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What do I need for watercooling?

O

Ocardowin

Weaksauce
Joined
Nov 25, 2010
Messages
73
So, I'm building my first PC in the next couple of weeks. I know enough of the basics and have swapped enough components in the past to feel comfortable putting the basic system together.

I'll be running a 6990+6970 setup.

I'd like to water cool the 6990 to get rid of the noise.

I don't know the first thing about water cooling.

I plan to purchase the PowerColor 6990 with the waterblock already attached.
http://hothardware.com/News/Powercolor-Pushes-Out-First-Liquid-Cooled-HD-6990/

What other components do I need?

Thanks!
 
You'll need a CPU block, a GPU block(s), a radiator and some fans for it, a pump, a reservoir/T-line, some tubing and some fittings. What individual parts you get is totally up to you. I did a lot of googling to figure mine out. Read reviews of this and that, decided what would work for me and what wouldn't. There are lots of little programs & charts/graphs out there than can figure how much pump you need or how much radiator you need and what speed fans for what radiators.

I can give you a few tips:

1) Don't use aluminum. Copper, brass, chrome/nickel plate are all OK.
2) Stay away from EK nickel, at least until they get their shit straight.
3) If you want to cool a video card, make sure you get an AMD reference card (it'll say AMD down by the PCI-E slot). Otherwise, you may have a hard time finding blocks that fit it.
4) Stay away from Primochill bay res's. Unless you hate yourself. Then get one. Hell, get 2.
5) If you are going to use a lot of compression fittings, get some mechanix gloves. You're fingertips will thank you.
6) Teflon tape on your fittings. It doesn't take much, but it sure helps.
7) Your loop order does not matter. Most people recommend putting the res before the pump so you don't run your pump dry. Radiator and block loop order just do not matter. The water that comes out of your rad will only be a 1-2 degrees C different from what goes in.
8) Use distilled water. Stay away from Dyes and premix coolants.
 
This is going to be your first PC build and you're jumping into watercooling? Very ambitious! :) You need a radiator, pump and reservoir.
 
Important thing to add to your list: a case that can hold the size/quantity of radiator(s) you need. Mounting externally is fine, but I hate the idea of spending all the time and money on good components just to slap a radiator on the back of a case. But to each their own :D
 
If I were you I would go with the XSPC rasa kit so that you don't forget anything and have to make extra trips to the store/more shipping orders.
 
Loafdogg420 said:
In regards to the EK nickel, im just curious, whats your beef?
Click to expand...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ek+nickel+problems

I've read thousands of posts in dozens of threads in a couple of different languages. Let's just say it's a headache that can be easily avoided and something that a newcomer could really do without. I'm not saying EK doesn't make some good products, just that their nickel has been questionable and I advise people to stay away from their nickel plated products - especially after EK came out and said that distilled water was causing all of this.

EK says they are changing their plating process though, so who knows, in a few months things may turn around completely.
 
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