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Watercooling noob seeking inexpensive solution

K

kevineugenius

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 9, 2006
Messages
1,415
While I'd like to just buy a Koolance Exos and all the trimmings for my q6600 and dual 8800gtx, I really don't want to drop that kind of cash. I found one watercooling kit on newegg (I'd link it but their site is down right now, I think it was coolermaster, $49) that has a pump built into a small radiator and a universal mounting block that they claim will fit just about anything. While I don't really believe them because there would be no cooling for the VRAM on any of the larger video cards as far as I can see, is this a viable solution for a q6600, or would it only work on lower-end CPUs? I'm not looking to become an overclocking powerhouse, I just notice my computer puts out more heat than my apartment's wall-heaters do, and I think for component longevity, it would be a good idea to get things a little cooler on the inside.
 
Cheap doesn't always mean it's performing well. Any good kit will cost over 100$ for sure...

Cheaper would be to get a Thermalright Ultra-120 with a good fan.

 
Like most things in life you get what you pay for. Those are some pretty pricey components to be water cooling, just think if you got stingy and as a result you killed your hardware with a leak. :eek: That quad and dual gtx setup will generate a ton of heat, I'm not even sure if that Koolance kit can handle it. You might have to go custom, in which case you would be looking at a minimum $250-300 with a 120.3 rad at the very least.
My advice: You shouldn't half ass a water cooling setup, I tried it and regretted it badly. Try to improve airflow in your case and/or just water cool the cpu.
 
My advice: You shouldn't half ass a water cooling setup, I tried it and regretted it badly. Try to improve airflow in your case and/or just water cool the cpu.
Click to expand...

thats some great advice. never half ass unless u wanna have leaks and poor water cooling. when my pump arrives today or tomorrow ill be sure to do it right. but yeah for that quad and dual 8800gtx ur goin to need "At Least" a triple rad.
 
If doing watercooling, go coustom.
rather save for the right stuff or simply dont do it.

High end air is pretty neat nowadays and are often enough for the casual overclocker.

I use watercooling and done so for a few years and I am as happy as I can be using such equipment.
 
Stay on air. If you spend your low budget $$ on a watercooling setup, it would probably perform worse than if you spend the same money on a good fan. And to be honest, it's not worth the trouble to install it.

What alot of people new to watercooling don't realize is that you can get price quotes on the components, however it rarely includes shipping, warantee, proper clamps, anti-bacterial agent, colouring dye, decent barbs, and a reliable pump.

If you can't afford it, get a really good fan and ear plugs.
 
You can make a solid water cooling solution for a $100 if your willing to do some scrounging. Check out the for sale forums as you can usually buy slightly used stuff for 50% off or more. A lot of people on this forum have built excellent systems with that kind of cash. It just takes some planning.
 
Just keep this in mind.

To cool a Q6600 and an 8800 anything, you'll need at least a triple radiator. These cost around 60$ new, and at least 40$ used.
 
Umm...sometimes cheaper IS better. I cut a gopher hole in the top of my case. And on occasion, when things are getting crispy hot, I like to pour in a glass of Gator-aid straight into my case. It usually gets steamy and things do go pop! But thats my deal anywayZ.

Lol, I'm so jealous of you water cool guys. :p I'll have to come back when I have more time.
 
waterlogged said:
You can make a solid water cooling solution for a $100 if your willing to do some scrounging. Check out the for sale forums as you can usually buy slightly used stuff for 50% off or more. A lot of people on this forum have built excellent systems with that kind of cash. It just takes some planning.
Click to expand...

Maybe for the experienced watercooling user- however this guy says he's a newb.
 
Ya, and a whole shit load of references come up in a search. Of course you knew that. And just becuase you can get a ghetto setup done for $100, doesn't mean that it's worth it in the end- which is my point. Leaks, burnt pumps, corrosion and worse temps than a $100 air system... sometimes the effort doesn't justify the results.
 
Some of the people on this forum have excellent water cooling for under a $100. More money gives better aesthetics, easier sourcing, and faster assembly. There's not much difference between a $100 cooling outfit and one that costs $1,000 in regards to the CPU life or the OC.
 
As far as H20 deals, I have my used Swiftech Apex Ultra kit for $175, then you just need gpu blocks. This should cover dual 8800's fine, and it isn't your cheapo crappy sealed type.
 
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