Newbie to watercooling, want to get Koolance case, what else do I need?

[Civic2oo1x]

I'm new to the watercooling world, but I want to go this route to build a killer rig. I want to get Koolance black case with watercooling. What else do I need? I want to install a Abit IC7 Max 3 motherboard in it. Do I need to get the motherboard block, HDD block etc? And how many of each do I need? And finally is this entire process easy to install? Thanks.

 

[boyRacer]

lol... it says right there in your link...

Note: The case does NOT come with the components needed to cool your system. It includes the dual pumps, reservoir, and the radiator. Components such as the CPU and video cooler will have to be purchased separately at the bottom of the page. Temperature-wise, a Koolance system has plenty of expansion room. As processors evolve, socket compatibility is easily accomplished through simple bracket or component replacements. Below is a general CPU compatibility chart:

So you're going to need the waterblock for your CPU... and maybe one for your GPU too if you want to run it in the loop. Since the system is integrated into the case already... it should be pretty easy... don't expect miracles out of this though... you should go the DIY route if you want hardcore watercooling.

 

[Civic2oo1x]

Yea I know about the CPU block. I don't expect miracles out of this, I'm mainly doing it for the reduction in noise. The reason I ask about what I need is cause with all the optional cooling products it bumps the price up to $385. I'm going to venture into OCing, but not to the point where I'm going to try and set records. Maybe a 2.4 to a 2.8-3.0 area or a 3.0 to a 3.4. So I need to know if it's worth getting the optional blocks for my NB or my Video card (probably the 9800XT). Thanks

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Civic2oo1x
Yea I know about the CPU block. I don't expect miracles out of this, I'm mainly doing it for the reduction in noise. The reason I ask about what I need is cause with all the optional cooling products it bumps the price up to $385. I'm going to venture into OCing, but not to the point where I'm going to try and set records. Maybe a 2.4 to a 2.8-3.0 area or a 3.0 to a 3.4. So I need to know if it's worth getting the optional blocks for my NB or my Video card (probably the 9800XT). Thanks

Ahh i see. Well personally... if i went with water cooling... id like to include the GPU too and since you are going for the reduction in noise... should be even better then. I heard that you can use innovatek blocks with koolance though... it's going to be a tight fit but i think those blocks are better than the ones koolance has.

 

[Mingon]

I heard that you can use innovatek blocks with koolance though... it's going to be a tight fit but i think those blocks are better than the ones koolance has

The koolance cpu200 block is excellent, as is the system - but I am biased they are good performers with low noise, but the layout of the fans on the top is not the best

 

[drewdogg808]

if you're gonna just go 2.4 to a 2.8-3.0 area or a 3.0 to a 3.4, the retail hs/fan should suffice and be plenty quiet. otherwise, just a cpu and gpu block would work. or you can get a case/kit from:
dangerden
or
cooltechnica

 

[Phantron]

I had a Koolance EXOS and it fried within 5 minutes of turning it on. Total waste of time and money. I just air cool my P4 with my Zalman 7000 and I couldn't be happier.

 

[KGB1]

Koolance setup's are nice.. get's alot of stuff out of the way... but what I really want is
This one for my Radeon and This guy for my 4200-8X Man that would be TOTALLY sweet... really puts the Swiftech and dangerden gpu blocks to shame...

 

[paperfist]

Originally posted by: KGB
Koolance setup's are nice.. get's alot of stuff out of the way... but what I really want is
This one for my Radeon and This guy for my 4200-8X Man that would be TOTALLY sweet... really puts the Swiftech and dangerden gpu blocks to shame...

Wow those are the nicest GPU blocks I've seen! Can they be purchased anywhere?

 

[JokerF15]

Well if you want a Koolance, get one, but if you want something that performs good and that you will most likely keep over time, get something else:

1) Research, and get parts built by yourself
2) DangerDen
3) Swiftech
4) D-Tek Customs

Any one of those companies will offer GOOD solutions, some are better than others, just a matter of taste and preference.

Koolance is very low end WaterCooling. I'd say about 40-50% of the time a user buy's Koolance, they end up selling it within a couple of months and get something better (WaterCooling wise).

That has got to say something about the product.

