My water cooling plan

[bigKr33]

I'm a nooby at water cooling, but after reading some of the stickies from xtremesystems.com I got some great info and some feedback. I'm giving my computer a complete cooling overhall, my opty gets really hot and its now time to get to the next level in computer cooling. The following:

radiator- http://www.cooltechnica.com/Merchant2/m...stomBarbs-BLK&Category_Code=HWL-D120MM

cpu block-http://www.frozencpu.com/ex-blc-205.html

pump- http://www.cooltechnica.com/Merchant2/m...e=AQX-50Z-DC12-T&Category_Code=DC-Pump

tubing-http://xoxide.com/swiftech-coolsleeves-500-clear.html

coolant- http://cooltechnica.com/Merchant2/merch...t_Code=Zerex-RSC&Category_Code=H2O-Add

pump relay switch- http://www.cooltechnica.com/Merchant2/m...uct_Code=PRSK-2&Category_Code=Electric

case-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119093

There are some things that i left out and don't know what to get, like reservoirs, fittings, clamps, etc.... just the little things mainly. And i have no idea how i would fill it up as well as empty the system if needed too.

 

[Kakumba]

for those of us who arent inclined to click 7 links jsut to see teh names, can you please jsut tell me what components?

some general advice: a T-line instead of resevoir is cheaper, but not as easy for a noob. check out Dangerden, they sell kits made up of all good parts for a good price, and that will get you going. also, whats your budget?

Great choice on the Zerex, thats the one thing i can see from those urls without clicking. also, you may wanna get the BIX II instead of the BIP II.

 

[bigKr33]

Yeah sorry for all the links, the parts are as follows:

cpu- swiftech storm
radiator- Black Ice Pro II Dual 120mm
pump- AquaXtreme 50Z-DC12
tubing- some primoflex 1/2"
case- coolermaster stacker 810
pump relay switch- from swiftech

Yeah and when you said BIX ll instead of the BIP ll...

I know i'm a noob at this, but i think i could pull it off. So just get a T-line instead of a reservoir. Is this a T-line setup on this guys computer http://www3.sympatico.ca/scanido/images/side.jpg

 

[Kakumba]

looks like it to me. heaps more pics of loops with fillports and t lines on the xtremesystems forum.

the radiator issue: HW labs make 2 different types of rad, with a 3rd coming soon (VERY soon), the Pro and the Xtreme. Xtreme dissipate more heat than the Pro. but you need higher flow fans for it to work well, 38mm fans instead of 25mm are recommended. as for the pump, get a DD D5 from Dangerden obviously. good pump, or you could look at an Eheim 1250. have never used to 50Z, looks like it should be ok, but I know the 1250 and D5 will be fine.

tubing: the best around is Tygon, but it isnt cheap.

CPU block: the storm likes a powerful pump. with a powerful pump, this block performs better than anything else you will find, end of story.

what fans are you planning on using, and again, what is your budget?

 

[bigKr33]

Well i'm trying to keep a quiet system, so a less dense radiator like the pro model will do. The fans i plan on using are arctic cooling 120x38mm rated at 56cfm@ 23.5dB (i know i may need a higher cfm)

Is that DD D5 pump strong enough for the swiftech storm?

Yeah i heard about that tygon tubing, i think i'll go for that stuff

And as for my budget, i really don't have one. I have a very hot opty 165 thats going to need the best liquid cooling to noise ratio while maintaining a price under $250.

I'm getting idle temps of 38c average with 45c> load with a stock cpu, i'm using a thermaltake big typhoon that i've reinstalled 3 times, so don't judge a mismount here. Its definantly the cpu, the 0608's run hotter i guess.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: Kakumba
looks like it to me. heaps more pics of loops with fillports and t lines on the xtremesystems forum.

get a DD D5 from Dangerden obviously. good pump, or you could look at an Eheim 1250. have never used to 50Z, looks like it should be ok, but I know the 1250 and D5 will be fine.

tubing: the best around is Tygon, but it isnt cheap.

CPU block: the storm likes a powerful pump. with a powerful pump, this block performs better than anything else you will find, end of story.

what fans are you planning on using, and again, what is your budget?

That 50Z pump is every bit as good, some have said better, than the D5. You will have no issues with it.

Tygon is expensive or you could use clearflex. Either will suit you.

 

[Kakumba]

ok, thats cool. Its just a pump I have never dealt with at all, but if its at least as good as a D5, then thats fine. looked at the specs quickly, it has the head, so the storm should have fun.

Clearflex will do the job, I wasnt trying to say i wouldnt, but Tygon is the best. the questions is: is it worth that much more? If, at the end of the day, there is room left in the budget to comfortably afford it, then get it. otherwise, its not like if you dont use tygon your computer will overheat....

anyways, having had a final look, you dont need a BIX really, you are only cooling your CPU, so the BIP II is well and truly enough. so, all in all, an excellent lot of components. now, price it up, and order it.

 

[Luckyboy1]

I have no experience with those water blocks and don't know how they compare to Danger Den's latest offerings.

