SPEC ME!! PLEASE (control)

Beardless · 19 Sep 2011 at 20:55

im building a monster core i7 2600k in a corsair 700d case with z68 maximus ROG board, matrix gtx580

Ive pretty much already decided on a black ice gtx360 with 3 gentle typhoons. and a cuplex kryos XT .925 silver with indigo extreme tim

I'm looking for automatic control i love the idea of the aquacomputer aquastream xt usb ultra, because the built in control features, and also thinking of pairing this with a aquearo, however i am thinking it might be not quite man enough, incase i want to add more loops/blocks, so i'm thinking a D5?
I only want to start with the cpu (for overclocking) may b followed by motherboard cooling in the future.
The ram and graphic card i will be using fans.

the most important factor for me is "fit and forget" automated fan, pump (frequency and flow) alarms for flow, temps, fans not working the whole schebang!!
also wold like any recommendation on low restriction flow guages etc.
budget is about £500 for cooling, im looking to hit around 5ghz overclock

so please guys spec me and hit me with your idea's and/or concerns hehe

dazzerd · 19 Sep 2011 at 22:59

mcp35x pump is what you want; I had one it's a very good pump if you are concerned about control. Runs off PWM so you can set rpm (think flow) for specific cpu temps. With a pwm splitter you could also set your fans to do the same thing on the same header, or even better grab a mobo with multiple pwm headers.

If you want a D5 and want auto control then you are going to have to pay top dollar for the aquaro, a nice piece of kit but overkill for your rig. ANother thing you don't need flow warning your going over the top all you are doing is running a cpu block, rad and pump. You also sound new to this, all the gear your talking about is high end and takes experience to get the best out of it. I would recommend starting slowly, you have a good rad choice, good block and the mcp35x is a top pump, use that see how you get on and then take it from there. If I was you I would also avoid the indigo yes it's the best TIM but by all accounts it can be painful to apply, grab some AS4 or something, solid and simple to apply.

Also you may want to hit 5ghz but with SB you are limited to the quality of the chip (i.e. pot luck) rather than temps they run cool even on good air.

Beardless · 20 Sep 2011 at 19:49

thanks Dazz!! thats some real good sound advice, i like the idea of getting an aquearo, overkill it may seem but i will be adding more later on when i get more
I only get a chance to build a pc when my old one dies. i have been using a 939 socket amd since 2002 4800+ badboy hehe, the mobo died but The time it was top spec.
Im looking to go for the highest spec and future proofing available so if spending more on an aquearo mean i can add more in the future that sounds good.

I will check out the pump you suggested.

also can you reccomend a good place to buy cpu, i understand its luck you could get a screamer but cheapest on the net is not always best?

Many thanks for your help and advice!

w3bbo · 20 Sep 2011 at 21:26

The ONLY place anyone would recommend on here would be OCUK for reasons that should be obvious

Cleeecooo · 20 Sep 2011 at 21:51

For a CPU only loop, a MCP355 is more than enough - A D5 will be a little overkill.

I couldn't really justify spending £500 just for a CPU loop to hit 5ghz when a £50 corsair cooler can easily do the same.

£500 will only be well spent if you include the graphics card into the loop

Beardless · 20 Sep 2011 at 22:42

Thanks cleee!
i would be wanting to add a full block to my mb and possibly for a wd velociraptor , the gf card i want is the rog mars gtx580 which should push most of the air out the 3 slots, and corsair dominator ram with the fan included.
I don't want to buy a pump then have to replace it for another more powerful a few months down the line and have to practically give the old one away.
I cant find any waterblocks yet for the rog maximus z68? so i might hold tight and get the mobo last to see if the release a new version supporting pci e3.
i made a similar mistake when buying my 939, i had a choice to get top spec 939 straight away or wait a month for the AM2 socket that supported DDR2.

grrrrr choices choices

Beardless · 20 Sep 2011 at 22:47

Ive got a new in box a coolit alc 240mm similar to the h100 that i bought thinking i would upgrade the fans and be done with it.
but the bug hit me and looking at these custom loops i know ill be kicking myself if i didnt.

mike gunnz · 21 Sep 2011 at 00:03

The D5 Vario has adjustable speed setting, it will be fine for a CPU only loop and gives you plenty of scope for future upgrades. The MCP355 is also a very powerful pump, you cant go wrong with either and you wont outgrow it, as you seem to suggest.

You wont see much if any benefit in water cooling the motherboard (unless you're set on doing it for the aesthetics), and I can't think of a more spectacular way to spend money frivolously than to water cool a hard drive. Just pointless.

You're also unlikely to get a water block for a Matrix 580 as its non-reference.

Most people water cool to achieve an optimal combination of looks, speed, low noise and because its fun. You can achieve all these without buying the flashiest and most expensive parts you can find and are maybe parts that arent necessarily a good combination in a loop.

I would suggest reading post no.2 again - his advice was spot on.

dazzerd · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:51

Beardless said:
also can you reccomend a good place to buy cpu, i understand its luck you could get a screamer but cheapest on the net is not always best?

Many thanks for your help and advice!

If you want to be clever go take a look at xs forums or overclock.net, there are pros on there who buy multiple chips to find the best batches. If you can find a good batch, take the batch number and see who has it in stock. Note however most shops are not going to take the time to go look through all there stock of cpus to see if they have that batch in stock. Maybe OCUK would let you look through there warehouse for one

Beardless · 21 Sep 2011 at 20:19

mike gunnz said:
and I can't think of a more spectacular way to spend money frivolously than to water cool a hard drive. Just pointless.

You're also unlikely to get a water block for a Matrix 580 as its non-reference.

Hi there!

I heard the velociraptor runs hot!! I am worried about case temps i have acoustipacked the inside of my case to keep thing quieter, which can increase case temp.

I meant i wasnt looking to watercool the gpu anyways.

Thats a great tip on CPU selection also thanks!

You have all been a great help!