Thinking about taking the plunge into WC

[fusedpro]

While never actually building my own computer, I've been researching for almost two years now and feel pretty confident in my selection of parts and assembly of them. Now that I've come into a good chunk of money (graduation) I feel that now would be a good time to build. The computer itself will be nothing fancy: Q9300 maybe a Q9450, 4GB of Crucial Ballistix Tracer, PC P&C 610W Silencer, and probably a 9800GTX+ being the main components. I know water cooling probably isn't the best option for the first build but I figure that's why there's forums like this. I've looked at the Newbie's guide probably a dozen or so times and still am having problems on the selection of parts. I'm mostly confused about the tubing, not sure what size I'll be needing or the importance of ID, OD, barbs, etc...

My loop will just consist of cooling the CPU, not going to worry about the GPU for now. If I do WC, I'll be buying from Petra's or JabTech - whichever happens to be cheaper. This what I currently have planned out:

CPU Block:
D-tek Fuzion V2

Radiator:
Swiftech MCR-220 or Black Ice GT stealth 240 (recommendations?)

Pump:
Swiftech MCP655? 12 VDC Pump

and probably some resevoir like this:
http://www.jab-tech.com/EK-Mul...100-rev.2-pr-3981.html

Of course, suggestion on part changes are greatly welcomed. Probably one of the more important factors is the case. All of this will be in an Antec 1200 where I'll probably mount the Radiator where the back 2 exhaust fans are...

Anyways, thanks for the future help and any information you can contribute. I'll be dropping by frequently throughout the night.

 

[aigomorla]

hi and welcome to the forum.

can i ask you a few questions first?

1. Have you built a custom pc b4?
2. It sounds like you did do a lot of research, however experience is where im worried about.

Watercooled rigs assume you grasped the basics of air cooled rigs. Air cooled rigs assumed that you know fairly well the inside of your computer and components.

If this is indeed your first project in custom, stay on stock air for a bit. And learn your parts. Maybe get aftermarket air, and after you played with it a few then jump on water.

Having a newbie in both PC building and h2o building will be too much work for you.

The water section for a firstimer requires at least 24 hours in installation due to a rediculous long leak test. <newbies never overcome a fear of a leak until months pass>

 

[fusedpro]

I haven't built my own PC before but I have changed the stock PSU, GPU, and RAM out of this pre-built I'm on now. I know, no where near the most complicated of tasks but it's a start. To back it all I have two buddies who've been building computers for awhile now, only problem is they've never dabbled in water cooling before so this is something completely new for all of us.

That was the plan though... I originally was going to buy a Nirvana (Zerotherm) and throw that on there but figured if I'm just going to WC eventually, just stick with stock. As for time, I have plenty. Currently on summer vacation and only working one to two days a week until college picks up.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: fusedpro
I haven't built my own PC before but I have changed the stock PSU, GPU, and RAM out of this pre-built I'm on now. I know, no where near the most complicated of tasks but it's a start. To back it all I have two buddies who've been building computers for awhile now, only problem is they've never dabbled in water cooling before so this is something completely new for all of us.

That was the plan though... I originally was going to buy a Nirvana (Zerotherm) and throw that on there but figured if I'm just going to WC eventually, just stick with stock. As for time, I have plenty. Currently on summer vacation and only working one to two days a week until college picks up.

hehe...

okey...

Then for now...

You want to get the largest radiator possible that you can fit. There are many ways to mount a radiator. External internal. Your creativity is its limitations.

As for your rad choices, i would go with the swiftech MCR series over the GTS. The MCR is probably my favorate all around radiator. Gives nice performance, and doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

For your block, that is an excellent block. Make sure you grab the quad plate accessory since your going to be using it on a quadcore.

The pump is were i would like to tweek it a bit. The D-tek is whats known as an accelerator block. If you read my sticky, you'll see i make note it requires good head pressure.

A better combo, although a tad bit more expensive is the MCP-355 + XSPC Res/TOP.

http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...v-DC-Pump-pr-3510.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-A...Laing-DDC-pr-4123.html

You basically take apart a that MPC-355 and attach the option TOP which is the XSPC onto it. Then your pump becomes a res/pump and has more head pressure/performance then that D5 you chose.

That 9800GX2 is going to require a larger class radiator if you want to keep it on single loop. However i recomend you dual looping it.


As for tubing, i recomend you going with 7/16ID tubing. Get ~15ft. to be safe from oops.
http://www.jab-tech.com/Master...ID-5-8-OD-pr-3079.html

Make sure all your block options have 1/2 for barbs. And you should be good to go.

Oh one last thing, with 7/16id tubing and 1/2 barbs you can use zipties as clamps. Makes thigns nice for you.
The MCR series rad has plastic barbs which is absolute crap. I would recomend you buying 2 of these to replace them:

http://www.jab-tech.com/Danger...-1-2-Barb-pr-4181.html

 

[fusedpro]

So, just to simplify things for me, will this be all that I need?

