How much does watercooling cost?

[Elmo]

Im new to the watercooling scene , im not talking about a single loop watercooling like the h60 or so on. Im talking about the real deal where you have custom loops and rads etc and a water block.

So can someone tell me what components are required to make it work? And what are the prices likely to be ? Im thinking of doing a watercooled rig for my next build. Secondly
how safe is watercooling ive heard disaster stories .

Another thing , in terms of price - performance is a closed loop like the h60-100 better then a real water cooled rig? Or is it better to buy the ones already made. And how much cooler does watercooling make on cpu? in terms of comparing it to a hsf like the hyper 212.

Last question is watercooling beneficial or is it just for esthetics ?Recently datacenters have been pushing wc so im alittle curious myself. And what about upgradability? If i were to get one that supports 775,1155,1156,1366 what happens if 1150 comes out and i decide to get that instead?

 

[Sasqui]

Wow, a lot of questions

Radiator, fans, pump, resevior, tubing, CPU block, fittings and coolant

Expect about $300 for a modular system (pick the best of each), and size of radiator. Add another $100 or so if you want to cool the GPU.

If you get compression fittings and are good with nylon tape, don't expect any disasters. The only time I've splashed coolant was during dissasembly and I've had two different systems but the most recent I swapped the CPU block

There is a learning curve and a lot of planning, which I think is the fun part.

CPU blocks usually have swappable brackets and some manufactures give away new brackets for free when a new form factor comes out from intel or AMD.

In the end, about all you get from that work is maybe an extra 10%-20% overclock, roughly. Voltages can be bumped and silicon stays cooler.

 

[20mmrain]

It all depends on what you want to cool.....(All prices below are an estimate)

1. CPU Loop = 130$ to 500$
2. CPU and video card/s Loop = $300 to $1000+ (Depending on how many video cards and configuration of loop)
3. CPU/Video cards/Ram/Motherboard/Whole System = $500 to 1500+ (Possibly more again depending on configurations and components cooled)

It does give big drops in temp if done correctly. Can be more than 20c below air cooling temps if you set up your Loop/s up correctly. You can also go below 0c too if you are using water cooling in conjunction with a Peltier cooler for cooling. (But it doesn't sound like that is what you are asking about) However water cooling can also give you the same results as air cooling if either its not done correctly or if all your going for is a quiet system not temps.

I guess to give you a real estimate an idea we would need more information from you like....
What components do you need to cool.
What is your goal Good temps or a quiet system or both?
Do you want the best WC components or are you willing to buy just what you need?

Last water cooling does look very good in terms of aesthetics but no that is not the only thing it is used for. It is used as functional cooling as well, and it does as very good job.
Remember Water gets rid of heat better then air.

Here's an example prices in the loop I am currently using
CPU Block = 65$
Video Card Blocks X3 = 120$ Each
Video Card Backplates x3 = 35$ each
360mm Rad = $90
240mm Rad = $70
Res/Pump Combo = $160
Pump # 2 = 100$
Straight fittings x 6 = 3$ Each
45 Degree Fittings x 3 = 15$ each
90 Degree Fittings x 3 = 12$ each
Chromed Hose clamps x 12 = 4$ each
Approx total = 1097$ (will be adding another rad yet and the above prices don't include tubing/Water/Additives)

But as you can see above it adds up quickly. You can find deals though.... look around at the for sale threads here. Look for deals online from the different online shops... I didn't do any of that.

 

[Elmo]

Lol. Guess i need to wait till i have enough money :S Alot of interesting opinions and if i want to buy wc and be serious i want to buy the best not the cheapest that might fail. Anyhow thanks to both of u . Since it seems some manufacturers give free brackets if a new socket comes out i guess that is a plus .

 

[JrRacinFan]

Good way to start out is with an XSPC Rasa kit. Fits most budgets and good enough for the above average user but not quite hardcore enthusiast.

 

[ERazer]

just watch out FS section, you can grab it for cheap

i remember spending 150$ on my first H20 loop (cpu/gpu loop) buying 2nd hand

 

[Sasqui]

I was rifling through my Yahoo email and realized I only paid about $60 for the 3x120mm radiator I have. The Koolance CPU block was $60, and the 655 variable pump was used at about $40. Add in $50 for tubing and fittings, and it's just over $200.

 

[brandonwh64]

I vote closed loop unless you want to add GPU and mobo blocks then I would go with Jr's suggestion.