Water cooling / fan - need suggestions

[Ruger22Br]

Could anyone suggest a good water cooling set for me, and an external magnet-less fan? I figure I'll leave both sides of the PC open and put a sort of bird-cage around it to keep the dog out. Put it a couple foot behind the desk and some medium to block out the sound.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Ruger22Br
Could anyone suggest a good water cooling set for me, and an external magnet-less fan? I figure I'll leave both sides of the PC open and put a sort of bird-cage around it to keep the dog out. Put it a couple foot behind the desk and some medium to block out the sound.

HELLO! welcome to the forums.

Im the resident watercooling specialist here. Well the one that aparrently helps the most people.


A few basic questions b4 i can recomend anything to you:

1. Budget
2. Cooling objectives. Like what do you intend to watercool.
3. Case make and model.

Lastly, what are you aiming at? super overclocks? or super quiet? There built differently so b4 i can custom you a nice setup, or point you in the right direction, you will need to answer these basic questions.


Lastly, are you getting a quadcore? Is it barcelona? or the 260 Q6600. This question is very important on the waterblock choice.


EDIT: one very important last question too. Are you USA? or out of country. Store recomendations are needed for this question.

 

[Ruger22Br]

I wouldn't be getting it for a few months (6?), so I suppose quad core.

My objective is to overclock, I'm not 'too' concerned about noise. I'll put something between my tower and I to block sound.
Case, whatever I suppose. I'll be keeping both sides open.

I'm looking to OC the video card, CPU, and RAM.. although I assume there is no water cooling for RAM?

Max. budget for cooling products.. $800?

 

[Ruger22C]

Bump. Yes, my Ruger22br is removed.

 

[abhong]

after some research, well, after a little research, overwhelmed by my anxiety to get a WC'd machine made, i went with a kit to start.

Swiftech Kit

this kit is pretty good, got all the parts you need. the parts may not be the best but it is a decent starter kit.
not too difficult to do a Water Cooled system... lot of research does help tho... and in my experience, lots of planning... LOTS...
dont drill holes till you are certain you are going to mount this, here, that there...
but after putting it all together... this is my final product, my first water cooled build...

1st Water Cooled System

now, reinforced with a little more confidence, i looked up and bought the parts individually for my 2nd build.... the first one was my bro's btw. yea, he was the guinea pig... shhhh...

CPU Block: Swiftech Apogee GTX Extreme @ $75.95
nice looking block, they say it is compatible with other CPU's but you can see this is built for the 775 socket... i tried this on my 939... i dont like how it sits...

PUMP: MCP355 w/Custom Derlin DDC Top @ $95.95
*note* after purchase, i have to say, i think i prefer the regular, non-derlin top.

RAD: HWLabs Black Ice GTX120 @ $70.95
*note* this is thicker than other Radiators... almost 5cm thick... so be aware of the size if you have limited space in your case.
but i am quite pleased with the make of this product...

RES: MCRES-Micro Reservoir @ $ 19.95
nice, clear so you can see your fluids... the fill cap plastic is very soft and i am starting to strip the head by opening and closing it too often.

as for tubes, i am using 3/8" Tygon Tubes with the anti-kinking coils. i have to admit, the Tygon tubes are softer than i thought... the tubes that came with the Swiftech kit was somewhat stiff... did not kink much but Tygon, i think i am glad i have the coils.

i also bought all metal barbs for fittings.

ah, read up on some of these sites and forums about cleaning out the reservoir... it does have some junk in there somethimes...

have fun...

btw, my build so far...

My 2nd Build, Pic 1

My 2nd Build, Pic 2

 

[drakore]

Ok if you want a premium kit get this:

Petra Tech Water Cooling Kit Rev.2 w/o radiator
Swiftech MicroResevoir
Thermochill PA120.3 <-- best radiator
2 x EK High-Flow Fitting (G 1/4" Thread, 1/2" OD)
2 x AquaXtreme High-Flow Fitting (G 3/8" Thread, 1/2" OD)

For the CPU Block Keep this is mind:

Apogee GTX Bowed is better than the D-TEK Fuzion, but if not bowed then they are pretty much the same. The D-TEK fuzion is a non-restrictive flow waterblock, so are the Swiftech Apogee GT/GTX.

