• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Water Cooling setup assistance

Bullmecha

Member
Looking into the world of WC for my machine. Had a post here earlier but decided to renew it here.

Looking into a setup similar to the one showed here :
http://i290.photobucket.com/al...62/Grieve666/good1.jpg

A list of good parts, not really the cheapest but not the uber expensive, willing to put a few $$$ into it, would be a great help.

Also I would like to start off with a CPU and GPU loop then maybe add in NB and other locations later on as I get a grasp of how it works.
 
Check out these two threads.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2005078&enterthread=y

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=202394

Then you can start piecing together your own loop and post it for evaluation/tips.

Two awesome stores to get your watercooling goods from are:

http://www.petrastechshop.com/

http://www.jab-tech.com/


That setup you have posted looks like it has two radiators, one in the back and one at the top. Probably an MCR320 in the back and and maybe an MCR220 or 120 in the top.
The cpu block is an Apogee GTX which is an older block at this point, and known to self destruct (copper + aluminum = galvanic corrosion.)
It's using a T-line instead of a reservoir and I can't tell what pump it has.

Really check out those two threads I linked though, they'll give you a good idea of what's what in watercooling.
 
Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Check out these two threads.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2005078&enterthread=y

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=202394

Then you can start piecing together your own loop and post it for evaluation/tips.

Two awesome stores to get your watercooling goods from are:

http://www.petrastechshop.com/

http://www.jab-tech.com/


That setup you have posted looks like it has two radiators, one in the back and one at the top. Probably an MCR320 in the back and and maybe an MCR220 or 120 in the top.

Really check out those two threads I linked though, they'll give you a good idea of what's what in watercooling.

Bullmecha, Grieve's water cooling set up, which you linked a photo to is described here:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/.../page-270095_13_0.html

He uses a Swiftech MCR320 with 3x Scythe S flex fans and a Swiftech Radbox, Swiftech MCP655 pump, a Swiftech Apogee GTZ water block and a T-line which doubles as a fill port and a drain. He didn't use a res.

Couple of changes I would make (for a CPU only loop):
EK Supreme water block
3x Yate Loon fans (they are good bang for $)
Change the MCP655 pump for the MCP355 and use an XSPC res and top (provided it will fit in the bottom right of the case).

I'm not that familiar with a single loop for both the CPU and graphics card. Others with more experience can chime in on this: For example would it be better to have separate loops for the graphics card and CPU? Is the MCP355 man enough to cope with the CPU and graphics card on a single loop? I don't know.

Here's some full cover blocks for the X2 (covers GPUs and memory) for you to look at:
http://www.dangerden.com/store...ter-block.html?&cat=47
http://www.performance-pcs.com...info&products_id=24364
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hegp48forati.html
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ekwaekx2accf.html
 
If I run both the CPU and the GPU on there own loop would 2 smaller Res. work with 2 smaller size pumps? Instead of a 120x3 for both or similar type.
 
Originally posted by: Bullmecha
If I run both the CPU and the GPU on there own loop would 2 smaller Res. work with 2 smaller size pumps? Instead of a 120x3 for both or similar type.

As far as I'm aware you need to make sure that your pump (or pumps) are matched to your CPU block (read Aigo's guide) and presumably also the GPU block.

You would only need one res even if you are running two pumps in series.

Aigo has a dual pump top where you can fit two MCP355s together. Oh here it is (he has an Alphacool top, which I couldn't find - the one I link below is made by EK):
http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/s...o-top-g1-4-acetal.html

Here's some others:
http://www.coolercases.co.uk/a..._Accessories.html#a490
http://www.aquacooledpc.co.uk/...khmt3iub38ura3encgvch5

Again, I don't know if two pumps will be required, but the information I've linked may be useful any way.

Also 120mm rad plus 120mm rad will perform worse than the equivalent 240mm rad. Likewise, a 360mm rad will outperfom a 240mm rad and 120mm rad connected in series. (Sorry - I can't find the post that I read this in).
 
You could always try and mount a 160mm rad in the top of the case (where the 200mm dia fan is). It looks as if there is enough room to do it, although you would have to check.

You would have to make a 200mm dia to 160mm dia fan adapter, but that is not a big deal if you have a demel and an off cut of aluminium or acrylic, etc.

Here's the rad you can use:
http://www.ncixus.com/products...3/PA160.1/Thermochill/

And this is the thread where I got the idea from:
http://www.overclock.net/water...m-radiator-heater.html

You can then run two loops; one for the CPU and another for the GPU.
 
Originally posted by: daw123


Couple of changes I would make (for a CPU only loop):
EK Supreme water block



Actually, I'd reconsider this recommendation and suggest the new Swiftech XT cpu block. Much better temps....actually beats the last "champ" in temps, the Watercool HK 3.0, and has better flow rate than the flow-killer EK Supreme. And this doesn't even touch on the fact the Swiftech block has a vastly superior mounting system....one which the rest of the manufacturers should move to.

Thread about the new XT w/testing by Vapor.
 
Originally posted by: Meghan54
Originally posted by: daw123


Couple of changes I would make (for a CPU only loop):
EK Supreme water block



Actually, I'd reconsider this recommendation and suggest the new Swiftech XT cpu block. Much better temps....actually beats the last "champ" in temps, the Watercool HK 3.0, and has better flow rate than the flow-killer EK Supreme. And this doesn't even touch on the fact the Swiftech block has a vastly superior mounting system....one which the rest of the manufacturers should move to.

Thread about the new XT w/testing by Vapor.

I did a quick Google search and you are right that the Swiftech XT is the daddy at the moment of the water block world.
 
are the parts in your sig?

Watercooling has a minimum cost, and then you have what are called options.

Min parts is usually a rad block and pump.

everything else from that is an option.

The most expensive part i can see is your board and gpu unless u core only the gpu.

how much of a budget were you looking at?

sometimes the extra 2-3C isnt worth it on the cpu when you can get a cheaper block and offset it on something else.
 
Budget wise its not that important.. Since I am just starting out . around $400 or so i'd say.. I don't want the cheapest out there but I don't want to go all out on the first attempt. As far as Parts you mean the CPU and GPU, yes they are in my sig.
 
the first problem is see is your case.

The Antec 900, which is praised for its high capacity air cooling.. well... its not meant for water... its meant for air...
Two holes in the rear for you to "theoretically pass tubes though" does not mean its a water friendly case. 😛
Do you mind if you mount the radiator outside like how it is in the picture?

I could point you to the right parts you would need for a mid-upper tier setup.

We call that range your investing mid-upper tier. 😛
 
Yes I don't mind adding the Radiator to the back of the case. I was thinking of using the parts i listed in a previous post... Water Cooling Issue is topic.

Those looked , to me, to be good parts for a setup.. Edit those or delete them all if you think they are decent enough parts.
 
give me some time..

i'll help you pick out great parts.
 
Back
Top