watercooling build parts advice

theron

theron

theron

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1 Feb 2009
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Location
Wiltshire
OK, I have tried to squeeze as much info about my current system as possible into my signature, hopefully you will be able to help me.

I want to water cool my system. the plan is to buy the following:

140 x3 radiator (with fans, shrouds and dampners) <<--- EK-CoolStream RAD XTC 420?
120 x1 radiator (with fan, shroud and dampner) <<--- EK-CoolStream RAD XT 120?
tube shape reservoir <<--- EK-Multioption RES X2 - 400 Advanced?
cpu block <<--- EK-Supreme HF - Acetal 1366/1155/1156/775/AM3?
gpu full cover block <<--- EK-FC6970 Acetal?
northbridge block (already bought)
water temperature monitor <<--- aqua computer temperator sensor?
water flow rate monitor <<--- innovatek flow-o-matic electronic flow meter?
pump <<--- Alphacool VPP655 -T12?
fixings etc.

can you recommend me 1, many or all good options for these parts? or spot any problems with it?

thanks, theron.
 
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hehe! yes i do!

I have been saving for a while :P

will it be sufficient cooling for my rig? i want it to be silent when im doing office work, watching movies etc, and powerful when im gaming (ill control this via fan controller).
sound ok?
 
I would not bother with the water temp monitor. Just a waste of money really. Ive had one years ago and it doesn't matter water the water temp is just what temps your cpu and card are witch real temp will tell you.

Also no need for a north bridge block. Its not needed and will just ad heat to your loop. But if you want it its your computer but i wouldn't bother
 
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Also the flow meter. Ive had them both. They were thermaltake when i got a kit from them. It also makes your loop all messy got fittings everywhere and wires coming from them to.

Does the 420 rad fit in your case. Dont buy a shroud make them. Buy the cheapest fans you can find and take the insides out
 
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JeffyB said:
Bar a few different parts your build is similar to mine, have a look at my build in sig it may be of use :)
Click to expand...

yes, that looks really nice....

i started looking at the sr1 today, probably ill go with that instead as i hear its better than the ek420? seems to be getting you great results anyway so..
 
It's a much better rad than the ek rad but comes at a considerable jump in price. Have been very impressed with temps and noise, you wont be dissapointed at all.
 
Theron, I would go with a smaller EK res.
I would pick the 250 advance instead of the 400.
They are both very good but the 400 is a nightmare to fit into a case.
I also agree that the monitoring equipment is not required @ this time.
Also the SR1 rads are very good (got one myself)
 
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ok, smaller reservoir it is.

bad times though... from what i can find on the internet, the black ice sr1 is too wide to fit within the sides of a 5.25" drive bay?

can you confirm this?

it will need to fit within the 5.25" drive bays, i want to do as little cutting as possible to the internal frame of the case, just top and side panels.
 
The SR1 is wider than my ThermoChill rad.
SR1 is 133mm wide.
It looks like the EK is the narrowest rad out @ 123mm.
 
well im looking at 140mm x3 rads, but i guess they willl be similar across the sizes, looks like i will have to get the EK then? :(

unless there are better 140mm x3 rads around that will fit inside the the optical drive cage width-wise?
 
theron said:
well im looking at 140mm x3 rads, but i guess they willl be similar across the sizes, looks like i will have to get the EK then? :(

unless there are better 140mm x3 rads around that will fit inside the the optical drive cage width-wise?
Click to expand...


Could get a thick 120.3 rad would do just as good a job
 
A 420 (3x140) rad has the same cooling capacity as a 480 (4x120) with the advantage of using larger quieter fans was tested by skinnee.
 
I can also vouch for the d5, really is a great pump. Mine is set to speed 2/5 and is near silent and pumps plenty for my cpu/gpu loop. Only down side is if you want to use a small hose id (3/8) you would need to buy an aftermarket top as the d5 comes with 1/2id moulded barbs.
 
JeffyB said:
I can also vouch for the d5, really is a great pump. Mine is set to speed 2/5 and is near silent and pumps plenty for my cpu/gpu loop. Only down side is if you want to use a small hose id (3/8) you would need to buy an aftermarket top as the d5 comes with 1/2id moulded barbs.
Click to expand...

this.

But the top is also better than the standard so will also improve flow. But i can't justify paying all that for a top. Just stick with 1/2 makes life easier
 
isnt the d5 the same as the alphacool 655? just different name and cheaper?

very disappointed in the radiator situation, i was getting quite excited about an sr1, i dont think a 120.3 is the same performance as a 140.3 at all, a 120.4 might be close but it would be too long :(

anything better than EK420xtc, but same width? ive seen a photo of it in the same case as mine and it seems to be a very snug fit.

coolgate anygood?
 
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