Water cooling.. Who does it?

phill9800

phill9800

phill9800

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And is it hard to setup for someone thats not had any experience with one in the past?

I currently have a Zalman 9700 heatsink/fan combo, which does well, but I'm wanting to go that bit further.

I have a big case (Cooler Master Stacker 810 - I think its the better model after owning a 830 model) and with the panel at the bottom of the case that can be taken out, I was thinking of building something to sit underneath the case to hold all the rad's, pumps etc thats needed for a water setup..

I'm thinking of changing the graphics card in my system also, so thinking about a 8800GTX card with water cooling already put on it (like the BFG or EVGA models for example - not sure how or if this will increase their overclockablity mind or if they are there for just cooling it more efficently) but definitely want more performance and if I can have less noise, that would be great :)

I've seen this Swiftech kit but was wondering whether or not it would be better to put things together piece by piece rather than buy in a kit form?

I'm the type of person that would prefer to do it right or to buy the right things, first time, so in a way, money isnt to much of a problem. I just want to know what to get, whats best for price/performance and what the benifits are.. Cos I'm pretty sure that 1.7vcore going through my E6600 CPU isnt ideal with air cooling!! :lol: Although it seems stable (ish) at 3.9Ghz mind..... :eek: :D
 
its only stable if it is 24 hr prime/orthos stable imo
For me it was the noise factor more than the overclock, if done well my swiftech kit is barely audible and i am running 3.2Ghz at 40oC full load
 
Water cooling isn't difficult to set up, as long as you take your time and know what your doing. As for the 8800GTX, you'll be able to clock it much higher whilst it's being water cooled, and of course it'll be silent. Water cooling kits aren't a good idea, it's always best to buy parts individually, you'll get a much better result. I'm not an expert when it comes to water cooling, so I won't be able to put together a spec for you, although I'm sure there is someone here who can. Good luck mate/ :D
 
Oki here you go:-

Dtek Fuzion cpu block
Swiftech mcw60 gpu block
DDC Ultra pump one with a top inlet
1/2 inch barbs
8ft 1/2 inch tubing (masterclear or Tygon)
Thermochill 120.2 radiator (120.3 if your flush)
Resavoir of your choice or a T-piece for filling.
Fesser1 coolant (1 liter for a 120.2 rad and 2 for a 120.3 rad)

Bobs your uncle all these components are designed to be high flowing so suit each other perfectly.
 
Many thanks for the replies guys :) Really appreaited :)

I dont use orthos cos I used it for over 10 hours before, 30 seconds into folding and it was crashing, so gave that up straight away!! :lol:

Right now I'm at 3.52Ghz with 1.5Vcore (bios setting - I think its that high) and I think the fan is turned up to about half way.. I'm getting reports of 52/51C under the 100% load...

As I said before I'd prefer to buy something thats OTT if its better and will be worth the cash, so the 120.3 rad it is ;) Also been considering would it be in my best interests to have a rad (120.3) for GPU and CPU separately?? I'm looking to maximise the performance I have through any means and I aint worried with cost!! :lol: Oh and I'm guessing that would mean a pump, res etc for the both of them then, wouldnt it?

With regards to a GPU block, would one of the pre-installed 8800GTX blocks be a good bet or would it be best to buy a good GTX and then the GPU block??

I would love to have a hand to build this together, is there anyone out there that might consider helping?? :o
 
morning mate

now about this stability testing you wont get much more of an arduous (sp?) test than orthos blend priority 9 and i think everyone on here relies mostly on an 8+ hr run to prove their overclocks

those are low temps (51c) for 100% load on air !! you should be using core temp and again orthos small ftts to check temps. can you use these and report back with your core temp after 10mins of a priority 9 run please ?

as for wanting the best water cooling, yep id avoid a kit

build something from the best kit available. obviously 2 seperate loops would be better but if using a 120.3 thermochill rad cpu and gpu will be fine on one loop, but again if ya loaded why not have 2 seperate using 2x120.2s or even 120.3s :p

id be looking at a d-teck fuzion or apogee gtx cpu block
swiftech micro res, laing ddc pump with plexi top or similar (18w)
EKfc-8800 block for an 8800 gtx gpu
quality fans like skythe sflex 1600rpm and a fan controler
then the obligatory masterkleer 7/16 tubing and a litre of fesser 1
a dozen or so jubilee hose clips

and your sorted

not much change from £280-300 with a single 120.3

stinka
 
I've just put together my first water cooling system on an 8800GTX and Q6600

I got

Alphacool Laing DDC 12V Ultra Plus Pump
3*PA120.1
Alphacool NexXxos High Flow Universal CPU Waterblock
BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC 768MB Silent WaterCooled GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
XSPC 5.25" Drive Bay Reservoir - Black

I've just push-fit fittings on most of the connections and compression fit on a few of them and 2 barbs. I would recommend using commpression cos if it leaks you can have the satisfaction of tightening it wheres as push fit you can only push it in a bit harder and hope. I used over 3m of tubing on this so make sure you get plenty. The radiators are BIG, approx 3*thickness of a 120 fan and about 2cm poking out the top and bottom of a fan if you look face on. The PA120.1's came with 1/2" barbs so make sure you get adapters if you can, they are 3/4" fitting on the rad itself. The rads hold about 300ml and the bay res holds 1/2 L so make sure you get enough coolant, I've used about 1.8L of feser 1. I've not turned the system on yet as I've only just finished building it, I'll try and get some pics tonight when I get home.

Hope this helps
 
Well in reply to the 120.3 is huge and make sure it fits, I'm gonna try and get it built to take these rad's as whats the point in having them otherwise!!

