n00b

[ObiwanShinobi]

Right now i have a fx 3700 @ 2.8 with thermalright xp120 with a panaflow
I'd like to go to watercooling for under 200 dollars. Where should I start? I want to try to get to 3.0 and keep good temps.

[D-mann]

Are you just planning to cool the CPU?

I know kits are no-nos but this should work out pretty good for your CPU and is under $200.

http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=183&cat=65&page=1

THT:)

[Flip-Mode]

Well, if I was in your shoes and I wanted a good upgradeable watercooling setup I would get the following:
BlackIcePro 2 (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=162&cat=72&page=1) - 36$
Block + Pump combo from DD (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=170&cat=69&page=1) - 108$
Add a fans tubing and clamps and you got less then 200$.
The setup is also fully upgradeable.

[ObiwanShinobi]

What about a possible waterblock for my video card, could I add that? What about the liquid coolant i use? I don't know awything about water cooling I read the basics sticky but that didnt tell me much. So all I need is the water block, tubing, radiator and pump?

[Flip-Mode]

What about a possible waterblock for my video card, could I add that? What about the liquid coolant i use? I don't know awything about water cooling I read the basics sticky but that didnt tell me much. So all I need is the water block, tubing, radiator and pump?
You can add the VGA block at anytime, now or when you get the money.
For a coolant I suggest 1/9 car antifreeze/ distilled water ratio.

I would also suggest you do some reading on water cooling, read the stickies and search www.overclockers.com for good WC articles.

[dominick32]

Well, if I was in your shoes and I wanted a good upgradeable watercooling setup I would get the following:
BlackIcePro 2 (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=162&cat=72&page=1) - 36$
Block + Pump combo from DD (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=170&cat=69&page=1) - 108$
Add a fans tubing and clamps and you got less then 200$.
The setup is also fully upgradeable.

X2 on that recommendation. The DD combo, with a BIP Pro is a low cost but extremely effective combo for a single loop cooling the CPU only.

Dom

[veryhumid]

That sticky that bashes kits is ancient. The really mean to stay away from thermaltake, coolermaster, etc. kits. Danger Den is very nice stuff.

[ObiwanShinobi]

So the danger den kits are good? I think im going to buy a kit to start off with because I'm so new to it.

[Flip-Mode]

So the danger den kits are good? I think im going to buy a kit to start off with because I'm so new to it.
No those "kits" are just collections of parts from the store, what I gave you is much better so you can assemble your own kit, get it?

[ObiwanShinobi]

so thats all I need, plus solution?

[inkfx]

Either a DangerDen "kit" or a Swiftech "kit" would be a great start for a first timer. All you have to do for the liquid is go buy some distilled water and a little anti-freeze and you are set. Good luck with your dive into watercooling.

[Flip-Mode]

so thats all I need, plus solution?
By solution you mean the liquid going trough the setup? I would suggest distilled water and 10% anti freeze, I don't think buying a "coolant" is worth the cash if you are on a tight budget.
If you want I can list EVERYTHING you need to make it easier for you.

[Otter]

The coolants watercooling sites sell are fine, but a bit overpriced. Try the following formula instead.
95% steam distilled water - the best coolant money can buy.
5% Zerex racing coolant to prevent corrosion. Or 3% Hy-per Lube or 10% Antifreeze.
A few drops of alchohol-free Iodine tincture or another biocide to keep things from growing in your system.
A few drops of Jetdry to reduce the surface tension. This last ingredient is completely optional, but might boost your performance slightly and make the system a little easier to bleed.

Not much has been said about tubing yet, but Masterkleer is fairly good and quite cheap. Get 7/16" ID 5/8" OD if you'll have seven feet or less in your loop, and 1/2" ID 3/4" OD if you'll have more than that. You'll also need stainless steel worm gear hose clamps.

To bleed the system, you'll either want a reservoir or a 1/2" T and some sort of airtight cap. You might also want to put a T at the bottom of your loop with a valve or very secure cap to make draining the system easier.

[ObiwanShinobi]

How is this for a non conductive solution?http://www.frozencpu.com/ex-liq-07.html
I dont want to make a solution myself beacuse I dont want to do somthing wrong and mess up and possibly ruin my only system that I have right now, I might in the future sometime when I get more comfortable with watercooling.

[Daddyjaxx]

That stuff may start out nonconductive, but will be conductive pretty quick from ions it leaches from the system. They poured that right out of the bottle in their demonstration. Someone on Xtreme forums had it in his loop and 1/2 ounce spilled on his ATI 1900XT and his motherboard and GPU were gone.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=95033

[Electron Chaser]

That stuff may start out nonconductive, but will be conductive pretty quick from ions it leaches from the system. They poured that right out of the bottle in their demonstration. Someone on Xtreme forums had it in his loop and 1/2 ounce spilled on his ATI 1900XT and his motherboard and GPU were gone.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=95033

The same can be said for distilled water. I use this stuff in my loop. It works well and has a lubricity to it that water doesn't have. Though in regards to cooling it does not perform quite as well as a water system will as it runs about 2 C higher.

[Otter]

How is this for a non conductive solution?http://www.frozencpu.com/ex-liq-07.html
I dont want to make a solution myself beacuse I dont want to do somthing wrong and mess up and possibly ruin my only system that I have right now, I might in the future sometime when I get more comfortable with watercooling.
In that case, any of the pre-mixed coolants sold for watercooling computers should work. I wouldn't count on any coolant to remain completely nonconductive until I'd seen some long-term tests in a realistic system, and distilled water is more or less nonconductive to begin with too, but if using PC ICE will help you sleep at night, do it. :)

[-aDaM^]

Well, if I was in your shoes and I wanted a good upgradeable watercooling setup I would get the following:
BlackIcePro 2 (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=162&cat=72&page=1) - 36$
Block + Pump combo from DD (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=170&cat=69&page=1) - 108$
Add a fans tubing and clamps and you got less then 200$.
The setup is also fully upgradeable.


that would deffinitly be a good setup.

[CoreGamer]

H20 120 from swiftech is ~200$ and its pretty good and definatly upgradable

[ObiwanShinobi]

I have a Thermaltake Armor case, where would I put everything without having to remove any hard drive cages or do any case modding?

[CoreGamer]

If your getting a BixII then you would put the rad up front with your drives

[ObiwanShinobi]

Well, if I was in your shoes and I wanted a good upgradeable watercooling setup I would get the following:
BlackIcePro 2 (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=162&cat=72&page=1) - 36$
Block + Pump combo from DD (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=170&cat=69&page=1) - 108$
Add a fans tubing and clamps and you got less then 200$.
The setup is also fully upgradeable. Well I was planning on buying that for my Thermaltake Armor setup as long as these parts are quiet. Does anyone know how loud this setup is because right now the fan on my heatsink for my current air cooling is about 30 decibles+