Watercooling suggestions

[alexfort93]

Think I might try watercooling my new PC. What is the best set / individual items I can get? Obviously cheap as possible. I would probably start out with just the CPU cooled, then add chipset and GPU. Now I heard that using tanks is a bad idea, do I need one? Does it make a difference? Thanks.

 

[Stuey83]

obviously cheap as possible

This is a bad, VERY BAD focus to base your plans or potential setup on.

A reservoir is not a bad thing, but it is not for everyone. Some people prefer T-lines, others prefer reservoirs. Do your research and you should be fine. Certain reservoirs are too turbulent, others impede flow to the pump, etc. Swiftech's micro-res is a very reliable res that you can count on. Plus it's relatively affordable.

 

[Justintoxicated]

I use a T-line, one less place to have a link, reservoirs help with bleading the loops, thats about it, so no you do not need one. The best watercooling parts are not the cheapest. If you want a cheap setup look in the for sale forum. Hardest part is moutning the radiator, then the pump, the rest is pretty easy.

This should have been posted in the watercooling subforum, you will get more responses there.

 

[fubar569]

you do not want cheap when mixing water with electronics...bad things can happen...

last system i watercooled was my Twin Athlon XP T-Bred B 1700+ on a GA-7DPXDW+

i went with Dangerden RBX blocks, twin Mag5 pumps, and twin evaporative cooling towers. Ran 1/2" line to everything and each CPU had it's own dedicated loop.

worked beautiful...not cheap...but worked beautiful...

 

[alexfort93]

well when I say cheap, I mean more like best price/performance.

Did not notice the subforum, mods move please?

 

[Arcygenical]

Yeah, what's wrong with going cheap?

Your standard loop:
MCR320 Triple radiator - 60$
Dtek Fuzion V2 CPU block - 60$
MCP655 pump (get the vario one if you value silence) - 90$
Masterkleer tubing 15ft - 10$
Tline - 3$

Or, buy it used on the FSFT forums here. Save around 40-50%

 

[alexfort93]

I will obviously buy the Tline and Masterkleer tubing from online, Petra's Tech Shop is good? I've heard good things from that pump, was probably going to go with that one. Now does anyone also have a good guide to get going? Want to make sure I am doing everything right...

So I am looking at $220 at Petra's.

 

[Kil4Thril]

I like Arcy's list above. Unlike a lot of folks, I also love the smaller pump (MCP355 or variant). I use 3/8" for everything, so it is native on the pump, and all 4 of mine have been dead silent to my audiophiliac ears.

 

[alexfort93]

So is 3/8" a good size? I'm guessing I need 3 T-lines?

 

[Kil4Thril]

If using a t-line, you only need one per loop. People will debate 3/8 vs 1/2" all day every day. I've never found a performance difference, and the 3/8" is easier to route, more flexible, and cheaper. Some people use 1/4", but that is mostly European gear that is very expensive in the States.

 

[Stuey83]

3/8 vs 7/16 vs 1/2 is a personal choice and very subjective. There is nothing wrong with 3/8. Personally I like a mix of 7/16 and 1/2.

You don't need 3 t-lines. One t-line just before the pump's intake should be fine, and this position provides the least amount of constriction or turblence.

 

[alexfort93]

Thank you for moving.

Now what if I get a heater core from a car, I need to just solder barbs onto it if their isn't already some one there right?

 

[Kil4Thril]

Thank you for moving.

Now what if I get a heater core from a car, I need to just solder barbs onto it if their isn't already some one there right?

Be sure to flush the hell out of it, but yes, you are pretty much correct. Unless you can solder the bungs yourself, I'd suggest buying a ready-made setup. Swiftech radiators work very well, and they're pretty cheap. But, if you're handy with the tools, go for it. I always wanted to nab the transmission cooler off my truck but figured it needed it worse than the computer

 

[MrBloodshoe]

Think I might try watercooling my new PC. What is the best set / individual items I can get? Obviously cheap as possible. I would probably start out with just the CPU cooled, then add chipset and GPU. Now I heard that using tanks is a bad idea, do I need one? Does it make a difference? Thanks.

Agree with Stuey on this, cheap isn't the way to go with water. Good parts are cheap compared to the money you spend on hardcore gaming FRU's, at least that's the way I look at it. As far as a res, well, they function as designed as long as you get the right kind, and don't go cheap! For fill-and-bleed a res beats a T by far. For easy draining a T kicks arse as long as you position it for that purpose.

I use both and I'm very pleased with the results.

 

[Gillbot]

Yeah, what's wrong with going cheap?

Your standard loop:
MCR320 Triple radiator - 60$
Dtek Fuzion V2 CPU block - 60$
MCP655 pump (get the vario one if you value silence) - 90$
Masterkleer tubing 15ft - 10$
Tline - 3$

Or, buy it used on the FSFT forums here. Save around 40-50%

I put together my first setup on the cheap with items from various FS/FT forums.
My setup was similar to the above, MCP655 pump, MCR220 radiator, T line and Apogee GT block and I think it was under $125 shipped total.

 

[Blindrage]

Not sure about everyone else, but I love the 355 pump with the XSPC res top. That pump is currently running my 2 GPU and 1 CPU loop with the Swifttech 120x3 rad with no issues. I keep the fans very low unless I am gaming, and then I pump them all the way up. Never have temps over 50c and I have the Q9450 OCed to 3.8 stable.

 

[MrE]

Not sure about everyone else, but I love the 355 pump with the XSPC res top. That pump is currently running my 2 GPU and 1 CPU loop with the Swifttech 120x3 rad with no issues. I keep the fans very low unless I am gaming, and then I pump them all the way up. Never have temps over 50c and I have the Q9450 OCed to 3.8 stable.

How did you hit 3.8Ghz stable on a Q9450? The 8x multiplier is a bitch to work around, and that would mean you are running an FSB of what, 478? What memory? Sorry for the thread jack...