i7 WC loop

[Glow of fire]

I want the cheapest WC loop for my core i7. I mean pull all the stops cheap. Like, get a melamine "Made in China" Waterblock to save me a nickel. If any of you are acquainted with Dr. Eugene Krabs, His insights on frugality are confluent with my ambitions. I do have some demands though. This WC loop ideally shouldn't involve my computer(or me) catching fire or losing any parts. And ideally should keep my core temperature below 150F(or C, if that saves a dime, at least I'll be able to cook coffee on it).

No seriously though, I only want WC for the noise reduction, and I'm poor, and so... basically, can anyone think of a WC kit for under $50?

Plopping it in a goldfish bowl was a brilliant thought, but unfortunately the $279 CPU is worth more than the WC setup, so mathematically, that would result in a Expected net loss.

[Conumdrum]

Sorry, a i7 WC kit starts at over $200 minimum. Pump alone is $60-100.

[[BIOS]O.o]

Yeah i spent over $250 and i have a very basic cooler!

[Blazing fire]

You could try searching the classifieds for good deals, though it's usually only ~10% cheaper than retail. Still a "nickel" I guess... Do note you need at least 100 post to view it.

If you do have tools and expertise to make custom parts, that might also save you money. Not sure about this though... Have yet to try it.

[hokiealumnus]

One acronym: TRUE. Unless you crunch with it, you can turn the fan down to make it plenty quiet. With a push/pull config, even with fans on low, you'd probably be better off than any sub-$200 water setup.

[doublejack]

One acronym: TRUE. Unless you crunch with it, you can turn the fan down to make it plenty quiet. With a push/pull config, even with fans on low, you'd probably be better off than any sub-$200 water setup.

+1.

High end air is generally as good as or better than low end water cooling, and is much less expensive. If someone doesn't want to spend over $100, and preferably over $200, on a WC loop then they're way better off staying with air.

[Owenator]

I agree as well, that unless you can some how roll your own from parts around the house, air is your best bet for $50.

You could build a water cooling setup with a junk yard heater core, some cheap home improvement/boating supply tubing, and an aquarium pump. But the water block is not a simple thing to make on your own. It can be done if you have the materials (copper barstock), tools and skils. I think even then you are looking at closer to $100. I've gone that route before (years ago) and it was def fun but not too easy.

Cheapest block I ever made: http://63.74.115.230/articles678/

[Shift]

high end air has gotten so much better. Only awesome if your case can fit it

TRUE, Xig Thors Hammer, etc ftw

[Glow of fire]

My case can fit, I don't think you guys understand though. And it would be ridiculous to build my own, because medical costs for avulsed limbs run in the thousands of dollars(not to mention lost wages from not being able to type without a thumb).

My CPU is apparently one of those lucky ones that outputs very little heat. It clocks to 4.0 with HT on VERY easily, with minimal raise in voltage.

I don't care about too much "cooling". I obviously need a heatsink, and I want it silent! I don't care as long as it keeps my CPU below the boiling point(of Silicon).

Water does that. So does a fanless heatsink. So, am I not going to be able to buy a WC loop under $100? If not, can I get a fanless heatsink?

[Conumdrum]

LOL, you need a fan to pull the heat from the HS. Just like a watercooling loop needs fans to remove the heat from a rad.

You need fans.

[Spawn-Inc]

there is no way around it, you need fans for either setup.

save up the money and don't overclock until then is my advise.

[Glow of fire]

You need fans.

-----------------------------

Noisy Air cooling fans vs. Inaudible (Sound-of-a-tree-falling-in-an-empty-forest) WC ones... Hmmm...

Really, you can't hear the fans on most WC systems.

The Air cooling Fans (Vaccuums), however, tend to make unpleasant (Krakatoa) amounts of Annoying noise (White-boy-rap)

[Spawn-Inc]

you buy the same fan for air or water. but you generally spend more money for silent fans that work with more costly rads.

as already stated, i7 WC kit starts at over $200 minimum.

[hvc-]

Noctua NH-U12P SE 1366. Less expensive than TRUE, and it comes with 2 glorious noctua fans instead of the 1 fan stock on TRUE. I'm very impressed with mine, it performs well.

[doublejack]

You need fans.

-----------------------------

Noisy Air cooling fans vs. Inaudible (Sound of a tree falling in an empty forest) WC ones... Hmmm...

Really, you can't hear the fans on most WC systems.

The Air cooling Fans (Vaccuums), however, tend to make unpleasant (Krakatoa) amounts of Annoying noise (White boy rap)

You've got some basic misconceptions.

1. It is patently false that water cooling is always quieter than air cooling. I have two rigs in my den, the first two in my signature. The gaming machine is substantially faster and is air cooled. It is by far quieter than the "daily driver" machine which has a wc loop. The only time they make roughly the same amount of noise is when my 9800GX2 is under a heavy load and the fan spins up to full throttle. At idle the gaming machine is inaudible.

