quality products.

It's just that if a friend asked me to design a WC system, it would not be Koolance based. Maybe it SHOULD be for ease of use... I don't know. I wouldn't hesitate to trust the advice that you're getting from Dan right now though. Koolance actually is fine.
 
Well the Exos is a good unit. As I said Kyle has abused his (he has three of them if I recall correctly) and he's had some of them for several years now. Their latest round of water blocks are very high quality and seem to perform well. I've got their CPU-350 water block and it's got excellent quality all around. The retention mechanism is a well thought out design and it's very easy to work with. I'm also imprssed with their fittings. Most of them have an almost "black chrome" look to them and the machine work is very good. The seals are all very high quality as well. Their quick disconnects are very high quality as well. So far I'm impressed with their more recent products.

Again their quality seems to be quite good. (Speaking of thier latest stuff anyway.) Again going with something like an Exos or some of their other products is far from an economical solution. The Exos 2.5 combined with a CPU-350 and all the appropriate fittings was a very expensive route. I could have gotten the same or similar cooling for $150 less. However, as I said for me at least, the convenience was worth it.
 
After getting rusty components TWICE I don't bother with Koolance anymore. I ordered a couple compressions, because I had heard they weren't like the old ones I had before that rusted and they were like a buck cheaper than the Bitspower. Rusted on me and I didn't bother with RMA, just threw those bastards away. I really only use barbs now because I like the no clamp look over BP 1/2's.

The K350 really isn't worth the money. The Heatkiller 3.0 LT/CU and the Enzotech Sapphire can accomplish the same or better temps, expecially the HK for the same or less amount of money and won't be as restrictive as the K350. I thought the first rev EK Supreme was restrictive until I saw the numbers on the K350.

You can get more bang for your buck with a custom setup as well as the option for expandability, but if the feature of switching to another rig with ease is what is appealing ot you the Exos may not be a bad option.
 
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