New to Water Cooling

[Ric2L]

I need some advice, thinking about going with water cooling for my cpu & vid cards, since the hot weather started my N/B temps have been getting to hot while under load. I'm running a Maximus Formula, Q6600, & 2 HD3870's. What I'm thinking is to go with water on cpu & Poss. vid cards (havent decided on vid cooling yet, waiting for 4870's to come out, may just go with 1 of them) this way I will have room to put a decent fan on my N/B, right now with my TRUE there is just not enough room for anything larger than a 60mm fan. I have a SilverStone TJ09 case, figure a 240 rad in the top using silverstone adaptor brackets, a pump/reservior combo for a drive bay.

Here is what I'm looking at, all from Performance-PCS.com

1 x *** NEW *** Siverstone Aero Slots - 4 Vented Expansion Slot Covers for Improving Rear Airflow
1 x *** NEW *** Siverstone RadSupport09 - Radiator Support for TJ09/TJ10 Chassis
1 x Black Ice® GT Stealth 240 Highest Performance Radiator
1 x *** NEW *** XSPC "Bay-Res" Pump/Reservoir Combo
1 x XSPC X20 Xtreme CPU Universal Water Block
2 x XSPC Razor ATI 3870HD Full Coverage VGA Water Block
8 x Tygon 3603 3/8" ID (1/2" OD) Clear Tubing

What do you guys think, what would you go with or change, I know nothing about watercooling, except what I'v been reading here, trying to learn as much as possible, but I'm more of a hands on person. if I go with this it will be my first try

before you ask, I really don't think I'll be able to get heatsink & heat pipe off my board, I hear its a real pain in the butt after its been ran for awile.

oh yea Budget, what I have listed would be approxmatly $400.00 + shipping, but I probably won't go with the vid coolers to I see the 4870 benchmarks.
Thanks

[hata28]

1 x *** NEW *** XSPC "Bay-Res" Pump/Reservoir Combo....I have the pump/combo......I used it for a single loop to cool the GPU only....it's not powerful enough for you to run for the CPU and 2 X GPUs. You'll need something like Laing DCC or similar or Eheim 1048.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc228/k3n2o88/CIMG1835.jpg


http://www.speedtest.net/result/276067139.png (http://www.speedtest.net)


Asus Crosshair (RMAed) Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe/Wireless Edition Phenom 9500 Mushkin 996533 EVGA Geforce 8800GTS 320MB X2 SLI Zalman ZM-GWB8800 GTS GPU Water Block SB Audigy Seagate ST325041 250GB WDC 250GB Alphacool NexXxoS X2 Bold Highflow Socket AM2 Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Water-block XSPC "Bay-Res" Pump/Reservoir Combo Antec NeoPower 650 Watt Blue LED PSU Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 Sunbeam UFO CUBE Acrylic Case Sunbeam RHK-EX-BA Rheobus-Extreme Fan Controller Panel Saint-Gobain Tygon R-3603 Clear Tubing 3/8" ID

[DoubleB]

Personally I'd go with D-Tek Fusion cpu block and 1/2" id tubing. Also remember you will need fans for the rad.

[andyl33t]

If you are eventually going to cool the the CPU, NB and 2xGPU, then you should go with a triple rad. You should be ok with having them all in one loop, just make sure that you have a powerful pump and that you use as less tubing as possible and have minimum retrictions.

If you would prefer to go with 2 seperate loops - 1st for the CPU and NB and 2nd loop for the GPUs, then get 2x double radiators for the loops.

+1 for the D-Tek block, great block with the accelerator kit. Also I would go for a t-line and not a res if you want to keep restriction to a minimum.

[Ric2L]

Ok, doing a little more research this morning, & reading what you guys think so far, how would this be to get me started. Will this setup be alright with just the CPU & 1 vid card if I get a 4870 when they come out?

