Watercooling cost

Mickcas · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:29

Evening all
For a while now I've considered watercooling my system, no issues with temps but it's something Ive fancied giving a go.
Below is what I've looked at parts wise, just generic so I don't break any forum rules
Cpu block
Gpu block and back plate
Pump and res combo
360 and 240 rads
10 fittings
Petg tubes

Everywhere I look this tends to come in at around the £500 mark, does this sound about right, I'd imagine I'd find a few more things to spend money on such as angled fittings drain port etc. I'd also need a new case but I'd be looking to recoop some costs by selling the old case and my aio

Testiculous · 15 Jan 2019 at 22:26

£500 sounds about right for the above, give or take a few shillings.

LuckyBenski · 16 Jan 2019 at 07:58

I think it can come under that, but if you're buying all new parts from reputable brands/suppliers it does look like £400+ for the full loop. Sadly, don't forget you've also got 5-12 fans needed to feed that setup depending on push/pull and case airflow fans. The fans always catch me out

The good news is that almost all water-cooling parts are reusable for several builds aside from the GPU block. They're also well made enough to last year's so in general, you hopefully won't find yourself needing to shell out for this entire setup again. It's also a good idea to spend well initially. I've bought a lot of used and cheap WC gear but it's always nice not to worry as much about leaks on first install!

Mickcas · 16 Jan 2019 at 13:21

thanks, sounds like I'm in the right ball park

MikeTimbers · 16 Jan 2019 at 22:48

easy answer don't buy new. amazing how much used water-cooling gear can be acquired cheaply. but also bear in mind that much of this will last thru multiple builds - pump/res, cpu block, radiators - all can be easily re-used. gpu block is an area to be careful of as the fullcover varieties are rarely reusable.

Mickcas · 16 Jan 2019 at 22:54

MikeTimbers said:
easy answer don't buy new. amazing how much used water-cooling gear can be acquired cheaply. but also bear in mind that much of this will last thru multiple builds - pump/res, cpu block, radiators - all can be easily re-used. gpu block is an area to be careful of as the fullcover varieties are rarely reusable.

though about going used but its hard to find stuff and I cant get onto the selling/buying page on here

MikeTimbers · 16 Jan 2019 at 23:01

there's loads about on the auction site. also, one thing to consider, the big brand names - ek, bitspower, xspc - aren't necessarily good value. there are terrific fittings available from barrow. I bought some noname fittings and even a 240 radiator from China via a "hopeful" app, and they were fine. the 240 copper radiator was only £23 and seems absolutely fine. The fittings were £1 each for 10/13 compression fittings. I've got a cpu block in one system that cost me £15 new. It even came with an optional LED!

It depends what you want. I still have a Vauxhall heatercore with soldered 1/2" fittings that I bought maybe 15 years ago. It's not in a system right now but still works incredibly well. If you want your system to be "pretty" then it will be expensive. If you want it to cool well it can be peanuts.