Both wc and ac require fans. It is, therefore, the specific fans which are selected for each application that determine which setup will make more noise.

2. With a budget of less than $100, there is no question that a high end air cooler will beat the pants off a cobbled together wc setup. Not only will the air cooler at in that price range perform better, but it will also be quieter as well. This is because the only way you're going to put together a $100 wc loop is to use a $20 heater core / radiator, and that will take one or two massive CFM (read: LOUD) fans to perform efficiently.

In contrast, you can pick up a really nice air cooler like a TRUE, attach a couple of carefully selected 120mm fans, hook the fans up to a fan controller, and then adjust their speed so that you can't hear them.

[Glow of fire]

I'll be alright with the WC noise situation guys. Trust me. Just gimme a really cheap i7 WC setup. Really, I'll be Ok.

So, all I want: A really cheap WC setup. for my i7. Or a fanless heatsink. Please don't argue too much about the wc being loud. I've understood that after 20 people above have reiterated it.

[Rcoe]

I'll be alright with the WC noise situation guys. Trust me. Just gimme a really cheap i7 WC setup. Really, I'll be Ok.

So, all I want: A really cheap WC setup. for my i7. Or a fanless heatsink. Please don't argue too much about the wc being loud. I've understood that after 20 people above have reiterated it.

After playing with quite a few i7's I do not think you are going to find a fanless or cheap WC solution that will allow you to overclock like you are wanting to. These i7's do overclock nicely but do put out some serious heat when turned up.

[Spawn-Inc]

you seem to understand about the fans and loudness, but seem to miss that they don't even sell a kit below 100...

you need to either step up the money AND learn about it or go with high end air and be done with it.

[Fx-53]

Even with a cheap Viaaqua pump, an old maze4 block, and HC you're going to spend more than 100$ and not cool the i7 worth a flip......

The pump is going to run you a minimum of 40$
Block is going to run a minimum of 30-40$
HC is another 25-30 plus the parts to mod it
tubing and clamps are another 10-20$, so you're over budget at MINIMUM, and that wont really do it right....

[hokiealumnus]

One acronym: TRUE. Unless you crunch with it, you can turn the fan down to make it plenty quiet. With a push/pull config, even with fans on low, you'd probably be better off than any sub-$200 water setup.
I've never done this before, but +1 to what I already said. Put bluntly: You're not paying attention. This is not to cause offense, please don't take any; but you need to open your eyes to the simple truth that you won't be hearing what you want to hear because it is nonexistent. If you really want someone to tell you what you seem to want to hear, find a forum that doesn't know what they're talking about. :shrug:

[Conumdrum]

I've never done this before, but +1 to what I already said. Put bluntly: You're not paying attention. This is not to cause offense, please don't take any; but you need to open your eyes to the simple truth that you won't be hearing what you want to hear because it is nonexistent. If you really want someone to tell you what you seem to want to hear, find a forum that doesn't know what they're talking about. :shrug:

Hardbutt you are! Sometimes it's the best move. Maybe we just should let the thread die. No clue, not worth our trouble. Wait for a post from the OP before posting anymore help.

[Perseus]

So, all I want: A really cheap WC setup. for my i7.


"Really cheap" and "water cooling" shouldn't be used in the same sentence, unless you're a metalurgical genius with just the right machines and inventory just laying about. This is doubly true if you want your water cooling quiet. A word to the wise: Save up until you can afford to do it right. You seem like an okay Joe, so I'd hate to see you turn into a water cooling horror story. ;)

[Glow of fire]

Ok, well, Under the advice of my counsel (http://Rabid-Poop-Flinging-Monkeys), I no longer desire Sub-$100 (http://Pathetic)Water cooling. It may be inefficient (Raise-my-CPU-Temps-as-opposed-to-no-HSF)

I have made this decision after toying (http://desperately-seeking) with creative (http://asinine) ideas (http://Hooking-up-the-tubes-to-the-local-sewer). However, they all met opposition (http://Threatened-Legal-Action).

[Fx-53]

The linking thing is not cute......

[Perseus]

No, not cute at all. :screwy:

[Fx-53]

Methinks someone might be combining being a smart aleck and post padding but.....

[shazza]

Main question is ... what GPU(s) are you running. Makes no sense to water cool an i7 CPU for noise reduction if you have loud fans running on the video card ...

As stated before, the Noctua 1366 or other air HSFs are effective and relatively quiet. A GTX 260, 285, etc. is quiet at 40% fan speed ... but dominates the noise of the CPU HSF at higher fan speeds.

[Glow of fire]

I'm running a GTX 260 Core 216 NOT OCed, at 25% fan.

It gets to about 55C at 100% load, since the 216's are meant for OC speeds, but I'm running em stock. It's as quiet as an ant peeing on cotton.

[Conumdrum]

Glow your links are broke in your post, odd links too. With temps like that on the GPU, and I'm sure your running Furmark, the known standard for GPU stressing, you don't need to cool your GPU's. Must be a nice case.

