Help, cooling system, $200. Your opinions.

[fairenough]

Okay, I've been studying up on overclocking and such a lot lately, now that my warranties are up I figure I may as well lol. Anyway I am definitely in need of a cooling system and I am pretty much sold on water, so you air guys can try your best but it'll be tough.
Yes Aigo, I read your thread, extremely helpful and much appreciated
Alright so I'm figuring around $200 for the whole beans, if cheaper will work PLEASE let me know where the deals are
I would like the cpu + gpu for sure. chipset yes. I would like options on ram maybe?
Now my questions. This is kind of ghetto but I'm curious, if you get a couple of those narrow long chipset blocks, could you put them on the graphics card memory allowing you to reuse the cooling on future cards or would you have to buy the whole gpu block each time?
Copper vs. Aluminum, or whater else is out there. I understand stay consistant with one type but what are the ups and downs of each type.
How many things can you have in a circuit before it is "to much" or before you should think about doubling radiators + pumps and such?
ummm, I will think of more Q's later but this is a start
I am a typical Newegg shopper but if you have a place with good deals/different better products or whatever, please enlighten me.
So I guess if you don't mind, hook me up with maybe a possible "wish list" and also any sites with graphs/charts comparing temps/quality, whatever else about products, please link. I want this to be a good investment. (There's something here for everyone to answer on lol) Sorry about the length and thanks a TON in advance!

 

[Gautama2]

Don't know much about water as its always been way out of my budget, but I know that you are mainly limited by the transfer of heat from the cpu/gpu to the water block because you are nowhere near the max heat threshold of water. Resultingly, the thermal paste you choose is very important. I recommend Arctic Cooling MX-2 or, if you think its worth the risks, Coollaboratory Liquid Pro. If the latter please read up on it first.

Good luck!

 

[aigomorla]

200 might be too little for a GPU option to be addon.

Chipset blocks come in many makes and form. EK makes great ones, but there somewhat platform limited. Swiftech has a MCW30, which can be mounted on almost any motherboard intel/ATI/NVidia makes. So i guess the MCW30 would be your option if you want upgradeability.

Now CPU blocks are mostly sideways backwards, and upwards compatiable. The ApogeeGT can be used on ANY motherboard. ApogeeGTX will require special mounts for AM2 platforms. D-tek Fusion comes with 2 mounts for AMD and Intel. The blocks are very important so i recomend you getting good blocks as well as a good radiator and pump.

Now your GPU block. The MCW60, another swiftech block is the same in upgrading. These blocks can fit on any GPU. The only limitation to these blocks is on G80, and G92, you need to cool the mosfets and other components. Swiftech has a Ramsink cooling option for G80's. Wait for a G92 to come out soon.


Mixing Copper and Alu, just dont do it. You'll thank me a few months down when something terribly goes wrong.


Radiator, rule of thumb is getting the largest, and most powerful radiator you can possibly fit in your case, or mod to your case. My personal favorates are the MCR320, and Thermochill PA120.3 These are hugh radiators but they can dish out almost anything you put on them.


A typical setup for your budget will be a CPU loop only.

D5 Liang, Swiftech MCP-655 series: 80 dollars
D-tek fusion : 60 dollars
MCR320 45 dollars
3 x Yate Loon Fans ~ 9 dollars
Tubing and T-Line and other accessories: 20 dollars.

These are just rough estimates. The Chipset block will be another 25 dollars.
The GPU block MCW60 is around 44 dollars.
The GPU Ram sinks is another 16 dollars.

Extra Options may include a Reservoir: 24 dollars.

 

[fairenough]

Thanks for your posts guys
Today I remembered a couple more questions,
1. Are there some good graphics or whatever type of programs that can just run your pc ragged to test it for temps?
2. I would also like to know what are some good temp. programs for readoffs
3. Is there a way to get a readoff of temps for ram and hardrive and everything with a program or do I need to add something else to get the compatibility
4. I understand use only alum or only copper, but for starting off and picking your road, what is the main difference on which to choose? Anything?

 

[Gautama2]

rthdribl, atiTool, and the Crysis demo will get them highest.

CoreTemp is good for processor.

Everest Ultimate gets you temps for pretty much everything excluding ram, which nothing can get you a temp of.

Copper has better heat transfer than aluminum.