With a quad core the minimum for a radiator you should get is the Swiftech MCR320-QP. Since you are doing more than a CPU in the loop I highly recommend you get a Thermochill PA120.3 since they are the king of radiators. You can cool better and have the fans running at a low speed. You will also need to get a shroud for the radiator... Total cost for this system comes to about 450$ USD, but keep in mind you will be getting a top tier system...

I think all this info is correct... i'm sure aigomorla will soon confirm some of this info...

 

[drakore]

Oh another thing, if you want to have premium cooling don't get that swiftech kit. You are better off saving your money and going with air. Watercooling requires time, money, and patience. So keep this all in mind before making the switch. Read aigomorla's guide (if you haven't read it already).

 

[abhong]

yes, unfortunately, i learned a bit late that the Thermochill came so highly recommended...

but PA120.3? that is a lot of fans and a lot of radiator... gonna need a lot of room for that...

i am not any pro-water cooler... i am at best, a amateur only learning and doing for the sake of satisfying my curiosity... the thread by aigomorla is very detailed and i learned a lot from it myself.

question for you Drakore, what would you recommend for a starter?

 

[drakore]

Depends how much money you want to put in... but honestly i think if u are going to get watercooling then you should go with something to guarantee good results...

Here's what I got for my first kit:

Petra'sTech CoolKit Elite - Rev.2 (no rad) = $201.04
Thermochill PA120.3 Fan Shroud = $18.99
2 x EK High-Flow Fitting (G 1/4" Thread, 1/2" OD) @ $2.35 = $4.70
2 x AquaXtreme High-Flow Fitting (G 3/8" Thread, 1/2" OD) @ $2.75 = $5.50
1 x Yate Loon D12SH-12 (I need 3 total and I believe there is 2 with the kit) = $5.95
3x Aluminum Fan Filter ? Black @ 3.99 USD = $11.97

Subtotal: 248.15 USD

Then:
Thermochill PA120.3 Radiator ~140$ USD
Swiftech MicroResevoir ~ $20 USD

That whole kit will do anyone a lot of good. It can handle a quad-core, 8800GTX, and northbridge cooler in the same loops without a problem

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: abhong
after some research, well, after a little research, overwhelmed by my anxiety to get a WC'd machine made, i went with a kit to start.

Swiftech Kit

this kit is pretty good, got all the parts you need. the parts may not be the best but it is a decent starter kit.
not too difficult to do a Water Cooled system... lot of research does help tho... and in my experience, lots of planning... LOTS...
dont drill holes till you are certain you are going to mount this, here, that there...
but after putting it all together... this is my final product, my first water cooled build...

1st Water Cooled System

now, reinforced with a little more confidence, i looked up and bought the parts individually for my 2nd build.... the first one was my bro's btw. yea, he was the guinea pig... shhhh...

CPU Block: Swiftech Apogee GTX Extreme @ $75.95
nice looking block, they say it is compatible with other CPU's but you can see this is built for the 775 socket... i tried this on my 939... i dont like how it sits...

PUMP: MCP355 w/Custom Derlin DDC Top @ $95.95
*note* after purchase, i have to say, i think i prefer the regular, non-derlin top.

RAD: HWLabs Black Ice GTX120 @ $70.95
*note* this is thicker than other Radiators... almost 5cm thick... so be aware of the size if you have limited space in your case.
but i am quite pleased with the make of this product...

