Which Liquid Cooling System?

[Mediocre]

I'm buying a liquid cooler to replace my scythe infinity. I'm really happy with the Scythe's performace, its just the size!. The fan only fits on the HS one way, and its not conducive to my overall airflow.

My budget is ~$100 USD, I prefer newegg, but will pay out the nose on tiger or frozencpu (btw, I can stop at frozencpu on my way home....gotta pay tax, but no shipping)


Anyway, here is the deal:

I have the last generation alienware case (not the big boxey one, the first 'cool' looking one). And its PACKED with stuff. 4 sata drives, 2 DVD's, front panel audio for X-Fi, 2x80mm front intake, 1x80mm side intake, 1x80mm back exhaust.

I think I have 3 card edges on the bottom that are free, one 5 1/4" bay thats free, and one concealed 3 1/2" bay open.

There is little room outside the chassis for an external system.


Ok the system I desire is -
Keep CPU under 40C

Upgradable to a 8800 VGA block (when I get the card)

Possible upgrade to chipset blocks.


I've been on the egg and found:

Great price, most likely will fit my case:
COOLER MASTER AQUAGATE VIVA RL-M4A-E7E1-GP Liquid Cooling System - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103017

Near my budget limit (but will it fit?):
Thermaltake CL-W0075 Liquid Cooling System - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106077

Same $$ as above??? (Again, dunno if it will fit)
Thermaltake Big Water SE 120mm Liquid Cooling System - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106063


Any help will yield THANKS!

the knowledge!

 

[d44ve]

Honestly... anything that you will buy new for around 100.00 is not going to be that good.

Your best best is to buy each part when you can, and then go from there.

Also, used parts arent so bad when it comes to the radiator and the reservior

Also, none of those will cool your CPU and an 8800

EDIT : STAY AWAY FROM THE FIRST ONE. You will barely be able to cool your CPU

 

[d44ve]

This is what I would start off with for your reservoir

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/MCRES-1000.asp

And you can still buy the pump and be under 100 bucks.

Plus that is all in one bay.

Then start looking for Radiator and a waterblock when you have the extra fund.

BTW, a used waterblock is OK too

 

[techbuzz]

Honestly... anything that you will buy new for around 100.00 is not going to be that good.

Your best best is to buy each part when you can, and then go from there.

Also, used parts arent so bad when it comes to the radiator and the reservior

Also, none of those will cool your CPU and an 8800

EDIT : STAY AWAY FROM THE FIRST ONE. You will barely be able to cool your CPU

I have played with this unit and it just plain sucks. For me, it was cooling my CPU to about the same temp as my fans did. Just complete crap...

 

[Namslas90]

Have to agree with d44ve, save up some more money and get a better watercooling system, Make sure you get solid metal(copper) cooling blocks. Those plastic "resin" things just crack and leak. The "Bigwater" is just asking to short out your mobo(they are notorious for cracking and leaking). Look to Danger Den for blocks, can't loose there.

 

[d44ve]

You can pickup a good used 2x120mm DD Radiator for 30 bucks.... hell, I think T-SKI still has his for sale.

 

[Garb3]

i got a xspc x2o system and it keeps my cpu idle at 20c but only comes with a 120mm rad and only a cpu block so if ur looking to upgrade then ur goin to have to buy a bigger rad pump and res. but its good for only cooling the cpu imo

 

[Mediocre]

^^ Garb3, I'm interested in this, but I dont know what a xspc x2o sstem is? 20C is nice though. I'm afraid of the 120mm radiators b/c my PC only has mounts for 80 and 92mm fans.


Thanks all. Yeah I only put that first one in b/c a guy at my work has one. He loves it. Says it keeps his 6400 @ around 35C idle, 40-ish under load. He's had it 6 months with no complaints. Not the most knowledgable with PC's though.

I was afraid you all would say buy it in parts, b/c thats what I usually see in these 'pick my watercooler' threads.

I'll be back after lunch to piece this out I suppose. Fathers day is coming up, so maybe I'll have the wife buy a part or two.


Thanks again guys!

 

[d44ve]

Hell, if you can come up with another 50\75 dollars, I can piece together you a real nice UPGRADABLE watercooling system

 

[Mediocre]

Hell, if you can come up with another 50\75 dollars, I can piece together you a real nice UPGRADABLE watercooling system

I plan on charging it...so I don't really have a budget. Anything over $200 will bring up red flags with the wife

I got my cheesesteak, gonna check out some of these suggestions....


Thanks again!

