1st time watercooler need help.

kieran_read · 2 Apr 2009 at 16:50

Well im considering watercooling my computer next month, it's my birthday so if i get enough cash i might do it

This is what it looks like inside.

Laugh if you must but it's the first time i have ever built my own computer, im aware it needs cable managment, but i don't know if they will fit behind the motherboard its a Antec 900 case, but the powersupply isn't modular so all the cables are just laying about.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6759/1000929l.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1513/1000930n.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7686/1000933l.jpg

I really don't know where to start.

So far i have decided on this reservoir
and this VGA waterblock

Im thinking of removing the rear fan to replace it with a radiator but i really don't know so any help would be appreciated

Please help buy suggesting parts, looking to keep within £200 if possible although could go a little over if neccerssary.

PS: Cable ties will be on the shopping list as well

square_nothing · 2 Apr 2009 at 22:07

in the same position as you, got a 900 case and looking at wc abit. its more the rad i am worried about as you want a good sized one to get good cooling but a 3X sized rad will not fit in that case the best being a 2X rad.

was looking at Zalman Reserator1 v2 Fanless Water Cooling System
and like the idia of it being silent, should be fairly simple to fit and can add some clips outside of the case for easy removal when needed to be transported.

altho i wonder how good it will be compaired to a custom setup or even against the better air coolers.

kieran_read · 2 Apr 2009 at 22:48

Yeh i don't know where to put a rad, i was thinking of taking of the rear fan and putting it there, then theres the pump, i was thinking in the bottom of the case where the bottom hard drive area is got nothing there so could go there but again i don't know. No one seems interested in helping me either. lol

Ewanb75 · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:00

Get as many cases behind the right panel as you can, thread them thru the top, cable tie as many off neatly too. I have a 900, cabling is messy.

I have a 902 case with watercooling waiting to go in. Its a 2x rad, and i have a rad box for it. Look in the watercooling cases thread for some ideas matey.

Blackwhite · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:03

It is the best way to put rad at the rear of case and pump in the place of HDD cage.
Do you want to WC CPU and GPU, or NB as well?

kieran_read · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:05

Ewanb75 said:
Get as many cases behind the right panel as you can, thread them thru the top, cable tie as many off neatly too. I have a 900, cabling is messy.

I have a 902 case with watercooling waiting to go in. Its a 2x rad, and i have a rad box for it. Look in the watercooling cases thread for some ideas matey.

i saw those rad box things what are they for lol?

kieran_read · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:06

Blackwhite said:
It is the best way to put rad at the rear of case and pump in the place of HDD cage.
Do you want to WC CPU and GPU, or NB as well?

Just CPU and GPU screwing up my warrenty on a £350 gfx card is risk enough for me for now, will get more experience before i concern myself with dismantaling my motherboard.

My first build as well so dont want to destroy anything that i cant afford to replace.

cje · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:12

kieran_read said:
i saw those rad box things what are they for lol?

A quick search in google tells me that it's for mounting a rad to your case. I'd give you a nice link with a picture, but it's a competitor website. Just search "radbox" in google images.

kieran_read · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:23

cje said:
A quick search in google tells me that it's for mounting a rad to your case. I'd give you a nice link with a picture, but it's a competitor website. Just search "radbox" in google images.

Oh i see for mounting on the outside of your case, looks handy, donno if i like the look of it though, but then again i don't look at the back of my case so you never know.

Thanks for that

Gepetto · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:43

square_nothing said:
was looking at Zalman Reserator1 v2 Fanless Water Cooling System and like the idea of it being silent,

I really liked the idea of the reserator 1, but do a search on it in this section. Apparently it's great if you don't want to overclock. I.e. works well with "cool to begin with" systems, but can't really cope with higher temps. Pity.

bluesouljah · 2 Apr 2009 at 23:46

I've done this and it was easy. Use a RAD box at the back and stick on the radiator, I have a 120.3 thermochill. I then put the reservoir at the front and the pump at the bottom in front of the power supply. I cool a 4870 and i7 with this setup.

kieran_read · 3 Apr 2009 at 00:03

Thanks for the help so far got any advice on any parts.

bluesouljah · 3 Apr 2009 at 00:21

kieran_read · 3 Apr 2009 at 00:33

Donno where im going to put a triple rad :s i was going to use a single will that not be enough?

Blackwhite · 3 Apr 2009 at 09:54

Single?- forget about it - triple it is minimum mate

U can put it at the rear of your case- mount rad box in the midlle of rad.
If u want to spend about 200 quid i can suggest something:
Pump XSPC 750 with res http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-025-XS&groupid=701&catid=193&subcat=1042 - 38 quid - it is good enough and very quiet
Rad XSPC RS360 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-022-XS&groupid=701&catid=193&subcat=1041- 35 quid
CPU Block XSPC Delta V3 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-044-XS&groupid=701&catid=193&subcat=1034 - 38 quid
GPU Block - from your link - 84 quid
+ Tubing, fittings, Fluid
All together 227 quid.

kieran_read · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:33

so a single rad box will hold a triple rad on the back of my antec 900 then?

kieran_read · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:56

Does anyone know if these are any good...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-043-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=795

my case gathers a lot of dust

PaulyD · 3 Apr 2009 at 17:39

so a single rad box will hold a triple rad on the back of my antec 900 then?

Correct

MikeTimbers · 3 Apr 2009 at 17:39

kieran_read said:
so a single rad box will hold a triple rad on the back of my antec 900 then?

yes, and the size of the rad depends on the heat load. what are you trying to cool?

kieran_read · 3 Apr 2009 at 17:47

Intel Q9550 and a ATI 4870X2