Recomend water cooling setup please. Help me pick my parts.

[markrb]

I was considering an Innovatek kit, but now I might just make a setup of my own using other parts. I have been trying to read here as much as possible, but the info is a bit tough to pick up.

I keep hearing about this place Dtek, but I can't find it. Any version of dtek.com doesn't work and Yahoo can't find it.

Any other good places for parts would be greatly appreciated?

From what I have read in the reviews and here the Innovatek waterblock is liked very much. Is this a good choice for the money or should I consider something else? Looks does not matter to me just performance. For an XP 2200+ BTW.

I am reading that many are saving money using a heater core from a chevette or a camaro with some 120mm fans. Are there good AC versions out there?

I know of many places to get Eheim pumps from my aquarium days and even there the quality is known.

What are good reservoirs to use with something like this? The Innovatek looks nice, but small. I don't want to use anything like a fishtank or tub. A nice closed system is what I am looking for.

I have bought from USplastics before and can get the tubing there.

Based on what I have read this is what I am considering for my CPU only water cooling. Am I missing anything?

Innovatek Water Block (what about the Maze 3 for much less?)
Heater Core from Chevette or Camaro
Tygon Tubing from US plastics.
reservoir from somewhere
120mm fan AC or DC
Eheim pump which one?

Any and all can be changed. I am not married to any of the items. The water block is a little expensive and if you can suggest one that performs as well, but is cheaper that would be nice.

If I get the Maze 3 should I get the all copper for $5 more and what size barbs, 1/2" or 3/8"?

Am I restricted to any size of tubing based on anything I listed or is it all adjustable?

Any and all info and sites would be appreciated. I have already read just about everything at overclockers.com main site.

I want to make the most informed choice I can.

Thanks,
Mark

[JFettig]

lots of questions and i dont think i can answer them all

first of all its http://www.dtekcustoms.com

i know inovatek is pretty good but i think its spendy? dont remember

maze 3 is alrite, i would go with something from dtek before that

tubing from usplastics would be good idea

ehiem pumps are good, there are other cheaper just as good pumps out there ie maxijet, danner, via aqua.

you dont need a resevore, they are pretty nice to have sometimes, you can make those pretty easily, otherwize just use a bleed line

heatercores are best, and use dc fans for those, easier to rig everything up

if you are to go with maze 3, get the copper topped one unless you REALLY want to see the water inside it..

you should go with 3/8 tubing and 1/2inch barbs, you can slip tygon and silicone tubing over 1/2inch barbs, and it becomes less restriction and easier to work around

hope this helps

[Silversinksam]

First heres D-Tek (http://www.dtekcustoms.com/)

Sond you dont need a resevoir, just go Inline.

Rergarding the eheim, get the 1046 or 1250 ;)

[HaywirE]

Innovatek Kit :O

[markrb]

@maskedgeek you mention looking at something from dtek, but most seem to be acrylic topped and you have mentioned here and in other places you don't like those. Is there one in particular that you like?
I am also considering the Swiftech, but that seems to be in the same category as the Maze 3.
Is the sidewinder any good for $37 or which particular one would you recomend? Which pump would you match with that block?

I think I am close to narrowing down the equipment. Now it's just which exact water block and heater core or does it matter between the Camaro and the Chevette?

It's tough since everyone has their own opinion and there is no head to head comparisons anywhere.

Many questions I know. I don't see any of these choices being terrible as far as I am reading here. It's just I would like to get the best bang for the buck.

Thanks,
Mark

[SkiFletch]

you mentioned interest in AC fans, well, here (http://www.action-electronics.com/fans.htm) sells them (large selection).

as far as tubing goes, if money isnt an option, find some of the clear flexible plasticized PVC tubing. trust me, i've worked first hand with both it and Tygon and it kicks Tygon's bootay (the stuff doesnt kink unless you physically apply a whole mess of pressure to it. you can get it from a mail order company called Small Parts. be warned, it aint cheap.

I believe the Camaro heatercore is bigger than the chevette's, so i'd put my money there.

try to stick with 1/2" fittings and blocks that use 1/2" channels. you can always get adapters for anything, but the less adapters the better.

[JFettig]

dangerden uses lucite(CRAP) and dtek uses POLYCABONITE - VERY GOOD i do wish they would copper top the spiral, but if they did there would be prob like 4 people to buy the coppertoped one... so it wouldnt be worth it...

so the clearness of the dtek ones is alrite...

[markrb]

So how does this sound? Getting closer.

Dtek Gemini High Flow ($42)(only 3/8" barb) or the Poly Topped Copper Spir@l Waterblock with 1/2" brass barbs($52). (Which 1 of these 2?)

Camaro Heat Core from auto parts store.

Tygon Tubing (I know of the other stuff(Flexi-PVC). I have used it before and I found it to be a pain). What ID should I get for the 1/2" barbs? I am assuming 1/2".

120mm fan (What CFM?) and 1 or 2 fans?

Eheim or similar pump. With these items what GPH should I go for?

I think to start I will pick up one of those sealed junction boxes from Home Depot I have been reading about. As I get more comfortable I will truly make it a closed loop.

Down to the last of the ninth. Just need that little final push from the experts. I am leaning toward the more expensive of the 2 waterblocks right now. I don't know if 2 120mm fans will fit on the camaro core. Will I need a couple of barbs to sweat on the heat core? No problem I can do it. It's just I need to know if I have to order them.

Thanks very much for all the advice.

Mark

[JFettig]

spir@l

theres my camaro HC in my aviatar with a shroud and fan, you can stick a fan and shroud on the other side if you want, i got a 88cfm fan on it rite now,

if its the ehiem get the one that sss suggested, or maxijet 1200 or via aqua 1300 or danner 250-400gph...

[DodgeViper]

You would be better off sticking with the Ehiem 1048 pump. It has only 10 watts output. So less heat is being placed into the water. I have the 1250 pump, just took a temp reading of the side of the case pump. My probe read 41c. Now if you can build your own try this link. I wrote the article. CLICK (http://www.phlux.co.uk/articles.php?aid=7&page=1) Any of the blocks mention will do. The Spir@l, D-tek TC-4, and the High Volume Gemini are all real close to each other. I had the HVG, but the pump was just to much for the block to handle. Had I had the 1048 pump I do believe the block would stand up with the others I mentioned. I now have the D-Tek TC-4.

[markrb]

Is the Maxi-Jet 900, which is rated at 8 watts for 230 GPH, worth trying? It seems to have a little higher flow rating(then the Eheim 1048) while at a slightly lower wattage and much lower cost.
I have used Maxi-Jet pumps in my fish tanks in the past and they always seemed like great little troopers. I have had an Eheim 1060 before and the thing is huge compared to other pumps rated for the same flow.

Do the Maxi-jets need to be modded? I don't remember them having barb connections.

Thanks,
Mark

BTW I bought the Spir@l and that water wetter stuff. I will try and pickup a Camaro heater core tomorrow when I am in NH to save tax. I saw it listed at one auto parts store for $17.99.
I also bought a 172mm 24v fan that I will run at 12v for about 135CFM. It's called the Patriot and I saw it in one of the other threads. Almost there. Just need to order the tubing.

[DodgeViper]

Publish flow rates are not to be believed. Very few pumps will deliver what is stated on the box. Your biggest obtacle will be the W/B. My 1250 would deliver 190 GPH at a 12" rise. With the Gemini High Volume block attached at 12" rise the GPH dropped to 64 GPH. I wished I had check the flow through the TC-4.