Watercooling build. Choices!:)

Vir · 10 Mar 2009 at 14:58

Hi there,

I want to start using watercooling on my build. Now I have some questions, I have looked into some stuff first so I hope you don't think I'm JUST posting a 'spec me' build without doing anything

The plan, just water cool my CPU.

Switching builds
When I switch later to another socket, for example from 775 to a next generation, can I keep all components and just replaced the CPU block?

Radiators
- I've seen the ThermoChill PA120.x series being recommended on these forums a lot, for just wc'ing the CPU will a PA120.2 be enough?
- Is it fitted inside or outside the case (i think I've seen both).
- I've seen a lot of radiators for about half the money, for example Black Ice GT Stealth 240, Alphacool NexXxoS Xtreme II rev. 2, Alphacool NexXxoS Pro II rev. 2 etc, are these significantly worse then the Thermochill radiatos or can anyone recommend one of those?

CPU block
I was looking at a D-Tek block, does it really make a difference which one I take? I've seen D-Tek FuZion v2, EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme (Acetal), EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme (Plexi) and some more which are slightly cheaper. Should I go for the D-Tek instead?

Pump
Was looking at a Laing DDC-1RT pump, is that a good one or are others recommended? I'm only looking to WC my CPU. I've seen a lot cheaper pumps....

Reservoire
I have no clue on this! I saw this, any good?

OCLabs XPRes Laing DDC Reservoir
Regards!

Monkey Puzzle · 10 Mar 2009 at 15:18

Vir said:
Hi there,

I want to start using watercooling on my build. Now I have some questions, I have looked into some stuff first so I hope you don't think I'm JUST posting a 'spec me' build without doing anything

The plan, just water cool my CPU.

Switching builds
When I switch later to another socket, for example from 775 to a next generation, can I keep all components and just replaced the CPU block?

Yep, or just the mounting bracket if they release it separately.

Radiators
- I've seen the ThermoChill PA120.x series being recommended on these forums a lot, for just wc'ing the CPU will a PA120.2 be enough?
- Is it fitted inside or outside the case (i think I've seen both).
- I've seen a lot of radiators for about half the money, for example Black Ice GT Stealth 240, Alphacool NexXxoS Xtreme II rev. 2, Alphacool NexXxoS Pro II rev. 2 etc, are these significantly worse then the Thermochill radiatos or can anyone recommend one of those?

The thermochill radiators are chunky things - where are you wanting to put it?

CPU block
I was looking at a D-Tek block, does it really make a difference which one I take? I've seen D-Tek FuZion v2, EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme (Acetal), EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme (Plexi) and some more which are slightly cheaper. Should I go for the D-Tek instead?

They're pretty close in terms of performance I think - only a degree or something in it.

Pump
Was looking at a Laing DDC-1RT pump, is that a good one or are others recommended? I'm only looking to WC my CPU. I've seen a lot cheaper pumps....

Depends on your budget I guess, but I'm happy with the DDC I have - quiet, powerful and compact, albeit a little pricey.

Reservoire
I have no clue on this! I saw this, any good?
OCLabs XPRes Laing DDC Reservoir
Regards!

The XSPC res top performs better I think - the OCLabs top has a 90 degree side inlet iirc, and the whole idea of the aftermarket tops is to reduce restriction by getting rid of the 90 degree bend... Plus it looks a bit fugly imo.

Vir · 10 Mar 2009 at 16:13

Monkey Puzzle said:
Yep, or just the mounting bracket if they release it separately.

The thermochill radiators are chunky things - where are you wanting to put it?

They're pretty close in terms of performance I think - only a degree or something in it.

Depends on your budget I guess, but I'm happy with the DDC I have - quiet, powerful and compact, albeit a little pricey.

The XSPC res top performs better I think - the OCLabs top has a 90 degree side inlet iirc, and the whole idea of the aftermarket tops is to reduce restriction by getting rid of the 90 degree bend... Plus it looks a bit fugly imo.

Thanks a lot for replying, I think I will go with your advise!

I'm going to put it in a CM690, I wonder if a 120.2 will fit without modifications as you say they are chunky, I just read somewhere else a 120.3 is NOT going to fit unless you mod the case so that is out of the question anyway.

I'll get a XSPC res and a DDC, I guess it doesn't really matter which DDC