RES: MCRES-Micro Reservoir @ $ 19.95
nice, clear so you can see your fluids... the fill cap plastic is very soft and i am starting to strip the head by opening and closing it too often.

as for tubes, i am using 3/8" Tygon Tubes with the anti-kinking coils. i have to admit, the Tygon tubes are softer than i thought... the tubes that came with the Swiftech kit was somewhat stiff... did not kink much but Tygon, i think i am glad i have the coils.

i also bought all metal barbs for fittings.

ah, read up on some of these sites and forums about cleaning out the reservoir... it does have some junk in there somethimes...

have fun...

btw, my build so far...

My 2nd Build, Pic 1

My 2nd Build, Pic 2

Your research led you to this:

The apogeeGTX will work.
The pumps will work.
The radiator WILL NOT WORK.
The reservoir will work.

The radiator WILL NOT WORK, because its crap. Sorry, but it really is CRAP.

Lets do some math now: Since people believe numbers more then experience.

The average QUADCORE @ stock puts out about 110W of heat. Now the swiftech MCR220 was tested to disapate efficiently 130-150W of heat.

WOW, you just almost overshot your radiator on a MCR220, which is a 120x2, and also a MUCH better radiator then BLACKICE.


Hey op, wait a little bit. Im currently talking to the owner of JAB-TECH.com to incorporate a QUADCORE EXTREME COOLING package. This should help a lot of newbies cool quadcores next month when the price drops. Also, you would get everything from 1 retailer and it would be ready to go out of the box.

So when it does come out, which i hope soon and b4 the quadcore price drops, i promise you the prices will be GREAT!, its JABTECH!

And since im planning the parts with john, the owner, The parts will be AWESOME.


Incase anyone is also wondering, I AM NOT RECIEVEING ANY COMPENSATION OR COMMISSION ON THESE SALE, and I WONT ASK FOR ANY.

I asked the owner directly for a kit like that, so it would be easier to advise and recomend. Plus john's a great guy and he's really fun to talk to.

-PEACE


Update on this so called extreme package:
"Anyway back to the kits, it is really an awesome idea, it may take me a couple weeks to get things going with them though.. I am kinda snowed under as it is with new products, some have been sat here for a week+ waiting to get listed ! "


So guys, hold out a bit. John is getting his stuff together to launch this package. And yes it will have a Thermochill PA120.3


On another note, he has the infamous alphacool DDC-2 tops which have shown to beat petras in testing on 2 different sites. So expect a great summer for watercooling!

 

[abhong]

The apogeeGTX will work.
The pumps will work.
The radiator WILL NOT WORK.
The reservoir will work.

The radiator WILL NOT WORK, because its crap. Sorry, but it really is CRAP.

Lets do some math now: Since people believe numbers more then experience.

The average QUADCORE @ stock puts out about 110W of heat. Now the swiftech MCR220 was tested to disapate efficiently 130-150W of heat.

WOW, you just almost overshot your radiator on a MCR220, which is a 120x2, and also a MUCH better radiator then BLACKICE.

ok, surprised and yet VERY GLAD that you pointed something out for me...

1) not challenging your statement but rather to learn, where can i get the Heat Dissipation Data on the HWLabs radiator?

2) due to limited available space inside the case, and not wanting to mount a radiator on outside, i want to stay within the 120x1 sized radiator, hence will the PA120.1 work?

3) i am doing a single CPU loop only, again, will a single PA120.1 radiator suffice?

this is definitely a learning experience... at a cost of a nice looking radiator... but definitely an experience...

thanks for reply...

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: abhong

The apogeeGTX will work.
The pumps will work.
The radiator WILL NOT WORK.
The reservoir will work.

The radiator WILL NOT WORK, because its crap. Sorry, but it really is CRAP.

Lets do some math now: Since people believe numbers more then experience.

The average QUADCORE @ stock puts out about 110W of heat. Now the swiftech MCR220 was tested to disapate efficiently 130-150W of heat.

WOW, you just almost overshot your radiator on a MCR220, which is a 120x2, and also a MUCH better radiator then BLACKICE.

ok, surprised and yet VERY GLAD that you pointed something out for me...

