$150 budget water cooling

[Dapman02]

I was wondering, what would be the best water cooling for 150 bux. I've always wanted to try it out and funds have allowed me to check it out. I'm looking for performance over quiet, but I'm sure that anythng is better than my ninja, but I'm also looking for it to outperform my ninja. Is it possible? or do I need more cash. I'm only looking to cool the CPU and probably a T-line. Any suggestions.
Thanks

[Nebulous]

You can prolly pick up a single 120mm rad in the classies cheap. Maybe even a dual 120mm rad. An MCP series pump can also be had cheap. Then there's the waterblock which is more or less the most expensive part. Tubing is really cheap and the clamps are like 25 cents at any home depot/lowes. A set of 120mm fans for about $6 each. Distilled water at any supermarket for .99 cents a gallon and you're set.

Check the cooling section in the classies.

[Dapman02]

thanks for the reply
I was hoping to buy all my parts new, I'll think about ur offer, but do I have a chance.

[Nebulous]

Buying new parts for $150...not really. A decent dual 120mm rad will cost you about $60-ish. Pump will run you like $50. A good waterblock will run you something like $50-$60. You'll still need fans, tubing, clamps and distilled water.

Your budget isn't going to be enough.

[axis01]

I would say the best kit NEW for ~$150 is going to be the this Swiftech H20-220 (http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-H20-220-Compact-CPU-Liquid-cooling-system-pr-4047.html). A lot will depend on what CPU you're cooling. This kit should cool a C2D very well or a quad pretty well. I wouldn't use it to cool more than just the CPU though.

Axis

[||Console||]

If you are trying to save $ get a new Pump and then a use WB and maybe a heater core or a condencer off somthing and use that

[Dapman02]

I would say the best kit NEW for ~$150 is going to be the this Swiftech H20-220 (http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-H20-220-Compact-CPU-Liquid-cooling-system-pr-4047.html). A lot will depend on what CPU you're cooling. This kit should cool a C2D very well or a quad pretty well. I wouldn't use it to cool more than just the CPU though.

Axis

It's gonna be cooling a wolfdale @ 4.0Ghz

[voigts]

The H20-220 compact kit will do just fine. Cheaper and in stock- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108105

Dual core wolfdale's don't run that hot.

[Dapman02]

Alright, I'm jsut about ready to press the buy it now button for the swifttech, but I just need some more imput on it. 1. Should it beat a TRUE 2. Should it be quieter. and 3. Should it be reliable.

[Spawn-Inc]

i also vote for that kit

[Dapman02]

i also vote for that kit

Good 'nuff for me, ordered, will post results and update sig come wednesday or thursday. :burn:

[Bad ConNecTioN]

The dual kit will most certainly beat a TRUE. That said, should you ever feel the need to upgrade, the Apogee Drive can be turned into a normal MCP-350 with a purchase of a new top ($20 and better performance). You can then use any waterblock you want.

[voigts]

Good. We'll be looking for the update.

[Vengance_01]

The dual kit will most certainly beat a TRUE. That said, should you ever feel the need to upgrade, the Apogee Drive can be turned into a normal MCP-350 with a purchase of a new top ($20 and better performance). You can then use any waterblock you want. Thats good to know. :burn:Thanks you learn something everyday.

[Dapman02]

One question I have is, is there a T-line in this kit or a resivour (dang french word). Also, how should I mount this on my nine hundred :bang head I hate waiting.

[Micmal]

The res is attached to the rad. You can mount it in the back or in the front. Some ppl have even mounted it on the top. My personal recommendation would be the back, because you can use the radbox which makes it a fully external rad, which is good.

EDIT: I also recommend the kit, and will also recommend heatercores for that budget.

[Spawn-Inc]

if you look at the rad on the right in this picture at the top left of it it has a little fill port/cap. the one really good thing about that idea is that the rad is alot easier to bleed. get some pic's when you get it and install!

http://www.swiftnets.com/assets/images/products/MCRad-220/mcr220QP-series.gif

[Moto7451]

If you can track one down, the Dtek White Water is a pretty good block that doesn't cost too much, ~$25. A bonneville heatercore will run you about $25, and you may be able to find a Laing D5, D4, MCP350 or 355 in the classifieds for ~$50. Other than that, a Via Aqua 1800 pump from DrsFosterandsmith.com will run you about $25 shipped last I checked. It can be done and you'll probably get 85-90% of the performance of the top end stuff and still have an actual MHz advantage over air cooling, something a cheapo premade kit can rarely do for $150.

[Dapman02]

Thanks for the reply, I just need to know how this thing sticks to my case, obviously it has to be mounted with air between the radiotor and the case. How do I do that :confused:

[Micmal]

Kits (swiftech) include the radbox (google it) it's pretty nice, besides that you can use homemade standoffs (ie. pieces of metal that hold the rad away from the case.

If either of these is an issue for you, you can just place it horizontally on a desk, may be on some foam for noise dampening?

[Dapman02]

Should Lowes have 3/8" tubeing that will work with this kit

[Nebulous]

Should Lowes have 3/8" tubeing that will work with this kit

Yes. Lowes/Home Depot has the tubing, but be advised it's the cheap stuff and will kink if bended too sharply. As long as you don't have tight bends, it'll do ok. They also have clamps.

[Micmal]

The kits include tubing (most if not all).

[Moto7451]

I use bolts, nuts, and gutted fans as spacers depending on the setup. If you wanted to get fancy you could get the long spacer nuts that are designed for just that.

MCMaster.com has awesome tubing. It's pretty inexpensive as well.

[Dapman02]

Yes. Lowes/Home Depot has the tubing, but be advised it's the cheap stuff and will kink if bended too sharply. As long as you don't have tight bends, it'll do ok. They also have clamps.

would it be worth it to get metal clamps.

Also, UPS confirmed, it will be here on wednesday, so expect angry, and moronic posts followed by results :beer:. Didn't know it was that much harder to install a freaken heatsink on an intel processor :bang head

[voigts]

would it be worth it to get metal clamps.

Also, UPS confirmed, it will be here on wednesday, so expect angry, and moronic posts followed by results :beer:. Didn't know it was that much harder to install a freaken heatsink on an intel processor :bang head

The tubing and clamps that come with the kit will work fine. that is the point in buying a kit- you get everything you need to put it together. With this setup, you will want to mount the rad with the radbox so that the top of the rad faces up since the top of your rad is your reservoir. The kit will have installation instructions with it.

[Dapman02]

Just for future reference, how do I bleed the system without ruining the pump

[Bad ConNecTioN]

You cant really. Your best bet is to make sure the pump is primed, then let it run for a day or so to bleed. To improve the process, you can change the orientation of the components mulitple times to remove some more air. You can also tap on the tubing and the block with a pen to jar loose some stubborn air bubbles.