Looking to WC ... some recommendations and advice needed please

Vogon

Vogon

Vogon

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I hope too WC my setup after Xmas, so as I know little to nothing about it were better to ask.
A friend will be giving me some good advice/recommendations , but it never hurts to get several opinions :)

The PC in question is C2D,680i chipset and 8800 Ultra graphics.
Without spending a fortune I would like to WC the GPU/CPU and Northbridge (presumably the southbridge will be fine with a passive HS on ?) with enough headroom to add a second GPU into the loop without needing to upgrade the pump, rad etc.
I have decided that I would like to use 1/2 inch ID tubing.

So firstly what components would you look at getting ?

Secondly could it all be housed in my Akasa Eclipse 62 ?
(anyone who has pics of a WC setup in this case please post or link pics :) )

Thirdly, I presume you daisy chain the blocks, but I see some systems in the WC pics thread with splitter pipes, what is the reason behind that ?

Lastly, Any other things to look out for ?
 
Oi you lot wake up :p

Preliminary shopping list looks like this:

12V Laing DDC-1T Pro w/OCLabs XP Top Clear
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

1/2" ID Tygon R3603 Tubing 1/2" - Hose Length 2 Meters £13.38

Zinc Plated Jubilee Wormdrive Clip 1/2" (10 Pack) £4.29 (or maybe plastic ear clips if they are good enough as they will look better ?)

XSPC RS240 Rad Black
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

2x Noctua NF-S12 1200RPM 120mm Quiet Fan

EK-Wave LGA775
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

EK-FC8800 8800GTX
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

EK-NB EVGA 680i
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

XSPC Bay Reservoir - Black

Anything to avoid or better in that list ?
How quiet and vibration free is the pump ?
 
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Can't really offer too much advice as haven't watercooled yet, but from what I've read the Thermochill PA series of radiators are supposed to be better for low flow rate fans (I assume from the question about noise and your choice of the less powerful version low noise is important to you).

From what I've read that pump is supposed to be excellent and very quiet, though the alphacool and Petra's tech tops get better results in tests than the OCLabs (sorry can't remember the link).
 
Make sure that you specify the Acetal top for the EK block as they don't crack as easy. Also I'd recommend the D-Tek Fusion CPU block, it's probably the best out.

If you're considering running the CPU, GFX and NB on the same loop then I'd also go for the Thermochill 120.3 Rad to deal with the extra heat, however this all depends on the size of your case and if you're mounting the rad externally or internally. The smaller 120.2 might suffice however you won't see as good temps.

If you find that the pump is too loud then you could 7V mod it like I have done in mine. Depending on the mounting of the rad/pump, you might create a cyclone effect on 12V anyway but you'll have to see when it comes together.

Ref the CPU block, not sure if the D-Tek comes with a back plate but I'd be inclined to get one if it doesn't otherwise you'll bend your mobo as it sits on damn tight.

Hope this helps, I'm a newbie myself to H20 but I'm learning.
 
Vogon said:
Oi you lot wake up :p

Preliminary shopping list looks like this:

12V Laing DDC-1T Pro w/OCLabs XP Top Clear
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

1/2" ID Tygon R3603 Tubing 1/2" - Hose Length 2 Meters £13.38

Zinc Plated Jubilee Wormdrive Clip 1/2" (10 Pack) £4.29 (or maybe plastic ear clips if they are good enough as they will look better ?)

XSPC RS240 Rad Black
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

2x Noctua NF-S12 1200RPM 120mm Quiet Fan

EK-Wave LGA775
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

EK-FC8800 8800GTX
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

EK-NB EVGA 680i
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

XSPC Bay Reservoir - Black

Anything to avoid or better in that list ?
How quiet and vibration free is the pump ?
Click to expand...


Ok first off get an alphacool top - more flexable and less inclined to create cavitation. A Petras top is also better imo.

Ditch the ek wave and get the d-tek fusion(yes you need a backplate separately), much better performance.

PA rads will outperform any rad on the market atm. Size can however be an issue so chack first(they are twice the thickness of many other rads).

