Water Cooling n00b

[MDE]

I'm considering a watercooling setup for my PC for noise and extra cooling. I've got a few questions:

1) What would be a good, quiet, powerful pump? (Eheim?)
2) What would be a good waterblock for my CPU, GPU, NB? Would I be able to transfer the NB and GPU blocks to an A64 system later on? I know of DangerDen's reputation, but I'm open to any suggestions or personal testimonials.
3) What hosing size should I use? (I'm thinking 1\2")
4) What radiator? I could pick up a car heater core if it's cheaper and the tubing will fit properly.
5) Clamp the hoses or not? What to clamp them with?
6) Reservoir suggestions- internal or external? Fitting an internal in my current case would be a problem, could I just run the tubing outside of the case? I'd be getting a bigger case for my next system (Antec P160 probably).

Here's my current system:

Athlon XP 2500+ @ 2.2GHz
Abit NF7-S 2.0
2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC4000 (both were $99 apiece, couldn't turn it down)
BFG GeForceFX 5900 (would I need to add RAMsinks to it if I watercool it?)
Audigy2 ZS Platinum
ATI TV Wonder VE
PCI 802.11b card
Antec Sonata (all 5 1\4" bays filled, one rear slot open)
I'd like to keep it under $150-200

Thanks!

 

[stardust]

Dtek kit

Select: -Whitewater block(you may have to wait till its in stock)
-Hydor L30 (You may need a radioshack 120V to 240V step-up transformer)

This kit is the argueable the best combination of components to make the best water cooling setup. Kits built by Koolance, Asetek, Zalman, Swiftech can't beat the dtek's performance/price ratio.

I'm running a similar water cooling setup (A64 @ 2.4ghz) and temps are 30C idle 33C load during these summer months. Fan speed is only at 40% power, so the system is VERY quiet.

Remember, WHITEWATER is a MUST! The design is from the original cascade block.

 

[stardust]

I think they took down the choice for a Hydor... ask them about it, if not take the 300gph eheim

 

[MDE]

Looks sweet but I don't have an empty 5 1/4" bay to put that reservoir ATM. It wouldn't leak if I mounted it vertically next to the HDD rack in my Sonata would it? I know I sound paranoid but I don't like the thought of sizzling hardware.
EDIT: What would be recommended for a GPU and NB block? I'm going to try to get a pic of my case as it is right now.

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: MDE
Looks sweet but I don't have an empty 5 1/4" bay to put that reservoir ATM. It wouldn't leak if I mounted it vertically next to the HDD rack in my Sonata would it? I know I sound paranoid but I don't like the thought of sizzling hardware.
EDIT: I'm going to try to get a pic of my case as it is right now.

Use deionized/purified water, it shouldn't leak.. and if it does the water shouldn't conduct electricity..

First fill the resevoir in a upright position, then place wherever you want. They also have floppy resevoirs, just ask for them.

 

[essasin]

1. Swiftech mcp600
2.rbx is capable of 64 cooling with a interchangable brass or lucite top
3.1/2
4. Depends on what size case you have but heatcore is cheap and works great if you have a smaller case i suggest a black ice extreme. Dont forget to use a shroud
5. Clamp hoses on your res if your gonna have one, on your rad, and your pump
6.res despends on you all preference but they all are bascially the same.

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: essasin
1. Swiftech mcp600
2.rbx is capable of 64 cooling with a interchangable brass or lucite top
3.1/2
4. Depends on what size case you have but heatcore is cheap and works great if you have a smaller case i suggest a black ice extreme. Dont forget to use a shroud
5. Clamp hoses on your res if your gonna have one, on your rad, and your pump
6.res despends on you all preference but they all are bascially the same.

The RBX isn't as capable as the Whitewater under overclocked conditions and the RBX also doesn't cover the entire portion of the CPU for A64 and P4's. It comes down to preference, but I trust in the cascade design.

 

[Yourself]

Originally posted by: stardust

Originally posted by: essasin
1. Swiftech mcp600
2.rbx is capable of 64 cooling with a interchangable brass or lucite top
3.1/2
4. Depends on what size case you have but heatcore is cheap and works great if you have a smaller case i suggest a black ice extreme. Dont forget to use a shroud
5. Clamp hoses on your res if your gonna have one, on your rad, and your pump
6.res despends on you all preference but they all are bascially the same.

The RBX isn't as capable as the Whitewater under overclocked conditions and the RBX also doesn't cover the entire portion of the CPU for A64 and P4's. It comes down to preference, but I trust in the cascade design.

Then go for the new Danger Den TDX. It covers the dye and the reviews have been positive.