1) not challenging your statement but rather to learn, where can i get the Heat Dissipation Data on the HWLabs radiator?

2) due to limited available space inside the case, and not wanting to mount a radiator on outside, i want to stay within the 120x1 sized radiator, hence will the PA120.1 work?

3) i am doing a single CPU loop only, again, will a single PA120.1 radiator suffice?

this is definitely a learning experience... at a cost of a nice looking radiator... but definitely an experience...

thanks for reply...

hello! i see your running a p180. with some light mods, you could mount a PA160 instead. Thbe PA160 would give you near performance of a PA120.2. Also would fit in the front hd cage as long as you took the cage out. And is your best upgrade at the moment.

As for the radiator tests, i would need to dig it up for you, however the only radiator you should look at from blackice is there GTX. With high cfm fans, something in the 70+ range, these guys can match close to thermochill's PA120.3

But they will be a lot louder. The PA series will be your best if you desire quiet.

Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Ruger22C]

"This should help a lot of newbies cool quadcores next month when the price drops."

Price drop, you say? I didn't pay attention, but the MoBo I chose supports Quad Core .

 

[drakore]

If you didn't know already there is a price drop announced for July 22nd where a Q6600 will be 266$ US

 

[Ruger22C]

Darkore, how did you find out? Is there something published that I can see all the announced proce drops?

 

[Raider1284]

Originally posted by: Ruger22C
Darkore, how did you find out? Is there something published that I can see all the announced proce drops?

here ya go:
http://www.pcstats.com/NewsView.cfm?NewsID=58654

 

[genec57]

Hey op, wait a little bit. Im currently talking to the owner of JAB-TECH.com to incorporate a QUADCORE EXTREME COOLING package. This should help a lot of newbies cool quadcores next month when the price drops. Also, you would get everything from 1 retailer and it would be ready to go out of the box.

So when it does come out, which i hope soon and b4 the quadcore price drops, i promise you the prices will be GREAT!, its JABTECH!

And since im planning the parts with john, the owner, The parts will be AWESOME.


Incase anyone is also wondering, I AM NOT RECIEVEING ANY COMPENSATION OR COMMISSION ON THESE SALE, and I WONT ASK FOR ANY.

I asked the owner directly for a kit like that, so it would be easier to advise and recomend. Plus john's a great guy and he's really fun to talk to.

-PEACE


Update on this so called extreme package:
"Anyway back to the kits, it is really an awesome idea, it may take me a couple weeks to get things going with them though.. I am kinda snowed under as it is with new products, some have been sat here for a week+ waiting to get listed ! "


So guys, hold out a bit. John is getting his stuff together to launch this package. And yes it will have a Thermochill PA120.3


On another note, he has the infamous radical DDC-2 tops which have shown to beat petras in testing on 2 different sites. So expect a great summer for watercooling![/quote]

I am planning to get the Q6600 when the price drops and would be very interested in the kit you mention as soon as you guys get it put together.
As a water cooling noob the idea of a good, well designed kit is very attractive.

 

[gus6464]

Last year when I bought my opty rig I decided to try watercooling and it was very fun setting it up. I decided to go full custom and spent about 400 bucks on parts. Since I went for a Black Ice Xtreme III I needed high CFM fans so I deciced to build a custom box to house the rad, pump, and fillport.

I went extreme custom so I got an Iwaki MD-20RLZ pump, BIX 3 rad with 3 panaflo 114cfm fans (super loud), and swiftech storm cpu waterblock. I was able to oc my opty 165 to 2.9ghz with no problem and keep it very cool.

I will going for a Q6600 at the price so I am thinking of taking my iwaki pump and making that my new water system. But this time to have less noise I am thinking of going with a PA120.3 rad and some yate loons. What you could do is make a box with some mdf wood and get some packing foam to line the inside of the box to keep some noise down. I would say go for a PA120.2 and some low speed yate loons. The difference between the HE and PA series rads is that the HE series require high cfm fans while the PA series use low cfm fans so its up to you.

