Watercooling

DWorrall · 7 Feb 2011 at 19:05

Hi guys, i was wondering if anyone could spec me a water cooling system for my PC. I'd like to avoid the pre-built corsair ones..

Im running an AM3 Processor... i have room in my drive bays for a tank but not enough space for a double fan radiator..

If possible on my budget, id like to cool my Radeon HD 5770 too.

Im on a tight budget so i cant go very high.

Thanks to anyone that helps!

SeraphX · 7 Feb 2011 at 23:37

i'm currently doing the same thing with my amd rig but you'd need access to the Members market on here for the best prices,

for a small budget try looking on ebay for second hand equipment,

i've got a XSPC V2 cpu waterblock and an xspc rs240 radiator coupled with one of These just waiting on a dremel to mod my case for the rad to fit.

if your planning on cooling your card too you might need another radiator, a 120 or 240 rad will suffice for the cpu loop but the graphics run and can get quite a lot hotter then cpu's you will prolly need another 240 or even a 360 Rad for that, also small budget fans, most watercoolers seem to favour the Yate loon fan for radiators, theyre very cheap and offer good air flow and static pressure

sorry for rabbling, i'm still a newb to the WC scene, theres more to read about watercooling here > http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17803239

stylus pilot · 8 Feb 2011 at 00:03

Seraph said:
if your planning on cooling your card too you might need another radiator, a 120 or 240 rad will suffice for the cpu loop but the graphics run and can get quite a lot hotter then cpu's you will prolly need another 240 or even a 360 Rad for that

I'd agree with that - you'll probably want a 360 rad if you go for GPU watercooling as well.

XSPC seem to be well recommended these days - the Rasa block is a great performer, and the kits like the Rasa 750 are good all-in-one packages to get you started if just cooling the CPU.

+1 for checking everyone's favourite auction site - (I've recently seen some Thermochill radiators going very cheaply, for example).

pastymuncher · 8 Feb 2011 at 09:19

The only problem with watercooling a 5770 is that you will have to use a full cover block that cost's more than half the price of the card. The 5770 only has a distance of 62mm between the mounting holes, most cards are around 72mm. This rules out all but a couple of prehistoric core only blocks that are expensive and hard to find anyway. I got rid of my 5770 due to this problem.

BeeP · 8 Feb 2011 at 09:40

Indeed, I looked at cooling my 5770 but decided it wasn't really worth the money.

I only have mine cooling the CPU, mainly because it was my 1st go at it & I didn't want to spend silly money.

I have :-
PA120.2, for sale soon as I need a thinner rad for my raven case. Going for a swiftech MCR360
Fuzion v2 on the CPU
DDC 18w, I got it cheap on the MM
XSPC res/top

That was all 2nd hand & came in around £110 Most of it on the bay of e & the MM, you will then need tubing & fittings, these are better bought new imho.

DWorrall · 8 Feb 2011 at 10:54

Okay, if im honest i wouldnt like to buy this sort of thing second hand.... Can someone link me a CPU block, radiator and res/pump on this site?

And could someone tell me how many fittings/which ones are the best and how much tubing id need.

Thanks.

OLDPHART · 8 Feb 2011 at 12:23

Hi, first of all read upon watercooling theres plenty of info on the net, when choosing your parts research them by looking at reviews. As for leaks as long as your fittings are tight you might get a slight weep but just tighting up the fitting a bit more, I've just built my first custom loop 6 months ago all l do is check it once a month. Don't buy a pre-mixed coolent just use distilled water + silver coil works out far cheaper and will last longer, about once a year you drain and refill your loop, if you can build a PC you can build a custom loop. It will roughly cost about £300 to cool the CPU + GPU new parts,yes check members market out for your parts. Once you have chosen your components the people who watercool will help and keep you right in the forum.

As for me you can't beat it, love the silence, no need to down clock in the summer. Your CPU temps might be the same but the GPU will run cooler so better for overclocking IE: my 470 at 850/1700/2000 peaks at 50'c, it can clock higher but happy with that. If l was you if your going for a pump combo use this one > XSPC Dual 750 Bay Reservoir & Pump better perfomance especially if you are going to cool your GPU as well. Using a XSPC Dual 750 Bay Reservoir & Pump myself it coupes with a CPU + GPU very well no problems at all.