Also, the Whitewater and the Cascade are different designs. We all wish Cathar was still making Cascades.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: stardust
Use deionized/purified water, it shouldn't leak.. and if it does the water shouldn't conduct electricity..

Do not follow this piece of advice. It's true that pure H2O doesn't conduct electricity but when you spill it inside your case full of dust and it makes that much contact with air, it will no longer be pure H2O and it will conduct electricity. I've personally tested this several times under several conditions in an electronics course.

Good luck with your water cooling! If you spend enough time with it and do it right, you'll love it!

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: stardust
Use deionized/purified water, it shouldn't leak.. and if it does the water shouldn't conduct electricity..

Do not follow this piece of advice. It's true that pure H2O doesn't conduct electricity but when you spill it inside your case full of dust and it makes that much contact with air, it will no longer be pure H2O and it will conduct electricity. I've personally tested this several times under several conditions in an electronics course.

Good luck with your water cooling! If you spend enough time with it and do it right, you'll love it!

Well, what water should he use? Deionized air?

So you are telling me, people who build water cooling systems should not use purified or deionized water? I said the system shouldn't leak, and in fact the water SHOULDN'T conduct electricity.

Edit:

Let me rephrase that advice in another way..

If you build the system properly (with clamps and all), there shouldn't be any leaks in the first place. The best choice for water is deionized or purified water to cut down on the damage the water does to the copper waterblock and the pump.

 

[Falloutboy]

also if you don't have room for a resvour you can always do a t-line setup which is what I did.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Falloutboy525
also if you don't have room for a resvour you can always do a t-line setup which is what I did.

Could you explain that or give a pic?

On the whole purified water thing, I'd be using distilled water with Water Wetter (or an equivalent) to cut down on corrosion. I'm leak paranoid, but I'm not crazy, it would be leak tested for at least 3 days outside of my system before installing it.

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: Falloutboy525
also if you don't have room for a resvour you can always do a t-line setup which is what I did.

Could you explain that or give a pic?

On the whole purified water thing, I'd be using distilled water with Water Wetter (or an equivalent) to cut down on corrosion. I'm leak paranoid, but I'm not crazy, it would be leak tested for at least 3 days outside of my system before installing it.

T-piece

 

[Pseudodominion]

I prefer the Hydor pumps for the slightly less cost. I think 1/2" hosing and the new impinged blocks like whitewater and RBX are just overkill for only a minimal gain.

If I were to confgure a setup, it would be a maze4 block, hydorL30 pump, a sweet rad from AT memberWA261, Maze4GPU block, and a nice cylinder res. I dont use NB waterblocks so I can't recomend one there.

 

[Pseudodominion]

If your leak crazy, then buy some FluidXP from integrity PC. Not only is it non-conductive, but its non-corrosive, and non-galvanic, so your internal will remain nice. I use it in my PC. Its expensive, but worth the piece of mind IMO.

 

[stardust]

Originally posted by: demancalledbok
If your leak crazy, then buy some FluidXP from integrity PC. Not only is it non-conductive, but its non-corrosive, and non-galvanic, so your internal will remain nice. I use it in my PC. Its expensive, but worth the piece of mind IMO.

Isn't that stuff less conductive? I will give that a try after I refill during the summer, thanks!

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: stardust

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: stardust
Use deionized/purified water, it shouldn't leak.. and if it does the water shouldn't conduct electricity..

Do not follow this piece of advice. It's true that pure H2O doesn't conduct electricity but when you spill it inside your case full of dust and it makes that much contact with air, it will no longer be pure H2O and it will conduct electricity. I've personally tested this several times under several conditions in an electronics course.

Good luck with your water cooling! If you spend enough time with it and do it right, you'll love it!

Well, what water should he use? Deionized air?

So you are telling me, people who build water cooling systems should not use purified or deionized water? I said the system shouldn't leak, and in fact the water SHOULDN'T conduct electricity.

Edit:

Let me rephrase that advice in another way..

If you build the system properly (with clamps and all), there shouldn't be any leaks in the first place. The best choice for water is deionized or purified water to cut down on the damage the water does to the copper waterblock and the pump.

The piece of information that this person should not follow is that distilled/deionized/whatever you want to call it water water, if leaked, will not cause damage to the electronics. That is 100% incorrect.

I agree that this person should use this type of water but for the purpose of keeping the insides of the water cooling system clean. And as others have mentioned, there are alternatives. They're not perfect but they are other options. Personally, I think, as this person said, if you build the system properly, then there shouldn't be leaks. BUT if there is a leak, do NOT assume that you are safe because you used distilled water. Turn that pc off IMMEDIATELY!