You should check out the forums at www.xtremesystems.com/forums they have a ton of guides for all the watercooling gear and which places to buy from. Thats where I did most of my research. Good luck

 

[MotF Bane]

Abhong.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=143916
There's an idea for water cooling a P180.

Aigomorla, you have any links to the Alphacool beating out the Petra top? So far all I could find was...
http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=117215
That test shows a tight match.
Also, you mention that the Blackice GTX can almost approach PA120.3 levels at high CFM. What about a Swiftech MCR320, could that do the same thing?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
Abhong.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=143916
There's an idea for water cooling a P180.

Aigomorla, you have any links to the Alphacool beating out the Petra top? So far all I could find was...
http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=117215
That test shows a tight match.
Also, you mention that the Blackice GTX can almost approach PA120.3 levels at high CFM. What about a Swiftech MCR320, could that do the same thing?

to number one. I am naekuh on that forum.

to number 2, The alphacool top was ran on 2 different tests. Petras showed that the top was really good for the ddc-2, however it was very lacking in the original DDC-1.

About the alphacool tops:
"I don't have any Alphacool tops left, they aren't worth importing at current pricing either. The Dtek nozzles Danny says will be released within 2 weeks..We should get them pretty quick.

Kits are going to be a project.. I don't have any thermochill rads available and it will probably be weeks before I get any more. Ofcourse I need the rads so I can take pictures.

John"


BIGTX had a thread over at xs forums. The mcr220 is suposed to perform near the PA series if you give them faster fans. But for noise/performance PA series wins all the way.


Hes desperately trying to get the PA's in stock to launch this package. The alphacool tops are no go, i personally like them better then petras cuz of there looks.

 

[MotF Bane]

I thought Naekuh's system looked familiar to a worklog over here...

Unfortunately though, DDC-1 and DDC-2 appear to be gone, now it's just those DDC-3.X units.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane


I thought Naekuh's system looked familiar to a worklog over here...

Unfortunately though, DDC-1 and DDC-2 appear to be gone, now it's just those DDC-3.X units.

lol...

yes they are both me.

Naekuh and Aigomorla are both korean words.

Naekuh = Mine As in its MINE.

Aigomorla = "i dont know", but im a annoyed way. its something one usually says when they dont know, and they dont care.

 

[goodguy8705]

This is what I'm doing for my quad-core system when the price drops:

Pump: Swiftech MCP655
Radiator: Swiftech MCR320-QP
Reservoir: Swiftech MCRes-Micro
CPU Block: D-TEK Fuzion
Fans: 3 x Yate Loons D12SM-12 (70 cfm @ 33 dB)
Mounting: Swiftech MCB-120
Tubing: Masterkleer 7/16" ID Tubing

All this good stuff can be had for around $250 not counting the liquid.

I'm mounting the radiotor on the back so this may not be an option for you.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: goodguy8705
This is what I'm doing for my quad-core system when the price drops:

Pump: Swiftech MCP655
Radiator: Swiftech MCR320-QP
Reservoir: Swiftech MCRes-Micro
CPU Block: D-TEK Fuzion
Fans: 3 x Yate Loons D12SM-12 (70 cfm @ 33 dB)
Mounting: Swiftech MCB-120
Tubing: Masterkleer 7/16" ID Tubing

All this good stuff can be had for around $250 not counting the liquid.

I'm mounting the radiotor on the back so this may not be an option for you.

that gets a thumbs up from me.

 

[genec57]

My water cooling gear is on the way. I plan to set it up with my E6600 system so it will be ready to go when the price drops on the Q6600

Pump: Laing DDC with Petra top
Reservoir: Swiftech MCRES Micro
Radiator: Black Ice GTX 240
Mounting: Swiftech MCB-120
CPU Block: Swiftech Apogee GTX
Fans are Silverstone FM-121
Tubing is masterkleer 7/16

Goodguy and I must be reading the same threads .