Upgrading BigWater, where to start?

gcaster

gcaster

gcaster

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Hi guys,

Sorry for having 2 threads going simultaneously, I made a bit of a balls up of my first post here and never got round to asking the main question I wanted to. :rolleyes:

So as I mentioned in the other thread, I have a ThermalTake BigWater 735 + AquaBay Reservoir watercooling system. Having read through a bit of the chat on here about these I can see they get a lot of abuse.
I've been running mine for around 3 1/2 years with no fatal errors yet but I can't vouch at all for the cooling as I've not done any real overclocking with it. In fact, the only reason I have it is because it was free when I had my build done. Suffice to say, now that I'm looking to overclock I want to upgrade it with a view to having it replaced over time.
What components would you recommend upgrading first, ie which will get the most bang for buck and help me drop my CPU temp the most?

Thanks in advance.
G
 
Personally id just overclock with it in place, its as good as most mid-top air coolers.
So give it ago with the overclocking with your current cooling, it should handle the cpu you are using no probs.
 
My CPU at the moment isn't overclocked very heavily at all and during Prime tests it sits at around 70C. I'd really like to get this down before I go any further.

EDIT: That's just for a single core, my cores seem to vary a bit.
Idle temps are about: 55, 55, 48, 50
 
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In all honesty then, you would probably be better off getting a top end air cooler, like the DH-14, or Silver Arrow/Cogage Arrow. As they will keep any cpu, nice and cool.

Then you can decide if going full blown custom water, done by yourself is worth the time taken to research and the cost.
 
Those things are HUGE!
To be honest I think I'd rather persevere with WC and build a good system over time. Am I right in thinking a single 120mm radiator just isn't enough to keep a CPU cool? If so how many are recommended and where will they fit in an NZXT Phantom case?
 
Well i used to use a single 120 rad for my E8400 which was clocked past 4ghz, and it kept that barely touching 55c under load.

Ok a 65nm quad is a bit hotter running, but not massively.

The key to a good cpu only loop is Decent pump, block and for future proofing a dual rad (240). But a 120 would still be fine.

I think whats letting your cooling down would be the pump to be honest, the rad won't be the best, but will be ok i guess. Basicly the kit u have was built to a cost, so thats why people don't like them to much is all.

Don't know about the case, someone else with experience of them would have to answer that one, there are many watercooling guys on here, so im sure they will pop in here and give far better advise.
 
Just come across a Phobya Xtreme 200 radiator which would probably sit in the top of the case quite nicely and with a bigger area than 2x120mm rads seems like it could be a good shout.
I'll have a look at upgrading the pump first though as you recommend. What kind of flow rate should I be looking at - the TT is a bit piddly at 400l/h.
 
Go on then, what else are you using lol? :D
There's clearly going to be a major Achilles heel to my system if my pump rating is alright, my pressure head is rated 0.9m higher that yours as well. I have a feeling my waterblock (although described by TT as "second to none" :confused:) is going to be the flaw as I assume they're the hardest component to produce to a high spec.
 
I've just had a major facepalm moment!
On turning the fan on my rad up to full speed (aka noisy as hell mode) my core temps have just dropped a 10C each. Now I feel really rather stupid, time to go to bed I think!
 
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