60-80
???
it is pretty much proven the best air cooling overtakes bad w/c
you are not going to be able to find a block that cheap that shows results, you will also need a good set of fans unless you are trying to go passive.
Just because it's inexpensive doesn't mean it's bad. "Bad water" references the likes of Thermaltake, Gigabyte (though I hold them above the "bad" guys for using 3/8" tubing and a decent block), and the worst offender, Koolance. An Apogee, Via Aqua, Heatercore setup would definitely be better than air, just more work than a D5, Thermochill setup
.
What if I increased my budget to $100? I can get the heatercore free, and have the fans already. Will this be enough? I don't want QUALITY watercooling, just enough to get by.
A $100 setup sounds possible. Since your radiator is free that gives you more money to spend on other parts.
A
White Water with an AM2 compatible
USMA plate will work just fine. You'll need to bolt the plate to the waterblock using some 6-32 bolts and nuts. A little thread locker wouldn't hurt either. That takes up about $30-35 of your budget including shipping.
In terms of pumps, Dtek also has the
D5 pump on sale for $70 as well as
their own pump for sale at $45. The latter doesn't appear to be C Systems based so it should be rather reliable.
If you don't mind using an AC pump (personally I'd get a DC pump considering how your budget is working out), the
Via Aqua series would be just fine though I'd recommend the 1800 since it has a lower heat dump than the 2300 and is a bit smaller. You'll have to get some 3/8" NPT, 1/2" barbs for the 1800 which aren't expensive by any means. Home Depot will carry them. You're probablly looking at another $30-$35 when it's all said and done.
Also,
this little pump works pretty well. I have one and it seems rather reliable. Only ~$28 depending on the conversion rate (canadian based retailer). It also comes in a
dual pump configuration for ~$51.
These pumps were listed in terms of performance more or less. The double pump configuration of the last one would be better suited to the White Water than the single would be. If you do get one of the latter two, get the 1/2" barbs, the 3/8" compression fittings they supply are pretty much useless for thick walled tubing.
For tubing, Masterklear from McMaster.com is a good option.
Happy hunting
.
Edit: good suggestion Console. I picked up a D4 for my brother for ~$40 last year. A good deal definitely. Also a lot of people are getting rid of their older waterblocks including Swiftech Storms and other good blocks.
