Water Cooling

MotherMayI

MotherMayI

MotherMayI

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I am by no means a hardware buff, but I am some what confident with putting together a PC - That is about where my knowledge ends. The last PC I built however is very noisy, and I have read in multiple places that the Q6600's overclock really well, which has caused me to look in to the possibilities of water cooling.

However, the prospect of putting water inside my new pc out of my own choice scares the hell out of me, so I was wondering if I could get a few pointers. Firstly, how hard is it/what is the risk factor? Is it better to get a complete set, or buy indervidual parts? What parts would I even need for a basic setup (Im assuming I'd just need a CPU and GPU cooler? Possibly RAM, due to no case fans etc.)? I often leave my computer on downloading or whatever else for 5+ days at a time while I am out of town or whatever else, is this still possible with water cooling? How often would I need to fill the reservoir?

I'm sure these questions have been asked a thousand times, and I appologise - Just need my hand holding a bit :)
 
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It's pretty easy to set up, and the risks are very very small providing you put it together correctly and test it before connecting it to your hardware. And you can leave it running 24/7 no problem. Both my machines are water-cooled and are never switched off.

You may need to top up the res once a month, tho it should be much less.

For a basic CPU set up you will need -

CPU block
Radiator (perferably a 280mm/120.2 sized rad) & fans
Pump
Resevoir
Tubing
Barbs
Hose clips
Coolant

I you wish to add the GPU then GPU blocks are easy to come by and won't add all that much heat to the loop providing you have a decent radiator.
 
Nice post Cob. One of the members of OCUK has written a watercooling guide, i think his name is Mike Timbers ? Perhaps you should check that out.
 
Yeah avoid Thermaltake (NOT to be confused with Thermochill who make the best radiators).
 
@ OP: Also, you might want to check out other 'spec me a watercooling setup' threads. This is because, you will get varied answers with regards to make/model based upon your aspirations (cooler, quiet or both) and budget.
 
I have just completed my first water cooling build...

Loop is on a 24hour test as we speak :)

Custome PC did an excellent guide a few months back which was more than useful, it helped me choose the right componants and the right price. I choose my own bits in the end:



Radiator
*Manufacturer : Swiftech
*Model : MCR320-QP-K Triple 120mm
*Barb size : 1/2"

Radiator cooling
*Model : 3 x Scythe Kaze Jyuni 1200rpm

Reservoir/Pump
*Manufacturer : XSPC
*Model : Dual 750 clear Bay Reservoir with pump
*Pump Speed : 750 LPH
*Barb Size : 1/2"

CPU Waterblock
*Manufacturer : XSPC
*Model : XSPC Edge Acrylic CPU Waterblock
*Inlet/Outlet Ports : 2 x G1/4
*Barb size : 1/2"

GPU Waterblock
*Manufacturer : EK
*Model : FC-8800 8800 GTX - Acetal
*Inlet/Outlet Ports : 4 x G1/4
*Barb Size : 1/2"

Tubing by Masterkleer
*ID : 7/16"
*OD : 5/8"

Fan Controller
*Manufacturer : Zalman
*Model : ZM-MFC1 Plus Black multi fan controller

*Channel 1 : Case Front Intake
*Channel 2 : Radiator exhaust Back
*Channel 3 : Radiator exhaust Middle
*Channel 4 : Radiator exhaust Front
*Channel 5: Case Bottom in take
*Channel 6 : Case Rear Exhaust

:)
 
Cheers guys, the pointers are much appreciated.

Sounds good Huddy, congrats on your first build. How much did it set you back out of interest? I'm not really sure how much to put aside for it to be honest, prices seem to vary greatly.
 
Read the sticky

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17803239

Read it carefully, follow the links, decide what you can spend and what you want to achieve - overclocking or silence - find your components, then ask whether you've got a good list. Watercooling is best done with enthusiasm, care, diligence and more care. Do it right the first time and you'll have achieved something you can be proud of; take short-cuts, get a cheap kit, get crap performance and regret your short-sightedness.
 
MikeTimbers said:
Read the sticky

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17803239

Read it carefully, follow the links, decide what you can spend and what you want to achieve - overclocking or silence - find your components, then ask whether you've got a good list. Watercooling is best done with enthusiasm, care, diligence and more care. Do it right the first time and you'll have achieved something you can be proud of; take short-cuts, get a cheap kit, get crap performance and regret your short-sightedness.
Click to expand...

^^^ high end all the way ay Mike :)
 
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