Question for ppl watercooling cpu + gpu + chipset (maybe)

[GeekSupportCom]

CPU: AMD XP 1600+
GPU: GeForce 3 Ti200

Right now i'm looking at the larger spir@l and the GeForce chipset cooler on danger den's site. Only problem i see is that Danger Den's GPU cooler is an arm adapter which can slow down circulation. Any tips for a newbie watercooler? My main reason for getting a water cooled system is to have a quiet case.

Parts:
CPU Block: Maze3 or larger spir@l (waiting for more reviews)
GPU Block: GeForce Block (any better ones?)

Pump: Eheim 1250
Hose: 5-10ft
Fans: 2x120mm panaflo 103.8CFM/41.5dBA (what about these?
Radiator: Black Ice II

I think that's it. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears (for any part 🙂

 

[GeekSupportCom]

Also, i've read disputing results about how to cool the radiator. Should it
A: outside --> case --> fan direction --> radiator --> inside pc
or
B: outside --> case --> radiator --> fan direction --> inside pc
or
C: None of the above?

At first i was just going to make two 120mm blow holes at the top of my case and have the radiator mounted below the fans so the fans can blow the cooler outside air over the radiator. But i've read that it might be more efficient to have the fans under the radiator instead so there's no turbulence. I'd like to be able to do it myself but after the initial drilling/cutting, there's really no going back.

What would be the most efficient way to cool the radiator (ignoring TEC/Pelieter).

 

[h2sammo]

i have 2 of those fans you want, outised the computer case, in a different closeable "drawer" on the radiator. theyre pretty loud, but if i close the drawer, its not that loud anymore. i gues if youput them inside your case, its gonna be ok.

mywater cooling cools the XP 1600@2100+ at 50-54~C
with a 1048 pump eheim🙂

 

[bdunosk]

Here's a few of my thoughts. I just bought some stuff second-hand, and have yet to put it together since I don't have the time (just yet... next week). At any rate... this is what I've come to believe from over a year of reading about watercooling. 🙂

My understanding is that you're better off having your fans suck rather than blow. That way you don't end up with a dead spot corresponding to the central hub on the fan(s). Also, it's a better way to move air through the fins of the radiator. Offset your fans by a bit with a shroud.

I've read that the Dangerden video blocks with the 90 degree angle hose barbs totally kill flow. If you think about it, you're really having your water do a tight hairpin with those barbs (180 degrees) rather than just 90. With all the bends inside blocks, I don't see how this would be a huge issue, but who have used this block say that it is. I picked up the block with the barbs that come out on the side, and looking at the block, I think I'll have to get some 45 degree angle hose barbs to replace the straight barbs (so I can clear the RAMsinks on my gf3 ti200). We'll see though, I haven't had time to remove the HSF on my video card to see if this is actually an issue. Dangerden is on the verge of releasing a GF4 block (compatible with lower GF cards) that has these 45 degree angle hose barbs... though some people still wonder if it's going to have issues clearing the RAMsinks. Something to think about.

The Spir@l blocks are incredible, but I have no idea if you'll ever be able to get one. The waiting list got so long that they stopped taking orders for them, and are currently filling the back-log. I read that they're looking into mass production, but they've said that for at least a month or two now. Or did you mean the Maze 3?

Panaflo 120mm H1A is LOUD, I have one... at 12V, that is. At 7V and below, it's totally silent and moves a decent amount of air (but how much is up to debate). BIX is good too, but it's pricey and needs a lot of airflow to dissipate heat. Procooling did a comparo a while ago and a converted car heatercore beat it (but it's twice as thick... hmmm).

My recommendation is read read read... unfortunately, watercooling is on the fringe and thus has very few reviews of parts. Go to

ProCooling and HardForum to see what other people have done. This forum isn't great for watercooling... sorry. 😛 ProCooling tends to be very unbiased, as well... their forums have a great following who really know their stuff.

Good luck... it certainly is a project!