I believe in trying to do things properly and this means that if I have to spend out a fair bit of money, then so be it.. It really doesnt bother me to pay it out, but I do what it to work most importantly of all!! :D Also for the performance to be darn good as well, which would be a great help too. More performance and speed is always nice and welcome.

Yes at current my 3.51Ghz on my E6600 with 1.525vcore is sitting around the 50C mark under a full load which is good. Shame that when I do turn it up, the cooler just cant handle it very well and the temps go a bit hot for my liking..

When the money is there and the graphics card I want is avaiable and isnt too expensive (I hear the new 9800 series are out around christmas??) I might just be able to do it and by then have all the water cooling solution sorted (and built into) the case I'm looking to have built to house it.

Stinka - thanks for chatting with me last night, was good to hear from you :) Gonna try and get some sizes or something off to you regarding that build if thats ok? If your on MSN later, I'll chat to you about it then :)

Thanks for the replies guys and please dont hesitate to bring up pics of your installs etc, if you could mention speed/temp before and after the water install, that would just be a bonus to me :)
 
Alex UK said:
Water cooling kits aren't a good idea, it's always best to buy parts individually, you'll get a much better result.
Click to expand...

My swiftech Kit has handled all my C2D clocks and the chip has maxed out before the kit was unable to cool them.

I am an experienced overclocker and can simply say for a first timer the swiftech kit will see the OP just fine.
 
Do you have any screen shots of before and after the setup?

I'm trying to understand more about the differences in cooling at the moment, spending loads of time reading and talking to people about it...
 
stinka said:
id be looking at a d-teck fuzion or apogee gtx cpu block
swiftech micro res, laing ddc pump with plexi top or similar (18w)
EKfc-8800 block for an 8800 gtx gpu
quality fans like skythe sflex 1600rpm and a fan controler
then the obligatory masterkleer 7/16 tubing and a litre of fesser 1
a dozen or so jubilee hose clips

and your sorted

not much change from £280-300 with a single 120.3

stinka
Click to expand...

Right, prices I've found from Overclockers so far:

Swiftech res - £12
Danger Den DDC-12V Pump - £52 - couldnt find the laing pump :( still 18W mind
tubing (1m lenghts/size) £2
Fluid XP+ EXTreme - £26 - couldnt find the fesser stuff
thermochill 120.3 rad - £58
Swiftech Storm Extreme Performance Universal Waterblock + AM2 adaptor kit £60

Total £220 (give or take) included was 5m of tubing

The reason for the AM2 bit is cos I have a AM2 system as well and figured as its cheaper to break that than the Conroe system I have, figured it was the lesser of two evils :D Plus then I'd have everything for the Conroe when I go to put it into that :)
Shame I want a 8800GTX/Ultra with a water block on as well... Cos that's pushing the price, right up!! :lol:

Would that be a good place to start??
 
phill9800 said:
Do you have any screen shots of before and after the setup?

I'm trying to understand more about the differences in cooling at the moment, spending loads of time reading and talking to people about it...
Click to expand...


PICT0569.jpg


Mounted the pump at the side of the Akasa Eclipse it was a perfect fit.Also the wheel holes lined up perfectly with the pump holes so I just used a longer screw to bolt the pump to the case....No drilling.

The res is mounted on the side of the CD rom bays high up ...again a great fit.

PICT0570.jpg


Cut out the honeycomb at the bottom for one tube and secured with rubber washer for a nice fit and to protect the tubing.

PICT0568.jpg


Also I just cut the PCI slot away keeping the screw hole in place just in case i need to install a card.

PICT0572.jpg
 
easyrider said:
My swiftech Kit has handled all my C2D clocks and the chip has maxed out before the kit was unable to cool them.

I am an experienced overclocker and can simply say for a first timer the swiftech kit will see the OP just fine.
Click to expand...

Totallt agree with that, my Swiftech loop cools my rig in sig very nice thank you.
Dual rad cooling the [email protected], the CPU at 1.55V and the 8800gtx with a nice OC on the core.
 
Danger Den DDC-12V Pump - £52 - couldnt find the laing pump still 18W mind
Click to expand...

Same thing... DangerDen DDC 18w = Laing DDC 18w

Don't get the Storm waterblock - that revision's cooling patch is too small for multicored CPUs. Get either Apogee GTX or DTek FuZion as previously advised in thread - both will outperform Swiftech's G4-revision Storm.

PA120.1's came with 1/2" barbs so make sure you get adapters if you can, they are 3/4" fitting on the rad itself.
Click to expand...

3/8" BSP on the rad itself actually... not 3/4"
 
Many thanks for the replies guys, going to definitely build this up, but need my AM2 system back and a new case and CPU ;)

Gonna give this a go for damn sure :D
 
I never water cooled before this PC.
Read loads on this forum and looked at a lot of watercooling specialist web sites and bought a custom set up from the off.

Its never leaked, is quiet and gives good stable OC.

NOW, I have made some mistakes.
Should have cleaned the rad before fitting it.
Thermachill PA rads are the best, period!
Should have got a seperate res not plexi top and res for my DDC.
Should have gone for a proper big case not midi case for the room!
Should have mounted the pump on sound proof material, or suspended it, but space was a problem!

The one thing I would recommend is run the system for AT LEAST 24 hours with no power to your components to leak test it.
I have no clips, only a few tie wraps on some barbs but am confident it will not leak.

Check your CPU to block contact before filling the system. Mine is domed like mad and I will have to strip and drain the whole system to sort it.

Also, wish I had never included the GPU coolers as these are now wasted when I update the graphics, which you will probably do 2 or 3 times in the life of the CPU and mother board. Unless you are like the rich Gibbo or Asguard!

Hope this helps mate
 
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