Recommendation for liquid cooling

[octopus41092]

So.. I'm thinking of getting some liquid cooling. I want to cool my CPU which is an X2 6000+ (AM2) right now and then later on to cool probably a Phenom II 940 (AM3). Also, I probably won't be doing any overclocking now but later on when I upgrade for sure I will be. I also want to cool my GPU, which is an HD4850. I would like a full coverage block but if the benefits aren't really worth the costs then I won't bother.

My question is, what kits or parts would everyone recommend. This is my first time trying to setup liquid cooling. Also, would I need to upgrade to a full tower case, my current one is a pretty basic mid-tower one. If I were to upgrade cases does anyone have suggestions? I was thinking of a Antec Twelve-Hundred but if there's something better I could take a look at it. Lastly, I would like to keep my budget for liquid cooling to $150, if a case is needed probably $100 for the case.

 

[Gillbot]

$150 isn't going to cut it if you want a full cover block, those are usually in the $150 range alone.

Your best bet to maintain your budget is look for items in FS/FT sections here and other forums. Look for a deal on a Fuzion v1/v2 or Apogee GT block, MCP355 Pump with top or a D5 Vario, MCR320 and buy the tubing new.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to chime in.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

The hardest thing will be creating the most efficient way to mount your rad. It took me some thinking to figure out mine. Don't let it detour you though. My Q9650 currently tops out in the high 40's but @ 4Ghz, I'm not complaining so take your time and think things through. You might want to pick up a 1" spade bit, 1" some rubber grommets, and possibly a 4-1/2" hole saw. Those were some of the things I needed. I used my v1100 Lian Li case and its cramped. Unless you are all about being highly creative with your case, a larger case might be in your future. And for a decent setup, you'll need ~ 200-250$

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

wtf - double post

 

[octopus41092]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
$150 isn't going to cut it if you want a full cover block, those are usually in the $150 range alone.

Your best bet to maintain your budget is look for items in FS/FT sections here and other forums. Look for a deal on a Fuzion v1/v2 or Apogee GT block, MCP355 Pump with top or a D5 Vario, MCR320 and buy the tubing new.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to chime in.

I'm fine w/ buying used from the FS/T here. I was actually probably going to look through it for the parts. Also, what would be your recommendation for a GPU block and what reservoir should I look into?

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
The hardest thing will be creating the most efficient way to mount your rad. It took me some thinking to figure out mine. Don't let it detour you though. My Q9650 currently tops out in the high 40's but @ 4Ghz, I'm not complaining so take your time and think things through. You might want to pick up a 1" spade bit, 1" some rubber grommets, and possibly a 4-1/2" hole saw. Those were some of the things I needed. I used my v1100 Lian Li case and its cramped. Unless you are all about being highly creative with your case, a larger case might be in your future. And for a decent setup, you'll need ~ 200-250$

As for your case what sort of modifications did you do to get it all to fit? If it's not worth the hassle I think the Antec Twelve-Hundred will be the case I get. I've been looking to get a new case anyways.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Well I had to cut out 3x120mm holes for a "blow-hole" type rad mount.
Pic
Pic
Had to mount the res and pump.
Pic
Used a 1" spade bit for the tubing holes - I highly recommend a spade bit, you'll see why later.
Pic
One clean cut 1" hole.
Pic
Bottom of case for drain hole - VERY IMPORTANT - used a Danger Den fill port for this.
Pic
95% done.
Pic
My only gripe is that the HD cage holds the drives by a rigid structure making it harder on the drives and noisier when it comes to accessing the data. I am actually i the middle of mounting a HD cage over the "T" you see. It'll be real neat!

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
$150 isn't going to cut it if you want a full cover block, those are usually in the $150 range alone.

Your best bet to maintain your budget is look for items in FS/FT sections here and other forums. Look for a deal on a Fuzion v1/v2 or Apogee GT block, MCP355 Pump with top or a D5 Vario, MCR320 and buy the tubing new.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to chime in.

I agree with Gillbot. A MCP355 w/ XSPC top or D5 Vario would be you best bets, along with an MCR320QP if you want to cool your GPU too. For GPU cooling I would look at the Swiftech MCW60-B Revision 2 and getting some sinks for your RAM and PWM circuitry. A Swiftech MCRes is a good reservoir and makes bleeding a loop easier. For your CPU, if you want to cool a Phenom later, I would get an Apogee GTX-Cu or GTZ, or the FuZion v1 w/ nozzles or a v2. Overall, this would give you the best bang for the buck.

For a case, the CoolerMaster HAF 932 is a nice case. Without modification you can mount an MCR320 on the top with fans exhausting, a 140mm fan on back exhausting, and 2x 230mm fans as intake. It is overall quiet (depending on the fans on your radiator) but the harddrives can be loud as there is zero sound isolation. It is a well-built case and I have my watercooling completely internal (i7 and GTX 260 cooled by Apogee GTZ and an MCW60-B Rev2, Thermochill PA 120.3 radiator (not worth it. MCR320 is much better for bang for the buck.), and a D5 Vario pump). It also has a fillport on the top, which you can buy a piece to fit in it for 6 bucks (DangerDen Delrin fill-port). It's a bit on the expensive side,($160 USD) but it is a case i definitely recommend for watercooling with modification. If you want pictures, PM me.

 

[Gillbot]

MCW60 for the GPU, full cover blocks are too costly.

IMHO, No need for a GTZ unless you get a good deal on one. The spread from GTZ to the Apogee GT is only ~4C so the GTZ is NOT that much better. In order to maintain your budget of $150, you will need to do some serious shopping but if you keep an eye out, it can be done fairly easily.

These are approximate prices from FS/FT threads:
MCR320 - $40-50
MCP355 + Top - $75-90
D5 Vario - $75
Apogee GT - $20-25
Fuzion V1 - $20-30
Fuzion V2 - $30-50
HD4850 Full Cover Block - $80-125
MCW60 - $20-30

Do the math for yourself and decide what you can afford.

 

[octopus41092]

Alright, I've settled on the parts I'm going to get and it looks like it's going to cost me around $175, which is just around what I was looking to spend. However, I will definitely be needing a new case. Does, anyone have any suggestions on what case to get? I really like the design of the Antec Twelve Hundred but I don't know if it can fit the Swiftech MCR320. Any suggestions would be great. Looking to spend about $125.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: octopus41092
Alright, I've settled on the parts I'm going to get and it looks like it's going to cost me around $175, which is just around what I was looking to spend. However, I will definitely be needing a new case. Does, anyone have any suggestions on what case to get? I really like the design of the Antec Twelve Hundred but I don't know if it can fit the Swiftech MCR320. Any suggestions would be great. Looking to spend about $125.

There's what I recommended in the previous post, the HAF 932 if you want to go for $160, but for the 1200, you would need to do a bit of modding and you wouldn't have any optical bays. You could fit it in front behind the fans without the HDD cages, but the top three bays would be all that's left, so space for a HDD cage, or optical bays and single-bay HDD coolers.

 

[octopus41092]

Well like I've said I don't really want to spend all that much. But the main thing about the Cooler Master is that I think it's ugly. Just my opinion but, are there ones other than that that work out of the box with liquid cooling?