A Few W/C Questions

[deception``]

Hey I have a few quick questions before I take the time to order my setup:

1. I've noticed that DangerDen's reusable hose clamps are plastic, and most of the other ones that I have seen are metal. I was leaning toward the DD kind - should I avoid them?

2. I was thinking about doing a T-line instead of a bayres...any drawbacks to this decision?

3. Finally, here is the setup I had in mind...any comments are welcome:

Swiftech Storm
Black Ice 2 (wanted PA 120.2 but big difference in price)
A.C. Ryan 2x120 Radgrill (will be modding a case for the rad) - either PC-7B Plus, PC-7707BW or CM Stacker
DD Maze 4 Acetal
Swiftech MC655 Pump

Thanks in advance,

deception``

[crimedog]

hey deception`` glad you're gonna get your feet wet :)

1. personally i would avoid them. hardware store has metal hose clamps but they're generally pretty thick, the thinner ones are much better IMO. mcmaster has quite a selection (i would also recommend you get some masterkleer tubing from them.)
2. only drawback is on filling and bleeding time. t-line generally takes me about a day to bleed.
3. looks like a great setup you will be happy with it. :)

have fun

[WarriorII]

I personally like using a res, just for the quantity of water availible.

My last set up I had an even 2 liters in the system.
- used a 2L bottle to mix/ fill the system with.

Clamps, whichever you prefer / looks best? / easiest to use...
6 of one half a dozen of the other really.

Oh, if you do decied on a T-line, get the filler cap kit thingy, made of machined Alu
& looks really cool & makes it so much easier to seal up the tube.

:attn:
Keep us posted.

[deception``]

Thanks for your replies gentlemen.

I have been looking to go to water for quite some time....now that I have the funds and the free time to do so, I just needed to ask a few last-minute questions.

Now my hardest decision to make is which case to buy :shrug:

deception``

[felinusz]

I'll toss in a couple of grimy old pennies :D.



1. I use plastic hoseclamps, and I do not have any leaks, nor have I. Plastic hose clamps are considerably cheaper, which is my main reason for using them. Zipties, although not a good idea if you can fit hoseclamps, also work fine for me. The important thing is to have a clamp of some sort on every single join between tubing and a barb. Due to the space constrictions around the barbs on some radiators, zipties are the sometimes only possiblility - but still infinitely better than nothing.

2. Use a T-Line. It is much less expensive, wastes far less space, and is far easier to fill and bleed, in my experience and opinion. Reservoirs are a hassle, an attractive one costs a lot, and worst of all they waste valuable space. Many reservoir designs (bay reservoirs in particular) also bleed in an innefficient and inneffective manner. A T-Line always works if you place it correctly.

3. Have you considered a heatercore?


Looks like you've got your loop pretty well planned out... should be fun. do share your results with us, I'm expecting a lot :D

EDIT: Go with the CM Stacker :)

[WarriorII]

Ohhh..... cr@p. look at some of the pictures, I think in the stickies, or do a search for
pictures under watercooling.

I gave up on looking for a case & am making my own instead. (cheaper too)

G/L with that one. :bang head


:attn:

[deception``]

My only reservation against the T-line is that this will be my first attempt at water, and I don't want to potentially mess things up when it comes time to filling or bleeding.

I, too, am big on the Stacker...with the only exception being it's sheer size and weight (I know the shipping cost is gonna kill me :-/). Regardless of which case, however, I plan to cut a space on the top and use the Radgrill in conjunction with the radiator.

Yes, I have looked at heatercores. However, It is my understanding that they will lack the wholes necessary to do a top-mount (correct me if I am wrong).

Lastly, I noticed that 90% of the above system is similar to the Swiftech H20-APEX kit. Would it be smarter to just go with the kit and add the Maze 4?

deception``

[crimedog]

My only reservation against the T-line is that this will be my first attempt at water, and I don't want to potentially mess things up when it comes time to filling or bleeding.

don't worry about it, it's easy. pour water down the t-line and make sure the pump is primed (has water at the inlet with plenty of backup. turn on the pump and it'll suck up what water it can and push it through the loop. keep adding water to keep it primed and after a little bit it'll be circulating the water on it's own and then it's the bleeding stage. just top off the t-line when necessary. same deal with resevoirs except the air bubbles have a much easier time getting out (why it's quicker.)

Yes, I have looked at heatercores. However, It is my understanding that they will lack the wholes necessary to do a top-mount (correct me if I am wrong).

heatercores don't have any mounting, nor barbs. you must take a hacksaw or a dremel and cut off the excess copper/brass tubing and then slip the tubing over it. they don't have mounting holes but you can easily push rods through them for mounting. the downside of radiators is that they are ugly and big, the upside being they are cheap and cool very well.

Lastly, I noticed that 90% of the above system is similar to the Swiftech H20-APEX kit. Would it be smarter to just go with the kit and add the Maze 4?

not a bad idea, depends on price i think

[deception``]

Crimedog, that was exactly the type of info that I needed :)

When I priced out the two systems (DIY or the kit), the H20-APEX with the Maze 4 comes out a tad cheaper. Assuming the Swiftech dual-rab is the same/comparable to the BIX 2, I will probably go that route. Otherwise, I feel a lot better about doing it on my own with the T.

deception``

[felinusz]

The Swiftech Radiator looks to be the same design as the Black Ice, possibly a little bit thicker? I would go with the kit - cheaper and "everything" you need except good tubing (Clearflex60 for ~$.60 a foot from McMaster :)).

As for mounting a heatercore in your case ceiling......

http://www.ocforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30182
http://www.ocforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30186

- Pictures of my shrouded Chevette Heatercore ceiling mount, way back from when I still used that radiator in my peltiered GPU water loop.

I feel that I managed to mount that big ugly sucker fairly aesthetically ;). It can be done with some careful measurements and some precision drilling/holesawing (which is can be easy if you take your time and tape everything).

[situman]

Get the new swifty mini reservoir. The thing literally finish bleeding in matter of minutes. Also, plastic clamps are a pain to take off. If you are going to get a Black Ice, you might as well just go for the double heatercore from Dangerden. it might actually be cheaper.