Best watercooling setup money can buy(Spec for WC noob))

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

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At the end of the month im planning on blowing my pay on a new case(Most likely LianLi pc-101B) and a full watercooling setup. This will be my first leap into the world of watercooling, so I have a fair bit of reading up on the matter to do. Even though this is my first step into water cooling, I want to do it right and get the best setup money can buy(Within reason), say <£350. Im fairly sure the PC-101 can fit a 120.2 in the roof, not sure about a 120.3 though. I also like the idea of a 5.25" res. Another thin I would like is a lucite top on the cpu block, so that I can drill it and insert LED's in the side, like someone in the watercooling gallery has done. Other than that im very much open to suggestions and ideas. Spec me up guys.

Edit; Oh, I forgot to tell you that at the moment I have an Athlon64, and 2x6600gt's in SLI all sitting on a MSI K8N Diamond mobo.
 
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Have you considered 2nd hand phase?

Best available parts IMO

Alphacool MCP-05 / Nexxos XP
DD D5
7/16" tubing
Silverprop Fusion SL
Thermochill PA120.3
Panaflo fans
 
weescott said:
Have you considered 2nd hand phase?

Best available parts IMO

Alphacool MCP-05 / Nexxos XP
DD D5
7/16" tubing
Silverprop Fusion SL
Thermochill PA120.3
Panaflo fans
Click to expand...


Cant fault the nexxxos xp bold (apart from plexi top) - keeps my dual core with 5 degree diff between idle and load

Would go for 1/2" tubing though to keep flow rates up. Better pump would be the eheim 1260 (twice flow rate of 1250)
 
weescott said:
Have you considered 2nd hand phase?

Best available parts IMO

Alphacool MCP-05 / Nexxos XP
DD D5
7/16" tubing
Silverprop Fusion SL
Thermochill PA120.3
Panaflo fans
Click to expand...


Thanks for the answers guys. I have considered phase, but im not sure I can be bothered with having to insulate everything from condensation. Im also concerned about cold bugged chips.

For the moment it's probably best to spec a 120.2 Rad, as im not sure if the 120.3 would fit. The fatter the tubes the better IMO, as they look far better. As for the pump, I would like a high flow pump, but quietness is also very important.
 
I am also having watercooling system done and my choices were

CPU Block : AquaXtreme MP-05 SP Limited Edition (Delrin)
GPU Block : AquaXtreme MP01 + Zalman VGA Ramsinks
PUMP : Laing D5 Vario
RAD : Thermochill PA120.2 + FB120.2 Grill
FANS : 2 x 120mm Panaflo M1A's-(which will be 7v modded CFM 51 @ < 22db)
RES : DD Clear Bay 5.25"
TUBING : 10ft Tygon R3603 1/2"

TBH OCUK choice of WC components is not the widest selection of makes available.
You might want to Google for DangerDen, AquaXtreme, Alphacool, Swiftech
and have a look at what blocks/components each of them have to offer.

:)
 
Another vote for the Laing D5 Vario - awesome pumps!

If you've got cash to blow - don't write off the Phase so quickly - they're not as scary as they sound - quick to install, and less hastle than water (a bit of insulation is easier than all the leak testing/draining etc... involved in water.)

And if you really don't want to there's always TEC (Pelt) cooling - you can get off the shelf Danger Den kits that come with pre-cut insulation and are a doddle to use. ;)
 
messiah khan said:
Is it easy/Possible to install a phase system internally? Im not to keen on having two boxes.
Click to expand...

Yes but a Case like the Lan LI V2000 will be needed, + the builder will need to customise the install.
 
4Qman said:
Yes but a Case like the Lan LI V2000 will be needed, + the builder will need to customise the install.
Click to expand...

I have ordered this case, nice to know that there is lots of room :)

Stelly
 
ted34 said:
Would go for 1/2" tubing though to keep flow rates up. Better pump would be the eheim 1260 (twice flow rate of 1250)
Click to expand...

1/2" tubing could be difficult to install with SLI.

The 1260 would be too powerfull.
 
messiah khan said:
Is it easy/Possible to install a phase system internally? Im not to keen on having two boxes.
Click to expand...

Not really a simple thing to do yourself (though there are people out there who will do a professional looking kob for you if you want!)- very easy to damage the phase system inadvertantly - I know what you mean about having 2 boxes - but the way they sit under the case, it really isn't a drama - just a matter of cutting a small hole in the bottom of the case for the head unit to go through and you're away!
 
My case:

tempest4.jpg
 
the eheim 1260 has a ton of flow, but poor head, and its head you want in a watercooling system... since flow will never exceed 3gpm (i think thats the figure, maybe gpm ?) ... which a eheim 1250 can easily achieve... they were the best, but are WAY superseded with the newer DC pumps :)
 
cavemanoc said:
Not really a simple thing to do yourself (though there are people out there who will do a professional looking kob for you if you want!)- very easy to damage the phase system inadvertantly - I know what you mean about having 2 boxes - but the way they sit under the case, it really isn't a drama - just a matter of cutting a small hole in the bottom of the case for the head unit to go through and you're away!
Click to expand...


Thing is I would really need a case to match the phase case or visa versa, and my heart is pretty much settled on the LianLi pc101b, which it would be hard to match with a phase system. I might have to have a look into having a custom one made.(Can see that being a bit scetchy and expensive though.)
 
Actually you can get lian-li panels for the phase boxes (Think that might be what you can see in the pics above ;) They make a nice little combo - very bling!
 
Hmmm... Just had a look - strange paint effect they have on that case - sure you could match it if you did it yourself, but I see what you mean (get what you deserve for buying such a nice case :p )

In that case might be worth considering pelt cooling instead - plenty of room in there for excellent rads and pumps - pelts will give you the next best thing to phase
 
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