Need some product recommendations

Hi everyone,

I've been following water cooling for years - reading articles and product reviews, etc., so I'm very familiar with the process and the concepts, I've just never pulled the trigger and water cooled a machine. I'm now ready to do that, and I'm boggled by the dizzying array of products out there. I'm hoping someone here can give me a personal recommendation for a product or two.

In an effort to follow the rules and avoid a random rant about the Search feature , I'm answering the questions of the sticky of how to ask basic questions:

* List why you want to watercool. Is it noise, preformance, abit of both.

My first priority is noise. I have a home studio that I record in. I would like my machine to be as quiet as possible (within reason). I used to overclock a lot but lately I just push my machines a little bit. Since I'm a gamer and a software developer, I would like to squeeze as much performance out of my system I can once water cooled.

* List your budget. From small to large, watercooling parts can be selected to fit your budget.

I could spend around $300-$400 for the right solution.

* List what tools you have or have access and how profficient you are with them.

I'm very familiar with building machines, using tools, dremels, etc. However, I am also very busy and a tad lazy, so I'm not interested in getting into too much case modding these days.

* List what kind of encloser (case) you have. And whether you are willing to cut it up.

I have a large rack-mount enclosure. It's made of some pretty tough steel and I would rather not mess with cutting it, but I am open to the idea if the results are worth the effort.

* List what computer parts you have (basics like CPU, motherboard) or will be getting for your watercooled monster.

I have a 3.4 GHZ Pentium 4 (I think it's a Prescott but not sure), 2 GIGs of RAM, and I just ordered a Sapphire x1950Pro AGP that I would like to water cool in addition to the CPU.

I think that about covers it. If there are other specific questions, please let me know and I'll get you answers.

Thanks guys! I really look forward to your advice!

James

* List why you want to watercool. Is it noise, preformance, abit of both.
Both and the cool effects you can get from it. UV lighing and glowing and what not.


* List your budget. From small to large, watercooling parts can be selected to fit your budget.
Didn't really have one.


* List what tools you have or have access and how profficient you are with them.
You mean screw drivers and what not? I have and have acces to everything to build a new tower from scratch.


* List what kind of encloser (case) you have. And whether you are willing to cut it up.
Thermaltake LCS. Already cut it up, but I just dumped there w/c setup and went with a pieced together kit. here is the link to the build: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=493077

* List what computer parts you have (basics like CPU, motherboard) or will be getting for your watercooled monster.
AMD 64 4800+ X2, Corsair xms ddr 400 4gigs, Asus A8N32sli dlx, EVGA 7950 GX2.

Themochill HE 120.3 @ http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=46

OR BIPIII @ http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hwlablicepro.html

MPC-350 @ http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP350-12-VDC-Pump-pr-2611.html
Laing DDC Alphacool top @ http://www.jab-tech.com/Laing-DDC-Alphacool-attachment-13904-pr-3515.html
Swiftech Apogee @ http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Apogee-Extreme-performance-CPU-water-block-pr-3175.html
Swiftech MCW60 @ http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCW60-VGA-cooler-pr-3252.html
T line @ http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=65&cat=34&page=1
Masterkleer tubing (Part # 5233K44) @ $0.44 per foot from http://www.mcmaster.com/
Yate Loon fans that I can't seem to find for you rad.

If it were I, I would look at the swiftech blocks, as rig rider mentioned. An apogee and a MCW 55 (which I think you will be just as happy with as the MCW 60) would set you back about $115.

I'm a big heatercore fan, and I think that a Bonneville core would serve you quite well. You can find them at rockauto.com for $23 (there it is actually a Caprice w/o AC heatercore pre-1990). A dual 120mm radiator is more than enough for your setup, so I would save money and use one of them instead of a 3x120 rad. For example, I cool an A64 and 2 6800gs cards with a 1x120 core and am very happy with my temperatures.

As for a pump, you can either use one that runs off the 12v of your power supply, or get a pond pump that is plugged in separately. I prefer the latter, but it seems that I am one of the few that goes that way these days. For that I would recommend a Danner Mag3 pump. It performs about as well as a MCP655 from swiftech for about $50 online. The pump rig rider recommends above would be a very fine solution if you want a 12v pump, and most people here would say to go that way.

Some Tygon or masterkleer tubing, a few hose barbs from Home Depot, 4 low speed 120mm fans and some wormdrive hose clamps and you will be set. This setup would run you about $200 all told, and I believe you will be very happy with the performance.

Good luck and have fun!