best watercooling kit?

[skrewler2]

Build specs:

evga 790i ultra
e8400 @4ghz (450x9)
g.skill 2x2gb ddr3
2x evga 9800gx2 (currently only one in use.. second will be once driver support comes out)
lian li case


Right now my case is running really hot under stress. Temps reading in the high 60's. My overlclock has run stable for 8 hours but then fails.. I'm thinking heat is probably the issue. I would like to see what watercooling can do for this overclock.

Wondering if I could get some reccomendations on watercooling kits, below are what would be important to me in a kit..

In order of importance to me:
-low maintenace (want to be able to use day to day without too much tweaking)
-performance
-ease of installation
-noise

I was looking at this one:

http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Apex-Ultra-H20-220-With-Apogee-GT-pr-3198.html

but I really have no clue, and the reviews of these watercooling kits that I've found aren't that informative.

 

[MarcVenice]

What case do you exactly have and how many casefans, and where ? 2x 9800gx2's produce a lot of heat, you should first make sure you have sufficient airflow in your case, or watercooling your CPU won't do you much good.

 

[skrewler2]

I'll take a picture tomorrow. I'm not sure of the case model.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

A single 9800GX2 creates a lot of heat, let alone two..

Case info as Marc stated but, also are you running the stock intel cooler on your 8400? And what voltage are you running it at? One of our more reliable members has already burned out an 8400 running too much voltage but, he was up at 1.57.

Besides that though, if your case can handle the water cooling and if you decide to go that way, the kit you linked is good but, a custom one will be notably better, especially with you shooting for 4ghz.

 

[PCTC2]

I agree with DerwinArtos w/ a custom build. You will be much more satisfied with the results. I would suggest having a watercooling loop for your CPU and if you wanted to, a second loop for your GPU's when new blocks come out. The GX2's would put out way too much heat to be in the same loop as the CPU, and one thing I've learned about nVIDIA chipsets is that they are extremely limited by thermals.

A suggestion would be:

CPU Loop:

D-Tek Fuzion w/ Nozzles $70-80
2x Swiftech MCW30 (for NB and SB) $30 each
Swiftech MCP655 (Laing D5) Vario $80
Swiftech MCR220 $40
Swiftech Micro-Res $20
Tygon or Masterkleer 7/16" tubing (15 feet)
1/2" High Flow Barbs (Check threads for each component)
Worm Gear Clamps
Yate Loon or Zalman ZM-F3 Fans
Thermalright HR-09 (Find the one that fits on the TR site. If you W/C the NB/SB, then the PWM circuitry needs new cooling).

GPU Loop:
2x EK-FC98GX2 Full Cover Blocks (when they come out, if ever. I'd guess around $180 each)
Swiftech MCP655 Vario $80
Thermochill PA 120.3
Tubing, barbs, clamps. and fans.

You'd probably have to find a way to mount the radiators externally, maybe with Swiftech Rad-Boxes or extra long bolts. Just a suggestion.

 

[v8envy]

Before going all out on a WC setup, have you tried removing the case cover & pci slot covers and zip tying a 20" WalMart box fan to the side of the case? I suggest with air flow into the case. If that solves the issue, yeah, WC away.

 

[skrewler2]

Still at work so can't take a picture yet...: Right now the CPU hsf is a Zalman 9700? series. I guess it was late when I made the post, but I didn't mena to say that the case was hot, I meant that the cores were that hot. Right now the case is wide open with two of those big noisy metal fans blowing air in, the room the box is in is actually A/C'd to 60F as well.

CPU voltage is 1.30. If I up the voltage anymore, the CPU core gets too hot for my liking.. hitting the 70C mark. I'm not sure if the readings are accurate, because they seem really weird. In BIOS, it says that it idles around 40C, while in Windows Vista, I get idles in 50C.

The 9800gx2 is ridiculously hot. I had two 8800gtx's in SLI before, and I thought those were hot. Perhaps it's just because this thing is in a smaller package and the heat is more conecentrated coming out, but if you touch this thing you will yourself.

Those GX2 waterblocks are pretty expensive. I don't know if I would even want to go that route right away. I really just wanted to watercool my CPU and perhaps my NB/SB.

So what I hear from a lot of people is a custom kit is much better. I would really much prefer to just buy a kit and be done with it, is there no suitable kit out there that comes close to the performance of a custom kit? I don't mind paying a little more to have a kit come somewhat preassembled.

Thanks for the help.

 

[PCTC2]

Custom kits will be just like the kit you linked, but with parts that YOU choose.

 

[skrewler2]

Oh, I was under the impression that the kit came preassembled and such. Appreciate you making that list of parts for me.

Here is a picture of the case, I don't know if anyone would even be able to tell what model Lian Li this is. I bought it from a member of AT for a cheap price, so I'm unsure of what model or whatever it is.. I looked on the LL site and couldn't find a match.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9394/systemhy9.jpg

Some input on fan placement and if if the watercooling stuff would be feasible in this case would be appreciated. Thanks

--

Those are two 80mm fans on the bottom front of the case, and two 80mm behind the CPU.

