What is the best water cooling solution for the least $$

[HardWired]

I'd like to make the move to water cooling but don't want to make the common mistakes I'm sure others have made before getting to the water block/cooling system they're at now.

Can someone recommend a good system for small $$? Is there such a beast?

I'd like to start out with a CPU (P4 2.6c) waterblock only first, then move on to add a GPU block eventually and maybe even add NB and HD blocks later ...as I understand it all and can afford it all.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Just to let you know, I am looking for the SAME EXACT thing as you. I also have a 2.6c, and want to add a GPU, NB, and HD coolers later lol. Anyway, I have already done some research, and it is cheapest to *custom* build it yourself, instead of buying a kit. You need a radiator (to cool the water), a pump (to push the water), a waterblock (to cool the CPU, or GPU, or NB, or whatever - this is the part that actually goes on the CPU) , and a resivour (sp? to hold the water). Also, you need tubing (1/2'' or 3/8'' are common sizes), and a water additive (such as water wetter) is recommended. If I am wrong then please correct me, because I wanna learn this stuff! TIA, Josh

 

[HardWired]

Welcome aboard the "search for knowedge train" SpeedFreak03. Hehe

I was looking at the review at HardOCP here LINK and this looked like a sweet looking unit with a no-muss no-fuss approach that looks like anyone with hardly any water cooling knowledge could have up and running in no time at all.

NewEgg sells the kit for $200 w/ free shipping. While the HardOCP review mentions that their kit came w/ the CPU block, I don't see a block in the pictures NewEgg shows of the kit. And at CoolerExpress.com, where you can also purchase the kit for $200, it specifically states "Components Included:
External Chassis, heat exchanger (radiator), reservoir & pumps, top cooling module with fans, LED display, power control board, slot interface, quick-release valves, User Manual, liquid bottle, funnel, tubing, attachment strips/pads, & various smaller components. ** Liquid coolers (CPU, hard drive, chipsets) and optional attachment strap are purchased separately.**"

So I'm thinking that anywhere it's sold for $200, that it probaly doesn't come with a CPU waterblock. From the little I have read regarding discussions pertaining to watercooling, it seem that DangerDan (sp?) has some of the best water blocks out there. So maybe it best the kit doesn't come with a CPU block, that way a person could buy a more top-of-the-line block asdie from purchasing the Koolance kit. It also looks like the kit comes with 1/2 inch tubing rather than 3/8. Again from the little I've gathered on water cooling, it seems the bigger the tubing the better for maximum waterflow and better overall cooling.

Okay all you watercooling nuts...speak up!! Is there a cheaper way for a water cooling newbie to get started that's as cut and dry and performs as well as this kit does for the price? According to HardOCP, this is all you need for not only CPU cooling, but GPU as well as HD cooling.

 

[Corporate Thug]

man, i remeber back on forth of july SVC had the exos for like $99, should have gotten it then

 

[cheapgoose]

I picked up all my parts from the FS forum or ebay. I didnt' find any kits that I liked so I picked and choose from different places.

 

[HardWired]

Cool, after a day of my post sitting idle, finally some repsonses.

Okay...I'm sure I'm going to get different opinions on water cooling kits versus home built units, but is there an "Undisputed Heavy Weight Champion" when it comes to P4 water blocks?

 

[cheapgoose]

I do believe the block of the hour is White Water.

 

[pelikan]

I just bought some used stuff on various forums:
Maze2 - $15.
Eheim 1250 - $30.
DD R9700 block - $25.

 

[Vonkhan]

Why would u want to spend the least amount of $s on something that can potentailly do the MOST amount of damage to your system????!

:Q

 

[pelikan]

Because I can run it outside of my system for a day or so to test for leaks. And I don't need a great waterblock because my water will be 10C.

 

[HardWired]

Okay, lets say I want to go with a kit. I may have narrowed it down to two:

The DangerDen Maze4 Power Kit here (on the lower half of the page):

LINK

Or the Asetek WaterChill kit sold here at SVC:

LINK

It seems that when pricing the pieces out seperatly, a person will still spend around the $200 range for a pro setup. With these two kits, all the gathering of parts and pieces is done for you. All you have to do is order them and put them together. I want to start wtih just the CPU block, but both kits look like they'll expand quite nicely to include the GPU and Northbridge chips.

Do any of you experienced water cooling fans have a preference between either of these two kits? Both seem to move roughly the same (around 300 gallons per hour) amount of water. The Asetek has achieved some top-notch awards and DangerDen has received some high praise as well.

Do I flip a coin? Throw a dart? Hmmm...