Reccommend me some parts.

[crfracer290]

Im in the market for a Watercooling setup and I am pretty new to it all.
I want to cool my CPU- e6000, and GPU- 1900xtx, and acheive pretty low temps for both of them. For budget, I would say 300 MAX...but, if I can get a setup for less that will cool well then great. I have plenty of room in my case (TT Armor) and a 240 radiatior will fit nicely up front. If I could get a decent resivior for not too much, I would like that over a T-line. Also, I dont really know where good websites are for WC parts, so if you could link me to some that would be great.

So what would you experts reccomend me to get?

[LiveSideways]

I'd say Apogee, MCW60, D5 or DDC, MCR-220.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/index.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php
http://svc.com/index.html

For a res I like these two:

http://svc.com/ddc3r.html
http://svc.com/mcres-micro.html

[dicecca112]

Micro Res Fan and User right here. I'd add jab-tech.com to the list and swiftnets.com (Swiftech's own store) You'll be able to do a really good Watercooling system for 300$. I spent 170$ for the stuff below and it keeps me 930 at 24C on Load two instances of F@H, but its at stock, this board doesn't oc

[JayoxD]

I'd say Apogee, MCW60, D5 or DDC, MCR-220.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/index.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php
http://svc.com/index.html

For a res I like these two:

http://svc.com/ddc3r.html
http://svc.com/mcres-micro.html

perfecto! you should consider a t line though, saves quit e a lot of money

[crfracer290]

But for 20 bucks wouldnt that micro res be better?

[dicecca112]

that's been debated. If you want to save money go with the T. Its not as easy to fill, but whatever its up to you.

[crfracer290]

Wait, so would a T-line give me better performance than the micro rez? If a rez is easy, then I wouldnt mind the extra $.

[NickS]

Screw the asspogee, and get the AquaXtreme MP-05 Pro.

[QuietIce]

I'm a Swiftech fan, too:

Apogee or Storm (if you need it)
MCW 60
MCP655 (D5)

:)

[crfracer290]

Is the storm worth it? What do you mean by "need" it.

[QuietIce]

If you're creating (or expect to create) a lot of heat due to high voltages or OC the Storm will keep you cooler than the Apogee.

For most applications the Apogee is good enough ...

[crfracer290]

So lets say for around 1.55 vcore would the apogee keep me ~40 load or would I want to move the storm. I can fit the extra 30 bucks in if its neccessary.

[Seven]

The STORM is essentially a $150 block knocked down to $80 with some added performance benefits from the manufacturing that Swiftech does.

For $200 you're not going to get much in the way of a full system, but if you save with a T-Line and scratching the GPU block you can do pretty well.

[razetek]

Storm and APOGEE are less then 1 degree different. I would go with either. Max performance I would go STORM, max value APOGEE for sure.

Either one is good. Get a DDC+ with a alphacool top for added performance.

[crfracer290]

What is the DDC+ with a alpha cool top? Like cooling on the pump or something?

As for the rad, what would be neccessary to mount it up front on my Armor case?

[LiveSideways]

I'm pushing 1.55v through my opty 146 with the apogee and I'm at 32c idle 37c load. I think it's cool but I would have gotten the storm rev2 had it been in stock anywhere. If you find it in stock I'd get it instead of the Apogee. As for mounting it to your case, this (http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcrre2raho.html) made it really easy for me.

http://www.swiftnets.com/assets/images/products/MCB-120/radbox-installation-mockup-.gif

[Alien1099]

Here's what I have in my water cooling loop:

Swiftech Storm Gen II CPU block
DD Maze 4 acetal topped GPU block
Laing D5 pump (Swiftech branding)
Alphacool Cape Coolplex Pro 10 reservoir
Black Ice GT Stealth 240 Radiator with 2 shrouded Scythe S-Flex F fans and 2 shrouded Yate Loon fans
Tygon 3603 1/2" ID tubing
Generic/OEM VW Pentosin substitute antifreeze
Rit Whitener & Brightener for UV glow (mixed into HOT distilled water before adding to the loop to eliminate granulation)
Cheap UV light from CompUSA

Now to stay under $300, you'd need to use a different res. The swiftech res seems to be popular. Also you may want to pickup a different radiator. Maybe a black ice pro. If you don't mind using loud but higher CFM fans, you could get a heatercore instead. You also only really need two fans on your radiator unless you use a heatercore. You might want to use 4 low CFM fans on it if you don't want to use 2 loud high CFM fans That should put you under $300.

