• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Water cooling: How do I select the parts?

germs

New Member
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
123 (0.02/day)
Processor Q9450 @ 3.6
Motherboard Striker 2 extreme
Cooling Loud air cooling
Memory 2gb x 2 ddr3 1800 8-8-8-24
Video Card(s) 9800 gx2
Storage 3x WD caviar 640 gb
Display(s) 22 inch widescreen
Case tj10
Audio Device(s) razer barracuda
Power Supply 850W w/ single 70 amp rail
Software xp x64 sp 2
So I decided to go with water cooling for the lower noise and the chill factor so I can OC higher. I've read guides, but they don't really tell me all the info I need.

So far, this is all I think I can be sure about getting:

1/2 inch tygon tubing

I just don't know how to tell what waterblocks are better than others, or even what radiators work best, or what pumps to buy. Can anyone help me understand how to make an educated choice on this stuff? I was told that I should go to petrastechshop.com and order there by a few buddies of mine.

Like I said, I have no idea how to choose. By the way, money isn't a big issue with this; I just don't want to spend too much more than $300, which I think is pretty reasonable, though I have no backing for that opinion.
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
A good place to start would be the Water Cooling Club: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=52032

it has some nice recommendations, and general info.

Get a general idea of what is needed for a setup, and what kind of budget you plan to have, and post back.
 

DOM

Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
7,628 (1.17/day)
Location
TX, USA
Processor Intel i7 4770K
Motherboard Asrock
Cooling Water
Memory Team Xtreem LV 16GB (2x8GB)
Video Card(s) EK Full WB HD7970
Display(s) CROSSOVER 27Q LED-P 27"
Case Danger Den Torture Rack
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200
Software W 10 Pro
what are you looking to cool just CPU or more ?
 

germs

New Member
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
123 (0.02/day)
Processor Q9450 @ 3.6
Motherboard Striker 2 extreme
Cooling Loud air cooling
Memory 2gb x 2 ddr3 1800 8-8-8-24
Video Card(s) 9800 gx2
Storage 3x WD caviar 640 gb
Display(s) 22 inch widescreen
Case tj10
Audio Device(s) razer barracuda
Power Supply 850W w/ single 70 amp rail
Software xp x64 sp 2
Thanks for the link Wile E. After reading that, I realized that I don't have the time or the money at this point to get the best stuff and do it right. I will definitely refer back to this post when I have the time though.

Need to buy a laptop for college soon anyway!
 
Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Messages
43,585 (6.74/day)
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard ASUS TUF x670e
Cooling EK AIO 360. Phantek T30 fans.
Memory 32GB G.Skill 6000Mhz
Video Card(s) Asus RTX 4090
Storage WD m.2
Display(s) LG C2 Evo OLED 42"
Case Lian Li PC 011 Dynamic Evo
Audio Device(s) Topping E70 DAC, SMSL SP200 Headphone Amp.
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti PRO 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Keyboard Tester84
Software Windows 11
What is your budget?
 

germs

New Member
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
123 (0.02/day)
Processor Q9450 @ 3.6
Motherboard Striker 2 extreme
Cooling Loud air cooling
Memory 2gb x 2 ddr3 1800 8-8-8-24
Video Card(s) 9800 gx2
Storage 3x WD caviar 640 gb
Display(s) 22 inch widescreen
Case tj10
Audio Device(s) razer barracuda
Power Supply 850W w/ single 70 amp rail
Software xp x64 sp 2
About 300, but I don't want anything but the best. Besides, I realized I just don't have the time to do it right now.
 
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
387 (0.06/day)
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Processor Intel i7 4790K
Motherboard ASRock z97 Extreme
Cooling NZST Kraken
Memory 16gb
Video Card(s) 2x EVGA GTX 1080 FTW2
Storage Samsung 950 EVO
Display(s) 28'' Samsung
Case NZXT H700i
Power Supply EVGA 850G2
you can always go with the CoolIt system which is probably the best non-custom CPU water cooling system. Very low maintenance
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
About 300, but I don't want anything but the best. Besides, I realized I just don't have the time to do it right now.