If you just want to get your feet wet (hopefully not literally . Than get a Koolance, but if you want to learn and get something that performs good, look at the above companies.

-JokerF15

 

[ShoNuff]

I am in the same boat you are in. At this point I am leaning towards giving the Koolance a shot. Most of the actual users testimonies that I have come across report being pleasantly surprised.

 

[Slappy00]

"don't expect miracles out of this though... you should go the DIY route if you want hardcore watercooling. "

I have an exos and it works just as advertised:

Ultra quiet in mode 1 running at 27C with both my oc'd radeon 9700ro and my ocd p4 2.4 @ 2.85 (could do 3.2 but GEiL memory is crap)

I guess homebrews might be a bit better (but I dont think by much look at http://www.overclockers.com/articles373/ ) but not by much: Koolance at 100% is easily tied with 3 other coolers for the top 3 watercooling setups.

I installed it in 3hrs but that was beacuse I was lazy and didnt rtfm and had to restart 3 times.

As for extra stuff, with the exception af a cpu and gpu/NB blocks you should get extra tube clamps and a extra packet of premixed (and UV active ) coolant...

Oh and the Exos just looks pimp too.

 

[paperfist]

Slappy00, are you using a water block for the GPU and if so what kind of overclock are you getting with it? Kind of curious as to whether or not water-cooling the video card is worthwhile.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Slappy00
"don't expect miracles out of this though... you should go the DIY route if you want hardcore watercooling. "

I have an exos and it works just as advertised:

Ultra quiet in mode 1 running at 27C with both my oc'd radeon 9700ro and my ocd p4 2.4 @ 2.85 (could do 3.2 but GEiL memory is crap)

I guess homebrews might be a bit better (but I dont think by much look at http://www.overclockers.com/articles373/ ) but not by much: Koolance at 100% is easily tied with 3 other coolers for the top 3 watercooling setups.

I installed it in 3hrs but that was beacuse I was lazy and didnt rtfm and had to restart 3 times.

As for extra stuff, with the exception af a cpu and gpu/NB blocks you should get extra tube clamps and a extra packet of premixed (and UV active ) coolant...

Oh and the Exos just looks pimp too.

Those really arent homebrews per se... i'm talking about getting it all seperately... nothing wrong with the Exos... id get one too but i don't have any use for it. $250 will get you a really good watercooling setup though... are you getting your temp reading from the readout on the Exos?

 

[barryng]

I currently am using a Lian-Li case but find the fan noise to be much too distracting. I have two 80mm intake fans, a 92mm blow hole fan, an 80mm exhaust fan, and of course the dual fan Enermax power supply. Electronics devices are supposed to be silent and this thing is anything but. I am running a 2.4b at 3.0 Gig but at normal voltage. Although I have a Swiftech cooler, the fan noise from the Delta fan was way too high so I am using the much quieter stock Intel cooler. Even with all the forced and induced draft, under no load the CPU idles at 42C but jumps up to about 52C under 100% load. In my opinion much too hot with too much noise. There is good airflow through the case but the CPU heatsink sits in a "hole" with most of the airflow above it. I was hoping the 92mm blowhole fan would bring fresh cool air onto the heat sink but it has not had the dramatic effect I was hoping for.

I did switch to water cooling sometime last year. I used a Maze CPU cooler and a BlackIce heat exchanger. The water cooling worked great and effortlessly maintained reasonable temperatures. I switched back to fan cooling because there was no real reduction in noise (I used a 120mm "quiet" fan) and the hoses, pump, and heat exchanger made the inside of my case too crowded. The system also carried some additional maintenance overhead with it. I just was not pleased with the compromise even though it certainly did do its cooling job.

I am now seriously considering either the Koolance Exo retrofitted to my existing Lian-Li case or a Koolance case with the integrated water cooling system. Even though the the Koolance systems do not seem to get great reviews, my old water cooling system worked so well I cannot see how I can go wrong with the Koolance product. I do, however, plan to use a more robust waterblock.

This brings me to my question. Although I see many posts minimizing the value of the Koolance water cooling products, I do not see a lot of reasons given why it is only thought to be an "entry level" etc. solution. Since my own experience indicated that it does not take much water cooling to achieve significant results, why is the Koolance product not given better reviews?