Finally going watercooled....

[hmmblah]

*** See last post

I can still remember 10 years ago lurking the FM forums and seeing all of the sweet looking watercooled PCs. Well, I've finally grown a set and feel it's time I take the plunge into watercooling (not counting the H50). I'm doing the research now, but won't be buying until closer to Christmas.

For now I'm just going to cool my i7 930, the 470 blocks are just too expensive for my budget right now. I'd like to run at 4.2GHz 24/7. The CPU can do that no problem, but the H50 can't keep up. I can fit two 140x2 rads in my case so I could expand later if I decide to cool the GPU/GPUs as well. I have the CM 690 II Advanced Case and can put the radiator in the top or bottom.

This is what I am looking at so far for parts:

CPU Block:

Swiftech Apogee XT Extreme

Rad:

Black Ice GT Stealth 280

Pump:

???

Res:

???

Tubing:

???

Fans for RAD:

??? I want the best fans for the type of radiator I get.

Also, what kind of barbs should I get? What type is best to use and what size should I go with?

Now the fluid. Just normal distilled water? What additive is good to use? I'm fine with the once a year cleaning, but in between I want 0 maintenance. This rig will run 24/7 folding so everything needs to be reliable and stable.

Edit: Posting this at FM as well. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[lasher]

Stealth will struggle matey, if room shove a thermochill in.

Pump of choice Laing DDC Ultra 18w

Rez go with a res top or bay res xspc usually for me

Tubing tygon if enough budget

Barbs are barbs affect performance in no noticeable way, but can complement looks I. E bitspower and the like.

CPU block looks fine

Coolant - just use an off the shelf all in one rather than pratting about with mixing biocides and experiment liquids.

Hope this helps matey

 

[SnW]

I can't give you any info but do make loads of pictures ..when you start building,

but i am pretty sure you will

 

[hmmblah]

Can you give me a link to that thermochill so I know what I'm looking for? I figured the stealth was a little thin. There is an xtreme version too, but it's almost twice as much.

 

[yggdrasil]

I can't give you any info but do make loads of pictures ..when you start building,

but i am pretty sure you will

+1

I have had water cooling in the back of my head for a while now, I'd love to follow you project so I know what works well

[size="0.5"]**coff** also to learn from your mistakes **coff**[/size]

 

[hmmblah]

I can't give you any info but do make loads of pictures ..when you start building,

but i am pretty sure you will

+1

I have had water cooling in the back of my head for a while now, I'd love to follow you project so I know what works well

[size="0.5"]**coff** also to learn from your mistakes **coff**[/size]

Will most definitely do a build log, expect one around Christmas. I'm going to be taking my time with this so hopefully there won't be any mistakes

.

It's been a long time coming. I've been wanting to do this for years.

 

[SnW]

It's been a long time coming. I've been wanting to do this for years.

I think i believe you also mentioned this a few times on FM,

and i am banned (SnW account) from there for years , SO

Have fun building ones you get to it

 

[hmmblah]

Hah yeah. Problem always was I could do some nice upgrades vs spending $400 on watercooling. It's still tempting, I'd love to add another 470, but these temps are stupid so it's time I invested in some watercooling.

 

[lasher]

Sidewinder matey

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thpa2xhipera.html

various other models there too, just be very wary of the thin ones. Especially if your going to push the GPU's through it at a later date.

for reference i had my CPU on a triple and my GTX280OCX on a single, two separate loops. The single on my GPU kept it at around 30 degrees on full tilt folding.

I personally found the fan choice made very little difference. i have these currently.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_49&products_id=2888

Can get a little noisy around 65 - 75% speed but good all the same. Decent Rad and they wont have to be run at full tilt anyway.

 

[hmmblah]

Thanks for the links. That radiator looks much better. Do they make a 140x2 version? Probably not much difference anyway?

As for the fluid, I've read that the off the shelf fluids tend to gunk up more so than distilled water with something like PT Nuke. Any truth to this?

 

[hmmblah]

Finally ready to buy....here's my cart.

Everything look OK?

 

[ciksas]

10m of tubing?

 

[hmmblah]

10m of tubing?

10ft. Won't use it all of course. Figure I could make a beer bong with the rest.

 

[JezEngland]

Good luck to ya's

 

[INMATE183]

I always prefered the look of a res not in a bay?not ment to be a good way to mount it... plus easier to empty the system when in a tube? that swiftech micro res thing is pretty sweet? andthose clamps are ment to be pap..get a screw one that way you know it wont fail?

plus any reason you wanna go for those fans other than they look cool? get better CFM from lower RPM fans...noctua, gelid UV blue 120 etc...

pack of 4

 

[hmmblah]

I always prefered the look of a res not in a bay?not ment to be a good way to mount it... plus easier to empty the system when in a tube? that swiftech micro res thing is pretty sweet? andthose clamps are ment to be pap..get a screw one that way you know it wont fail?

plus any reason you wanna go for those fans other than they look cool? get better CFM from lower RPM fans...noctua, gelid UV blue 120 etc...

pack of 4

I've been recommended the GT fans quite often so I went with them. The colors also played a role as much as I hate to admit it.

At first I had decided on the micro res, but then decided on the bay res because of installation. I couldn't seem to figure out a good way to reliably mount the micro res. I will be transporting my rig every few months for LAN parties, so I want to make sure everything will hold together. I'll be sure to bring towels in case I spring a leak

.

The clamps were only chosen because of color. I may not use them. I can pick up normal screw type hose clamps at the local hardware store if I decide not to use the plastic ones.

 

[kilobravo]

Finally ready to buy....here's my cart.

Everything look OK?

hi blah,think youll need a a bigger rad for 24/7 folding.A 360 rad and 55-60mm thick.And a decent top http://www.xspc.biz/ddctop.php

 

[hmmblah]

That's the thickest I can fit in the top of my case AFAIK and only up to a 240 rad. I figure with over twice the surface area and a bigger loop, better block, and better pump than the H50 I should (hopefully) be fine.

If it's not I'll buy a thicker rad and add it to the bottom.

What does the top actually do?

 

[kilobravo]

That's the thickest I can fit in the top of my case AFAIK and only up to a 240 rad. I figure with over twice the surface area and a bigger loop, better block, and better pump than the H50 I should (hopefully) be fine.

If it's not I'll buy a thicker rad and add it to the bottom.

What does the top actually do?

The top increase flowrate and pressure.More water coming through at same rpm.

Thin rads like the one you picked is good enough for gaming,but 24/7 folding the noctua nh-d14 offers better performance.Maybe 2 of the rads is fine,Tom would know that.

Like TTL says,its all or nothing with watercooling. And look at this cpu-block http://www.aquatuning.us/product_info.php/info/p10253_Aquacomputer-cuplex-kryos-PRO-for-sockets-1oe-1156-775--G1-4.html ,any cuplex kryos even the delrin should be the best.

 

[hmmblah]

The top increase flowrate and pressure.More water coming through at same rpm.

Thin rads like the one you picked is good enough for gaming,but 24/7 folding the noctua nh-d14 offers better performance.

eh, that kind of worries me now.