As far as the DDC with Alpha Cool top, the DDC pump can benefit from using an aftermarket "top." If you want to use 1/2" tubing you will need an aftermarket top for example. Some tops offer better performance. The Alphacool top is a pretty good performer I think. Take a look at this for more info. It's Petra's testing. Petra will be selling his own top which is supposed to be better:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1102781

If I ever get bored and decide to upgrade I may get one of his pumps and tops. Unfortunately they're not in production yet.

[crfracer290]

I think I am going to just go with the Apogee because once I price out tubing, fittings, and fans, the 40 bucks saved really helps out.

As for fans, I have two Scythe Sflex 64cfm fans which are really quiet but dont really move alot of air, but noise doesnt really bother me so what are some higher cfm fans that are good?

For anti-freeze, could I use some engine ice that I have for my motorcycle, or would that not be correct?

So heres what I am thinking...
CPU- Apogee - $48
GPU- MCW60 w/ ramsinks -$54
Pump- D5/MCP655 -73$
Res- Swiftech mirco res - $20
Rad- Black Ice Pro II 240 -$34
2ft Tygon 1/2" tubung- $8
10 tube fastner thingys- $xx from home depot
Fans?? Maybe.
Shipping...
Total- Just about 300, maybe under.

[LiveSideways]

Gonna need alot more than 2 feet of tubing....

And I'd go with the 7/16" ID 5/8" OD MasterKleer. It's $0.49 a foot and it makes for a tighter seal than 1/2" ID tubing.

It may be more difficult to get over barbs, but the price savings is definately worth it.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/7id5odmagepu.html

[Daddyjaxx]

2 feet of tubing isn't going to cut it. I'd go with at least 6 to be safe.

[crfracer290]

Oh wow, I thought 2 ft would be plenty lol...ok thanks.

**Ok Now I have been reading that the Apgoee is crappy?

[Alien1099]

Oh wow, I thought 2 ft would be plenty lol...ok thanks.

**Ok Now I have been reading that the Apgoee is crappy?

Get more like 7-8 feet to be safe. I only had like 1.5 feet left after cutting my tubing to the right size.

The Apogee is supposed to be pretty good. You can't go wrong with it. The Storm is just better, especially when you use it with a quality pump like the D5 or DDC+.

[crfracer290]

Ahhh, I cant decide, I am the worst about sticking to a budget; now with all the stuff I have priced out its about 20 over 300. Someone talk me out of buying th Storm.

[crfracer290]

Would a Black Ice Xtreme with two high cfm fans out perform a Black Ice Pro 2 with 2 Scythe Sflex 64 cfm's pulling?

[Dragoon42]

The apogee performs less. The top performing blocks i would say are

Storm
Mp-05

And I can't remember the nexuss model. I'd go with MP-05 or storm though. I'd stay away from apogee (I just haven't really read any good reviews). I'd go with TDX in the $50 price range

[crfracer290]

Allright well after reading nothing but negative about the Apogee over at XS then I am just going to have to fit the Storm into my budget. thanks

[LiveSideways]

The apogee performs less. The top performing blocks i would say are

Storm
Mp-05

And I can't remember the nexuss model. I'd go with MP-05 or storm though. I'd stay away from apogee (I just haven't really read any good reviews). I'd go with TDX in the $50 price range
http://www.systemcooling.com/images/reviews/LiquidCooling/Swiftech_Apogee/image32.gif

http://www.systemcooling.com/swiftech_apogee-12.html

[Dragoon42]

Would a Black Ice Xtreme with two high cfm fans out perform a Black Ice Pro 2 with 2 Scythe Sflex 64 cfm's pulling?


I'd skip out on the Scythe Sflex and stick with yate loons. I can't remember where, but I saw a review of the PA series with different fans on them. Yate Loons outperformed the others. I'm assuming these results would follow to other low cfm rads

I think the BIX with high fans will outperform the pro also

[crfracer290]

Well I already have two scythe slfex fans, but I can get rid of them, but now with having to buy new fans, my budget gets blown even more.