I was wondering actually if I should perhaps turn the HSF around, so that the CPU is blowing air out through those two 80mm fans or keep it how it is?

 

[MarcVenice]

So where exactly is the second 9800gx2 ? Your case looks like a fulltower ? Plenty of space for radiators and the pump. You'll have to clean up all those wires though. Not sure how your zalman is facing btw, is it blowing air towards the back of the case ? That's how it should be. I bet you can place a 2x120mm rads on top and on the bottom if need be.

 

[skrewler2]

Second 9800gx2 will be put in once the drivers support quad sli. In the meantime, I'll switch the orientation of the Zalman hsf and see if that helps at all. Yep, I need to clean up those wires for sure ..

 

[aigomorla]

it looks like an old goliath series.

Somewhere along the lines of G70 unit.

Theres quite a bit you can do with this unit. However you would need to do some moding.

You hvae the option of top mount of floor mount if your not going to use HEX SLI. if they even have something like that.

As for the front, maybe you could mod a 120x2 radiator up front and use shrouds to level to 120mm fans?

Theres quite a bit you can do, how much is your budget? How much can you mod? What do you want to watercool?

 

[skrewler2]

I'd prefer as little modding as possible, I don't have a set of tools other than some screwdrivers and would rather pay more $ than do a DIY job. I'd guess my budget is around the $500 area, but could go hgiher. I was browsing around, and saw some premodded cases for watercooling. I still need a case for my old rig which atm is sitting on antistatic, so I could use this LL and buy one of those new premodded ones.

Altho, I'm not sure what you mean by modding.. just screwdriver work or drilling/cutting?

I definately want to cool my CPU. Perhaps my NB/SB -- altho I don't know what waterblocks fit the 790i. The 98000gx2 I probably just want to aircool, the idea of $200 waterblock for one of these doesn't seem very logical.

Thanks

 

[aigomorla]

okey,

If your interested in a completely new case, i can recomend a few which are very water cooling friendly.

Most of them have radiator mounts internally so you can just pop a radiator and go.

How are you on budget on such a case? or is the 500 with case included? This is also possible since you want to limit your cooling to board only.

How large of a case do you want? If its something thats Lanparty portable, theres a couple small ones which would fit very nicely.

Zap and Zepper will probably fill you in on the choices.

But that Lian Li will probably require a TOP replacement if you dont want to mod. Top replacements arent too expensive, and all thats required is you drilling the rivit, and then screwing it up with a screw and nut.

Need to know what direction you wish to go.


If you really want a watercooling friendly case, theres always the Mountain Mod's series.

 

[skrewler2]

The $500 budget isn't including the case. Case doesn't have to be lanparty friendly or anything like that, size is not an issue. Case budget is big, probably wouldn't want to spend more than $300 unless it also washes my dishes tho.

 

[legoman666]

Maybe this case? http://www.bit-tech.net/hardwa...oler_master_cosmos_s/1

"there's space for a 120mm radiator in the base and the back and a 3x120mm in the roof!"

I'm not 100% sure, but from the sound of it, you won't need to do any modding to be able to fit a nice 3x120mm rad in the top of the thing. If you look at the pics, the whole top is a mesh: http://www.bit-tech.net/conten...aster_cosmos_s/b01.jpg

also, NB and SB cooling is excessive and essentially as useless as watercooling a hard drive. I'd say just put the CPU in the loop:
Dtek FuZion /w nozzle accelerator: http://www.crazypc.com/products/dtek_fuzion-93071B.html
BIX 120x3 rad: http://www.dangerden.com/store...ductid=4&cat=85&page=1
DD12V-D5 Variable Speed Pump: http://www.dangerden.com/store...ctid=175&cat=23&page=1
1/2" ID Tygon Tubing: http://www.dangerden.com/store...ctid=172&cat=33&page=1
Some sort of res or fillport, maybe this: http://www.dangerden.com/store...uctid=52&cat=27&page=1

There are endless combinations, most equally as good as the next.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: skrewler2
The $500 budget isn't including the case. Case doesn't have to be lanparty friendly or anything like that, size is not an issue. Case budget is big, probably wouldn't want to spend more than $300 unless it also washes my dishes tho.

i would recomend you the Silverstone TJ-07. Absolutely beautiful case. Also very easy to watercool.

http://www.xoxide.com/silverst...emjin-tj07w-black.html [shop arround and also compare shipping on this case!! but xoxide was one of the cheapest vendors i could find it at]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...ht=Silverstone+Gallery

Some inspiration. As for the cooling options lets decide once you select the case so i can judge how much space you have.


We could do something simular with your lian li. However are you willing to take it to an auto body shop and have them cut into it?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: legoman666
Maybe this case? http://www.bit-tech.net/hardwa...oler_master_cosmos_s/1

"there's space for a 120mm radiator in the base and the back and a 3x120mm in the roof!"