$300 is plenty for a kick ass setup. Just let us know when you feel you have the time.
 

servermonkey

New Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
504 (0.09/day)
Location
over there --->
System Name mcp
Processor amd phenom II 940 @ 3842
Motherboard asus m3a79-T dlx
Cooling coolit boreas
Memory 2x2gb corsair xms
Video Card(s) 2x hd3870s
Storage wdc 150gb raptor
Case silverstone tj07
Audio Device(s) xfi pro
Power Supply coolmax 1100w + visiontek 450w (for the boreas)
Benchmark Scores 19778 3dmark http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=9709800
you can always go with the CoolIt system which is probably the best non-custom CPU water cooling system. Very low maintenance

i beg to differ...
I had the freezone elite...that thing blew chunks....
i replaced it w/ the themal?... v1 and have lower idle and load temps
 

servermonkey

New Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
504 (0.09/day)
Location
over there --->
System Name mcp
Processor amd phenom II 940 @ 3842
Motherboard asus m3a79-T dlx
Cooling coolit boreas
Memory 2x2gb corsair xms
Video Card(s) 2x hd3870s
Storage wdc 150gb raptor
Case silverstone tj07
Audio Device(s) xfi pro
Power Supply coolmax 1100w + visiontek 450w (for the boreas)
Benchmark Scores 19778 3dmark http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=9709800
So I decided to go with water cooling for the lower noise and the chill factor so I can OC higher. I've read guides, but they don't really tell me all the info I need.

So far, this is all I think I can be sure about getting:

1/2 inch tygon tubing

I just don't know how to tell what waterblocks are better than others, or even what radiators work best, or what pumps to buy. Can anyone help me understand how to make an educated choice on this stuff? I was told that I should go to petrastechshop.com and order there by a few buddies of mine.

Like I said, I have no idea how to choose. By the way, money isn't a big issue with this; I just don't want to spend too much more than $300, which I think is pretty reasonable, though I have no backing for that opinion.

start here link
if you ?s after that....ask
 

nanohead

New Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2007
Messages
122 (0.02/day)
OK. Instead of link pointing, I'll try and give some real info.

1) Freezone systems are not what they appear. Expensive, loud, and no worky. It is an interesting idea, but lousy execution with way too many compromises. Biggest waste of $300 I ever had.

2) It does take time to get this stuff to work properly. But not that much money. $300 is plenty to get a good setup. You can actually do it for much less. The only thing that matters in reality is have a decent pump that won't die.

3) For a decent CPU, you do NOT need 1/2 tubing. In fact, 1/4 in will get the job done just fine for just a CPU. I run 3 GPUs and 1 CPU with a 1/2 trunk and 1/4 to each device and it works perfectly. Never get beyond 36-38 even under total load, with the room warm.

4) Danger Den and Swiftech each have decent kits for around $200 that give you everything you need.

5) You don't need massive tubing, radiators, or even pumps to get good cooling. You need to pull away the heat that the CPU produces efficiently and dispose of it into the atmosphere. 1 small 120MM rad and fan will get the job done, especially with a low power CPU.

6) You can get a used Thermaltake Symphony or mini, or a Zalman Reserator (sp?) and screw the water block into the CPU and be done. Takes about 10 minutes.

7) Don't listen to the massive purists and fantasizers who talk about this stuff like its some kind of mystery. If all you want is to reduce noise, you can do this for $100 bucks if you shop around.

8) If you're not up to the mechanical part, then get a pre assembled kit.

9) Massive overclocking is a different mission than heat and noise reduction when it comes to water cooling. If you want massive overclocking from your water cooling setup, then there is some engineering associated with it. If its just heat and noise reduction, like I said, the all in 1s or kits are perfectly fine.

10) If you really want to get rid of heat and noise, you don't need water cooling. Just a decent giant heatsink/fan (like Ximatek S1283, Zalman 9700, or Thermalright Ultra 120) with a fan controller.

