Decided to ditch my Reserator XT and build a REAL loop :) Any help welcomed.

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Hi guys, as the topic states I have decided to replace my reserator XT with a beefier cooling solution.

It has to be external due to my room layout and where the pc is, and I also want it as quiet as possible.

I need to cool a Q9550@3.82ghz, NB and a Evga GTX280 hc16 and need enough left to cool another GPU when I can afford to stick on in. Was thinking Evga GTX580 classified hydrocopper 3072mb or a 6 or 7 series similar card when they become available/

I am new to this really as the zalman unit was my first and only venture into watercooling so far and have never built a loop from scratch.

Apart from the need for lower temps, the fact that the Zalman has aluminum rads is bothering me(corrosion and less effective than copper for cooling).

I live in Ireland so wanna spec out the parts from the UK if possible so as I don't get robbed with shipping costs.

Was looking at this as a starting point..

http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/p/P...nt-18-Fans--Radiator-Grill-&-Cover_20226.html

Should this cool everything I mentioned? Or would a similar cheaper version even do the job I want?

Also saw someone recommend this pump..

http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/product.php?productid=2381&cat=1191&page=1

So if someone wouldn't mind helping me spec out a loop and tell me what I need to get I'd be very grateful.

My budget is in and around 400 Euros.

Thanks,

Mark.

 

[mayhem]

Oky first off ST is a brilliant company and you do well to stick to them for your parts

..

Just because a Rad is bigger doesn't make it better.

The pump is perfect for you needs but you will need a res , Barbs or fittings, tubing and a decent rad.

All so take into account your case and if you would like a external loop or internal. You can all so build a rad box if needs be.

Have you thought about a triple or quad rad

Here are some ideas for you

Rads -

www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/custom...s-480mm-Quad-Radiator--SR1-480-pid-12087.html

www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/custom...me-480mm-Quad-Radiator--GTX480-pid-11183.html

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...e-360mm-Triple-Radiator--GTX360-pid-4006.html

Res-

I cannot say enough good things about this res ...

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...5-MCP655-Pumps--RP-452X2-Rev13-pid-12874.html

this is the smaller version how ever its a bitch to fill your system. But once working its 100% a winner. The only problem will be its running DDC pumps instead.

www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/custom...e-Drive-Bay-Reservoir--TNK-501-pid-13985.html

CPU block

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...lock-for-Intel--RayStorm-Intel-pid-14598.html

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...niversal-CPU-Waterblock--Black-pid-14763.html

Tubing and barbs are up to you.

EK do a pretty amazing value kit ->

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...ercooling-Kit--EN-Nickel-Plexi-pid-14119.html

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Thanks for the reply

I forgot to mention that I have already ordered the cpu block. I went for the EK high flow nickel/plexi EN

This is my current setup so you see why I need it to be external. i want it to sit where my reserator is now sitting..

I have been piecing a setup together with the external rad box/case.. Here is what I have come up with, see what you think.

Ok. This is the rad, rad table mount case and fans I was looking at..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...-black---Triple-inkl--L-fterblende-und-S.html

This was the pump/res

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...-400---EK-Reservoir-Combo-DCP-4-0-Bundle.html

I saw someone mention this as being very good though..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_info.php/info/p1020_Laing-DDC-Pumpe-12V-Ultra.html

and this...

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...ol-VPP655---T12--1-2--barbed-connectors-.html

with this top..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...OP---Plexi-G1-4----VPP655-TPP644-MCP655-.html

Would need a separate res then too.

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_info.php/info/p11238_Phobya-Balancer-450-black-nickel.html

Wanted quick release couplings on the rad case so was looking at these..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...-8--OD-1-2---coupling--High-Flow----VL3N.html

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...ID-3-8--OD-1-2---plug--High-Flow----VL3N.html

dunno if they are the right ones to pair with each other?

Few sets of these..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...ting--outer-thread-1-4---compact--silver.html

This hose..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...orprene-tube-15-9-9-6mm--3-8-ID----black.html

Temp sensor, if I need one?..

http://www.aquatuning.de/product_in...-inner-thread-with-display-Display--red-.html

What do i need to connect pump and fans to pc so when pc is turned on they all power up?

Is there some sort of external break out power supply box you can run from the back of the pc and plug the 4 fans and the pump etc in to it in the back of the rad case?

Also is there a need of a flow meter and a fan/pump controller?

I want it setup so as if the pump stops the pc will shut down to avoid damage.

Do yo think that this should cool my setup ok? I'd imagine it will put the poor old reserator to shame

I could also go for this case instead...

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...Stand-for-3-x-360mm--Radiators-pid-11759.html

And 2 of these rads..

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...360mm-Triple-Radiator--SR1-360-pid-10251.html

or these..

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop...e-360mm-Triple-Radiator--GTX360-pid-4006.html

Then I could have the pump etc. in the gap in the middle between the 2 rads.

And setup twice the amount of fans in push/pull config.

Would they perform the same or better than the Phobya pack?

 

[mayhem]

oky every thing you have shown there is fine. the tubing well i cannot comment on because i have never used it.

Get a good fan controller and connect the ddc to that . The pump will power on when pc is turned as as long as you connect them to the pc power supply.

Set up software that monitors the PC temps when it reaches a certain hight it can shut down the pc. All so set the setting in the bios to do this.

The phobya stuff is the cheaper end of the water cooling (dont get me wrong though its not bad and does what it needs to) Black ice is the higher end. Phone ST and ask if they will fit before ordering it. Its all ways best to ask before you do.

If you would like a comparison to rads martins liquid labs (search on google) does a good comparison of a lot of the rads out on the market.

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Thanks.

