Watercooling - some advice please

[milano_chris]

I'm somewhat intrigued by going down this route. The benefit of having cool components and the quietness it offers is really starting to hit home and the more I read about it the more I keep thinking of going down the H20 route. I know some people will say air is fine and that it can cool nearly as good, but I love having something new to do and after owning and modding PC's for about 7 years I think it's time to start thinking about going ahead to do it.

I've just got a couple of questions that I'd like for people to answer for me that have done it.

I currently have the Jeantech Nitro case. Could I keep this, or would I have to get something different.

I'd like the kit to last a couple of years with the option of upgrading as hardware moves on. I might go SLi, I might not, I might get a quad core, possibly more when the time comes. Could someone spec me something (possibly case included if I had to upgrade) so I can start budgeting for the kit?

How are things like RAM, NB, SB, Drives, PSU and the general area of inside a PC cooled? Would I still need some fans? If so how many? How would they go on the case?

Finally, how are temps reduced as a whole?

I've currently got the following:

E4300 @ 3.2GHz
Asus P5N-E SLI
Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2 PC2-5300C3 @ 890 MHz 4-4-4-12
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty
2 X 36GB Raptor RAID 0 - System + Apps drive
250 GB SATA WD Caviar - Storage drive
XFX 7900 GTX
DVD Burner/Writer
Floppy Drive
580W HiperPower HPU-4M580 (to be replaced by Enermax Infiniti 720W in a few days when my Etasis ET850 is replaced by supplier)

Thanks.

[batboy]

Well, I'm no expert, but I hate to see nobody answering your questions.

I don't know much about the Jeantech Nitro case, but almost any ATX case can be made to fit a watercooling system. Some cases need more modding and imagination than others.

Yes, you'll still need a few case fans for ventilation even with watercooling. Fans mounted in the normal case locations work fine. If you don't already have a side cover intake fan, that's another excellent place for additional cooling. If you want quiet, consider using 120mm fans.

How much cooler will your CPU temps be with water? That depends on which bits and pieces you get. But, a quiet water system should easily knock load temp down at least 10 degrees over average air cooling. A killer watercooled system might drop temps even more.

Most people here frown on recommending a complete kit. A lot of us think it's more fun reseaching and picking out individual components to personalize our system. But, one of the few kits I can recommend is the Swiftech Apex (see link). Even if you don't buy the whole kit, look at the parts included and start building your own system from that point.

http://www.svc.com/h20-220-apex-gt.html

[ancalime]

I wouldn't consider myself an expert either by no means, but I agree with batboy. The Jean Nitro case looks smallish from the pics I have seen online so modding would probably have to be done. If you are not interested or incapable of modding, I recommend a case like the Thermaltake Armor or Stacker, where you can easily mount a dual or even a triple radiator with little to no modding.

I believe the kit to get is Petra's CoolKit Basic: http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoba.html
It beats the Swiftech Apex pricewise, it comes with Yate Loons which is better than the stock Deltas of the Apex, includes worm drive clamps instead of plastic ones, and I would pick Pentosin over Hydrx anyday. Petra is also very flexible about swapping parts in the kit and only paying the difference.

Alternatively you can build your own kit which would probably come out cheaper. Keep in mind that Petras offers a 6% discount when you assemble a custom kit on their site. (Lol I sound like I am advertising Petras too much, but they do rock :santa: )

The RAM, NB, and SB usually come with passive cooling devices. All you need is a couple fans to get some airflow in your case and on top of your water setup, all cooling is handled.

[alinosa]

Good advice so far in this thread. something you might want to pay special attention to is the universality (is this a word?) of your cpu block. mine can cool anything with 4 holes in the mobo just about. (it' actually probably going to meet it's match when i *someday* upgrade to quad core.) I think just about all blocks are universal with the right mounts, just make sure to get them. other than that, take your time and be sure before you buy. don't be afraid to ask alot of questions (you don't seem to be.) oh and have fun. after all this is what it boils down to right? nobody mods and customizes their rig because they hate doing it. FYI: i started with a single 120 mm rad that had a push-pull fan configuration and now have a BIX3 with 3 undervolted sanyo denki's that keep my prescott P4 and 6800 ultra nice and cool (see sig). it's nice and quiet and running the fans at full speed nets no real difference in temps... roughly 2*C... not worth the extra noise.

[milano_chris]

Thanks so far guys. One thing I forgot to mention is that I'm in the UK, doh! I should perhaps change my profile to suit!

[batboy]

We have plenty of UK members and several of them are watercooled. Maybe a couple of them will pop in and tell us where they bought their watercooling components. I googled watercooling + UK and got several shops listed.

[JamesXP]

You could try ebay or scan.co.uk

[WonderingSoul]

I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I know a thing or two :beer:

If you are in the UK, then I definatly recommend getting a Thermochill rad. As they are dirt cheap in the UK as opposed to the states.

I would go with something like

Apogee GTX or D-TEK FuZioN
Thermochill PA 120.2 (A dual 120mm rad) with your choice of fans.
MCP355+Top OR MCP655
GPU block is usually the set MCW60 or Maze4. HOWEVER A long forgotten and better performing block is the MP-1 by AquaXtreme.
Res is up to you. Swiftech Micro res is good, but a T-line will do just fine.

[Sam__]

try thecoolingshop.co.uk...look for the gd parts then find them on ebay or sumthin if u want em cheap.

[milano_chris]

try thecoolingshop.co.uk...look for the gd parts then find them on ebay or sumthin if u want em cheap.

That's a great site mate, thanks :beer:

[Eclectic]

Heres a couple of others I have found:

http://www.watercoolingshop.com/catalog/

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/home.php?cat=126

I have to say, after pricing up my bits on the other link you have, its seems pretty expensive mate.

[milano_chris]

Not been on for ages. Thought I'd update with what will be arriving on Saturday. Already have the EK Full block for my shiney new BFG 8800 GTX OC and 2 litres of Freser fluid.

Lian LI V1200
Thermochill PA120.2
Laing DDC Ultra 18W with Alphacool Reservoir top
FuZion CPU Block

All built in, got it second hand, can't wait.

Any comments?