Watercooling FAQ/guide

[intel igent]

H2O220 uses mcp355 so adding an extra block to that system is fine

 

[tkpenalty]

Damn you guys.... your water cooling rigs makes my PC cry.

 

[Jarman]

They are seen as the lower end if the spectrum i think vulkan. Using tight bore 10/8 tubing, low flow pumps and icky push connectors on dated blocks. Or at least thats how they used to be . To be honest they probably arent that bad

 

[DanishDevil]

H2O220 uses mcp355 so adding an extra block to that system is fine

H20220 Compact. It's the one with the combo CPU block/pump. Although it might be a modified mcp355, but just in case you didn't see the compact

 

[intel igent]

H20220 Compact. It's the one with the combo CPU block/pump. Although it might be a modified mcp355, but just in case you didn't see the compact

i do know, there is nothing wrong with it. its a good little pump and a low restriction block, so whats the harm? i wouldnt add a fuzion GFX to it though

personally i think that is a GREAT STARTER kit or someone looking for a fast, easy, effective, compact solution

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=147767 <effects of tube sizes on temps courtesy of Cathar @XtremeSystems

 

[mrw1986]

So I want to start dabbling more into WC. I'm using an H20-120 Compact right now. I bought that RocketFish case and I want to mount a 240mm Rad up top. What pump, cpu block (for q6600), radiator, and reservoir would you guys recommend? Also, should I use 1/2" ID tubing?

EDIT: Just read that article intel igent posted looks like I can go with smaller tubing using quick-fit fittings. Awesome!

 

[DanishDevil]

Pump: MCP655
Block: DTek Fuzion with nozzle kit (use the quad-core nozzle I assume)
Radiator: Swiftech QP (or if you have the $, Thermochill PA 120.2)
Reservoir: Really up to you. Some bay res's are tough to use without bubbles. I'm gonna go with the Swiftech Micro Res.
Tubing: Tygon 7/16 ID (little smaller than the 1/2" barbs, so it'll be a snug fit)

 

[savillm]

lo all im looking at getting a Swiftech H20-220 Compact kit as a first starters kit for water cooling is it any good?

i would also use this fluid: http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=34_96&products_id=437

and this paste: http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=63&products_id=676

is there a better fluid or paste out atm?

thx for your help

 

[DanishDevil]

The H20-220 Compact is a great starter kit. I will also be using that fluid, and I have had great experiences with that thermal paste. It looks like you've got the right stuff in mind.

 

[Fitseries3]

the only downside to that Swiftech kit is the pump needs to have good airflow around it. the 2 i have had gotten pretty hot because you have both the CPU and the pump heating the water like a sandwich. the kit is great though... for a starter kit.

Feser One is great fluid. i've found with experience that distilled water and a dye work best though.

the AC MX-2 is great stuff. i have always used AS Ceramique for water though. it transfers heat well at low to moderate temperatures.

 

[DanishDevil]

Have you compared TX-2 and AS C on water directly?

 

[Fitseries3]

yeah.... with my q6600 @ 3.8ghz on my maximus, the AS ceramique is about 1c lower under load. MX-2 is almost identical.

i will say.... part of the reason i still use the AS C is because i got a HUGE tube of it like a year ago and i've been putting it on everything trying to get rid of it. LOL!

 

[mrw1986]

Well, here's the rundown for my setup. Let me know how it looks!

Pump: Laing D5 Vario/Swiftech MCP655 Inline 12V DC Pump
Pump Gel: Petra'sTech "Gel-Stuff" Vibration Absorption Block
Tubing: Tygon R3603 7/16in. ID 11/16in. OD Laboratory Tubing
Fittings: D-Tek High-Flow Fitting (G 1/4" Thread, 1/2" OD)
Reservoir: Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Hi-Flo Reservoir
Radiator: Swiftech MCR-220 "Quiet Power" Series Radiator
Screws: 1-1/4" Stainless Steel Swiftech MCR-QP Fan Screws
Fans: 120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan
CPU Block: D-TEK FuZion Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2"

 

[DanishDevil]

Looks good, except you need the A.C. Ryan fans

I like the pump gel idea - never seen that before.

 

[savillm]

the only downside to that Swiftech kit is the pump needs to have good airflow around it. the 2 i have had gotten pretty hot because you have both the CPU and the pump heating the water like a sandwich. the kit is great though... for a starter kit.

Feser One is great fluid. i've found with experience that distilled water and a dye work best though.

the AC MX-2 is great stuff. i have always used AS Ceramique for water though. it transfers heat well at low to moderate temperatures.

i got a coolermaster stacker 831 with the side pannel with 4 x 120mm fans on it, will that keep the cpu block cool?

i got a artic freezer 7 pro and my cpu idle is 30*c with that paste fluid and kit with the fans at max speed what do u think my temps will drop too?

 

[DanishDevil]

With the QP radiator? Well, the beauty of water is that the load temps are not far from the idle temps, so if I had to take a wild guess I'd say 27 idle and 36 load depending on how OC'ed it is. I don't even watercool yet, though HAHA.

 

[Fitseries3]

yeah. you will do great with the H20-220 compact kit.

 

[Fitseries3]

no, about 32-35c idle is about right with the H20-220 compact and a e6600 @ 3.4ghz.

a better kit will do 2Xc idle and 3Xc load.

im used to quads though so im not 100% sure on the temps. quads are a lot hotter.

 

[savillm]

well its 30*c with no oc atm and 34*c in game after about an hour im going to oc it when i water cool

so my temps will be lower as im not ocing atm is that right?

 

[DanishDevil]

They should be. And even if they aren't, it will help you OC because the heat is wicked away from the CPU so much faster than with air.

 

[Fitseries3]

yes, you'll be in the 2Xc range without a doubt.

 

[Fitseries3]

found this on the front page.... yeah, i know... i tried REAL hard. LOL.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/swiftech-h20-220compact.html

 

[Wile E]

Looks good, except you need the A.C. Ryan fans

I like the pump gel idea - never seen that before.

Actually, those YL's from Petras are rated among the highest for use on rads. They perform very, very well in high pressure environments.

 

[intel igent]

Actually, those YL's from Petras are rated among the highest for use on rads. They perform very, very well in high pressure environments.

dont know about that bro, they are great fans for the money and are favoured in the community for their price/performace/noise.

they do perform well on slim rads or rads with low fpi (fins per inch) but they are a slim fan (25mm) and as such do not have very high static pressure and will lose out to thicker fans (38mm) when used on a thick rad or a rad with high fpi

dont mean to be rude but please do a little more research before posting this kind of info

 

[DanishDevil]

Actually, those YL's from Petras are rated among the highest for use on rads. They perform very, very well in high pressure environments.

That was a reference to a group purchase we're doing. I'm sure they don't perform better than some other fans on radiators. I wasn't making that point.