 

[Mediocre]

I can't find that swiftech res (one that mounts the pump inside a 5 1/4 bay)


But I've got:
res:

Thermaltake AquaBay M3 5.25" Reservoir (CL-W0031)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2..._M3_525_Reservoir_CL-W0031.html?tl=g30c97s168

Pump:
Swiftech MCP350 12 VDC Pump - Retail

flow meter:
KOOLANCE INS-FM16 Coolant Flow Meter - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835127028

Radiator:
2x -
Swiftech MCR80 Liquid Radiator - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108083

CPU Block:
Danger Den TDX 775 Copper Water Block (Intel 775)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...ater_Block_Intel_775.html?tl=g30c85s140#blank


Around $218 plus shipping....anything I should replace/add??


Thanks again guys

 

[d44ve]

I would get either one 120mm or 240mm radiator rather than the two 80mm.


EDIT : Plus you dont need the flow meter, and if you want to use the electronic signal from it you have to buy a seperate card

 

[Zero Cool]

wow, I thought anyone willing to spend alot of money on a computer would know enough about them to put one together themselfs! who would byt alienware? 4x80GB drives wth?

 

[d44ve]

Also, here is the reservior and pump together for 90.00

http://www.moddersmart.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=75

 

[d44ve]

wow, I thought anyone willing to spend alot of money on a computer would know enough about them to put one together themselfs! who would byt alienware? 4x80GB drives wth?

He said he just had the case.... I dont know if he actually bought the whole computer

 

[WarEagleAU]

newegg offers Swiftech all in one kits for like $150 bucks or so. Not bad and swiftechs are a nice brand. The best are obviously DD and Apogee, but for what all you get in that kit, its not a bad deal. Check this out.

 

[d44ve]

Thats a good kit.... once again, I would go a bit bigger than just that 80mm

 

[TSX420J]

This pump is what is in the Pc2 series. I just bought it for 23.99

http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=0_57&products_id=65

I also found a good prices at.

http://www.jab-tech.com/home.php?cat=54

and some o.k. prices at

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l1/g30/Liquid_Cooling.html

just piece everything together little by little and you'll have a nice kit that is better
than those budget kits..

 

[TSX420J]

newegg offers Swiftech all in one kits for like $150 bucks or so. Not bad and swiftechs are a nice brand. The best are obviously DD and Apogee, but for what all you get in that kit, its not a bad deal. Check this out.

nice kit..

 

[Mediocre]

wow, I thought anyone willing to spend alot of money on a computer would know enough about them to put one together themselfs! who would byt alienware? 4x80GB drives wth?

BUZZ OFF.....
Seriously though, the case is from 2001 before I was building my own systems. I overpaid ~$350 for the system....live and learn...tis a nice case, just not a $350 case.

Got a problem with my 4x80 sata300 raid 0???
It came with 2x80 sata150 and when I took $1500 from the blackjack table, I bought what I wanted. And that included 80gb sata300 drives for $40 apiece FREE SHIP.

So POO ON YOU LOL...all in good fun, I understand

 

[Mediocre]

newegg offers Swiftech all in one kits for like $150 bucks or so. Not bad and swiftechs are a nice brand. The best are obviously DD and Apogee, but for what all you get in that kit, its not a bad deal. Check this out.

Tis a nice kit. I like the 5 1/4" bay pump/res. Still need to find one of those

I might spring for that kit, and swap out the radiator when I add more blocks? Should I spring for that, or buy the seperate parts listed from the 2 different websites? Without the flow meter I'm lookin at ~$200 for pieces or ~$150 for the swiftech kit.



D44VE, I'm not sure how I would mount a 120mm radiator. I only have one fan mount on the rear of the case and its 80/92mm, Don't think it would fit a 120mm.


Thanks for all the help

 

[d44ve]

Mediocre.... I showed you where you can get the pump and reservoir for 80 bucks.

Also, you can get creative with how\where you mount the radiator

 

[Mediocre]

Mediocre.... I showed you where you can get the pump and reservoir for 80 bucks.

Also, you can get creative with how\where you mount the radiator

^^??

Swifttech discontinued that nifty 5 1/4" bay w/pump jobber, and everyone who has linked it its 'out of stock'. I'm guessing they aren't getting anymore as they were discontinued 12/2006.

I'm sure I could find it on fleabay, not interested as I hate ebay.

I'll check the FS/FT threads as you've said T-Ski may have something. Again, I dont want to have to sign up somewhere and all that bull, but if the 'bull' is worth it.....

Goddamnit I should probably get back to work LOL, no-ones watching anyway.......

 

[d44ve]

check my previous post in this thread

 

[Mediocre]

I must be blind.... I found the swifttech 5 1/4 res/pump. Its ordered. I guess I can take that off the list.

Thanks for that link D44ve.

Now to find a suitable radiator/cpu block