Water cooling, on the cheap

[llamadude92]

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to the water cooling scene and although I understand the importance of buying good quality parts, I can't help but wonder how well those cheap watercooling solutions work. I've seen a number of systems with a pump and cpu block combo (similar to the system used in the HP Blackbird systems for those who have seen their innards).

I have roughly $150-$200 to spend on a liquid cooling system.

System specs:
Intel C2D e6750 2.66 ghz OC'd to 3.2 ghz (stock intel cooler)
eVGA SLI 680i motherboard
2 gb SuperTalent DDR2 600
eVGA nvidia geforce 7600 GT
3 120mm case fans, 2 80mm or 90mm on psu

At this point in time I really only want to cool my CPU and maybe get another couple mhz out of it. My video card isn't overclocked and the fan is pretty quiet so thats not a problem, NB is cooled by the stock evga fan and SB is cooled via heat pipe to the NB, which seems to be working and still isn't that loud so again not a problem.

I'm running a cpu temp of 60 c (with the fan turned down to %80) or 55c (fan at full speed) and a system case temp of 35c

So anyway, here's my question for you guys: Is it worth it to spend the money on a small liquid cooling system, and do you think it would lower noise or temps at all?

Some that I had my eye on were the

Gigabyte Galaxy II (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835128015)

Thermaltake Big Water SE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106063)

Cooler Master Liquid Cooling (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103029)

Thermaltake Liquid Cooling System (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106078)

Puget Hydro CL1 (this is the actual one used on the HP Blackbird, just with only one processor) (http://www.pugetsystems.com/store/item.php?cat=CPU+Cooling&id=4871&com=d41d8cd9)

Any input on any of these systems, any recommendations, or absolutely any other input is appreciated.

 

[RTDSpector]

Stay away from kits if you can. However a decent WC system could be roughly around $300-400 depending on how extreme you want to go.

 

[Gillbot]

Just browse the FS/FT section, you can put together a good system for under $200.

 

[BillParrish]

aye the budget, thats the thing and it keeps you in the "kit" category unless you can go $230+ .


With a few modifications (better block hold down - get the Danger Den Maze 4 hold down kit for $6) I have had great results from this. ONLY Tt water cooling product I would even start to own or recommend.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106074

This would be the same thing with a single 120 rad.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106077

I used it because I was in a hurry and was very susprised at the performance. For $160 ish you are not going to beat it unless you are handy with tools and slap in a heater core - block - pump DIY system which even then is not easy to match the price and fitting it in the case is a nightmare and seldom looks good without hours and hours of time spent. Regardless of what you buy where you MUST check all fittings and scews for "tightness" etc. and do the normal testing before using it on a powered motherboard.

I had this put together in a weekend ( LOL the WHOLE weekend) from a pile of unopened boxes with a electric hand drill - 1/2 inch metal hole saw - screwdrivers and some long screws and a hacksaw. ( I did cheat and have the upgraded hold down parts aready ordered and a 12" x 12" sheet of 3/8 thick polycarbonate from macmaster-carr on hand. ) The kit comes with its own rad mounting and rad "feet" for the 2 x 120 rad see the pics on newegg and on Tt web site.

http://mysite.verizon.net/ressdxka/id3.html

I cannot recommend anything with the small pumps and in particular the block-pump combos. With a more "normal" setup you can upgrade or replace a part that fails. If you can mount the rad it is difficult to not recommend you go with a:

2 x 120 rad about $60
2 fans about $25
pump about $80
block about $60
tubing about $15
clamps etc. $10
or

http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoba.html


Just my take on your situation. It may be your case size (bigger is better) would be a problem. /shrug.

 

[jws2346]

IMHO, there is absolutely nothing that surpasses a quality WC' job, whether it be looks, satisfaction building it, wow appeal or temp stabilization. (not so much lower temps as more stable temps idle to load)

I've been debating on whether to WC' my 2nd Q6600 pretty much 24/7 folding boxen over air cooling it. (it'll probably be WC'ed, I already have the pump, rad, rez, etc in my closet)

If I was to start from scratch and didn't want to spend more than $150 to $200 bucks I'd go AC'ed. IMO a medium qualty WC' setup would set you back at least $250 bucks, if not more. Rather than get a kit (IMO, DIY is the only way to go) or buy second hand parts (generally someone else's problems), I'd look into "top flight" air cooled HSF's. The TRUE from Thermalright seems to be the unquestioned champ (also the most expensive, comes sans fan), I've also read where the HDT-RS1283 by XIGMATECH was a good air cooler HSF. (cheaper than the TRUE and comes with it's own quality fan)

I haven't dealt with air coolers since the Zalman 9700's and I currently run 1x on a E6600 only OC'ed ATM to 2.8 GHz and I have a TT Big Typhoon on another E6600 OC'ed mildly at 3.0 GHz (both are Ubuntu v8.04 LinSMP 24/7 folders). I also have one on a Q6600 temporarily until a mobo finally gets here by "grounder" mail.

 

[Russ]

2 x 120 rad about $45 mcr220 or something
2 fans about $15 yate loon
pump about $75 Laing D5/MCP 655
block about $60 something
tubing about $10 anything from PTS.
clamps etc. $10

This is my estimate for what you'd spend if you DIY. Kits are almost ALWAYS more expensive than buying individually. This setup would give you great performance, and with the power you have you can turn the fans down wayyy low, so it'll be quiet as hell if you want too.

Get everthing from www.petrastechshop.com

 

[nightwalker]

if i was getting a cheap setup id either get a swiftech h20 120 / 220 kit, or one of petras cheap custom kits, theyd fit your budget perfectly