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WC?

J

jcll2002

2[H]4U
Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
3,655
As I am sitting in my room the thought of watercooling crosses my mind as i listen to my fans and how annoying they can be. I also think of the high gpu temps i have. I thought watercooling would be pretty cool and just nice to have. I already have a zalman 9500 cooling my cpu and I am going to want to get a kit that cools as well if not better than that. I want the kit to cool my gpu also. The reason I say "kit" is because people reccommend me "get this tubing and that res and this block" and I dont think im up to the task of doing all that.

Will watercooling be good for me if I plan on upgrading my gfx in a year or two? Same thing with the cpu (will change mobo + ram to accomodate quad core when it comes out).

A couple things to keep in mind if watercooling is a feasible idea-

1) I want to stay less than $225
2) I want to cool my gpu and cpu
3) I dont want to mod my case

What do you think?

-Jcll2002

Also I was looking at this http://www.frozencpu.com/ex-wat-81.html but i cant find any reviews. (BTW specs of my rig are in the sig).
 
i know there are alot of wc gurus out there lurking ;) you know who you are and speak up!
 
I'm debating myself on wether making my own loop ( I know it's the best thing to do) but somehow this Alphacool Kit keeps calling my attention .. not to mention I'm big fan of German engineering :D

I have checked the reviews and it performs very well... but I would like to hear from someone who owns it.

BTW I was looking at this model and I'm not sure if a variation to the one you posted originally but more expensive... what's the difference guys? It seems this kit has the newer blocks:

http://sharkacomputers.com/alnecpgpnbco.html
 
I still say custom build the parts for your kit, if anything... you'll be more proud of it in the end.

If you plan on upgrading in about a year or 2, think about this... Can you stomach the fan noise for another 2 years? Chances are, you'll need to buy new waterblocks if you switch from ATI - Nvidia | AMD - Intel (or vice versa, accordingly). Waterblocks for current generation sockets go fairly cheap on the FS/FT forum right here.

As for the pieces I'd choose in a loop, well, that depends on your case. You say you don't want to hack or cut anything up, so you'll definitely need room for 2 120mm radiators (either a 2.120 or 2x 1.120) and a pump. Radiator comes into play now, more than ever, especially with the new stealth rads from HWLabs which, via my own experience, lowered my temps considerably. Can you fit one in somewhere? Or will you go external with the radbox?

After that, I'd suggest either the Storm or TDX waterblock (I get great temps on my X2 with the TDX, the difference between the 2 blocks is a couple 'C and a few DB for extra pump noise). GPU, go for the Swiftech MCW60, the one that comes with the forged copper BGAsinks.

Res or non Res? That's totally up to you... Depends on the style you like and how much you're willing to spend.

Tubing... I fully recommend the Masterkleer 7/16 tubing as it really prevents the need for any hose clamps.

Ask yourself if this will fit your case/budget, and I'm certain you'll get a nice reduction in GPU temps/noise and overall computer noise.



That kit mentionned above will fair alright, but consider that the submerged pump / 1.120 radiator won't help your temps very much...
 
yeah my gpu is SO noisy, and idles at 50c.

That alphacool seems pretty nice.

Also im have alot less chance of having a problem if im relatively new to wc and i go with a kit rather than creating my own loop right?
 
I was thinking of making my own loop...

What would you guys recommend to stay under $250?
 
Laing D-5 pump----------------------$74
Black Ice GT--------------------------$40
Storm CPU Block-------------------$73
Swiftech MWC60 VGA Block---$40
Reservoir--------------------------------$20
Misc:
Tubing (6ft is more than enough: measure 2x, cut once)
Fittings

Sites to buy from:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php
www.Case-mod.com
http://www.atacom.com/
http://www.ICEePC.com
www.Sharkacorp.com
http://www.xoxide.com/watcoolac.html
www.highspeedpc.com
www.dtekcustoms.com
http://coolerguys.com/
http://www.frozencpu.com
http://www.crazypc.com/products/cooling/watercooling.htm
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/
http://www.cooltechnica.com/
http://www.dangerden.com/
http://www.directron.com/watercooling.html
http://www.portagespecialty.com/custom/BrassHose.html
http://www.usplastic.com

i just finished my first watercooling set-up a week ago. at first the temps were at 48C, because i had my radiator at the top of the case sucking air from inside the case and blowing it out thru the radiator...and i got advices from guys here to have the fan sucking air from the outside (as outside air is colder) going inside thru the radiator. since then my temps are at 34C.

If you want a radiator, i can sell you my extra Black Ice Xtreme 120mm, pm me.
 
CPU block- Swiftech Apogee Extreme ($45)
gpu block- Swiftech MCW60 + ram sinks ($55)
tubing- idk yet. What size should the OD and ID be for the components I have selected?
pump- Swiftech MCP350 ($75. Worth getting one that expensive?)
res- Swiftech MCRES-MICRO ($20)
rad- Black Ice GT Stealth 240 XFlow ($55)
fans- 2x yate loon 120mm ($8)

Thats what I was thinking, but its pushing my budget... Is there anything besides the res I could cut down on?

Also, what fittings?
 
take the res off and use a T-Line
wow u just saved 20 bucks
get the 655 pump. its the same price as the 350 you listed
tubing, get some 5/16 inch masterkleer
 
I just made the jump to watercooling - I just finished last night.

Do some homework by looking at online reviews and ask questions here. I just started my OCP acct so that I could get a few questions answered and there has been plenty of good responses.

I think WC for < $225 is definitely do-able. Good luck.

i'll post the result of my efforts soon.
 
jcll2002 said:
CPU block- Swiftech Apogee Extreme ($45)
gpu block- Swiftech MCW60 + ram sinks ($55)
tubing- idk yet. What size should the OD and ID be for the components I have selected?
pump- Swiftech MCP350 ($75. Worth getting one that expensive?)
res- Swiftech MCRES-MICRO ($20)
rad- Black Ice GT Stealth 240 XFlow ($55)
fans- 2x yate loon 120mm ($8)

Thats what I was thinking, but its pushing my budget... Is there anything besides the res I could cut down on?

Also, what fittings?
Click to expand...
you can pretty much get all you named there in either the H20-80 kit or the H20-120 kit with a couple of mild upgrades.

Because of availibility in my area (or lack thereof), I had to resort to the H20-80 kit and I upgraded to the MCRES-1000, the MCW60, and the 120 radiator.

let me know if you're interested in my brand new MCRES-Micro or an 80mm radiator which I am not using and have left over from the kit.
 
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