- Joined
- Jun 10, 2003
- Location
- Eldersburg (Sykesville,) Maryland
I've been thinking about it for a while and have decided to try watercooling. Why? Because I always want to learn something new and this is the next natural step from aircooling, it looks fun, I'll get to try modding my case (whee!,) and from a practical standpoint my cpu is starting to run uncomfortably warm due to summer. Also, I have a little hope to achieve a higher stable overclock- may not happen, but who knows!
Anyways, after a lot of R&R (Reading & Research ), going through the stickies, finding reviews of hardware, and browsing through the watercooling forums here I've pieced together a list of hardware. I feel fairly certain on some of the pieces; as for others I have narrowed it down to two choices and am hoping for a little bit of input. Here goes, starting with the easy choices:
-ClearFlex tubing, 10feet
-Bay-style reservoir
-Evercool Chrome 120mm Fan- http://www.dangerden.com/mall/Misc_Hardware/fans.asp
-Hose clamps (8)
-Zerex Super Coolant + Green UV dye
Pump: I have fairly well decided on the Hydor L35 (http://www.dangerden.com/mall/Pumps/Pump_hydor.asp) There don't seem to be many reviews for this one yet, but most of the talk I have read about it have been positive. The size and reported noise level also appeal to me. I had considered "Danger Den DD12V-D4" at first because I like the idea of a 12v pump, but decided against it due to the cost and the high pitched noise it is supposed to make.
Radiator: I am still a bit unsure about this one. I had thought about getting the Black Ice Xtreme at first, but after reading the forums here I have started to think about just getting a heater core like this one instead: http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=91 The heater core would be a lot cheaper, and it *sounds* like it preforms better too. I'd like to hear some user feedback/comparisons on these two radiators, actually a direct comparison would be great but I haven't been able to find something like that as of yet.
Waterblock: Again, I have two choices here. My first choice was the Danger Den TDX (http://www.dangerden.com/mall2/more_block2.asp?fmmore=210) It has gotten a lot of good reviews, yet is a bit pricey. Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Pros:
- Has been shown to have good performance by many reviews
- Looks cool!
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Some could say the lucite top is a liability
- I need to take the heatsink brackets off to mount it
My second choice is the Swiftech MCW6002-P (http://sidewindercomputers.com/swmcforinpe41.html) It looks promising, but I can't find a single decent review of it!
Pros:
- Made entirely of copper, looks very sturdy
- Easier to mount
- Cheaper
Cons:
- I can make no expectations of performance due to lack of reviews
I am really hoping that someone may be able to shed some light on comparing these two waterblocks. I'd prefer to save some money, but if one performs noticably better than the other, I"d go with that one.
Basically, I just want to be sure that I am purchasing a good pump that is suitable to the task (not overpowered/underpowered, etc,) and I need to decide between my two radiator choices and waterblock choices.
Also, one thing I am unsure of is my water additive. I know I want to steer clear from Water Wetter just because of the stories of it creating buildup or staining tubes. I want to run green UV dye, so I need a additive which will not interfere with that color. I believe Zerex has a color to it (pinkish,) so I am not entirely sure that it is a good choice. Colorless would be the best, really.
I'm going to be out of state next week, so I'll check back and reply as often as I can- I'll really appreciate any help I can find- thanks!
Anyways, after a lot of R&R (Reading & Research ), going through the stickies, finding reviews of hardware, and browsing through the watercooling forums here I've pieced together a list of hardware. I feel fairly certain on some of the pieces; as for others I have narrowed it down to two choices and am hoping for a little bit of input. Here goes, starting with the easy choices:
-ClearFlex tubing, 10feet
-Bay-style reservoir
-Evercool Chrome 120mm Fan- http://www.dangerden.com/mall/Misc_Hardware/fans.asp
-Hose clamps (8)
-Zerex Super Coolant + Green UV dye
Pump: I have fairly well decided on the Hydor L35 (http://www.dangerden.com/mall/Pumps/Pump_hydor.asp) There don't seem to be many reviews for this one yet, but most of the talk I have read about it have been positive. The size and reported noise level also appeal to me. I had considered "Danger Den DD12V-D4" at first because I like the idea of a 12v pump, but decided against it due to the cost and the high pitched noise it is supposed to make.
Radiator: I am still a bit unsure about this one. I had thought about getting the Black Ice Xtreme at first, but after reading the forums here I have started to think about just getting a heater core like this one instead: http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=91 The heater core would be a lot cheaper, and it *sounds* like it preforms better too. I'd like to hear some user feedback/comparisons on these two radiators, actually a direct comparison would be great but I haven't been able to find something like that as of yet.
Waterblock: Again, I have two choices here. My first choice was the Danger Den TDX (http://www.dangerden.com/mall2/more_block2.asp?fmmore=210) It has gotten a lot of good reviews, yet is a bit pricey. Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Pros:
- Has been shown to have good performance by many reviews
- Looks cool!
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Some could say the lucite top is a liability
- I need to take the heatsink brackets off to mount it
My second choice is the Swiftech MCW6002-P (http://sidewindercomputers.com/swmcforinpe41.html) It looks promising, but I can't find a single decent review of it!
Pros:
- Made entirely of copper, looks very sturdy
- Easier to mount
- Cheaper
Cons:
- I can make no expectations of performance due to lack of reviews
I am really hoping that someone may be able to shed some light on comparing these two waterblocks. I'd prefer to save some money, but if one performs noticably better than the other, I"d go with that one.
Basically, I just want to be sure that I am purchasing a good pump that is suitable to the task (not overpowered/underpowered, etc,) and I need to decide between my two radiator choices and waterblock choices.
Also, one thing I am unsure of is my water additive. I know I want to steer clear from Water Wetter just because of the stories of it creating buildup or staining tubes. I want to run green UV dye, so I need a additive which will not interfere with that color. I believe Zerex has a color to it (pinkish,) so I am not entirely sure that it is a good choice. Colorless would be the best, really.
I'm going to be out of state next week, so I'll check back and reply as often as I can- I'll really appreciate any help I can find- thanks!