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Watercooling Gurus: Please have your say..

WakeUpDead

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Put it this way, If your unsure of yourself and want a kit to make your first attempt in H2O easy? Then a kit will give you that safety net your looking for. But if you want to expand or change parts down the road, you will have to start from scratch anyhow, the kits just dont do well adding blocks or trying to incorperate into a larger loop.

Now if you can build a computer that is worthy of an H2O system, like most here(have taken the time to get the right parts and spent the money, building the right rig for them)? If you can do that, then I beleave you have the skills to build a custom(pick your own parts) H2O rig. Just ask questions, like your doing, and take your time(like leak test 24hrs.). Its not as hard to build H2O as you think, it hurts you wallet more then anything, but what doesnt in PC building!

The one point that nobody said, is that the price vs. temps that your getting from H2O, Its not a, "bang for your buck" kinda thing. You can spend $300+ on a nice single loop H2O with say 3 blocks and still only get a -3c better temp then on air! Same token though, during high stress/overclocking/load testing, the money vs. temp starts getting better, you can push higher and the H2O will keep the temps down better then air would! But never to the point, like I said, that it would be a "bang for your buck" temp drop!

So at some point you have to say is H2O even worth it, well it is if you have the money to spend! If you spent money on H2O yet you dont have the best PSU or RAM, then I would say get those first, since H2O wont help if you cant even push your system due to poor Ram/PSU! IMO, H2O is more of an modding choice, some people like lights and or windows, yet some like just a white computer with no frills! I think H2O is like a "big light" that some like and others will never want or need! Just remember, computers have been running off air with no issues for years, so there will never be a true need for any H2O(have to have or it wont work), but its sure fun to have/build it anyway!
 
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If you're looking for a flexible kit, the best place IMO to look is here

http://www.petrastechshop.com/wacoki.html

they offer lots of different "kits" that are all built from the best parts and have different options within each "kit" offering
 
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theres nothing wrong with "kits" but kits like the Swiftech Compact doesn't allow you to change or add anything to the loop. ie new CPU/GPU/NB blocks... etc etc

Yes this is quite so, mind you for a beginner a kit of some sort would be best.The Swiftech
H20-APEX-ULTRA would be a good one , but its rather expensive
 

philbrown23

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dude DON'T BUY A KIT. but all the parts for a cust setup, you'll regret it if you don't. You want the d-tek fusion block, by far the best block there is. if you want two blocks in your loop, you may need two rads, I have four and my temps are still only like 20c. 1/2 in is good, but again it is very hard to route, I use 3/8 and it is ideal. get the laing d5 pump, best on the market, you can get swiftech 3x120 rad at xoxide for like 40 buck right now. just some advice I did not take at first and ended up paying for it in the end.
 

Fitseries3

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3/8" tubing is NOT idea. it doesn't move near as much water as 7/16" or 1/2" does.
 
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I bought a Thermaltake kit once and the pump failed in 2 weeks. TT is also a bitch to get an rma so it's $$ down the toilet.
 
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Put it this way, If your unsure of yourself and want a kit to make your first attempt in H2O easy? Then a kit will give you that safety net your looking for. But if you want to expand or change parts down the road, you will have to start from scratch anyhow, the kits just dont do well adding blocks or trying to incorperate into a larger loop.

Now if you can build a computer that is worthy of an H2O system, like most here(have taken the time to get the right parts and spent the money, building the right rig for them)? If you can do that, then I beleave you have the skills to build a custom(pick your own parts) H2O rig. Just ask questions, like your doing, and take your time(like leak test 24hrs.). Its not as hard to build H2O as you think, it hurts you wallet more then anything, but what doesnt in PC building!

The one point that nobody said, is that the price vs. temps that your getting from H2O, Its not a, "bang for your buck" kinda thing. You can spend $300+ on a nice single loop H2O with say 3 blocks and still only get a -3c better temp then on air! Same token though, during high stress/overclocking/load testing, the money vs. temp starts getting better, you can push higher and the H2O will keep the temps down better then air would! But never to the point, like I said, that it would be a "bang for your buck" temp drop!

So at some point you have to say is H2O even worth it, well it is if you have the money to spend! If you spent money on H2O yet you dont have the best PSU or RAM, then I would say get those first, since H2O wont help if you cant even push your system due to poor Ram/PSU! IMO, H2O is more of an modding choice, some people like lights and or windows, yet some like just a white computer with no frills! I think H2O is like a "big light" that some like and others will never want or need! Just remember, computers have been running off air with no issues for years, so there will never be a true need for any H2O(have to have or it wont work), but its sure fun to have/build it anyway!

I agree totally, I have spent a shit load of money on watercooling, one thing to remember, if you are planning to water cool your graphic cards the blocks are not cheap and the other downside is every upgrade results in almost 100% incompatability of your existing water blocks. But, if your like me and have an obsession then by all means go ahead, it is fun!
 