I'm not 100% sure, but from the sound of it, you won't need to do any modding to be able to fit a nice 3x120mm rad in the top of the thing. If you look at the pics, the whole top is a mesh: http://www.bit-tech.net/conten...aster_cosmos_s/b01.jpg

also, NB and SB cooling is excessive and essentially as useless as watercooling a hard drive. I'd say just put the CPU in the loop:
Dtek FuZion /w nozzle accelerator: http://www.crazypc.com/products/dtek_fuzion-93071B.html
BIX 120x3 rad: http://www.dangerden.com/store...ductid=4&cat=85&page=1
DD12V-D5 Variable Speed Pump: http://www.dangerden.com/store...ctid=175&cat=23&page=1
1/2" ID Tygon Tubing: http://www.dangerden.com/store...ctid=172&cat=33&page=1
Some sort of res or fillport, maybe this: http://www.dangerden.com/store...uctid=52&cat=27&page=1

There are endless combinations, most equally as good as the next.

I would second Aigo's rec of the TJ07. It is the most popular for an easy watercooling job. I personally have a dremel so prefer other cases. But I would recomment 7/16" Tubing over 1/2" (fitting snugly over barbs) and the MCR320 over the BIX 120.3 for a triple 120 radiator performance-wise vs airflow needs. And I would recommend the Swiftech High-flow microres over the bay reservoir. Very small and easy to mount and use. And I would recommend using a reservoir over a T or Y line for ease of build purposes.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Yup, what PCTC2 and aigomorla said. TJ-07, mcr320, mcp655vario, d-tek fuzion or EK supreme, mcw30s, microres, 7/16" tubing and DD fatboy barbs and Zalman ZM-F3s.

 

[skrewler2]

That silverstone case looks amazing. I ordered it.

Here's what I've got picked out. I'm not sure how many of those fatboy barbs/fittings I need.. let me know if I'm missing anything.

Also what size barbs on the waterblock should I get?

From what a friend told me, I don't need any of this special coolant stuff, I can just buy distilled water from the drug store and I'll be fine.

D-Tek FuZion CPU Waterblock http://www.crazypc.com/products/dtek_fuzion-93071B.html

Swiftech High-flow MicroResevoir - http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...RES-Micro-pr-3093.html

Swiftech MCP655 12 VDC Pump Liquid Cooling System - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835108082

Swiftech MCR320-QP Quiet Power radiator - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835108098


http://www.jab-tech.com/Tygon-...-AAC00033-pr-3957.html
Tygon R-3603 7/16" OD Chemical Tubing - AAC00033 qty 15

http://www.dangerden.com/store...uctid=318&cat=0&page=1
FB (Fat Boy) G 1/4 Fittings x?

Rexus NMB-MAT (Panaflo) 120mm Case Fan - Retail x5 (3x for rad, 2 for intake/exhaust of case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835705004

Thanks in advance


--
Edit:

Those fans look to be rather loud (30db). I remember a long time back I had a Vantec Tornado, I could hear it on my first floor all the way up to the third floor through a closed door.. it was ridiculous. Wondering how good the Silverstone is on the noise deadening front, and if maybe I should go with quieter fans?

 

[PCTC2]

1) You should pick up some G11 or G12 Pentosin and PTS BioNuke from Petra's Tech Shop
2) You should get the Nozzle Kit for the D-Tek Fuzion
3) You need to check what thread size each component has and then get the 1/2" OD Barbs.
4) You might want to undervolt those Panaflows or get Zalman ZM-F3 fans.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

my count is 8 barbs total, thats if you want teh barbs on everything and you mod the D5 for barbs.

For the fans I would consider changing them out to Scythe Ultra Kaze 2000rpm or Zalman ZM-F3s.

Also, do some shopping around, sidewindercomputers, petrastechshop, jab-tech and SVC are my norms, I'm sure aigomorla can add one or two I've forgotten.

 

[legoman666]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
For the fans I would consider changing them out to Scythe Ultra Kaze 2000rpm or Zalman ZM-F3s.

Also, do some shopping around, sidewindercomputers, petrastechshop, jab-tech and SVC are my norms, I'm sure aigomorla can add one or two I've forgotten.

I'll add www.dangerden.com and www.performance-pcs.com to the list.

yea those panaflo's are pretty noisy, I used to have 3 of them in my case. Although I did have them connected to a fan controller so it wasn't too bad.

 

[MarcVenice]

Skrewler, if you've got this all hooked up and running, we'd like pics and idle/load temps. Thats basicaly the best reward you can give these guys, short of paying them of course

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
1) You should pick up some G11 or G12 Pentosin and PTS BioNuke from Petra's Tech Shop
2) You should get the Nozzle Kit for the D-Tek Fuzion
3) You need to check what thread size each component has and then get the 1/2" OD Barbs.
4) You might want to undervolt those Panaflows or get Zalman ZM-F3 fans.

If ANYONE needs some G12 red please let me know. I've got almost a gallon of it that I got for CHEAP that I'll send out for CHEAP.