HW Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 240
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/hwlablicegts.html

D-TEK FuZion v2 Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2"
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/dfuv2uncpuwa.html

D-Tek FuZion Accelerator Nozzle Kit
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/dfuacnokit.html

Laing DDC Absolute Pump Combo
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/laddcabpuco.html

1/2" OD T-Fitting (for 1/2" and 7/16" ID Tubing)
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/1odtf1and7id.html

Danger Den Acetal FillPort
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/dadendefi.html

120mm Yate Loon D12SM-12 Case Fan - Black (70.5 CFM, 33 dBA)
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-65556269779593/12yalod1cafa1.html

Tygon 3603 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Clear Tubing, 10 ft.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=23338

If I do keep my 2 3870's & water cool them also, you don't think this set up would be good enough, or would I definatly need a triple Rad., If I would go with a triple I really dont think I can mount it inside my case. or will this setup work with just the cpu & 1 4870 or
1 4870X2???

[andyl33t]

The tubing you need is this: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_413_414&products_id=2729

TBH, that radiator won't suffice for a loop with a cpu and 2 gpus - for that you really need a triple radiator. It will be ok for 1 cpu and a gpu.

Also, have you considered what you are going to fill the loop with?

[Ric2L]

The tubing you need is this: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_413_414&products_id=2729

TBH, that radiator won't suffice for a loop with a cpu and 2 gpus - for that you really need a triple radiator. It will be ok for 1 cpu and a gpu.

Also, have you considered what you are going to fill the loop with?

I was figuring on just Distilled water, & a touch of iodine. From what I been reading alot of people say to go with 7/16" ID tubing for a tighter (more leakproof) seal on 1/2" nozzles?

[andyl33t]

TBH when you install worm driven clamps on the fittings, you really won't have a leak. Using 7/16" is a real pain to fit on 1/2" since you have to put the hose in boiling water and fit it on.

For the coolant, I would recommend using distilled water and a few drops of PT_NUKE (http://www.petrastechshop.com/pepcobi1.html). I would also recommend feser f1 coolant but like with any dye, eventually you will get solids forming in the tubes.

[Ric2L]

TBH when you install worm driven clamps on the fittings, you really won't have a leak. Using 7/16" is a real pain to fit on 1/2" since you have to put the hose in boiling water and fit it on.

For the coolant, I would recommend using distilled water and a few drops of PT_NUKE (http://www.petrastechshop.com/pepcobi1.html). I would also recommend feser f1 coolant but like with any dye, eventually you will get solids forming in the tubes.

I was thinking with using either Black w/red coils or Red/wblack coils, maybe a combo of both for my tubing, that way I won't use dye, I would keep the fill tube clear so I could check levels. got to check to see if Tygon was colored tubing, or something similar in black & red. I did add some PT-Nuke to my list, thanks.

[andyl33t]

I was thinking with using either Black w/red coils or Red/wblack coils, maybe a combo of both for my tubing, that way I won't use dye, I would keep the fill tube clear so I could check levels. got to check to see if Tygon was colored tubing, or something similar in black & red. I did add some PT-Nuke to my list, thanks.

Sounds good. Theres no real use for antifreeze unless your mixing metals in your loop, where it acts as a corrosion inhibitor. But since your using all copper, you should be fine with a few drops of pt_nuke with plain distilled water.

[Ric2L]

Sounds good. Theres no real use for antifreeze unless your mixing metals in your loop, where it acts as a corrosion inhibitor. But since your using all copper, you should be fine with a few drops of pt_nuke with plain distilled water.

Thanks for the assistance, I will start ordering parts asap, will prob take me a couple of weeks to get everything togeather. Hopefully by then I will know how much better 1 4870 will be vs. 2 3870's, may just go that route also.

[Conumdrum]

Did you read the 120x2 rad for a CPU GPU loop isn't enough?????????????

Hope you didn't order a x2 rad..........

[Ric2L]

Did you read the 120x2 rad for a CPU GPU loop isn't enough?????????????

Hope you didn't order a x2 rad..........

Yes I read that & no I did not order a 120x2 rad.

[Conumdrum]

TY, wasn't sure. Let us know how it goes when ya get your parts.

