Decent watercooling setup

w3bbo · 20 Jun 2006 at 17:11

Hoping I can get some help of the watercooling wizards here.

I currently have a bigwater SE kit and although it has served its purpose by keeping my OC'd opty moderately cool, with summer now in full force I am now looking to get some 'proper' kit. I am only looking at cooling the CPU as the 7800GTX 512mb cooler is quiet enough even when overclocked. Money is tight so I am still doing it on a budget (apx £150) and I have narrowed it down to a couple of options.

1. Swiftech Apex Ultra £160

or

2. Custom kit -

AlphaCool NexXxoS XP
AlphaCool NexXxoS Pro II Radiator
AlphaCool Cape Coolplex 25 external
AlphaCool AP700 Centrifugal pump 12V
Connections & Hoses (10mm)

Total £114

I know the weak link in the custom kit is the pump (700lph) but if I upgrade to a laing then that will send me over my budget. Will that pump be enough to run that loop adequately? I would like a 360 rad but I feel that would be putting too much pressure on the pump. The position of the rad isn't a problem as it will be externally placed on my windowsill.

I have also read that 3/8 tubing is just as efficient as 1/2 but easier to route therefore a better option. Does the Apex kit come with 1/2 tubing?

I suppose what I'm really after is 'which kit would be better'.

Thx in advance.

weescott · 20 Jun 2006 at 17:28

The Alphacool block is better than the Apopoo
The 240 rad is the same as that from Swiftech.
The 360 rad looks like the Chinese knock off of the Thermichill HE120.3 so the 120.2 from Swiftech will be on par with it.
The DDC pump is a decent pump although peronally I would go for the D4mk 2 or D5 mk2

1/2" tubing is slightly better than 3/8" but the Swiftech uses 7/16" which is a compromise between performance and ease of fitting.

gr1mey · 20 Jun 2006 at 17:37

I'd try and squeeze a bit more on the budget and get a ddc with plexi.

no point making a compromise with the pump imo.

w3bbo · 20 Jun 2006 at 17:48

Thanks for the help. Looks like the alphacool setup will be better than the swiftech so far. The pump is the only stumbling block though as the next one up is double the price

gr1mey · 20 Jun 2006 at 18:00

can u not go without a res and just use a t-line to save money?

w3bbo · 20 Jun 2006 at 18:27

I guess I could if I knew how a t-line operated. Is this like a t-connection with a blocked end enabling you to fill the loop up and then have it closed? Is there a greater risk of leaks with this? Wouldn't this hurt flow rates? I wanted the Res as it will be external and thought it looked quite cool. I don't mind sacrificing looks for performance though if thats what I will get.