a little watercooling help

kashaf · 18 May 2009 at 00:07

hi!

i was looking into making a diy watercooling system for my CPU and GPU since ive read that watercooling kits are rubbish. you can see my system specs in my sig. i have a 4890 and its very loud. Here are the components.

CPU/GPU block
I can get a EK 4890 GPU block for that. I'm a bit confused about which CPU block to get. I have AM3 socket and they are identical to AM2 sockets so I suppose any cooler which supports AM2 will do. Anyone have any idea?

The Reservoir and Pump
I was looking at this one: XSPC Dual 75- Bay Reservoir and Pump? Any suggestions on that?

The Radiator
There are 2 good companiesm thermochill, swiftech and XSPC. Any ideas on which radiator to get. I have a HAF 932 case so the radiator can be screwed nicely on the top part of the case. The case can take dual or tripple radiator. And by the way these radiators shown on the OcUK website, do they come with fans? or would I have to buy fans separately and install them on the radiator?

And the setup?
I have never had any experience with LCS's before and I'm a complete newbie. I've read how to setup a LCS with just the CPU, (make circuit, radiator to cpu, cpu to pump, pump to radiator) but I want to liquid cool my 4890 aswell. What should the circuit look like with the GPU block installed.

Does anyone else have a DIY LCS? if so could you please tell me what components you have used? o ye and another thing...

chipset cooling?
is it worth it?

.:SAmSuNG:. · 18 May 2009 at 00:18

k ummm

CPU/GPU block: Not sure on this as ima intel boy but iv seen the new heatkillers that fit amd CPU's and tbh there the best around.

The Reservoir and Pump: Depending on budget a D5 vario or DDC 10w/18w would be better. Then pick a res you like the look of.

The Radiator: Ima thermochill fanboy so will say get one of them. PA120.3. Fans need to be bought extra. Yate loons are popular and cheap.

And the setup? Run res before pump for ease of bleeding and maybe cpu before GPU but tbh just run tubing what works easiest and neatest to look at.

chipset cooling? Dunno what ur mobo is like but GPU and CPU is plenty for a first go.

JonJ678 · 18 May 2009 at 01:37

We need a budget mate, as that rather dictates which components you want.

CPU I'm also an intel guy, but the bracket my ek supreme came with rather suggests it fits amd boards.

Pump DDC is far better. Costs about 17 quid more, the xspc or ek reservoir tops are very good.

Radiator, few options. Budget limited. I have a couple of feser radiators (their website let me view a cad model of a radiator, which I was very impressed by), so I'll recommend feser. They aren't cheap though.

Setup: Leak test for ages. I tested for about 15 minutes, but I have quite a lot of faith in myself

Reservoir before pump, nothing else matters. Go for the shortest tube length possible.

Chipset cooling does good things for overclocks, and looks nice. Adds to the price somewhat. I'll water cool my northbridge, southbridge and mosfets sometime this summer with any luck, but I intend to make my own blocks to achieve this.

kashaf · 18 May 2009 at 03:04

well i dnt really have a budget.. whatevers the best really

.:SAmSuNG:. · 18 May 2009 at 12:54

Best set up would be:

CPU Block: HEATKILLER® CPU Rev3.0 754/939/AM2. Link to pic. You will have to have a search around to find who stocks them.

Pump: Laing DDC 1+ Ultra 18W 12V DC Pump. Link.

Res: XSPC Laing DDC Pump Top Reservoir. Link.

Radiator: No difference in performance really between Thermochill and Feser but there is in cost so on that basis. Thermochill PA120.3 120mm Triple Radiator. Link.

Barbs/Fittings, tubing and coolant: If going barbs then using 7/16" tubing on 1/2" barbs is best set up IMO. Barbs of choice are DTEK Highflow 1/2" barbs. Will need reducers for the rad to run normal barbs. Also could go compression fittings if you wanted but IMO barbs look cleaner. Tubing wise you wanna be looking at 7/16" tubing and will need around 6ft or 1.5m. I would use colored tubing of your choice and then run water with di-ionised water from the petrol station and 2 drops of PT nuke.

shadowscotland · 18 May 2009 at 13:17

Yes AM2 and AM3 have the same bracket and fixings so all modern blocks will fit.

Fuzion, supreme, heatkiller, GTZ are all good blocks and you will need a D5 or DDC to push water through them and the fullcover block on your graphics card. There really is only a few degrees differance between them, so what ever one you like really (heatkiller v3 is the current king of the hill)

The DDC with a res top is a really good combo - highly recomened

Rad - Go with the RX360 from XSPC it's almost as good as the PA and will match the holes in your case and all barbs.

Cooling chipsets is usually a bit pointless - as the heatpipes do almost as well once all the other heatsources are under blocks. This is true for the newer intel p35/p45 chipsets at least.

Forgot to ask - why do you want to watercool?
For half the price you could have aircooling that drops your temps / is quieter / looks the business... just a thought