Other than that it looks a good spec - dont forget some sort of coolant/anti algae.
 
Ok, bear with me being new to this, whats cavitation ??
Pricewise, whats the difference between the OClabs and Alphacool/Petras tops ?
Likewise the Fusion, what sort of price and performance difference is it ?

Acetal top ... wondered what that was, I think its only a quid or 2 more so thats not a problem, although I won't be able to see inside :o
Are plexiglass tops prone to cracking then ?

I am thinking of mounting the rad on the rear ouside of the case A: because I have room, and B: it should keep heat out of the case, therefore less ambient temperature internally.
If I read right, with the fans on, the thickness of the setup I listed would be around 60mm, for the way I plan to mount it (sideways on to the rear to not block access to DVI, soundcard etc).
So I wouldn't want to be much over 80mm thick inc fans.
Do the PA rads cost much more ?
The fans I listed are quite expensive, but look to deliver good airflow at very low noise levels as far as I can see. (17db @12v 48cfm, 6db @7v 24cfm).

Also the I dont want the rad larger than 240 ideally, a 340 would mean another fan so more noise.
The 2 main aims of the WC set-up for me are low noise and better GPU/Chipset cooling, any temp the CPU drops over my Tuniq tower is a bonus TBH.

Thats my thoughts ... but feel free to find holes in my logic and point out any misconceptions and less than optimal choices as thats what I want you to do :p

Having said that its not on an unlimited budget ... £250 absolute max to include every last grommet :)

As for liquid, I was thinking along the lines of some Fesser F1 Anti Corrosion Liquid.
 
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Cavitation is where water isn't supplied to the pump, and air is sucked in. XSPC top is pretty much the same as a Petras top (fron't over hang to accomodate outlet channel). Petras top, alphacool and XSPC all add performance to the DDC pump but the performance gains of each one over another are insignificant.

FuZion is a very good block and it's about 40 pounds, compared to about 25 for the EK wave. Performance is much better, the EK wave isn't really considered a performance block and as such, isn't pitted against the likes of the ApogeeGTX in reviews.

The Noctua fans are terrible for watercooling, they do offer a good noise/airflow ratio but this suffers when they are put into a high back pressure scenario. This scenario exists in dense fin heatsinks and radiators. If you want quiet, then there really isn't any choice other than the PA radiators.

They have low fin density which allows for low speed fans, so much to the point that after a certain CFM point, the PA radiators performance won't improve. My suggestion would be yate loon D12SL's on a fan controller or if you don't wish to use a fan controller, Nexus fans.

Tygon is the most pointless of pointless expenditures people spend on watercooling. It's overpriced and offers zero benefits over cheaper tubing. People buy it because it's clear, but the 3603 is actually vacuum tubing with plastersiser, which leeches and is replaced with water = cloudy tubes.

1/2" tubing? 7/16th ID (5/8 OD) tubing walks all over 1/2" tubing by a mile. It matches the ID of 1/2" barbs, cleaner to route, seals better for less chance of leaks and bends just as well.

Coolant is a good choice.
 
DDC Ultra with petra's top
D-Tek Fuzion
DangerDen Maze 5
Thermochill PA120.2 in the roof (EASILY fits in the eclipse)
Masterkleer 7/16" tubing
T-Piece or whatever res you fancy

Big passive HS on the NB/SB with a 120mm fan aimed over them
 
So 7/16 is a clean fit onto 1/2 barbs ? no performance loss for being 1/16 less ID ? any tubing recommendations in that size ? I would prefer clear.

I will look to get the fusion CPU block then, (does it have a specific backplate or a generic one, as I can't seem to find the backplate listed ?) and either the Petras, Alphacool or XSPC top for the Pump ... The OCLabs was supplied with the pump when I was pricing things up, thats the only reason its listed, I didn't realize you could change tops :o

Hmm rad could be a bone of contention then ... firstly its double the price, as the Fuzion has bumped up the costing, I can't also have the PA rad, added to that its too thick for what I want to do.

