Watercooling Help

[Ryder401]

Hi, can someone please tell me what is the best type of watercooling system to get to go with a BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC Extreme WaterCooled as I've just got one for a Present and I don't have watercooling.

Thanks.

 

[aigomorla]

crap.. you did mean from ground up.

what case do you have? and about how much are you willing to dedicate to this?

 

[Billb2]

We need to know more things first:
A brief description of your system...CPU, Memory, etc.
How much do you have to spend?
Do you Overclock?
What else (besides the video card) do you want to water cool?

You may find the Stickies on this page helpfull.
http://www.ocforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[Ryder401]

My Current Rig Is:

CPU = AMD Athlon 64 3700+
Motherboard = DFI LanParty NF4 SLI-DR
Memory = 2 GB of OCZ Platinum PC3200
GPU = BFG Geforce 7800GTX
Primary Hard Drive = Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB
Secondary Hard Drive = Western Digital Elements 500gb External Hard Drive
DVD Drive = NEC ND-3540A
Operating System = Microsoft Windows XP Professional
CPU Cooler = Zalman CNPS7700-CU Ultra-Quiet
Case = Antec P180 Advanced Super Midi Tower
PSU = Antec Phantom 500W Hybrid Fan Silent ATX2.0
Primary Monitor = Dell Ultrasharp 2005FPW 20" widescreen LCD Flat Panel
Secondary Monitor/TV = Samsung LE32R87BD- 32" Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV

I wouldn't mind watercooling everything but I am a bit reluctent due to no experience in water cooling.

 

[drakore]

just do the card and cpu..... aigo can a mcr320qp handle that?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: drakore
just do the card and cpu..... aigo can a mcr320qp handle that?

shiet... a MCR320 can handle everything on his list.


Ummm... read my sticky, learn your parts. I replied PM to you.

I honestly wouldnt recomend a migration if your limited on cash. I would recomend you try trading it for a non watercooled version.

If you set on watercooling, you have a Full Cover block. That block is made by DangerDen. It uses 1/2OD barbs, and should do a decient job. Its not the best block out there, but its still better then air when you set it up right.

Problem lies in your case however. I cant think of an easy solution on how to mount the radaitor. You may need to split the rads up and link them in serial. And i mean you'll need 3 MCR120's to pull off a good migration where you can do your CPU + GPU.

But once again, it apears your on a budget. So my first recomendation of you trading for a non watercooling system stands.

 

[ChefJoe]

He could use an externally mounted radiator (radbox and hanging 220 radiator) or you'd have to consider cutting the case (I've seen 220 radiators integrated nicely into the top of the P180... a 320 might fit).

I do kind of wonder if it'd be possible to turn the lower tunnel of the case into a heat exchange tunnel with like 2 or 3 120 radiators in a row where the hard drives would go but I've never seen it done so maybe it just doesn't work (depends on how hot the air gets after the first radiator if it'll perform any better than a 120).

With just a GPU, a quick 120 kit would probably work.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: ChefJoe
He could use an externally mounted radiator (radbox and hanging 220 radiator) or you'd have to consider cutting the case (I've seen 220 radiators integrated nicely into the top of the P180... a 320 might fit).

I do kind of wonder if it'd be possible to turn the lower tunnel of the case into a heat exchange tunnel with like 2 or 3 120 radiators in a row where the hard drives would go but I've never seen it done so maybe it just doesn't work (depends on how hot the air gets after the first radiator if it'll perform any better than a 120).

With just a GPU, a quick 120 kit would probably work.

well i listed the price difference.

If he's gonna migrate, he might as well go a larger radiator for about 15-20 dollars more. And get a CPU block for 45 dollars more.

But i really dont think he has the budget for water. Unless he's waiting for penryn. His components dont show him to be a type of person whose willing to drop ~200 dollars on cooling.

 

[Ryder401]

I built my rig 2 years ago when I came in to some money but since then I've been saving up to go to University (Imperial in London), I just have 2 more years of School to do.

I have a friend who is willing to buy it for a few £££, so I'm going to go with that.

I think I'll convert to H2O at Christmas, so does it cost around £200 for a good full kit?

I'd also consider getting a new case at the same time (I've never been 100% satisfied with the P180) what is the best case to go with H2o cooling?


Thanks, for all the help!

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Ryder401
I built my rig 2 years ago when I came in to some money but since then I've been saving up to go to University (Imperial in London), I just have 2 more years of School to do.

I have a friend who is willing to buy it for a few £££, so I'm going to go with that.

I think I'll convert to H2O at Christmas, so does it cost around £200 for a good full kit?

I'd also consider getting a new case at the same time (I've never been 100% satisfied with the P180) what is the best case to go with H2o cooling?


Thanks, for all the help!

a good setup will run you around 200-250 US dollars. A great kit will only be 25-50 more dpending on the mods needed on your case.

watercooling is scalable. Meaning you can start out low and addon later. However, the work required to loop the first time, vs take it down and reloop is almost double. Expecially if its your first time watercooling.