New to water cooling.

[desolation777]

Alright, I am still selecting parts for my first rig and was wondering if their are any suggestions for a low-mid priced liquid cooling system.

 

[PCTC2]

definition of low->mid priced? What's your rig? and are you going for quiet or performance?

 

[desolation777]

I probably lean toward preformance at the moment. My set up will be a E8400 processor (socket 775). If it helps, I have a thermaltake armor series case.

 

[PCTC2]

Swiftech Brand @jab-tech.com:
MCR220QP Radiator $40
MCR-Micro Reservoir $20
Apogee GTX CPU Block $60

PTS (shopPTS.com)
Laing DDC-T01s 18W Pump w/ Petra's Top $100
Masterkleer 7/16" Tubing (15-20') $10-15
Pentosin G11 or G12 and PTS BioNuke
EK High Flow Barbs (4x) $10

That's probably it. You could probably mount it in front if you move the HDD cage out of the front of the Armor.

 

[desolation777]

Thanks alot!

 

[gingerstewart55]

Nice choices in the parts, although I'd personally dump the Apogee GTX recommendation and get a D-Tek FuZion. A bit less restriction, and absolutely no chance of corrosion. Been seeing increasing numbers of corrosion complaints from persons purchasing the latest releases of the GTX.....almost seems like the QC on the plating process Swiftech has done is getting spotty. Why take the chance when the FuZion performs at least as well, if not slightly better, and has no aluminum?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: gingerstewart55
Nice choices in the parts, although I'd personally dump the Apogee GTX recommendation and get a D-Tek FuZion. A bit less restriction, and absolutely no chance of corrosion. Been seeing increasing numbers of corrosion complaints from persons purchasing the latest releases of the GTX.....almost seems like the QC on the plating process Swiftech has done is getting spotty. Why take the chance when the FuZion performs at least as well, if not slightly better, and has no aluminum?

The Apogee GTX is billet aluminum coated in zinc, something else, then the black die. Even when the black die goes, I haven't gotten any corrosion, but anyways, you can get a copper top for $38 bucks if you want.

 

[desolation777]

Thanks gingerstewart ill certainly will take that into consideration. Would anyone suggest just buying a kit?

 

[ChefJoe]

Originally posted by: desolation777
Thanks gingerstewart ill certainly will take that into consideration. Would anyone suggest just buying a kit?

If it's just a CPU cooling loop and won't be anything more then I would suggest just going for large, slow speed air cooling with the e8400. They don't run very hot, they're dual core, and even a really basic kit like the swiftech compact would cool that chip. Top end air would would also cost <$70.

What people are suggesting here are kits that could be the start of a cooling loop that could do more than just the CPU. Ordering from two shops (as aigomorla suggests) is fine, or any of the basic $200-250 water kits from petrastechshop would be plenty for just an e8400.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: PCTC2

The Apogee GTX is billet aluminum coated in zinc, something else, then the black die. Even when the black die goes, I haven't gotten any corrosion, but anyways, you can get a copper top for $38 bucks if you want.

you know what...

i used to be a strong supporter of the GTX. It was a great block, til corrosion threads started poping out on XS.

At first i thought it was mostly user error, using tap water and mixing metals.

But later on my friend phelan ran into it. And this guy aint a noob in h2oing. He owns an RD-30 pump like i do.

So i have to say, be very careful about the GTX. The d-tek fusion with accelerators might be a better option for a cpu only loop.

Also, how about the swiftech compact 220? Its not that bad, and should fit nicely in your armor.

 

[PCTC2]

or just this: PTS's Elite
Swiftech MCR220
D-Tek Fuzion
Laing DDC-T01s

you can pick up the nozzles from jab-tech.com

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
or just this: PTS's Elite
Swiftech MCR220
D-Tek Fuzion
Laing DDC-T01s

you can pick up the nozzles from jab-tech.com

That works too!

Petras also carries the nozzles, so if you want to save on shipping, just pick them up there.

The swiftech compact kit im talking about is this:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swifte...ng-system-pr-4047.html


Prefill, then prebleed, then mount the radiator up front, and mount the cpu block, and your finished.

Ignore everything minus the front radiator mounted in front to show you what i mean:
http://i125.photobucket.com/al...aigomorla/IMGA0279.jpg

The radiator was attached to the front via Velcro. You can get that at any hardware store.
And your barbs would need to be on the botom and not the top because of the way that radiator/res works.

 

[manimal]

What do you think that Compact kit would cool like cpu only with a quad at 1.5V?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: manimal
What do you think that Compact kit would cool like cpu only with a quad at 1.5V?

depends on the quad.

B3? G0? Yorkfield?

Also 1.5Vcore? 1.5V Bios? Whats the true vcore? Meaning at what voltage does the cpu load at?

We cant give you any approximation besides it will be better then air, equal to air, or worse then air, because things can change very quickly by tweeking a few components of the equation.

But, 1.5V will be possible on that unit with a G0. A B3 might be a tad bit high, but still better then air.

If you push a yorkfield @ 1.5V you're cpu will die a horrible death in about 6-7months.

 

[manimal]

Ya thinking about using one at 1.5 with the Vdroop mod on my 680i. I have a G0 that runs great at 1.45 at 3.6. I was hoping I could get 3700ish at 1.5Volts at load. I have Hr05 SLIs on the NB and a VCRE on the SB with a mostfet cooling otw. I am 8 hour stable at 3.6 now with loads on my lapped Tuniq and G0 in the low 70s prime. I plan on moving this rig over to water in the coming months and since I am happy with the NB and graphics card temps as they are now the only thing holding me back is the CPU temps. I can boot bench at higher fsbs but I have pretty much maxed out this Tuniq. I am hoping with the better mosfet cooling things may stabilize a little better at lower volts. Even if I cant get a higher stable overclock I would be happy with 3.6 with loads in the mid 50s small ffts or in place ffts.

