Lazy water-cooling?

Bugblatter

Bugblatter

Bugblatter

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Joined
13 May 2003
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43
Hi folks. I want a nice quiet system, maybe overclocked a little, but I don't want a lot of hassle.

I'm planning a new system, probably based around a fast-but-not-extreme Core2Duo CPU.

I've currently got a Zalman Reserator, the original version. It's been going for around three years with no problems. The cooling isn't fantastic but it's ok, and it's totally silent.

The things I don't like about it are the difficulty of moving the system around and the tubes coming out of the back...they get in the way, get mixed in with the cables, and I'm always wary of them leaking if they get caught on something. Even putting the case on it's side is a bit of a mission.

So what's an easy-to-setup WC system that doesn't get in the way?

I've seen this here (bottom case): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Thermaltake_715.html

Looks about as easy as it gets; anyone have any knowledge of it?

I've also looked at the Asetek Waterchill Xternal, which looks a lot simpler than the Swiftech H20-220 Apex "Ultra".

And if the quick-release fittings on the new Zalman Reserator mean that I can just unplug the tubes to move the thing around then that could be good enough too; having to drain it would be a real pain.

I realise this is slumming it for most of you, but what do you think?
 
I'd be very interested in this also. I'm going to Uni in October and will be moving my PC 6 times a year, wonderin about easily/easier transportable watercooling systems. Hope this isn't a topic hijack, seems to be about the same thing really.

Fluff_eei
 
Most people dont rate that thermaltake case and kit at all. The swiftech apex tends to get a lot of votes around here though.
 
once a kit is installed and clamped down you can move your case as much as you like without fear of leaks, My case has travelled in my car a few times and its never leaked, plus if it ever did leak there would be no permenant damage as there would have been no current running throung the hardware so all you need to do is dry them of properly and it will be fine
 
Transportation isn't the main issue for me. I've been through the whole dremeling thing but I just don't have the time or inclination for that stuff anymore. I want something that's dead easy to install and very quiet; if it doesn't cool as well as something else then that's fine. Some degree of portability would be handy too of course.
 
If youre not going to get a swifty kit or similar (or custom), stick to air. Otherwise youre just wasting your cash. Simple as that.
 
No reason why a kit shouldn't be completely internal. Look through the gallery for plenty of examples. Get a Swiftech kit as although the blocks are now mass-produced in China, the designs are still top-notch and the quality control seems good too. Good pumps, good rads with clever fixing kits.
 
Bugblatter said:
I think we're still missing the "lazy" factor though. Not everyone wants to start cutting and drilling their case.
Click to expand...

true it would be lazy in terms of no cutting or drilling but there will still be the mounting and stuff, most people on here who use water doit for performance benefits not ease of use.
 
Hi,

I use the Asetek extreme with a Swiftek Radbox to mount the dual 120mm Rad on the back of my Akasa 62 case. Works well and keeps my overclocked and overvolted FX57 at around 28 degrees idle and 34 degrees full load at 3.2GHz.

Its neat and easy to fit and if you get the Xtreme edition rather than standard, you can controll the pump speed too.


Check out my pics:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/andyocuk/DSC00181.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/andyocuk/DSC00178.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/andyocuk/DSC00182.jpg



HOWEVER..... its been revamped.... check this link out on our WC section:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Waterchill_Kits.html



Best Regards

Andy
OCUK Technical Dept
 
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I has a look at the Asetek stuff. Looks lazier than most of the W/C solutions, which is good, but the placement of the rad looks obstructive. Doesn't it get in the way?

I just saw these new W/C cases from Thermaltake: http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2775&p=11

No info about blocks, pumps etc, it looks as though you source them yourself, which means you're not restricted. The middle one may even let you source your own rad.

They're not out yet but I'll be keeping my eye out for them :-)
 
Noooo not thermaltake case with built in wc kit. Dont be so lazy, with the apex ultra all you need to do is put the rad on the back. Will probably involve drilling about two holes for the tubes
 
I think turbotoaster gets the point. I'm not looking to do any mad overclocking, I'm not bothered about getting my temps lower than anybody else's. I want a very quiet PC without a lot of hassle.

The company that can deliver hassle-free water-cooling will finally bring water-cooling into the mainstream. Zalman went a long way towards that, but if you can get water-cooling pre-built into a case then it opens it up to a lot more people.

The fact that the Thermaltake stuff isn't as good as Asetek isn't the point. Saying that I should go for air-cooling if I don't want to use the best water-cooling is also missing the point. Air-cooling equivalent to the Thermaltake water-cooling would be noisy!

Remember, quiet is the new overclocking ;)
 
Bugblatter said:
The company that can deliver hassle-free water-cooling will finally bring water-cooling into the mainstream.
Click to expand...

Watercooling shouldn't become mainstream anyway.

If you let enough monkeys play with loaded guns, eventualy one of them is going to get shot.
 
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