need advice on watercooling

ash786

ash786

ash786

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hi, we recently had a baby =), yup im a dad !!, however baby doesnt like the noise generated by my computer =(, so I have been warned by the missus to do something about it....

I have watched some vids on youtube so have (i guess) some idea of what goes on. I was looking at the V8 watercolling kit on *********** webpages but im not sure if thats what i need? I would also ofcourse need a gpu block.

So, im posting here in the hope that you guys or gals can give me some good information before i take the plunge.

specs for my computer are :-

i7 intel 3820 cpu @ 3.6ghz
asus sabertooth 2011 mobo
16 gig ddr3 @1866
case level 10 Thermatec (big case)
graphics asus hd7970
ocz 750w psu (bronze)

if you need more spec info please do ask, i will check this post day to day.
just some more info, im not worried about watercooling to overclock my comp, i just want a system that isnt noisey =)
 
Phobya 1080/1260 rad, run it passively outside of the case or with low rpm 180/200mm fans.

This way costs are minimal, you can keep the case and have next to no noise :)
 
your project looks very complicated to me, is that sort of what im going to have to do ? im guessing but it looks expensive, my budget is around 3 to 400, am i dreaming? or does it cost more?
 
you should be able to in that budget but you wont get a decent radiator in it,a 1080 rad is overkill for a cpu and gpu.for them i would reccomend this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-187-XS then put this on it externally http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-179-XS&groupid=962&catid=1523&subcat=1526

heres a list of what you will need:

XSPC X2O 750 Dual Bayres/Pump (Black) V4:£59.98

XSPC AX360 Triple Fan Radiator (Black):£89.99

EK Water Blocks EK-FC7970 - Nickel Plexi CSQ:£79.99

EK-Supremacy - CPU Waterblock - Copper Plexi:£51.98

XSPC AX Radiator Desk Stand (Black):£18.98

XSPC HighFlex Hose 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD, 19/12.7mm, 2m, Clear:£4.80

8x XSPC G1/4" to 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD Compression Fitting (Black Chrome):£27.92

Mayhems X1 Clear Premixed Watercooling Fluid 1L:£7.99

Total:£353.65 (including £10.00 shipping
 
My project is massively overkill, but I have a kid due shortly too so I also need to keep the noise down. As a result it is quite complicated, far more so then a standard loop due to having 4 radiators.

A 1080 is only overkill if you intend to use fans, powerful ones at that. A large rad offsets the need for higher speed or any fans at all, plus you have room to upgrade at will without worrying about rad space. For noise critical cooling a large rad is the logical choice imo.
 
pgi947 said:
My project is massively overkill, but I have a kid due shortly too so I also need to keep the noise down. As a result it is quite complicated, far more so then a standard loop due to having 4 radiators.

A 1080 is only overkill if you intend to use fans, powerful ones at that. A large rad offsets the need for higher speed or any fans at all, plus you have room to upgrade at will without worrying about rad space. For noise critical cooling a large rad is the logical choice imo.
Click to expand...

That's sound advice pgi947, yes l going this way on my next build. :)
 
ash786 said:
just some more info, im not worried about watercooling to overclock my comp, i just want a system that isn't noisey =)
Click to expand...

Buy two second hand Zalman Reserator, two plastic Y fittings, some tubing, a CPU block, a GPU block and a pump. you should be sorted pretty cheaply and will have 0 noise (apart from the PSU and any HDD's ofc).

I was using a pair to cool my i7 3820 @4.0GHz and a HD7950 boost edition so with a hotter GPU and cooler CPU you should be fine.
 
ok, cool thanks for all the advice guys !! its made things a lot clearer to me now, i have also done a lot of searching around the web based on your ideas , heres what i have come up with, please give me your thoughts on these specs,

7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PVC Tubing Per Metre
Socket Cap Screw M4 x 5mm (4 Pack) - Black
Phobya ATX Bridging Plug (24 Pin) - Black
Hardware Labs Black Ice Radiator SR1 240 - Black (this is 54ml thick)
Alphacool NexXxoS ATXP ATI 7970/50 Series - Polished Copper
Alphacool NexXxoS ATXP Back Plate ATI 7970/50 - Black
EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy - Full Copper
G1/4" Hi-Flow Barb 1/2" Hose Tail Fatboy - Matt Black
XSPC EC6 Non Conductive Coolant 1 Litre - UV Blue
XSPC X2O 750 Dual Bayres/Pump (Black) V4
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Case Fan - 1450 RPM x2

i worked this all out to cost £320, do you think its good value for my first watercooling system?
I am pretty close to buying all this stuff, im just waiting for your opinions, then i will make a final decision.
 
just a quick note on why im thinking of a 240 rad . I understand that a bigger rad would not fit inside the case, but im hoping that if i get the 240 with extra thickness it would make up for the difference? i measured the top of my case - i can get a 240 in there , the space from the top of the mobo to the top of the case is 90 mil, so fans + a 54mil rad woud fit .
do you think thats going to work? or stick with a bigger rad on the outside?
 