[andyl33t]

Thanks for the assistance, I will start ordering parts asap, will prob take me a couple of weeks to get everything togeather. Hopefully by then I will know how much better 1 4870 will be vs. 2 3870's, may just go that route also.

No probs :) post your results when your done!:beer:

[hata28]

And u might want to add an reservoir, a Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Hi-Flo Reservoir cheap and handy.
http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmchire.html
Eventually u might want to add a 2nd loop or even a 3rd loop...water cooling is an addiction! .. never end and keep ordering more parts!!

http://www.speedtest.net/result/284274365.png (http://www.speedtest.net)


Asus Crosshair (RMAed) Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe/Wireless Edition Phenom 9500 Mushkin 996533 EVGA Geforce 8800GTS 320MB X2 SLI Zalman ZM-GWB8800 GTS GPU Water Block SB Audigy Seagate ST325041 250GB WDC 250GB Alphacool NexXxoS X2 Bold Highflow Socket AM2 Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Water-block XSPC "Bay-Res" Pump/Reservoir Combo Antec NeoPower 650 Watt Blue LED PSU Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 Sunbeam UFO CUBE Acrylic Case Sunbeam RHK-EX-BA Rheobus-Extreme Fan Controller Panel Saint-Gobain Tygon R-3603 Clear Tubing 3/8" ID

[Ric2L]

Another question, clamps? will these be tight enough if I go with Tygon
R 3400 1/2 ID, 3/4 OD (http://www.petrastechshop.com/heclnyhoclsi3.html),
or just plain old worm drive hose clamps, which I really dont like the looks of!

These would be nice (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=393&products_id=22626&zenid=dd5f0ea1fe05bed98fe5b5ac75b34cb0) but there expensive, thinking about it though???


I ordered a Rad (http://www.petrastechshop.com/hwlablicegts1.html) and brackets (http://www.petrastechshop.com/siratoppadur.html) now to get them to fit in the top of my case, should work may have to do a little modding to brackets.

[hata28]

Check this out ..i'm using tygon tube....it's fitted real good and I didn't even use clamps. Sometimes i used some UV ties.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc228/k3n2o88/CIMG1833.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc228/k3n2o88/CIMG1800.jpg

u might want to add non-conductive coolant like this Feser One F1 Cooling Fluid - Clear/UV Blue - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_381_383&products_id=22686

That's what i am having now on my CPU's Loop. And guess what it's really saved my mobo when I had a accidental leak on the GPU block
barb.

[Conumdrum]

Did you see the vid showing distilled vs liquid poured on the mobo? Distilled is lower conductivity (scientifically proven) than any other WC liquid. You got lucky...... And that is what matters no matter what you used.

[Ric2L]

Another Thought, would De-Ionized water be a good or bad choice to run in a system, Where I work I have an ample supply of it and can get as much as I would ever need???

[Conumdrum]

Yea, thats why we don't use it. We use Distilled water. $1 a gallon at Walgreens. Read the labels closely. RO water is pretty close (reverse osmosis). I got 5 gallons when I built my loop, I have filled and drained, rinse etc 5 times, still have over 1/2 gallon.

Something about you need balnced water, no ions is bad, read a big discussion on it. Do a search here and on xtreme forums.

[Ric2L]

While waiting for parts to arrive, I am trying to figure out how to run loop. Will this be a good way, what would be better way?



http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/713/tj09watercoolingdiagtw9.th.jpg (http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tj09watercoolingdiagtw9.jpg)

Red & Orange=Rad & Fans
Tan=CPU Block
Blue= GPU's
Green=Pump
Yellow=T/T-Line
Purple=Fill Port

This is better!!
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2389/tj09waterloopoi2.th.jpg (http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tj09waterloopoi2.jpg)

[xtkxhom3r]

looks good to me bro but i cant believe your only using one rad for all that! im using one 120x3 rad for my cpu and its still not cool enough!

[Spawn-Inc]

looks good to me bro but i cant believe your only using one rad for all that! im using one 120x3 rad for my cpu and its still not cool enough!

yes but what block/rad/pump are you using? also how many fans and what fans?

