Watercooling first time

modo77 · 23 Feb 2007 at 10:21

So I'm finally about to get a watercooling setup for my rig. I've kept putting it off, but seems the noise coming from my fans is finally doing my nut in.

Ideally I'm after an easy to install and maintain system, which is low on the noise and cools well.

I realise that all these are probably mutual exclusive but maybe there is one solution to fit these.

My Air cooling kit is running at 80c under heavy load at 3318mhz so I really need to drop that temp, and maybe increase the speed more.

Not sure about the NB and GPU, I will do it in the end. But for the moment the CPU is my priority. Unless its not much more difficult to do all 3 at once?

So in sort I need a cool, silent easy to install, and have the room to cool my 8800 GTX and NB.
Also I have a coolmaster wavemaster case, which I would prefer not to have to mod.

edit: would a second hand Zalman Reserator 1 be a good place to start?

w3bbo · 23 Feb 2007 at 10:41

For silence yes - for performance no. I also doubt it would do a good job of cooling gpu's when you decide to upgrade.

pegasus1 · 23 Feb 2007 at 10:49

As most people on here will tell you, go for a Swiftech kit as it takes away much of the guesswork of a custom setup and you can add blobks as you expand your system.
The kits come with absolutely everything you need to fit on any CPU/Mobo combo (as far as i'm aware)
Ive got one cooling my 7800gtx (never over 40C on load) and [email protected] (46C in Orthos).

modo77 · 23 Feb 2007 at 11:00

The switfttech kits look decent and one is on a discount this week. However will the GPU block work with a 8800GTX?

Also how loud is it?

jrodga2k5 · 23 Feb 2007 at 11:09

JUst checked the GPU block compatability, indeed it does

this may be an investment for me sometime soon

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw60.asp

pegasus1 · 23 Feb 2007 at 11:51

modo77 said:
The switfttech kits look decent and one is on a discount this week. However will the GPU block work with a 8800GTX?

Also how loud is it?

Just check with OCUK that the Kits they have instock do actually come with the 8800gtx adapter plate.
I run my Radiator fans at 35% at idle (using speedfan) and they are inaudable, and at 65% max speed which produces some sound but cant be heard over the noise of my small room fridge or during music/films/games.

weescott · 23 Feb 2007 at 13:08

Have a look at what Vinny did here:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17694652

Mostly my second hand parts plus a little know how = cheap and good performing solution.

modo77 · 23 Feb 2007 at 16:37

Cheers guys, that rad box looks interesting. Think I may go with the switech kit. Just need to figure out it I can mount it on my case?

modo77 · 30 Apr 2007 at 12:15

Well I've got £300 ish to spend now. Unless something else has come along in the last few months since I posted is the swiftech ultra still the best option?

And has anyone used one on a coolmaster wavemaster case? I'm a bit worried that it wont fit.

Also how is it powered? off the PSU I assume? I ask because I dont have any spare molex connecters left. So any decent PSU's which would cover me? Then again I'll probably be able to do away with one of my case fans to free up a connector, So would I be better with a more suitable case (assuming the wavemaster wouldn't be good)

Help me