- Joined
- Feb 20, 2004
- Location
- Murfreesboro, TN
I've read the guides. I've sorted through posts. I've reread guides (most of which are at least a few months old, if not several). I've looked in the classifieds.
And I can honestly say that I still don't have the first clue where to start building a water cooling setup that will be at least "better than average" for cooling a San Diego 4000+ and two MSI 6800GT's.
For the CPU blocks, I've heard good things about Swiftech, but then good things about WhiteWater, too, and finally, great things about G4's and G5's. To make things more confusing, several products are actually offered by different vendors under different names, or a combination of names. So far, though, I think I've nailed down the G4 as being one of the top performers for its price. Would that be a good assumption? Especially since they'll be available commercially in the near future?
Pumps - not a damn clue on. Still researching, but I'd like to go decently top-end ... something that will pump enough for the CPU and two GPU's easily. Would a single pump be best, or a relay of 2 (or more) smaller pumps at possibly cheaper prices individually that would outperform one single unit? And do you typically power these from your primary PSU or an alternate one (and I know standard AC pumps are available, too, but I'd like to keep the setup totally enclosed in my case. Case is 24" tall, some monster no-name brand I bought back in '99, so it should fit without too much trouble as I have tons of room).
Cores/Shrouds - Looked at the BIX3 and TC 120.3 ... and then look at Weapon's custom cores and shrouds. Is the performance difference of either the two commercial cores going to be anything near enough to justify the extra cost over a '77 Bonneville A/C Core with a Weapon 302 Shroud, buying the items direct from Weapon? So far, he looks like one of the best sources. Again, please offer any input into better choices (be it from Weapon's offerings, or other ones), but know that I don't have the time and tools for too much DIY cutting, brazing, modding, etc. Not that I'm helpless or can't do a touch here or there - I'm just swamped most of the time. As an addendum, I'd probably be using Panaflo 120mm fans, either High's or Ultra's (got some Mediums lying around that do ~ 86CFM, but I don't know if that would be enough).
GPU coolers - The 6800GT's I bought came with these: http://www.chillblast.com/customer/product.php?productid=390
They are 10mm inlet/outlet sizes, however, and I wasn't sure how stepping up to 1/2" would affect performance or bog down the rest of the loop. Would I be better off to sell these blocks and get a Maze4, or a NV68? Something else? Again, suggestions most welcome.
Resevoirs & Tees - Still don't quite get how to run and fill the system just using a T, but it seems a lot of people prefer that.
Water wetters, dyes, tubing - Think I can figure these out without too much trouble on my own.
The WC Loop - This is the one thing I need to read up on a bit more, as I've been pouring over the parts, but haven't figured out what the best way to setup a CPU, GPU, GPU cooling loop is. If you have any quick links or advice, feel free to share. I'll keep searching for information on my own, as well.
----
So, there's the rundown from a newbie who's head is about to explode after the past 48 hours. The reason for my overload is that I want to have everything I need (aside from the G4, which I realize I probably can't get my hands on right at the moment, if that is indeed the best solution for me) by Saturday, July 16th. I'll be out of town for a week starting next Wednesday doing mission work, and in the meantime, work has been absolutely nuts and I come home and try to read up on WC only to feel stressed out from the information overload I've endured during the day.
Thanks for any help, pointers, tips, and recommendations you can provide. I'm always one to try and sort stuff out on my own before asking for guidance, and I think I've reached the point now where I need some honest opinions and suggestions.
Thanks,
Dave
EDIT: For a little more information about the system (after looking at the sticky "how to ask WC questions" again ), I don't mind cutting the case a bit, the mobo is a DFI SLI-DR, and the PSU is an OCZ 520W. Noise is a slight consideration (I don't want to be at the same dB level I'd be running a Vantec tornado), but absolute silence is no concern. I'm also the type who would rather spend $30 more for something he'd really like rather than cut corners and just be adequately satisfied.
And I can honestly say that I still don't have the first clue where to start building a water cooling setup that will be at least "better than average" for cooling a San Diego 4000+ and two MSI 6800GT's.
For the CPU blocks, I've heard good things about Swiftech, but then good things about WhiteWater, too, and finally, great things about G4's and G5's. To make things more confusing, several products are actually offered by different vendors under different names, or a combination of names. So far, though, I think I've nailed down the G4 as being one of the top performers for its price. Would that be a good assumption? Especially since they'll be available commercially in the near future?
Pumps - not a damn clue on. Still researching, but I'd like to go decently top-end ... something that will pump enough for the CPU and two GPU's easily. Would a single pump be best, or a relay of 2 (or more) smaller pumps at possibly cheaper prices individually that would outperform one single unit? And do you typically power these from your primary PSU or an alternate one (and I know standard AC pumps are available, too, but I'd like to keep the setup totally enclosed in my case. Case is 24" tall, some monster no-name brand I bought back in '99, so it should fit without too much trouble as I have tons of room).
Cores/Shrouds - Looked at the BIX3 and TC 120.3 ... and then look at Weapon's custom cores and shrouds. Is the performance difference of either the two commercial cores going to be anything near enough to justify the extra cost over a '77 Bonneville A/C Core with a Weapon 302 Shroud, buying the items direct from Weapon? So far, he looks like one of the best sources. Again, please offer any input into better choices (be it from Weapon's offerings, or other ones), but know that I don't have the time and tools for too much DIY cutting, brazing, modding, etc. Not that I'm helpless or can't do a touch here or there - I'm just swamped most of the time. As an addendum, I'd probably be using Panaflo 120mm fans, either High's or Ultra's (got some Mediums lying around that do ~ 86CFM, but I don't know if that would be enough).
GPU coolers - The 6800GT's I bought came with these: http://www.chillblast.com/customer/product.php?productid=390
They are 10mm inlet/outlet sizes, however, and I wasn't sure how stepping up to 1/2" would affect performance or bog down the rest of the loop. Would I be better off to sell these blocks and get a Maze4, or a NV68? Something else? Again, suggestions most welcome.
Resevoirs & Tees - Still don't quite get how to run and fill the system just using a T, but it seems a lot of people prefer that.
Water wetters, dyes, tubing - Think I can figure these out without too much trouble on my own.
The WC Loop - This is the one thing I need to read up on a bit more, as I've been pouring over the parts, but haven't figured out what the best way to setup a CPU, GPU, GPU cooling loop is. If you have any quick links or advice, feel free to share. I'll keep searching for information on my own, as well.
----
So, there's the rundown from a newbie who's head is about to explode after the past 48 hours. The reason for my overload is that I want to have everything I need (aside from the G4, which I realize I probably can't get my hands on right at the moment, if that is indeed the best solution for me) by Saturday, July 16th. I'll be out of town for a week starting next Wednesday doing mission work, and in the meantime, work has been absolutely nuts and I come home and try to read up on WC only to feel stressed out from the information overload I've endured during the day.
Thanks for any help, pointers, tips, and recommendations you can provide. I'm always one to try and sort stuff out on my own before asking for guidance, and I think I've reached the point now where I need some honest opinions and suggestions.
Thanks,
Dave
EDIT: For a little more information about the system (after looking at the sticky "how to ask WC questions" again ), I don't mind cutting the case a bit, the mobo is a DFI SLI-DR, and the PSU is an OCZ 520W. Noise is a slight consideration (I don't want to be at the same dB level I'd be running a Vantec tornado), but absolute silence is no concern. I'm also the type who would rather spend $30 more for something he'd really like rather than cut corners and just be adequately satisfied.
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