[crfracer290]

Is there anything really wrong with the Apogee, or is just a cheaper block with less performance.

[LiveSideways]

Is there anything really wrong with the Apogee, or is just a cheaper block with less performance.
Look a few posts up. It sounds like on your budget saving $30 might be worth 1-3c :)

[Alien1099]

I'd skip out on the Scythe Sflex and stick with yate loons. I can't remember where, but I saw a review of the PA series with different fans on them. Yate Loons outperformed the others. I'm assuming these results would follow to other low cfm rads

I think the BIX with high fans will outperform the pro also

And just how are they going to outperform the S-Flex fans when they push less air? :rolleyes: BS. I have both. The Scythe pushes noticeably more air.

[crfracer290]

Alien, I too have two Slfexs that are rated 64cfm and they are nice fans; so wouldnt two Panaflos Ultras at 100cfm+ be better for a BIX?

[Alien1099]

For the BIX I believe you will want slightly stronger fans. If you do a search I'm sure you can find what would be a pretty good choice. Many people like the Sanyo Denki fans, but I'm not sure if they are still readily available.

[QuietIce]

From what I've read there's no problem with S-Flex fans, they're quiet and flow well - just don't use them with a restrictive rad. And the Apogee does a good job of cooling but doesn't work as well on a bare CPU (no IHS). Are either of them top-of-the-line? Probably not - but that's where the extra $$$ comes in.

You have to ask yourself how important it is to run 38°C under load instead of 40°C ...

[crfracer290]

Is the BIX too resctrictive for the Scythe sflexs. If it is I could just use them for a little bit and then gets some higer cfm fans would that be ok?

Also, is my chip, e6600, have a IHS, I assuming that is the metal thing on top, but I didnt know there was CPUs with out that.

And I am still deciding whether to go with the Apogee or Storm, I just don't want to regret it.

Edit- Who am I kidding? Theres no way I would be able to settle for somehting less, so Swiftech Storm it is.

[crfracer290]

So now the choice is between Storm or MP-05. From the tests run the Storm beats out the Apogee by about 1-2c and the MP-05 beats out the Apogee by 1-3c. Plus I have had several reccomendations of the MP-05.
Heres were I stand as of now.

Black Ice Pro 2 plus 2 fans- Bought
MCP655- Bought
MP-05 or Storm
MP-01 GPU block
Swiftech micro res
8 feet of 7/16" tubing
12 tube fastners

Also, I heard the Uv reactive water mix clogs the pump? And would I mix anti freeze plus UV mixture?

[Alien1099]

So now the choice is between Storm or MP-05. From the tests run the Storm beats out the Apogee by about 1-2c and the MP-05 beats out the Apogee by 1-3c. Plus I have had several reccomendations of the MP-05.
Heres were I stand as of now.

Black Ice Pro 2 plus 2 fans- Bought
MCP655- Bought
MP-05 or Storm
MP-01 GPU block
Swiftech micro res
8 feet of 7/16" tubing
12 tube fastners

Also, I heard the Uv reactive water mix clogs the pump? And would I mix anti freeze plus UV mixture?

The MP-05 is better than the Storm? Somehow that doesn't sound right. I don't know much about that waterblock, but something tells me it'd be a hell of a lot more popular than the Storm if that were true, especially considering it's also cheaper.

[QuietIce]

Not that much cheaper ...

[bert202]

From my understanding the S-Flex pushes more air then the loons but because of the fin design they don't cool as well when slaped on a radiator. I saw some testing on this yesterday but lost the link. Also I have heard of some consistency problems with the S-Flex fans, although imo if you already have them and they work fine I would not bother changing.

[Alien1099]

Not that much cheaper ...

$25-$35 cheaper isn't much?

[crfracer290]

OK well I ordered my stuff last night, and it looks like this:

Rad- Black Ice Xtreme 2
Pump- MCP655
CPU- AquaXtreme MP-05 PRO w/delrin top
GPU- AquaXtreme MP-1
MC 14 Ramsinks
Res- Swiftech Micro Res
10ft of 7/16" tubing
2 dual cathodes
some coolsleeve wire

I was able to stick to my budget and get a pretty nice loop if I might say so myself, cant wait until it comes in.

Thanks Guys!