So is there any better 240 rads around the cost of the one I listed ?
Do you mean the Noctua are not quite when hooked to a rad, or just don't cool it particulary well ?
What would be a quiet fan of choice for a radiator with dense fins, the nexus are listed as 22db, and Yate loons are 28db !
The Papst F/2 GLL 120mm looks to be quieter at 18db, but is it any good ?
Also the AcoustiFan DustProof Quiet 120mm Fan looks to have low noise, how would that perform on a rad ?

@ Jellybean, I thought the EK was meant to be the best for GPU ? but wouldnt have the Maze5 as I am adamant I want a GPU block that covers Vram too :)
Likewise I want WC on the NB 'cos the 680i runs pretty hot.
I want as few fans as possible to minimize noise ;)
Ermmm .... rad might not fit in the roof with an optical drive up top and a Enermax Galaxy PSU :)
 
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Already had for a while the EVGA ... my chipset temps are rather scary looking in the bios for a chipset. (With a mild O/C running 389x9 for the CPU).
 
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if you are worried about cash, why are you spending your most money on a full-cover EK block for that 8800? Gest something like a MCW60 VGA for half that.

Diff between a EK-Wave & D-tek Fuzion is much more than between the EK-FC8800 8800GTX and the Swiftech. Or between the XSPC RS240 and the PA120.2.
 
What would be a quiet fan of choice for a radiator with dense fins, the nexus are listed as 22db, and Yate loons are 28db !
Click to expand...

The nexus are rebadged yate loons with better quality control, and run a bit slower - you could just 7v the yate loons or attach them to a fan controller.
 
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simonnance said:
if you are worried about cash, why are you spending your most money on a full-cover EK block for that 8800? Gest something like a MCW60 VGA for half that.
Click to expand...

My reasoning is firstly: I know how hot those Vram chips get with passive HS, and I am not happy with it, so I want full cover, secondly the Graphics card is the biggest expense in the system, and also the hottest, so I see it as a logical step to give that priority :)

Monkey Puzzle said:
The nexus are rebadged yate loons with better quality control, and run a bit slower - you could just 7v the yate loons or attach them to a fan controller.
Click to expand...

I could 7v ...but I cant find any reference to noise and airflow @7v ... I know the figures don't always tell the whole story, but it gives me a reference point to other fans.
BTW ... how do you get 7V ? (IIRC its something to do with rewiring the molex isn't it ?).


Ok so from everyones advice so far, the shopping list now looks like:

12V Laing DDC-1T Pro w/Petras, Alphacool or XSPC Top
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

Masterkleer 7/16" tubing - Hose Length 2 Meters (Can I use 1/2 PVC Hose Clip as a safeguard, or will these now be to big for the OD of the 7/16 tube ?)

XSPC RS240 Rad Black (unless someone mentions something better at similar size and price)
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

D-Tek Fuzion CPU Block
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

EK-FC8800 Acetal Graphics block
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

EK-NB EVGA 680i Acetal
- Barb Size 1/2" Nickel Plated

XSPC Bay Reservoir - Black

Fesser F1 Anti Corrosion Liquid

Fans undecided as yet
 
Hi , i ran a Swiftech MCW30 on the northbridge of my Striker when i had it and it ran real cool, a good quality block for the price and i used a Twinkling VGA Cooler VC-RE i think it was on the southbridge , very low profile, if you google it you will find
 
Vogon said:
Thanks for the heads up for the SB cooler andyr, is it nice and quiet ?
Click to expand...
Yes its a good quality one, solid copper and a smooth finish, and it gives of a nice blue effect aswell , a bargain , unfortunatly doesnt fit the intel southbridges that i have tried so far !
i am guessing that the Evga sb is the same as the striker though !
 
Hmmm ... re CPU blocks ... how come all the tests I have seen are not getting much lower CPU temps than my Tuniq tower (65 full load on both cores), I was expecting around 10 deg drop under load from WC the CPU compared to air ?

The EK block seems only 2-3 deg different to the Fusion, not really worth the price difference if thats the case ?

Or have I missed something ?
 
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