CPU Block:
http://www.jab-tech.com/D-tek-Fuzion-V2-pr-4155.html

QuadCore Insert:
http://www.jab-tech.com/D-tek-...re-Insert-pr-4154.html

Pump:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...v-DC-Pump-pr-3510.html

Radiator:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...tor-Black-pr-3199.html

Reservoir:
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-A...Laing-DDC-pr-4123.html

Tubing:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Master...ID-5-8-OD-pr-3079.html

Barbs:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Danger...-1-2-Barb-pr-4181.html

That should do it, right? Will I need to worry about a T-line or anything? Guess the only other thing I might need is fans but I can pick up some Yate Loons or something for cheap.

Thanks again for all the help aig.

 

[aigomorla]

that should cover it.

Oh you'll need the coolant mix. Distilled water, and your choice of either red or blue pentosion. You can find that at jab-tech also.

If you want you can add a T line on the bottom somewhere for a drain.

Just a quick question tho, are you impartial to the EK?

 

[fusedpro]

I'm not really impartial to any brand, just whatever happens to offer the best performance for the least amount of cash.

Back to the T-line though, would you recommend I have one or is it really just a "if you feel you want one then go ahead" sort of thing?

Distilled water is easy enough but just to clarify, is this the other thing you were talking about?
http://www.jab-tech.com/Dtek-L...lear-Blue-pr-3702.html

Finally, what TEC would you recommend? I've heard good things about this: http://www.jab-tech.com/Tuniq-...mal-paste-pr-4063.html (I originally had AC MX-2 but heard this performs just the same for cheaper...)

 

[fusedpro]

Apologies for the double post, just wanting to figure some things out. Would you recommend this CPU block over the Dtek V2 with the same pump/res?
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...ml?tl=g30c85s141#blank

Questions from my last post still stand but on the T-line, if you do recommend one, could you point out a good one plus and endcap for the tubing I'd be using?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: fusedpro
Apologies for the double post, just wanting to figure some things out. Would you recommend this CPU block over the Dtek V2 with the same pump/res?
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...ml?tl=g30c85s141#blank

Questions from my last post still stand but on the T-line, if you do recommend one, could you point out a good one plus and endcap for the tubing I'd be using?

that is the ek supreme. That is also what i currently use and am very happy with it.

You will need to buy a backplate for it. Also some board will require a different mount plate. What board is this going in?


http://www.jab-tech.com/Pentos...lant-Blue-pr-3707.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/Pentos...-Red-Pink-pr-3759.html

end cap.

I personally like these, however you can just use a regular plug.
http://www.shoppts.com/dadentuplf1i.html

 

[fusedpro]

The board all of this will go on is the DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813136043

 

[aigomorla]

yeah the EK will have no problems on it.

 

[fusedpro]

Good to hear.

Last thing, would you recommend I order everything now and get a head start on testing everything? To be honest, I have no idea when I'll be building this computer of mine so this loop could be without a home for upwards of two or so months...

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: fusedpro
Good to hear.

Last thing, would you recommend I order everything now and get a head start on testing everything? To be honest, I have no idea when I'll be building this computer of mine so this loop could be without a home for upwards of two or so months...

unless your patient like evil. No.

The more parts you see, the more chances of you trying to mickey mouse.

Wait til your ready to sit down and really start.

 

[Nathelion]

You're getting into the WC? Cool stuff. But... most of us are referring to the internet when we talk about surfing the series of tubes.

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[EvilSponge]

unless your patient like evil. No.

LOL yeah it's true take your time. I've learned allot. Just customizing your case to accommodate water cooling is a whole separate thing takes lots of time to do it right well maybe more time for me as I'm a WC noob but a very experienced PC builder/user. Keep picking Aig's brain a wealth of information to be found there. If I can offer only one peice of advise so far do yourself a favor and buy a modular power supply it will save you many headaches down the road I wish I had.

-sponge

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: EvilSponge

unless your patient like evil. No.

LOL yeah it's true take your time. I've learned allot. Just customizing your case to accommodate water cooling is a whole separate thing takes lots of time to do it right well maybe more time for me as I'm a WC noob but a very experienced PC builder/user. Keep picking Aig's brain a wealth of information to be found there. If I can offer only one peice of advise so far do yourself a favor and buy a modular power supply it will save you many headaches down the road I wish I had.

-sponge

LOL...

modular doesnt help evil

why? Cuz you need to connect your pumps, fan controller, hard drives, optical, gpu...

Before you realize it, you used up all the rails on your psu. :rofl:

 

[EvilSponge]

Damn this water cooling stuff is a pain in the %$#@! well there goes my noob tip of the day please disregard LOL

-sponge

 

[msarp]

I had a water set-up with the DFI. No problems!
I would definitely go with the Swiftech MCR-220 and Swiftech MCP655?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: msarp
I had a water set-up with the DFI. No problems!
I would definitely go with the Swiftech MCR-220 and Swiftech MCP655?

Why?

The 220 is fine, even for a quad if you're aiming for quiet and not high end overclocking, depending on fan choice of course, but the 655 has some major design flaws and I, as well as most others here, would reccomend the 355 with the XSPC ResTop well before a 655.