So... my pump is on its way out.

[CurseTheSky]

Earlier today, I came home to find my computer making a really annoying noise. After some inspection, it's almost definately the pump to my liquid cooling setup. Unforunately, it's the cheapo that came with my case. The case is EXCELLENT, but the Thermaltake liquid cooling system is much less than that.

With that being said, I have a few things to consider. I would LOVE to upgrade this entire liquid cooling setup, but I don't have the money to at the moment. School is coming up, and I have books to buy... but I do need my computer in working order. The rest of the setup is only 3/8" diameter. I want to migrate to 1/2", but I can't afford to replace the waterblock and radiator right now. The pump has a reservoir connected to it, so I will need to buy both.

#1 - What do you suggest for a new pump? I was looking at this Swiftech pump: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835108082, but I'm not sure if it's the best choice. It's also out of stock.

#2 - Assuming the pump will have 1/2" fittings, are there any 1/2" to 3/8" adapters? It doesn't have to be on the pump itself, but I do need to keep the rest of my 3/8" setup for the moment.

#3 - What reservoir should I get? I would prefer something that fits into a 5 1/4" bay.

#4 - What radiator should I look into (eventually)? I'm looking at 3x120mm only.

Thanks for the help.

 

[PCTC2]

Look at Performance-PCs and Petrastechshop. They have options to select 3/8" fittings with pumps. The Swiftech is a nice pump. It has been hit and miss on lasting a long time but it does have admirable performance.

You can look around at Jab-tech or Frozen-CPU. They may have Typhoon 5.25" bay reservoirs. Otherwise, the Swiftech MicroRes for $20 is a great choice.

A good radiator that's 120.3 is the Swiftech MCR320-QP for $55. A great radiator is the Thermochill PA 120.3 for $130. The Swiftech is a much better deal for similar performance range.

 

[Raider1284]

if your worried about the 3/8 conversion you can try this pump http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835108063 it has 3/8 connectors and is a very nice powerful pump.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I'm really looking into 1/2" pumps with some sort of adapter somewhere in my line. Eventually I want to upgrade to all 1/2", I just can't shell out all the money right now.

I'll check into those though - thanks.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
if your worried about the 3/8 conversion you can try this pump http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835108063 it has 3/8 connectors and is a very nice powerful pump.

the 355 is a much better pump then the 350.

And the top can be replaced with this so it can take 1/2 ID barbs.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html


Anyhow OP, you got a PM. I replied to all your questions.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Thanks for the response / PM.

My last question is about radiators. How well will this: http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...-Radiator-pr-3320.html
compare to http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-...-Radiator-pr-3613.html or http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermo...-PA120.3-pr-3264.html? If the Swiftech isn't that horrible, I'll probably go with that instead. If it's like a night-and-day difference, I'll save up for the Thermochill.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Thanks for the response / PM.

My last question is about radiators. How well will this: http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...-Radiator-pr-3320.html
compare to http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-...-Radiator-pr-3613.html or http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermo...-PA120.3-pr-3264.html? If the Swiftech isn't that horrible, I'll probably go with that instead. If it's like a night-and-day difference, I'll save up for the Thermochill.

i told you the PA120.3 would give you more room on a single loop system. If your just cooling the cpu only, you wont see much of a difference. When you add the G80, your going to dump more heat onto the water, and the MCR320 will handle that fine as well. If you SLI, your going to hope you had the PA120.3 because it can handle a larger heat load.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Thanks for the response / PM.

My last question is about radiators. How well will this: http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...-Radiator-pr-3320.html
compare to http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-...-Radiator-pr-3613.html or http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermo...-PA120.3-pr-3264.html? If the Swiftech isn't that horrible, I'll probably go with that instead. If it's like a night-and-day difference, I'll save up for the Thermochill.

i told you the PA120.3 would give you more room on a single loop system. If your just cooling the cpu only, you wont see much of a difference. When you add the G80, your going to dump more heat onto the water, and the MCR320 will handle that fine as well. If you SLI, your going to hope you had the PA120.3 because it can handle a larger heat load.

Oops, missed that part.

Now it's time to bite the bullet and actually spend the money. I've decided to spend the extra cash and get everything at once instead of toying around with the rest of this Thermaltake setup. The fact that they (as far as I've been told) use both copper and aluminum in the loop, with God knows what else, kind of bugs me.

Thanks again.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Thanks for the response / PM.

My last question is about radiators. How well will this: http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...-Radiator-pr-3320.html
compare to http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-...-Radiator-pr-3613.html or http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermo...-PA120.3-pr-3264.html? If the Swiftech isn't that horrible, I'll probably go with that instead. If it's like a night-and-day difference, I'll save up for the Thermochill.

i told you the PA120.3 would give you more room on a single loop system. If your just cooling the cpu only, you wont see much of a difference. When you add the G80, your going to dump more heat onto the water, and the MCR320 will handle that fine as well. If you SLI, your going to hope you had the PA120.3 because it can handle a larger heat load.

Oops, missed that part.

Now it's time to bite the bullet and actually spend the money. I've decided to spend the extra cash and get everything at once instead of toying around with the rest of this Thermaltake setup. The fact that they (as far as I've been told) use both copper and aluminum in the loop, with God knows what else, kind of bugs me.

Thanks again.

Well make sure you messure out your front radiator holder. I dont know if a MCR320 will fit perfectly on it. You might need to do some mods for it to work well. Also the PA120.3 is definitely out of the question in mounting. The Kandolf will not support a front radiator that wide. So your basically left with 2 options. The MCR320, or the BlackIce GTS 360. The Blackice is a bit more thiner, but its performance is last when you compare it with a MCR320, and a PA120.3

 

[CurseTheSky]

Wow, good call. The Swiftech is about 3-5mm too wide, and just about the right depth. Everything else is way too wide or way too deep. That really throws a kink in plans. Better now than after buying it...

I'll have to look into what I can do to get a few extra millimeters out of the mounting brackets.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Wow, good call. The Swiftech is about 3-5mm too wide, and just about the right depth. Everything else is way too wide or way too deep. That really throws a kink in plans. Better now than after buying it...

I'll have to look into what I can do to get a few extra millimeters out of the mounting brackets.

hehe... thats why i know my products fairly well