Review my proposed water cooling system

[Bateluer]

I plan on building a new system in early August, most likely around an AM2 A64 chip and an X1900XT(X). The AM2 CPU is a good bet, but the videocard is subject to a lot of change, there are rumors of a die shrunk X1900 core launching 'soon'.

This is also my first water cooling setup, unless you count the Tidewater on my videocard. Regardless, this is a little more indepth. Please, feel free to point anything out with this setup.

CPU Water Block - Swiftech Apogee CPU Block

Water Pump - Swiftech MCP655 12VDC

Radiator - Swiftech MCR-220 Dual 120mm

Reservoir - Swiftech MCRES-Micro

VGA Block - Swiftech MCW60 + 8 Ramsinks

A side note on the VGA block, I saw these as well. Now, I believe they make an ATI version as well. Would getting a water block that covered the RAM be worth paying almost double?

Tubing - ClearFlex 60 tubing 1/2in ID 5/8in OD

The plan is for this entire setup to be enclosed inside a Lian Li PC-V2000B with windowed panel.

Lastly, I had some debate over the coolant as well. Distilled water vs some sort of UV reactive coolant, such as Swiftech's Hydrex.

I believe all the parts I listed above use 1/2in connectors, as well as the tubes. Should I purchase additional clamps, gaskets, etc, or will the parts the themselves include those parts?

Comments?

 

[nealh]

Ok..I just finished my initial first build..leaking testing a s we speak

I would get the Swiftech storm rev 2 as cpu block..better vs the Apogee

As for the gpu block..if you go with your link you will only be able to use that on a specific card..I think you are better of with mcw 60(I got this as well) or maze4

As for coolant..UV additives can clog the cpu blocks such as the storm rev2....

coolant: distilled water
additive: Zerex if anything


otherwise I think you hardware looks good..BTW the apogee is not a bad block but not as good a performer as storm rev2...is it worth the $$$..I have no idea..with that said you are buying nice stuff what is another $30


check here for more info...much better source of water cooling needs
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70

FYI: I have a P180 that I modded for water cooling
hardware:
cpu block: Storm rev 2
gpu block: mcw 60
rad: PA160
pump: mcp655/D5..very quiet
res: $10 res at cooltechnica
nickel coated brass barbs
worm drive as clamps
masterkleer 7/16in ID 5/8in OD

tygon is best tubing but 4x masterkleer

coolant: distilled water ..used about 5% mixture of Zerex

Good luck

 

[Luckyboy1]

The Danger Den waterblock will cool not just the GPU with water, but the RAM as well and nothing, and I mean nothing will touch that video card with that water block on and enough radiator capacity to keep from having temperature gain over time.

Remember, this advice is coming from an ATI fan!

If you must go the Swifty route, at least do yourself a favor and get these for the RAM and put plently 'O air to 'em...

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/cooling_products/ocz_copper_bga_ramsink

And spread the fins out Zalman style.

Still, to pass up that Danger Den option would be missing so much of what water can do for you.

 

[nealh]

ok..I missed the 1900xt(x)..but I still think a gpu cooler for one type of card is expenive way to go...but I agree luckyboy, it would perform in awesome fashion

 

[Bateluer]

From what I've read, the difference between the Apogee and Storm rev 2 is minimal, but I'll do some further reading.

So, distilled water then.

That is a very good point about the VGA blocks, I probably don't want to lock myself in with one card.

 

[Luckyboy1]

Yes, distilled water for sure!

The new Danger Den water blocks only take up one slot, so no worries about adding another card and water cooling it as well!

 

[Kakumba]

the Storm isnt THAT much better than the Apogee. also, the NV-78 isnt worth the cash I dont think. just whack some good RAMsinks on you are set.

otherwise, that looks great. I would probably go for a bigger rad for that much cooling, but thats just me.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Kakumba
the Storm isnt THAT much better than the Apogee. also, the NV-78 isnt worth the cash I dont think. just whack some good RAMsinks on you are set.

otherwise, that looks great. I would probably go for a bigger rad for that much cooling, but thats just me.

Bigger radiator? A 3x 120mm radiator? I would prefer to keep as much internal as possible, but with a triple 120mm radiator, that might have to be mounted externally.