Are all the fittings standard? could I get the Phobya 3x360 case and mount 2 black ice 3x120 rads, one either side, leaving room for the pump etc. in the middle?

Also do you think this would be better than the phobya setup I first mentioned?

thanks for the help btw as am new to this.

The Zalman reserator xt I'm using now is crap really and is only about the same as air for cooling so I wanted something better.

do you reckon the 2 black ice 3x120's will be enough to cool my q9550@3.82ghz, my NB and my gtx280 hc16 and also a gtx580 or similar if I add that to the loop also?

Just rang specialtech and they don't assemble anything.

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Specialtech told me to write an email to them letting them know my pc specs and send links to the parts on their site i was looking at so these are the parts I was thinking about.

I think I'll go with the black ice rads as they sound better.

Rad case...

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Phobya-External-Radiator-Stand-for-3-x-360mm--Radiators-pid-11759.html

with 2 of these rads, leaving the center space free to install pump, res etc..

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Hardware-Labs-Black-Ice-GT-Xtreme-360mm-Triple-Radiator--GTX360-pid-4006.html

Will this be enough cooling power for the parts I mentioned or should I add a third rad in the loop(kinda pushing funds beyond the limit though).

Was thinking about running fans either side push/pull so I could have them on the lowest possible setting. Can you recommend some silent fans with led's in them? As silent as possible.

these any good?

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Phobya-Nano-G-12-PWM-RED-LED-Silent-Waterproof-120mm-Case-Fan-1500rpm-pid-12199.html



I was thinking 12 of them, 3 on each rad on either side. Overkill?

Pump..

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-VPP655--Laing-D5-Vario-12V-Pump-with-Conversion-for-108mm-38-or-12-Loops--VPP655-OT12-pid-13316.html

and pump top..

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-HF-D5-Pump-Top-for-Laing-D5-Pumps--Plexi-pid-14238.html

or this pump top??

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/EK-D5-X-Res-Top-140-for-Laing-D5-Pump-Black-Acetal-pid-13505.html



this res if the it would be a better idea then the pump top res?

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Phobya-Balancer-450-Reservoir--Black-Nickel-pid-13575.html



Tubing..

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Tygon-R3400-38-ID---12-OD-10-13mm-Tubing--Black-pid-5797.html

 

[mayhem]

To be honest its not for some one like me to say which will be better if i have never had the chance to test such systems side by side. They booth look like they will do the job but i suspect the black Ice will do a better one at removing the heat.

I would check martin liquid labs as hes done reviews on these and see how they compare. I dont think no one on this forum could give you the perfect answer with out it sitting next to them and it being tested properly. This is were you will have to do some research your self and check out to see it it will be a worth wile investment.

The easy option if to go with the phobya as it will be less hassle to build and you can get going from the start. The black ice will probably (dont quote me on this though) out perform the Phobya though due the fin density and the design of them.

Hmm. so they dont know if it will fit. the items must be sealed then so they wont be able to open it up.

Can i suggest (as the risk of being told off) you take this topic to http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?70-Liquid-Cooling and you will get a good answer from people who will know about this sort of set up than my self. this may be of more use to you. Unless OFC some one here does know the answer .

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

thanks

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Right after some thinking and talking to some folks I think I have decided to upgrade my cpu, mobo and ram.

I have an ek hF nickel plexi arriving next week so was going to use that on the new chip. Will have the chip and my graphics card in my current wc loop.

I was going to continue to use the reserator xt for a few months more until I can afford to upgrade my wc system.

Now it will only have to cool cpu and gpu. No Nb in the loop anymore.

Then in a couple months I will upgrade the graphics card to whatever EVGA's top hydrocopper card is, and replace my wc system to cope.

Will prob get the Wc setup i have mentioned above with the phobya 1080 rad and 2 lots of 4 x 180mm fans (push/pull) which should cool it all down.

these are the parts I am thinking of getting now..

cpu..

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-390-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1859

Mobo..

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-475-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

Ram..

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-315-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387

I will be keeping my old soundcard from my current rig, creative x-fi titanium champion edition.

Do you think the reserator xt will keep the sandybridge and the gtx280 from overheating till I can afford to replace the wc loop?

Does anyone here have that mobo? Will it overclock heavily without needing to watercool the mobo?

 

[SPS]

Fuuuu that RAM's expensive!

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Yup. Do you think the timings are too high on it or are they alright?

I remember my last build I payed 600 quid for 4gb of corsair dominator ddr3 1800mhz 8-8-8-24

That was 3 1/2 years ago so this is a lot cheaper

 

[SPS]

Yup. Do you think the timings are too high on it or are they alright?

I remember my last build I payed 600 quid for 4gb of corsair dominator ddr3 1800mhz 8-8-8-24

That was 3 1/2 years ago so this is a lot cheaper

Them timings seem to be fine for it's rated speed but I can't justify that price, maybe TTL or someone else with more experience can give you some advice

Also AFAIK sandybridge isn't really affected by timings much.

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Cheers mate. Do you think the reserator xt should keep this and my gpu cool until I can afford to change my WC setup, if I don't go mental on the overclocking?

 

[SPS]

Cheers mate. Do you think the reserator xt should keep this and my gpu cool until I can afford to change my WC setup, if I don't go mental on the overclocking?

I have to admit I have no knowledge of the reserator xt

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Ah ok, thanks

 

[mayhem]

I have knolage of it, the chips are hotter and run between 25c to 35c on standard workloads, and hotter oced. your resonator should handle it fine.

Just make sure you use a premix as it has a lot of alu in the resonator.

 

[MarcusarilliuS_IRL]

Thanks

Just got rid of my premix actually, now using distilled with anti-corrosive, biocide and silver coil.

 

[mayhem]

your better off with pre mix with that how ever if it runs just leave it lol.