What voltage does your Q need at 3737? The VID on both my quads are 1.2250 on the 680board and 1.2500 on the P35 board.

 

[desolation777]

Would anyone know what the cheapest (but not crap) water cooling solution. So far, i think the Swiftec Compact model is the cheapest ive seen on here.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: manimal
What voltage does your Q need at 3737? The VID on both my quads are 1.2250 on the 680board and 1.2500 on the P35 board.

Loaded Specs. But remember no two chips are alike. :T Also no 2 water loops are identical as well.
http://i125.photobucket.com/al.../aigomorla/Temps-2.jpg


ummm if your into heavy overclocking, then id get a bigger radiator setup and a better pump.

how much are you willing to spend on this project?

 

[manimal]

Those temps look better then Giselle Bunchen ^^;

Overall price isnt as much as a concern though the overall price of 170 shipped seemed intriguing on the compact. Overall maintenance is something that I was a little worried about since I tear up and rebuild so often. Ive waffled on going water for the last 2 years and with the temps I got with the tuniq on the dual cores I never thought it was going to be worth it to go to water. Since the quads at these voltages are little nuclear reactors I have second thoughts. Once I get some thoughts together would it be ok if I shoot you a PM ? ^^

 

[desolation777]

Would anyone know of a cheap water cooling kit that is not crap, basically. I just need it for cpu (socket 775 wolfedale).

 

[IanY]

I would stay away from the Swiftech Compact (especially the 120 version) if you want any form of sizable overclocking performance. Its good for stock performance and light overclocking. Yes, I have a Compact 220 but its not exactly what I would call great. I would build a customized system.

Ditto's aigomorla's comments about the GTX, although my GTX and two Stealths haven't corroded, but I have switched them out.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: manimal
Those temps look better then Giselle Bunchen ^^;

Once I get some thoughts together would it be ok if I shoot you a PM ? ^^

lol.... dont try for my temps tho. Its a result of massive tweeking in cooling hardware, using accelerators, to a variable massive head pressure pump, and also dual loops.

But that link gave you had all you were asking for. Voltage, FSB, and Overclock.

And ditto on iany's recomendation of staying away from the 120. The performance on it would be = to a tuniq/tr120extreme.

The 220 is what i would call lower tier h2o cooling. Enough to pace ahead of air, yet not enough to unlock waters true potental. Reason is:

The DirectDrive Apogee is based off the Swiftech MCP350 and not 355. Also, the fact the pump is directly ontop of the cpu kinda worries me on the vibration issue. No problems reported so far that ive seen on XS or Anandtech.

The system also uses 3/8ID tubing as standard. Its not that off to 1/2ID. Difference within .3C on coolant side temps. But, you still do have a reduction in flow, not a big thing on a small loop.

Also, rule of thumb in h20 cooling goes, you get the largest (performing)radiator you can possibly fit. I would look at an MCR320 for possible future upgrades, and just overall headroom.

if you could set aside around 230. You could build a middle class setup which would rip that 220 apart. :X

Which uses a D-tek Fusion, with nozzles, a D5, and an MCR320. <would actually go near upper middle tier> And the fusion would most definitely topple a direct drive apogee.

And yes you may pm me with questions anytime.

 

[manimal]

Thx for the reply man, gonna see how I can mount the 320 inside my armour since my TJ09 doesnt have the room for it. I also just picked up that rebadged LL at the local best buy for 49 bucks with tax. That thing has a ton of space as far as I can tell. Thx for the help.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: manimal
Thx for the reply man, gonna see how I can mount the 320 inside my armour since my TJ09 doesnt have the room for it. I also just picked up that rebadged LL at the local best buy for 49 bucks with tax. That thing has a ton of space as far as I can tell. Thx for the help.

that A71B/G70B replica can house 2 120x3 radiators if you dont mind cutting it with a dremel.

Thats why i got it. Im actually considering rebuilding my NAS out of that and retiring the CM Stacker.

 

[desolation777]

Thanks. All of this will be taken into great consideration.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: desolation777
Thanks. All of this will be taken into great consideration.

please do take time and think carefully about the migration.

The migration is usually expensive to most standards, so you really need to think if you truely want it.

If your computer is something you do enjoy every day, and you like to overclock, and push things to its limits, then yes water is perfect for you.

If your just an average gamer, who just builds plays games and then cycles though another one, then no, i dont see how you'll be limited on any game on air.

If your a noise freak and you want the quiestest computer possible, then... uber expensive air, might be your only solution. [Usually costs = to a medium tier water setup]
Or you can run a passive radiator, but the pump noise might still bug you. There quieter then some hard drives tho.

Theres tons of different ways to draft a computer, and its cooling objective. You just need to know which one you want, or which combo you want.

You just need to think what route is your objective, and decide which way to cross from there.

Originally posted by: desolation777
Would anyone know of a cheap water cooling kit that is not crap, basically. I just need it for cpu (socket 775 wolfedale).

The Compact 220. I thought we already helped you on this one, im terribly sorry!

The 220 will be nowhere near max'd on the dualcore wolfdale. And you could easily push it at the highest safe voltage mark, and crank up your overclock and still have better temps then air, if you possitioned your radiator so it got cold ambient air.

However if you go the elite, with the fusion and accelerators, what would give you better temps. But not by a big difference. 3-5C tops /w nozzles.

The 220 will have problems on quadcore is where i was going at. But on a dualcore wolfdale, it should give you umph and then some!