Watercooling spec

Danm54

Danm54

Danm54

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20 May 2009
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Hi, im looking at watercooling my pc, ive got a H50 but i want to include the graphics card in the loop too.

Ive currently got an Antec 300 case so a bigger one will be needed, ive looked at the Panzerbox
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-018-NX&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

edit: id like a case with a side window, around the £100 mark, cant justify spending 200+ on a case.

Ive got a GTX 260 card and a Q9550 but will be looking at upgrading this mid 2010 so a multi socket CPU block would be better.

How many/what size rads would i need, will a 240 be enough or should i include a 120 in the loop too?

Was thinking res-pump-240 rad-CPU-120 rad-GPU-res
or res-pump-240 rad-CPU-GPU-res

Is a pump with a res better than a seperate pump and res?

Im at the early stages of putting lists together and have got a few ideas of how to do it, its my first watercooled build so im open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance
:D
 
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if your planning on upgrading in the future then a 360 rad would be best for that.
Ive not used the combined res/pump so i cant comment on that, but i do find the drive bay res very good and easy to top up and maintian the loop. I also dont recommend the premixed fluids u can buy, halfords battery water and car anti freeze is what i use ;)
 
I did look at the drive bay res, seem a good idea.

The trouble with a 360 rad is trying to fit it in a case, and you only have one point of cooling, with the 2 rads i can cool the water between the CPU and the GPU. May not make a difference though.

Ive read too many threads about premix coloured fluids seperating etc to go down that route. Is the anti freeze used just the the inhibitor properties?
 
Bump.

Ive also been looking at this case, or the HS2 version. I would be outting a window in this.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-032-ZA&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

Also, would this pump be strong enough to do CPU GPU and 2 rads, or would i need something like the Laing DDC??
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-001-OC&groupid=962&catid=1522&subcat=

Would this be ok for my Asus GTX260?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-041-XS&groupid=962&catid=1520&subcat=

And this for the CPU
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-034-EK&groupid=962&catid=1519&subcat=

They're both copper and acetal so i should be safe against corrosion?

These are parts ive chose and they seem good to a watercooling noob, are they good value for money and would they give me a good loop with decent temps? Im open to suggestions on rads, id like a cross tapped one as these seem much better for full use of the rad.

And the big debate of barbs or comp fittings, im a plumber so comp fittings seem the way to go, are there any mojor flaws ive not read about?

Thanks
:D
 
I use this pump http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-004-SW&groupid=962&catid=1522&subcat=1543

Its on a gpu, cpu and 2x rad loop set at the slowest speed the pump can do! its a great pump but damn its expensive lol.
Compare the specs of my pump to the one your looking at! like i said its running on a slow setting and make little difference in temps, so is prob a bit over kill to run full whack.

Im not a fan on EK tbh but thats a good price and will be compatible if u upgrade to an I7 in the future.
That gpu block looks fine also. I would'nt worry about corrosion on the 2 blocks, far better than having blocks with crappy acrylic plastic lids. Talking from experience where one formed a crack and took out my mobo and gpu :/


Oh and about the temps, yes your temps will be a lot better than an air set up, also a lot quieter but dont expect miracles when your on a budget.

I use the screw on connectors, is that what u mean? just make sure u order the right sizes and check what one su need for the rad's as some dont come with them.

Screw ons look nice, but i found them fiddly to fit and not as tightly sound as a normal barb and a plastic/ jublee clip.
Also a tip if u do use them is to run the loop with out fans for a while, get the water temp nice and hot 60/70 and then the tubing becomes softer, makes it easier to tighten some of the screw top things.
 
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Barbs do look easier, and they dont look as long as i thought they would.

Do you think its worth cooling the north bridge as well? It runs cool now so with warm water passing over it i might just increse the temp instead of cooling it.

The problem now is that the pump and the CPU block dont give barb and thread sizes on the specs.

Screw on connectors is what im looking at, these ones http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-120-OK

Is 1/2 tubing ok for these? There's a lack of compatability info.
 
Seems 7/16 is the best tubing for 13-10mm fittings,

Im after some thin rads too, are these good enough? I dont want 50mm thick rads with 25/38mm fans, thats a bit too thick!

:D
 
Im thinking of selling my rad, its too thick, will prob go for an xspc stealth tbh.

make sure u order good tubing, my m8 bought some white and black stuff off ocuk and it was awful lol. I would review the said stuff but my past 3 negative reviews haven't shown up hmm......
 
I will ask him what the tubing was but seriously stay clear of it, it was awful!
 
Id appreciate that HAz

Im just waiting for some pics of a Zalman HS2 so i can see if i can fit the 2 rads i plan to use in there, then i can get ordering the case etc and start to play!

Im looking forward to this.

:D
 
just to let u know the tubing i used was xspc12white and xspc12black
with 1/2 In and 3/4 OD
This is nice thick and easy to manage tubing. Its not UV and isnt almost transparent in places like that crap ocuk sold my m8.
Ofc you cant get this tubing from ocuk and i cant tell u where i bought it from. Its also priced the same per meter!

and i used 10x 1/2 ID 3/4 OD compression fittings on the gpu, cpu, rad's and res.

Follow my thread it has some pics of my watercooling set up, excuse the camera quality tho!

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18064172&highlight=haz
 
Looks a tidy case, you've certainly packed a lot into it!

Ive got an Antec 300 and i looked at keeping it but there just isn't enough room for rads.

Ive found a Black Ice GT Stealth 120mm rad as well, OC only stock the 140mm which is usless as most rear fans are 120mm!

Ive searched the tubing and can only find it with a 5/8th OD, might be a squeez in a 1/2 fitting. Ill try the Masterkleer and see how i get on, can always change it.

Did you find 1m was enough? I hope to keep the loop short but i might be cuting it fine with 1m

This is coming together nicely, just need a case!

:D
 
There's nothing wrong with the Masterkleer 7/16th. Used it for both my loops. Would agree RE bayres although had no issues with my black feser (not sure if it is more effective than the stuff Haz spoke of).

RE: Case, I picked up my G70 with the custom cuts etc second hand off the MM, would advise (as you don't appear to be in a hurry) to look out for one :)
 
beh* said:
There's nothing wrong with the Masterkleer 7/16th. Used it for both my loops. Would agree RE bayres although had no issues with my black feser (not sure if it is more effective than the stuff Haz spoke of).

RE: Case, I picked up my G70 with the custom cuts etc second hand off the MM, would advise (as you don't appear to be in a hurry) to look out for one :)
Click to expand...

Why hurry when im spending this much, ill take my time, get the right bits and do it right.

Ive seen a case on an auction site, getting more info on it.

Thanks for the review on the Masterkleer, can buy with confidence now.

:D
 
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