I've used both water wetter and the Zerex stuff and found the water wetter made it 2 C cooler than the Zerex. Add the additive you choose last and after you have cleared all leaks and bled the system because both tend to foam in the pressence of air bubbles. Use distilled water to fill the system and that is very important.

The pump is fine and I was happy to see you were smart enough to get a relay so there'll never be the mistake of forgetting to plug the pump in.

I know nothing about that tubing.

I like the case as well.

 

[essasin]

Everything looks good. The storm is arguably the best cpu waterblock right now....well besides the silver blocks from cathar. Its rumored that the bix outperforms the bip

 

[bigKr33]

All the parts from performance-pcs.com came out to be like $200 flat, and $169 for the case. I'm not going to buy these parts just yet because i'm going to wait till i sell one of my computers to a friend so i'll have a little extra money to play with.

I also need to do a little more researching on how to test for leaks, and how to fill and drain the system. I'm thinking of just using a T-line to fill the loop up, but i have no idea how i would drain if i needed to. And i'm still debaiting on which type of claps to use for the tubing as well as flooding the pump before you start the loop for the first time.

Theres alot of the little things i need to learn before i can just buy this stuff and not know what i'm doing. The case from coolermaster seems like the most logical choice due to its dual 120mm exhaust fan design where i could bolt my radiator too. Basically i'm shooting for minimal modding because i don't have enough money to go out and buy dremels and stuff. And i still have a feeling that those arctic cooling 120mm isn't going to be enough because there only 56cfm which seems not enough flow to really keep the radiator cool.

But thanks for your guys approval of this stuff, i can honestly say that i have no idea when i'm going to make the purchase, but i will guess a week or two from now.

 

[Luckyboy1]

I also need to do a little more researching on how to test for leaks, and how to fill and drain the system. I'm thinking of just using a T-line to fill the loop up, but i have no idea how i would drain if i needed to. And i'm still debaiting on which type of claps to use for the tubing as well as flooding the pump before you start the loop for the first time....


The biggest mistake I see people do over and over is NOT doing a test with the computer off and just the pump running.

Then the second mistake I see alot of 'em doing is to assume because water is not leaking out as they are pumping, that they have no leaks. After you get the system filled, the water should clear up as far as bubbles in just a few minutes. If it doesn't, then you are sucking air in someplace and will have at least a slow leak when you shut the ah heck down. Get the room very quiet and when you shut the pump down, listen for that sucking sound. Find where the air is coming in and tighten the offending connection.

 

[Snerp]

MasterKleer is the best tubing if you ask me. Buy the 7/16"ID off of jabtech.com. It's basically the same size as the barbs and it has a snug fit. It also doesn't satin like tygon, it's almost as flexable (more flexable than clearflex), and it runs about $.69/ft. Put some cool sleeves on the really tight bends and you're good to go.

 

[soloz2]

If you are getting a 12v pump you do not need a relay kit. the relay is only used for 110v pumps so they can be turned on and off w/ the computer.

I also like masterkleer tubing. 7/16" ID is ideal to keep a uniform ID throughout your loop

 

[atybimf]

You don't need a relay for the 50Z, it connects directly to your PSU via 4 pin molex.

 

[Ping to the Pong]

Not bad setup, although, i would limit buying from multiple sources if you could, that way you save alot on shipping:

-CPU-Storm
-pump: D5
-tubing: masterkleer 7/16" ID
-radiator: BIP II is fine, but if you want a BIX II, get some sanyo denkis to go with it
-case: Gigabyte aurora (dual 120mm fans in the back will allow you to stick a radiator in the back with no modification. Also, it has pre-drilled outlets for tubing to route back in the case)

Case is probably the cheapest at the Egg, but if you wanna pick up all the water cooling parts in one place, try Petra's Tech shop. The guys at XtremeSystems recommend this place in their list of watercooling stores:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=67179

 

[HardWarrior]

Your selection looks good to me, except you coolant choice. The Storm WILL clog easily. In some cases, to the point where it's very difficult to clean. As such, you should carefully consider stuffing your loop with a bunch of additives that don't further what your doing, water-cooling a PC. Swiftech suggests their coolant additive, Hydrx. The choice is yours, but why take an overt chance of being another water-cooling horror story.

Also, your selection of radiator dictates the type of fan you can use substantially. If you go with a BIX, you should use a high-pressure fan if you want to get some return on your investment. A BIP, however, allows a broad range of fan ratings, including low speed versions if you sensitive to noise.

 

[bigKr33]

Alright i've been thinking for awhile about this, and heres my decision:

-DD rbx cpu block w/brass top $60
-DD D512v pump $75
-thermalchill pa120.2 $100
-tygon tubing 1/2"
-T-line
-and interms of coolant, i dont' know yet
-and of course the coolermaster 810 $159

I have an extra computer that i want to sell on ebay:

amd 3200 clawhammer
2x512 ram
msi k8t neo fsr mb
9800xt
seasonic 600watt
antec p180

How much do you think i could sell this for? I'm guessing maybe $500 if i'm lucky