First of, you have a full tower case. Believe me that helps when trying to fit all the water cooling goodies inside.
Have a read of this first:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2005078&enterthread=y
Whats your budget?
I presume from the OP, that you will only be looking to cool the CPU, so it will be a single loop. For new components, you will likely be looking at a cost around the $300 mark for a single loop for the CPU only.
A pretty decent loop is as follows:
1x Swiftech MCP355 pump: $66 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
1x Swiftech MCR320 3x120mm long radiator: $48 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
3x 120mm dia Yate Loon fans: $17.85
1x Koolance 350 CPU block: $88 (from Frozen CPU)
1x XSPC reservoir and replacement pump top: $40 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
1x G3/8" to G1/4" Adapter (to fit in the top of the reservoir for the fill port): $8 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
8x G1/4 Fat Boy Barbs: $20 (from Sidewinder / Petras) I hope my arithmetic is correct
13-23mm worm-drive clamps: $3.60 (1x pack of 10)
15"x Masterkleer 7/16" ID tubing: $8.85 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
1x Danger Den Delrin Fillport: $13 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
Distilled water and additives (pentosin & PT Nuke): say $10
Total: $323.30
Note the separate fillport above. This just makes it easier to fill the loop without having to mess about inside the case (i.e. fill the loop from the fillport on the top of the reservoir) and risk spillage on expensive components. It does however require a 1" hole cut in the top of the case.
And if you want to add a T-line for draining:
1x 1/2" copper PEX T-fittings: $2.81
2x G1/4 Aqua Computer Ball valve: $6.50 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
3x G1/4 Fat Boy Barbs: $7.50
3"x Masterkleer 7/15" ID tubing: $1.77
Sub total: $18.58 (revised total: $341.88)
Your loop will be connected something like this: CPU -> Radiator -> Pump / Reservoir -> CPU (or it can be: CPU -> Radiator -> Reservoir -> Pump -> CPU)
For the tubing, I would go with 1/2" OD barbs with slightly smaller (for a tight fit), 7/16" ID tubing (Masterkleer because its cheap). When you do it the first time buy lots of tubing, because you are likely to make cock ups. Then use the worm clamps to clamp the tubing on to the barbs.
If you want the T-line for easily draining of the system, then you will put the T-piece for the T-line at the lowest point in your loop, perhaps between the pump outlet and CPU block inlet, assuming your pump is mounted lower in the case than the reservoir and the radiator is mounted near the top.
You can also just use a T-line for bleeding and filling / topping up the system (getting air out of the loop, when you first fill the system), so you can omit the reservoir and fill port from the above. However, if you don't use a reservoir (for cost / space purposes), it takes a hell of a lot longer to bleed the system and its a pita.
You will need the XSPC pump top if you are using the Swiftech MCP355 pump and 7/16" ID tubing because the standard plastic Swiftech pump top comes with integral 3/8" barbs and you need 1/2" barbs. These plastic 3/8" barbs are formed into the plastic top and cannot be removed nor replaced.
You can substitute the CPU water block for something else (the Koolance 350 mentioned above is pricey), such as the EK Supreme ($64) or Apogee GTZ ($70), which are both pretty good.
You could also go for a smaller radiator, if space dictates, such as the MCR220 (2x 120mm long) for $45 (from Petras). For the sake of $8 (plus $5.95 for the additional 120mm dia fan), if you can afford it and it will fit, go with the bigger radiator. It means you can add other stuff on to the loop later (although Aigo usually suggests that the CPU should be on its own loop). Plus, the MCR320 has a larger surface area than the MCR220, so it will provide better heat dissipation.
You could also go for the MCP655 pump (without speed control: $70) with a Swiftech Microres reservoir ($24.50). Note that CPU water blocks suit certain pumps; you will need to do some research into which block / pump combo works best for you.
Originally posted by: Phew
In my research, those two blocks [Apogee GTZ and Fuzion V2] were pretty much dead even in performance. For pumps, it seems like the [Swiftech MCP]655 is better for a loop of very low restriction blocks (like the Fuzion), whereas the [Swiftech MCP]355+[XSPC]top is the better option as you get more head loss in your loop. I bought a 655 first, then changed my mind and got a 355+res top for the higher flowrate with the [Koolance] KL-350, and the convenience of integrated pump and reservoir.
So the parts list is revised to:
1x MCP655 pump without speed control: $70 (From Sidewinder)
1x Swiftech Microres: $24.50 (From Sidewinder)
1x Swiftech MCR320 3x120mm long radiator: $48 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
3x 120mm dia Yate Loon fans: $17.85 (from Petras)
1x Koolance 350 CPU block: $88 (from Frozen CPU)
10x G1/4 Fat Boy Barbs: $25 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
13-23mm worm-drive clamps: $3.60 (1x pack of 10)
15"x Masterkleer 7/16" ID tubing: $8.85 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
1x Danger Den Delrin Fillport: $13 (from Sidewinder / Petras)
Distilled water and additives (pentosin & PT Nuke): say $10
Total: $308.80
For the coolant (and best bang for buck), just use distilled water with pentosin (anti-corrosive additive) and PT Nuke (biocide), rather than the expensive manufacturer's pre-mixed solutions.
You will find that the hardest thing to fit in the case is the radiator. You may have to think outside the box (or case) for a solution. The radiator is usually mounted in the top of the case either internally (with holes and fan grille through the top panel) or externally. The pump and reservoir is generally easy; you stick them wherever they will fit. As I said before, having a full tower case helps a lot.
Some good liquid cooling shops:
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
http://www.petrastechshop.com/
Note. The above costs (for the US) do not include shipping, additional taxes, discounts, etc.
Final note. Plan your loop in advance; know which components you are going to use and where, before placing any orders. It will be kinder on your wallet this way.
Quite a bit to take in and digest.
P.S. Sorry for the 'War and Peace' length response.
Edit: Oops forgot the fans for on the rad. Yate Loons are pretty good (and cheap).
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