11) For noise, a decent sound insulation kit will do a great job.

Good luck!
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
OK. Instead of link pointing, I'll try and give some real info.

1) Freezone systems are not what they appear. Expensive, loud, and no worky. It is an interesting idea, but lousy execution with way too many compromises. Biggest waste of $300 I ever had.

2) It does take time to get this stuff to work properly. But not that much money. $300 is plenty to get a good setup. You can actually do it for much less. The only thing that matters in reality is have a decent pump that won't die.

3) For a decent CPU, you do NOT need 1/2 tubing. In fact, 1/4 in will get the job done just fine for just a CPU. I run 3 GPUs and 1 CPU with a 1/2 trunk and 1/4 to each device and it works perfectly. Never get beyond 36-38 even under total load, with the room warm.

4) Danger Den and Swiftech each have decent kits for around $200 that give you everything you need.

5) You don't need massive tubing, radiators, or even pumps to get good cooling. You need to pull away the heat that the CPU produces efficiently and dispose of it into the atmosphere. 1 small 120MM rad and fan will get the job done, especially with a low power CPU.

6) You can get a used Thermaltake Symphony or mini, or a Zalman Reserator (sp?) and screw the water block into the CPU and be done. Takes about 10 minutes.

7) Don't listen to the massive purists and fantasizers who talk about this stuff like its some kind of mystery. If all you want is to reduce noise, you can do this for $100 bucks if you shop around.

8) If you're not up to the mechanical part, then get a pre assembled kit.

9) Massive overclocking is a different mission than heat and noise reduction when it comes to water cooling. If you want massive overclocking from your water cooling setup, then there is some engineering associated with it. If its just heat and noise reduction, like I said, the all in 1s or kits are perfectly fine.

10) If you really want to get rid of heat and noise, you don't need water cooling. Just a decent giant heatsink/fan (like Ximatek S1283, Zalman 9700, or Thermalright Ultra 120) with a fan controller.

11) For noise, a decent sound insulation kit will do a great job.

Good luck!
We weren't blowing him off by posting links. I gave him the link to a good resource, where much of this is already covered, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It saves us time, and it still lets him know what's involved. I'm sure the OP doesn't mind.

I agree with much of your post, but when somebody posts like this saying they want to spend $300 for better cooling, that kinda counts out all-in-one kits. Lets face it, properly built $300 water cooling setups far out perform ANY all-in-one. If he would have said $150-200, all-in-ones from Swiftech (or similar performing competitors) make much more sense.

I, however, disagree with number 6. Never, under any circumstances, buy a Thermaltake watercooling setup. Shitty, under performing blocks and pumps. You're better off with top end air.

Besides, all of this is moot. He already stated he's needing a laptop for school more than water cooling.
 

servermonkey

New Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Messages
504 (0.09/day)
Location
over there --->
System Name mcp
Processor amd phenom II 940 @ 3842
Motherboard asus m3a79-T dlx
Cooling coolit boreas
Memory 2x2gb corsair xms
Video Card(s) 2x hd3870s
Storage wdc 150gb raptor
Case silverstone tj07
Audio Device(s) xfi pro
Power Supply coolmax 1100w + visiontek 450w (for the boreas)
Benchmark Scores 19778 3dmark http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=9709800
So I decided to go with water cooling for the lower noise and the chill factor so I can OC higher. I've read guides, but they don't really tell me all the info I need.

So far, this is all I think I can be sure about getting:

1/2 inch tygon tubing

I just don't know how to tell what waterblocks are better than others, or even what radiators work best, or what pumps to buy. Can anyone help me understand how to make an educated choice on this stuff? I was told that I should go to petrastechshop.com and order there by a few buddies of mine.

Like I said, I have no idea how to choose. By the way, money isn't a big issue with this; I just don't want to spend too much more than $300, which I think is pretty reasonable, though I have no backing for that opinion.

what components did you want to water cool?
just the cpu? mosfets? chipsets? gpu(s)?
dont forget about the rest of your mobo...
 
Top