Is there any way to fit another 240 rad in the case or at least a 120 as you have two componants to cool and only one 240. I think it is very marginal going with just one 240 as you would have to put powerful fans on to gain good temps anyway. This I guess is defeating the whole idea in the first place of reducing noise. You can never have enough rads in a quiet build in my opinion.
 
looks like the rad is an issue if i want it internal with this case, I spoke with one of the oc tech's , he reckons having the thicker rad is a viable alternative in my case,
You guys who have the experience, are i think in general saying 1 external big rad or 1 more rad in the case.

does the thickness of the rad matter? the standard ones seem to be around 30 to 42 mil thick, and the rad i mentioned above is 54 mil thick, theres also a 60 mil one but that would be a tight squeeze.

I could fit another 240 rad in the bottom of the case but not sure if thats a good idea, the pump is in the front bay i couldnt fit a 240 rad in that area either, lol maybe i should get another case?

I guess the big question is would a 240 x 54mil rad be enough to cool my 3820 cpu and 7970 gfx card ? im not doing this all to overclock i would be using it on default settings.
 
ash786 said:
I guess the big question is would a 240 x 54mil rad be enough to cool my 3820 cpu and 7970 gfx card ? im not doing this all to overclock i would be using it on default settings.
Click to expand...

I would say yes, however you probably won't see the amazing super low temps usually associated with water cooling, more likely closer to normal air cooled temps, but it will be a lot quieter than air which I believe is what your going for?

By way of comparison I am running a 3820 at stock speeds plus a GTX670 FTW which is ~ the same heat output as a HD7950B, or ~23w less than a HD7950, I am using a Thermochill PA120.3 which was kind of the SR1 of its day (thick low FPI rad) and the hottest my temps ever hit is low 50's on the CPU and mid 50's on the GPU, however this is with 800RPM slipstreams running at <600RPM (so quiet I can hear my cat breathing when its sleeping on the bed 2 meters away). Your difference will be the slightly (~23w) hotter GPU and the fact you will have a 240 instead of a 360, however I believe your pump has a higher flow so your coolant will be circulating faster and your fans will be pulling more air over the rad (slipstreams are good but not as good as typhoons, plus I believe your going for quiet not inaudible?) so I think you should be fine with a 240.
 
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i think im getting the point now, having one 240 rad will work but the extra rad will reduce the need to put the fans on higher . which will reduce noise levels, plus i will get better temps and the option to overclock if i want to - it sort of makes sense for any future cpu/gfx upgrades as well.

heres a link to some guy who has the case i have, http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/09/26/thermaltake_level_10_gt_battle_edition_case_review/5 looks like i can fit a 2nd 240 rad infront of the hard drive bays, so im taking your advice and going with 2 x 240 rads, so please give me the thumbs up , then i will buy all the above parts.
 
Yep a second 240 will definately help. Just got to remember the more surface area the more potential heat dissipation it has. However you have to come to terms with Fins per inch on the radiators, some have a real dense fin arrangment while others dont. The latter would be best suited to your needs in achieving the goal as you could put lower rpm fans on it.

Anyways buying an extra 240 rad to the original shopping list will help a lot and gets my thumbs up.
 
Thanks for the advice guys!!!

ok my final post , i have *gone and done it* purchased all the parts list below, should be putting the rig together this weekend !!

Big thanks and respects to - Avathar77, pgi947, joshcowin,OLDPHART, ubersonic and gatecrasherlok, you guys helped a lot =)

so heres the final list i have placed the order total came to £420, which is 20 quid over my budget but i can live with that =)

7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PVC Tubing Per Metre
Socket Cap Screw M4 x 5mm (4 Pack) - Black
Phobya ATX Bridging Plug (24 Pin) - Black
Hardware Labs Black Ice Radiator SR1 240 - Black x 2
Alphacool NexXxoS ATXP ATI 7970/50 Series - Polished Copper
Alphacool NexXxoS ATXP Back Plate ATI 7970/50 - Black
EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy - Full Copper
G1/4" Hi-Flow Barb 1/2" Hose Tail Fatboy - Matt Black
XSPC EC6 Non Conductive Coolant 1 Litre - UV Blue x2
XSPC X2O 750 Dual Bayres/Pump (Black) V4
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Case Fan - 1450 RPM x2
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm Case Fan - 1850 RPM x2
Scythe Kaze Server 5.25inch Fan Controller - Black
Phobya Y-Cable 3Pin Molex to 2x 3Pin Molex 30cm - UV Blue x2

cant wait to get started !! least my baby will sleep better and best of all the wife will start cooking food again for me!!
 
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