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I recommend build your own myself.
I just built one for my Ati1900xtx only not the CPU, I was tired of hearing the 1900XTX sounding like a jet, plus I was getting 76C @ load with the fan at 100%

This is what I got:

D-Tek 3/8ID barbs $5
D-tek Fuzion GFX GPU Block $46
Danger Den CPX1 Pump $36
Magicool Slim 240 Dual radiator $30
Koolance Blue Liquid Coolant $18
Zalman RAM Sink for GPU $8
Home depot "T" line $4
Home Depot 3/8ID 10ft of tubing $5

For $152, I am more than pleased with my setup.
Before watercolled idle with fan @50% was 46C, now 34C
Load with fan 100% was 76C, now I can't get it over 42C
and it's OC to 715/828
 

Fitseries3

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im in the middle of my new build. here is the list...

apogee gtx
thermochill PA120.3
thermochill PA120.2
2 Laing D5 pumps
3 swiftech stealths
12ft tygon 1/2ID 3/4OD
1 danger den T
1 danger den fillport

i know it's more than what most people would have, but it's getting stuffed in a silverstone TJ07.

moral of the story... BUILD YOUR OWN SETUP!!!
 
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i just checked out petra's and most of their stuff is DC... but I did however find and like this.. http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoel.html for $249. it fits my price range and yours... with USPS Priority shipping (~$25) its about $270..
 
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Okay I'll round up everything this time. How's this one?



I've read around for the best rad I could get for the performance, and it seems the Swiftech's 3x120n is the winner for me. Well I could always upgrade later if I'm not happy with the performance. I know I'll add the chipset/VGA waterblock into the loop too.
 

malware

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Excellent choice, everything looks in order.
 
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pepsi71ocean

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I my self toiled over WCing my current rig (specs to the left) I am still on AC only because i need to wait for more money to grow first. But when looking at some different rigs out there, i took a loot at th differences between kits and custom building a WC rig, i would deffinately go with a scrach built system.
 

WakeUpDead

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Looking good my friend(part you have picked, just order a few extra of everything! Believe me, you dont want to wait a week for some stupid, extra foot of tude, coolant or a clamp even! I have so much extra stuff I could build another H2O loop(my wife thinks I sold it all), but I dont have to wait when I need anything! Ill take the beating from my old lady for piece of mind!

Get some pictures when you set this bad boy up! We all would like to see your work!
 

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Founders

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well guys:

Having read through this it looks like i migh not be getting the H20-220 Compact Liquid Cooling Kit , it all sounded and looked good and easy ..

as i posted above i think you can add to this kit ( http://www.swiftnets.com/products/H20-120-COMPACT.asp )as i am looking to cool my cpu now then add 2 x9800gtx when its out..

but now well im not so sure what to do.( I am a newb at using watercooling and oc'ing but willing to learn)

the main thing i liked about the kit was tidyness and also the fact resivoir and pump was all in 1 and not in my case.

now to set it all straight!:

I am getting water cooling for quietness and keeping temps down, I will be ocing my cpu/ram but my cards I will buy watercooled versions that are already well oc'd probably BFG ones ( point being i will not try to see what i can get out of my PC, more like just to get a better performance than stock)

so with all that in mind, do you still think i should get custom parts, or a kit also if i get a parts what parts are best to keep it tidy in my 832 stacker :)

I did like the fact you can get custom kit as it were from http://www.petrastechshop.com

but as i said i did like te tidyness from the swifttech H20-220 Compact Liquid Cooling Kit

anyone advise :)
thanks
 
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My inputs:

- All the advice given here is very sound. I agree with most of what was suggested. I think independant componants will be much easier to work with down the road when you want to expand your WC system. The list you have looks perfect and I'm sure you will be very happy with the results.

- Something that I didn't see mentioned was that new folks the the WC arena need to me mindful of the effects of mixing copper and aluminum. Mixing these two metals causes corrosion in the WC system.

- Most waterblocks out there are copper. Most radiators out there are copper/brass. Be mindful of Innovatek and Koolance as they use aluminum quite a bit. All of Koolance's waterblocks are gold plated so they can be used in ANY system regardless of the material used elsewhere in the water loop. However, Koolance and Innovatek use aluminum heat exchangers which means a lot of planning needs to be done if you want to use one. So to the person that said "Koolance is not recommended" I have to disagree. You just need to be aware of when and how to use their products.

- I'm currently looking into upgrading my CPU cooler to the Apogee GTX. To do so with my WC setup I will have to sent the Apogee copper block off to be gold plated so it will work with my aluminum radiators.

I hope this helps enlighten you to one of the more intricate aspects of the WC world. Good luck!!
 

Founders

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please advise- or add any bits missing!

ok so lets say i go components, heres a list of what i think makes sence and should be easy and tidy to install:

swiftech 2x120 or 3x120 qp radiator
swiftech rad box for radiator
D-tek fusion or Swiftech APOGEE GTX for cpu(whats best?)
Laing d5 pump
7/16" tubing
coolant(whats best)?
2-3 120mm fans for rad(might have them already)
a pack of clips for the 7/16" tubing


am i missing anything or need to change bits?

oh and thank you to the ppl who have replied to this thread made my life easier with this thread going already :)
 
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looks like a smart list of products to me. I've been running Koolance coolant for nearly a year now and haven't seen any signs of buildup or corrosion... but I'm not sure how Koolance fluid performs cooling wise compared to other brands. It works for me... but that's pretty much all I can say about it. There's also no mixing it... just put it straight in from the bottle.
 
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