New to water - need advice

[Dawgdoc]

Heya guys :)

Im going to be setting up a new water loop within the next few weeks (my very first).

Component list is :

P5K Dlx
E8400
8800 GTX

8800 GTX will likely remain in this gaming rig long term. E8400 could easily be replaced in the near future...I dunno.

A few questions....

1. Best CPU block? When I was last looking about 3-4 months ago a bowed FuZion was king with the EK Supreme and GTX close behind by only 1-2C. Is that still the case?

2 Best GPU block? Herein lies alot of debate I know......Full cover cools memory best but also increases restriction. Core only gives better core cooling and less restriction, but many people do not like the ramsinks bc they dont stick well. I personally have not had a problem with that, but I know that info is out there.

3. What to cool? Im thinking I am only going to cool the CPU/GPU, and sink any exposed FETs and replace TIM on the standard HS on the other FETs/NB/SB. Any real benefit at active water cooling on these other components? If so....what blocks? Is it worthwhile upgrading the P5K premium to a mobo made specifically for watercooling? I was planning on 1 loop for both CPU/GPU.

4. Order of the loop? What order do I put everything in or doesnt it matter?

5. Other WC parts:

a. Unless someone tells me otherwise Im SET on a Thermochill PA 120.3. Quiet. Effective. Top of the line. Black ICE 480GTX is a nice one too, but I want to make SURE everything fits in my case. I am going to be using A MONSTER Rocketfish case from bestbuy. ($48 FTW LOL!)

b. MCP655 pump. I think thats the model? The one that everyone and their brother gets :P

c. MICROres

d. Tygon tubing 1/2 inch.

Any other thoughts or suggestions for a first time WCer appreciated! I was ALLL set to go WC a few months back and got swayed into going subzero.....which has been a blast and I plan on continuing, but since there are some good games coming out in 2008 that I am interested in, and since my current case is a dang SWEATBOX Im going to put a WC loop together here soon :)

TY!

[phil178821]

hey Dawgdoc,

I have been doing a lot of reading for the past few weeks because I am also about to venture into my first water cooling project. i already ordered my parts list and all of my items will be in by thursday this week. i will take pics during the build and make a post for ocforums.

first, you can use martin's flow estimator, foundhere (http://www.martinsliquidlab.com/MartinsFlowRateEstimator.html):

its a nice excel sheet that gives you a good idea of the gpm your setup will allow. do remember, though, it is only an estimate.

so my parts list are as follows:
my current rig:

E6600
Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 rev1 Mobo
4x1 GB DDR2 OCZ Platinum Rev. 2 800Mhz
1x120Gb, 2x160GB HDDs
EVGA 8800GTS **640MB** (not G29)
Xtremegamer Sound Card
Lian Li PC61 Case

I just purchased (and are waiting on receipt) the following:

Danger Den MC-TDX CPU Block
Thermochill 120.3 Pa
Shround
Gasket
Swiftech MCW30 for my Northbridge
DD Delrin Fill port
Swiftech MCP655 12V pump variable
RadBox
EK Barbs

20 Clamps
12 ft tygon
Swiftech Hydrx additive
DD Delrin Acetal T + DD barbs
4xYate Loon Medium Fans

I was a little torn on what to do for my 8800GTS 640mb.
My main choices where between the EK block, a Danger Den Block, and the Swiftech MCW60. I went with the MCW60 (which also works for the GTX) because its half the price, better performance, much easier to find, and most likely usable on future cards. the only real downside is its not a full card block, you still need ram and mosfet sinks.

for cpu blocks: i always like the DD blocks, thats why I went with the MC-TDX, which will last for future procs. The D-tek Fuzion and a Swiftech Apogee are pretty good. i think i may be forgetting one. just know, I am definitely no expert.

As I said above, the GPU. price wise and performance wise, I think the MCW60 is a keeper. Plus I personally like the ram/mosfet sinks look. :)

in my loop I will have cpu > northbridge > gpu, which my pump the MCP655 ( and soon to be yours, lol) and the thermochill 120.3pa will easily handle. i think its pretty foolish to cool your southbridge. doesnt really affect ocing and really doesnt heat up too much. (to my knowledge) some even say it is foolish for the northbdrige, that all it does is heat up your circuit and offer little help in overclocking. i am no expert, but i disagree, plus i like the look of another block on my board.

I just made a post asking about the loop and its fairly simple. It doesnt matter except that your t-line or reservoir SHOULD BE right beofre the pumps inlit. this will allow for bleeding and stop any negative pressure (thanks voigts and others in that post). as for the order of components, its really what ever will allow the easiest routing and least amount of tubing. across the whole circuit there will be little varying of temperature (maybe a degree or 2, if that) with the coolant because the heat will equilibrate across the whole line. that said, pick your easiest route with least amount of tubing.

use distilled (NOT deionized) water with some algae killer. also, be careful of what metals you mix (avoid copper and aluminum together) because you will create a galvanic cell, which will break down the copper (i think, trying to remember which one oxidizes and which one reduces) and move electrons to the aluminum. (or vice versa if I am mistaken)

as for the micro res.. i went with a t-line since i didnt want to deal with placing a reservoir. i have a small case. and when it comes to bleeding, it is more difficult with a t-line than a res, however the thermochill 120.3pa has a bleed hole on it which makes up for using a t-line really.

hope i helped.

[Dawgdoc]

Phil thx for the input :)

Anyone else have anything to add?

[QuietIce]

1. AFAIK the Fuzion w/nozzles is #1 and that's what I got.

2. I'd go w/the MCW-60 and heatsink kit. Not only does it perform better for the core it can probably migrate to your next GPU.

3. I've yet to see a good reason to cool more than the CPU/GPU but some would argue that. ;)

4. As phil178821 said, the only thing that really matters is keeping your res/T-line at the pump inlet and routing your loop for minimal tubing.

5. (b) I'd get the MCP-655 "Vario" so you can adjust the speed. I've found you don't usually need the full power of that pump for a simple CPU/GPU loop, though the newer components may require it.

(d) My tubing choice is Tygon R-3603 1/2" x 5/8" wrapped with SmartCoils. The Tygon by itself will not make sharp turns w/out kinking but add the SmartCoils and you can make turns with it that 3/8" tubing has trouble with. :)


Otherwise, nice choices ...! :):thup:

[Blazing fire]

There is a thread around here for the best part, might wana look at that.