any thoughts on the Reserator?

[grohl]

Considering a new build, prob C2D with an 8800 series GPU.

Silence is my number one concern with my rig-to-be. My current 8-fan setup is just ridiculous to try and watch movies in the same room.

I have been looking at the reviews and forums at silentpc.com.

I know the cooling with the new intel procs are not a big deal, and I could probably get near silent air cooling and a decent overclock. Cooling the GPU seems to be where most of the noise is. I do plan on modestly overclocking both the CPU and GPU.

The reviews I have read on the Reserator 2 seems positive, although a bit pricy. Most of the hardcore water-cooled threads I read don't care much for it. This would be my first foray into watercooling although I have been building PCs for years.

Thoughts?

 

[tylerdustin2008]

If you are going to OC do not go with the resorator, go with a DD or swiftech kit with a 120.3 rad. Because that resorator cant cool an OC'ed 8800 and a C2D. Plus it has 3/8 line, not that much room to carry hot water out.

This is the same price as the resorator, but will do a better job allot better than it will.

Now this will cool it VERY nicely.

This has been my $.02


Tyler

 

[Operandi]

Reserator 1 or 2?

Both can probably handle what you intend to do (assuming blocks fit the 8800) but the Reserator 2 would be the way to go for near silent water cooling. I think you would have a lot of work cut out for to try to match it's performance in terms of noise using anyone else's gear (not that it isn't possible).

Still in the end air is the most practical in terms of price and installation and will be equal or superior to water in terms of noise.

 

[tylerdustin2008]

Air is the best, i can get my 4400X2 idle at 19c with the stock 4 pipe HSF, i have had the XP-120, and the CNPS 9500 AM2, and they cant get better cooling that the stock 4 heat pipe. And i doubt most people can get what i can get on air with water.


EDIT:

The reviews I have read on the Reserator 2 seems positive

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: tylerdustin2008
Air is the best, i can get my 4400X2 idle at 19c with the stock 4 pipe HSF, i have had the XP-120, and the CNPS 9500 AM2, and they cant get better cooling that the stock 4 heat pipe. And i doubt most people can get what i can get on air with water.

Oohh. Is that the gauntlet being thrown down? I've used H2O, stock X2 cooler, Scythe Ninja, and XP-120. If you raise your vcore while overclocking, a decent H20 kit will dominate any aircooling solution as far as temps go. I knocked 10-15C off of my load temps going from an XP-120 to H2O when I was using an Opteron 165.


Back on topic- I agree with the others that as long as you don't plan on ocing much the Reserator will be fine. The C2D chips run pretty cool at stock volts. Not sure if it could handle the G80 in the loop though.

If it were me, I'd go with a Scythe Ninja and some Yate Loon 120mm fans in the front and back of the case. I have that same setup at work and it is near dead silent. I really don't hear my 8800GTX much and unless you live in a really hot area or are very sensitive to noise I don't think it will bother you.

 

[tylerdustin2008]

Maybe water does do better, but my cpu never goes above 35c, and this is on air. Pluswater can have allot of hassles. Maybe you have non conductive coolant, and you have a leak, no biggie right? Wrong, still have a a mess to clean up.

 

[grohl]

Thanks for the feedback.

Tyler, the first link you sent, it says, "for the professional user!" - mind you, this would be my first WCS. The second link, PLEASE, it's $1798!

The more reading I've done on the topic, it's not clear if the VGA block will work with an 8800 or not. I could always buy another block, I guess.

Remember, I am aware that the new Intel CPUs can be cooled on air just fine, and with very little noise. The key is, to try and have a near silent build - the problem lies with cooling the GPU.

I will check out the the Scythe Ninja next.

 

[regpfj]

Originally posted by: grohl
C2D with an 8800 series GPU. Silence is my number one concern...Thoughts?

The Reserator 2 is obviously very quiet and will handle those two components fine. A normal-human level OC probably wouldn't bother it either.

Here's a review at PCPer where the dude uses a Res2 with a Pentium 955 presler (~156W), and a 7800 gtx 512 (~95W). Even with a QX 6700 (~109W) and an 8800 GTX (~145W) you're a within few watts of the pcper test setup.

Add in a very quiet, efficient PSU, and one or two quiet 120mm case fans at 5v and you will be done. Suspending the hard drives with elastic is very simple, cheap and makes a world of difference with HD noise if and when it becomes the loudest thing in the case.

Originally posted by: tylerdustin2008
Pluswater can have allot of hassles. Maybe you have non conductive coolant, and you have a leak, no biggie right? Wrong, still have a a mess to clean up.

I've used water for a long time and I've never had a problem with leaks. Maybe I'm lucky. It definately is more of a hassle than air. But it's more fun too.


Edit

Originally posted by: grohl
it's not clear if the VGA block will work with an 8800 or not.

I didn't see that part until after I posted, but Galaxy is using the Res2 with the 8800gtx. I don't know if that's the Zalman block or not, though, so NM.