[Ric2L]

HW Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 360
http://www.petrastechshop.com/hwlablicegts1.html

Laing DDC Absolute Pump Combo
http://www.petrastechshop.com/laddcabpuco.html

D-TEK FuZion v2 Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2"
http://www.petrastechshop.com/dfuv2uncpuwa.html

120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Red LED Case Fan - Clear (47 CFM, 28 dBA)
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1redl.html

Got 8 fans, 4 for $24.00, prob only use 5, 3 on rad, 1 intake, 1 exhaust

I hope this works good, it surely should!

[Rickpatbrown]

Where is that tube running that comes off the T after the output of the pump? Is it going to water your plants or something?

#2 of the pictures looks better to me. The least amount of tubing is what your looking for. The only thing that needs to be done is to have the T before the pump intake. You want it to be as circular as possible with as little crossing back as possible.

[xtkxhom3r]

yes but what block/rad/pump are you using? also how many fans and what fans?

im using the mcp655 pump apogee gt block and a swiftech rad and i only have 3 yateloons

[Ric2L]

Where is that tube running that comes off the T after the output of the pump? Is it going to water your plants or something?

#2 of the pictures looks better to me. The least amount of tubing is what your looking for. The only thing that needs to be done is to have the T before the pump intake. You want it to be as circular as possible with as little crossing back as possible.

Yea, had a brain fart, was thinking drain line. Got to figure out if I should go with a T-line or res though, been readin g where T-line is a real pain to bleed, but res is more flow restrictive!! If I do go with a res it would be in a bay like this

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1836/watercoolingloopwithresfg9.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=watercoolingloopwithresfg9.jpg)

whats better??? most of parts will be here by monday, decisions, decisions!!!

[Rickpatbrown]

I find my reservoir to be very easy to work with. It bleeds easily. I never used a T line though, so I can't compare. Swiftech Micro Res is pretty inexpensive. You'll be fine with that pump. I haven't heard that a res is restrictive. I guess it is a little.

Drain is a good idea. It is a PITA to drain a system. I thought about putting a drain line into mine after I drained my system last time. Haven't thought about it since then though. If you don't do a drain line think about how you will drain the system. With a drain, you just open the drain up and pour clean water into your resevoir as you cycle your pump on and off to flush the system. Without a drain you have to pull a block off your CPU or GPU and pop the hoses off and try not to get any liquid on anything important. This works better with two people or if you are a Hindu god.

Res, T, bay res . . . this stuff doesn't matter too much. Whatever makes you happy. Pump, rad and block are the most important things that will affect 95% of your cooling ability. The rest is just what works for your case, your threshold for annoyance and looks.

Use clamps. Worm driven ones are the best, but plastic ones are better than nothing. It might be tempting since the hoses fit so snugly. Just imagine dumping a litre of water over your precious electronics. Even if your rig doesn't short out, it won't be cooling it anymore and your CPU could go up in smoke.

[Ric2L]

Well I screwed up, ordered everything but pump and a couple of other odds & ends due to the fact that I did'nt want to go broke, & I get paid monthly, figured I would get them beginning of July. Petras is out of stock for there
Laing DDC Absolute Pump Combo http://www.petrastechshop.com/laddcabpuco.html

I emailed them to see when they will be restocking & here is there reply:



Rick,

Thank you for your inquiry. We are actually in the process of releasing a new top however it may take another month before this product is available. The only pump that would close the performance of the DDC combo would be the MCP655 Vario pump. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide you with the DDC combo for quite some time. Thank you and please respond to this email if you have any other questions. Thank you.



Quoc Ngo



Petra's Tech Shop (www.shopPTS.com)



1141 Ringwood Court, Suite 100

San Jose, CA 95131

Tel: 408-944-0415

Fax: 408-944-0417


They are also out of there Laing D5 Vario/D-Tek/Danger Den D5 Inline 12V DC Pump.
So, what would you guys get as a replacement that is as good of quality, & power???

was looking at this at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108082

or

http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcin12pu.html