Which Kit ? - Water Cooling Virgin !

Man of Honour
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16 Mar 2005
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Clevedon , Bristol
As the title, which of these kits would anyone recommend for a first time water cooling set-up ( CPU only ) ?

Thermaltake CL-W0005-01 BigWater SE

XSPC X2O High Flow Water Cooling Kit


Or any other suggestions ?

Will be o'cing a socket 754 AMD64 3700 +


Thanks in advance.
 
Soldato
Joined
13 Jul 2005
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19,205
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Norfolk, South Scotland
The problem with the cheaper kits is that they're actually very little better than a good air cooler (maybe 2-3C).

The more expensive stuff will get you up to a 10C drop over an air cooler in my experience.

A good quiet air cooler like an Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro costs under £20 so you're paying dearly for a small improvement on the lower priced kits.

The other problem is when you want to sell the kit and upgrade. Very few people will take Thermaltake off your hands, whereas you'll only lose 25-30% on Swiftech stuff if you put it on Members Market.

Bits do come up quite regularly on MM as people upgrade, so it might be worth your while posting in the wanted section and see what comes out. Someone is almost bound to have a Thermaltake Big Water they want to offload.

I know it's not the advice you want but I've got a Coolermaster 80mm kit lying here and I honestly wouldn't risk the embarassment of selling it to some poor sucker who'll have the same high hopes I did. That was actually worse than an AC Freezer 4 unless it had 2 push-pull fans mounted on it. The 120mm kit is a bit better 2C drop with 1 fan, 4C drop with push-pull.

But my new Koolance PC3 kit gives me a 10C drop out of the box, although it does have a top mounted 120x240 radiator ;)

[Edit]Just noticed your post count, but the advice generally hold good. Post sensibly, but post often and get your MM access for some real bargains[/Edit]
 
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Soldato
Joined
25 Feb 2004
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Heckling for change
As above^^

If your going to watercool do it properly or risk embarrassment and disapointment.

Second hand bargains may include a TDX, maze 4, Swiftech MCP6002 or if your lucky a LRWW, or Storm. Ad a 120.1 rad, pump, tubing etc...and your sorted! it will cost much the same as a kit but perform much better and be more upgradable.
 
Man of Honour
OP
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16 Mar 2005
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8,052
Location
Clevedon , Bristol
Top Notch Advice.

Thank you , exactly what i needed.

One question on separates ;

I have read about " small bore + large bore systems " I assume this is the tubing+connector diameters

Are there only 2 different sizes/diameters available ?

Cheers.
 
Soldato
Joined
31 Jul 2004
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13,527
Location
Surrey
Everything I've read about these kits screams BAD IDEA at me.. apart from the swiftech ones... You might as well save yourself the hassle and get a huge air heatsink like that ninja thing that seems to be doing the rounds, it'll probably outperform those kits you listed.

If you're going to do it, do it right.. post up your components and let us spec you a setup. Its easier than you'd think!
 
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