What water pump do you use?

[Skandaluz]

After so long of debating when to go the watercooling route, I've finally decided to do a custom watercooling project instead of an all in one kit. I figured I would build a custom external watercooling unit in a custom made aluminum (or some other type of metal) casing/enclosure for it. I pretty much have all the parts that i need figured out except the water pump. I'm not sure which pump to get or which pump is better. What do you guys use out their? This will be more for X2 3800+ @ 2.5 Ghz. TIA

 

[aigomorla]

My Pump

Its not too loud, and it fits in my case. Since urs will be external, you probably would want to go with a stronger hobby pump.

 

[essasin]

We need more info one your wc setup. How many blocks do you have? What kind of rad? What kind of block? But the general mass usually gets a swiftech mcp650 or the DD pump which are both the same pump (Laing d4). Also the ehiem1250 is popular (i believe i got the model # correct.) These pumps are 12v pumps and can be powered through a molex connector(not quite sure about the ehiem). This pump is fairly compact, pushes enough for most systems with 1-2 restrictive blocks and a huge rad.

If you have 3-4 blocks with a cpu restrictive block (a storm g5, tdx with the spray nozzle etc) and a 120x3 rad you will need more than just a mcp650. You might want to look into the 120v pumps such as the iwakis, ehiems.

 

[mindwreck]

I use the D5 pump. it can handle up to about 3 blocks. for more hardcore stuff get a iwaki md20 pump

 

[HardWarrior]

The MCP655 (D5), the slightly better performing and REALY quiet revision of the 650 (D4). If you're going entirely external your pump choice isn't going to be easy.

 

[Skandaluz]

I plan on using a Danger Den Maze 4 CPU block and maybe a GPU block too if i feel like putting that into the setup. I did have the Eheim 1250 pump in mind but thought I'd give the forums a try to see what else people use. As for the radiator, I was thinking of the either the Black Ice dual 80mm or dual 120mm. Or should I just stick to single fan radiator? Also, what resevoir do you guys use too?

 

[HardWarrior]

If you're just going to cool your CPU, with no plans on expanding, a BIM 2 will do okay. If you plan on adding another block(s) I'd suggest a 120.2. Such a rad will help your overall temps greatly, substantially reduce time-to-equilibrium and cool-down time. Res? I use a DD dual 5 1/4 with high-flow fittings.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Skandaluz
I plan on using a Danger Den Maze 4 CPU block and maybe a GPU block too if i feel like putting that into the setup. I did have the Eheim 1250 pump in mind but thought I'd give the forums a try to see what else people use. As for the radiator, I was thinking of the either the Black Ice dual 80mm or dual 120mm. Or should I just stick to single fan radiator? Also, what resevoir do you guys use too?

my storm > maze 4 just to let u know.

Also, if you have the money to invest, and a case large enough, a better cooler would be the new CoolIT liquid cooler. It uses TEC plates to chill water, and ive seen computers idle at 27 degree's with it on full blast. But it carries a pretty big price tag.

 

[Skandaluz]

Aigormorla: You say the storm is better than the maze 4? Should I get that then?

Also, How big of a tubing should I use? 1/2 or 3/8?

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: Skandaluz
Aigormorla: You say the storm is better than the maze 4? Should I get that then?

Also, How big of a tubing should I use? 1/2 or 3/8?

I use the MCP655 pump (aka D5, the D5=rebadged MCP655 @ lower price?).

And storm>*

The storm seems to be THE BEST cpu block. It costs $80, but it's the best especially with IHS removed. Next best thing would probably be the MP-05 (cheaper than storm but not that much difference in temps)

And use 1/2in ID tubing for the increased flow.

 

[Skandaluz]

I thought I had most of the items figured out but I guess i really didn't, haha.

So far, I'd decided on the following:

CPU Block: Swifttech Storm
Tubing: 1/2 ID (any certain type/brand I should get?)
Pump: either D5 or Ehiem 1250

 

[TheRyuu]

How much you want to spend?

 

[Skandaluz]

Well... Theirs not really a set limit as to how much I want to spend. Money is somewhat a factor and somewhat not. I just want a pretty good watercooling setup but then again not to spend too much while building a setup. I know this project is going to cost quite a bit. So overall, I guess i just want decent watercooling setup while yet not buying the most expensive things out their.

 

[HardWarrior]

Storm review

This is the most complete review of the Storm I've seen, and what convinced me to buy one.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Skandaluz
Well... Theirs not really a set limit as to how much I want to spend. Money is somewhat a factor and somewhat not. I just want a pretty good watercooling setup but then again not to spend too much while building a setup. I know this project is going to cost quite a bit. So overall, I guess i just want decent watercooling setup while yet not buying the most expensive things out their.

then trash all the items u so far plann'd and just get CoolIT's liquid cooling setup. It will BLOW away any water cooling setup, custom or not, be a lot cleaner in your case, and not to mention, kick ass in maintence because u wont have to do crap to it for 2 years. The only h2o cooling that would beat CoolIT's liquid cooling is a 440W TEC h2o rig. or straight out phase change, but those require insulation as well as a lot of knowledge, CoolIT made there package easy and its highly efficient.

 

[TrevorRC]

It really doesn't justify the cost jumping from an Eheim 1250 to an MCP655.
If you already have one, keep the Eheim.. if it's a first-purchase, grab the MCP655.

@Aigomorla

If ANYONE would like, they can buy a Peliter which will 'TRASH' CoolITs setup Peltiers are relatively inexpensive [30-60 dollars, tops], they just require another PSU [the high wattage ones, anyway.]

You don't need a 440W Peltier... it won't do any better than a 226W Peltier, if the amount of heat being generated/removed is the same. [For say a 955EE, you'd need a 440W peltier to keep it cool..... but a 165 will do just fine with a 226W one ]

the Freezone boasts the ability to remove over 200 Watts of heat in a simple to install design

So, 226W Peltier [most likely]. Easily availible for ~40 dollars at DangerDen [here].

Please do a bit more research before OMGZ0RZING!21231 a product.

And, you run into the issue of not being able to cool the GPU, which is also a major factor in most water cooling systems (it is actually rather pointless to cool a CPU and not a GPU, IMO. If you're going to run water, run it in the entire system... I ran without a GPU block for a while, and looking back it wasn't the brightest idea considering the potential I had at my feet]

So, I'd stick with a standard 2 blocks, 1 pump, 2x120mm rad for now.
If later on you get a bit more enthusiastic, you can grab a peltier. But the cost really doesn't justify the performance/electricity bill [For now, at least. Until I get the bug again :|]
--Trevor