[SolidxSnake]

Look, you DO NOT need a storm. An apogee will run just fine. If you're on a SERIOUS budget, you could always drop to the D-Tek WhiteWater block. Dated, but still a solid performer. I've heard a few instances where it beat out an Apogee. For $30, you can not go wrong.

For GPU block, get a maze4 acetal or a swiftech MCW-60 (either with MC14 ramsinks, i believe the MCW-60 is cheaper with the sinks). They both perform close to equal AFAIK.

Tubing, get from McMaster-Carr if you haven't already. $.38/ft

Just get the Apogee or Whitewater. The extra 1-3C really is NOT worth the extra $30-$40. The apogee is a solid block.

Don't buy new fans either. A black ice PRO (not xtreme) will work just fine with those two scythe fans.

[Dragoon42]

Look, you DO NOT need a storm. An apogee will run just fine. If you're on a SERIOUS budget, you could always drop to the D-Tek WhiteWater block. Dated, but still a solid performer. I've heard a few instances where it beat out an Apogee. For $30, you can not go wrong.

For GPU block, get a maze4 acetal or a swiftech MCW-60 (either with MC14 ramsinks, i believe the MCW-60 is cheaper with the sinks). They both perform close to equal AFAIK.

Tubing, get from McMaster-Carr if you haven't already. $.38/ft

Just get the Apogee or Whitewater. The extra 1-3C really is NOT worth the extra $30-$40. The apogee is a solid block.

Don't buy new fans either. A black ice PRO (not xtreme) will work just fine with those two scythe fans.

Solid Post here :)

And to Alien1099, it's the something about when the Scythe gets put on a rad. Arg...I'm gonna through my history for the link.

Also with BIX you want high performing fans. I'd get 100cfm+ I bought Sayno Denkis from J-Mag (check out hard forums). Sanyo Denki @ 7v = QUIET!!! And they still move some air. My HDD is louder then the fans.

Also, please tell me you got the Pro Limited Edition? Instead of the regular pro?

The limited edition is made better.

[crfracer290]

Yeah I got some 100cfm fans with the rad I bought from Sneaky.

And yes its the Limited Edition!

[QuietIce]

$25-$35 cheaper isn't much? Cooltechnica and Petra's aren't that cheap - they were $65-75 depending on the model. But I didn't check around a lot since I'm not in the market ...

[orion456]

Swiftech has it all in one totally convenient and awesome kit.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swh2edukit.html

Why bother with mix and match.

[Dragoon42]

Swiftech has it all in one totally convenient and awesome kit.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swh2edukit.html

Why bother with mix and match.


meh...forget swiftech kits. Go with petra's kit. Cheaper :)

[QuietIce]

meh...forget swiftech kits. Go with petra's kit. Cheaper :) ... if they happen to be in stock when you need one ... :-/

[razetek]

If you are hunting for the complete kit, or wonder what is in it check it out

http://www.razetek.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=107

The kit is really good. Petra's should be too... Not that much difference, you save a good amount buying a pre made kit.... :beer: cheers and gl

[crfracer290]

Just to clarify things, I ordered my parts almost a week ago. :)

Thanks for the help guys.

[LiveSideways]

Just to clarify things, I ordered my parts almost a week ago. :)

Thanks for the help guys.
What all did you end up going with?

If you are hunting for the complete kit, or wonder what is in it check it out

http://www.razetek.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=107

The kit is really good. Petra's should be too... Not that much difference, you save a good amount buying a pre made kit.... :beer: cheers and gl

$30 to ship 11 pounds to the same state = weak.

[crfracer290]

OK well I ordered my stuff last night, and it looks like this:

Rad- Black Ice Xtreme 2
Pump- MCP655
CPU- AquaXtreme MP-05 PRO w/delrin top
GPU- AquaXtreme MP-1
MC 14 Ramsinks
Res- Swiftech Micro Res
10ft of 7/16" tubing
2 dual cathodes
some coolsleeve wire

I was able to stick to my budget and get a pretty nice loop if I might say so myself, cant wait until it comes in.

Thanks Guys!

[LiveSideways]

Sweet loop... post pics when you get it set up :D

[crfracer290]

I definately will...I have some other plans also; I am going to Home Depot monday to pick up some sandpaper and paint and try my hand of a little case modding.