Anyway, this thread is dead. You can't buy WC for a i7 for under $200, closer to $300.

[Glow of fire]

With temps like that on the GPU, and I'm sure your running Furmark, the known standard for GPU stressing, you don't need to cool your GPU's.

Furmark gets it to 62C. well within its specifications, even though it never actually hits 62C when gaming.

Must be a nice case.

Antec 300. The nice thing is the GPU, which I'm running at an easy clock speed. Therefore it's very cool.

And you're right, I figured that I would never get any decent WC under $100. Therefore, I quit.

[Shadowmage]

You could try searching the classifieds for good deals, though it's usually only ~10% cheaper than retail. Still a "nickel" I guess... Do note you need at least 100 post to view it.

If you do have tools and expertise to make custom parts, that might also save you money. Not sure about this though... Have yet to try it.

Don't listen to this guy. I got a high end water cooling setup for GPU + CPU for around $100 (not including tubing, clamps, and things like that though...)

I got all these components quite a few years ago, back when they were top-of-the-line
Swiftech MCP600 for around $30
Swiftech MCW60 GPU block for $20
Swiftech 220 for like $25

Forgot the CPU block name and price, but it's probably around $20-$30 as well.

You just need to spend a few weeks trolling the classified section on multiple OC websites.

[Conumdrum]

Well once the OP can read the classies or find the used parts, sure you can make a loop for cheaper used parts. Biggest problem is finding a used block good enough for an i7, under $50 would be a surprise. They won't be selling cheap. Don't think he'll see a MCP355 or 655 selling for under $45.

I listen to Blazing Fire all the time, why not listen to him?

Why don't you find him a used parts list and post it? Prove us wrong?

[Owenator]

Don't listen to this guy.
^This part is not very useful or appropriate. :rolleyes:

I got a high end water cooling setup for GPU + CPU for around $100 (not including tubing, clamps, and things like that though...)

I got all these components quite a few years ago, back when they were top-of-the-line
Swiftech MCP600 for around $30
Swiftech MCW60 GPU block for $20
Swiftech 220 for like $25

Forgot the CPU block name and price, but it's probably around $20-$30 as well.

You just need to spend a few weeks trolling the classified section on multiple OC websites.
This suggestion was excellent! I agree if you have the time to wait and search you could get the parts from classifieds and the like. Personally I like to make stuff but that's just me.

As far as the fan question. You can have loud or quiet watercooling. If you use loud fans then yes it will be loud. But you can use quiet fans and have it be quiet. The beauty of watercooling is that water can remove more heat than air for the same flow. But you end up using air to cool the water.

One simple almost silent (albeit odd) option is evaporative cooling. You put a submersible pump in a large bucket of water and then circulate the water in your loop. No fans. As the water in the bucket warms it will evaoprate and lower the water temp. If the bucket is big enough this can work for a long time before you have to add water. If you are more inclined you could also put in ice or a fan blowing on the water.

[doublejack]

Don't listen to this guy. I got a high end water cooling setup for GPU + CPU for around $100 (not including tubing, clamps, and things like that though...)

I got all these components quite a few years ago, back when they were top-of-the-line
Swiftech MCP600 for around $30
Swiftech MCW60 GPU block for $20
Swiftech 220 for like $25

Forgot the CPU block name and price, but it's probably around $20-$30 as well.

You just need to spend a few weeks trolling the classified section on multiple OC websites.

By the time you add everything needed, the price will shoot well north of $100. Even with used parts, it just isn't possible to cool an i7 effectively with that kind of budget unless you go air.

[Glow of fire]

Aight, I'll try looking at classifieds, but in general, I'm getting the sense that it just won't work.

I will most certainly continue trying.

[donuts]

Glow, It's not that it won't work, maybe start with air then gradually step up.

I just put together my first loop, some of the parts have been sitting here for 6 weeks. Granted right now I'm cooling a C2Q, but when I was gathering parts, I was trying to keep an eye out for upgrade ability. I started my rigs on air, as i ran across deals on parts, I'd pick them up. Shop everywhere, if you feel the need to have it right now, expect to pay for it. As it stands, when I decide to go i7, all I might need to do is new cpu blocks. Pumps, rads, res, will all carry over. One part every couple of weeks doesn't seem to hurt so bad. FWIW, 2 cpu only loops and all I bought new was 1 rad, a few barbs, tubing, and clamps. The reason for the rad is I was getting impatient with summer coming.

[Blazing fire]

Well once the OP can read the classies or find the used parts, sure you can make a loop for cheaper used parts. Biggest problem is finding a used block good enough for an i7, under $50 would be a surprise. They won't be selling cheap. Don't think he'll see a MCP355 or 655 selling for under $45.

I listen to Blazing Fire all the time, why not listen to him?

Why don't you find him a used parts list and post it? Prove us wrong?

Thanks Conumdrum :).

Btw, do listen to people like him. Go with air.

[Badbonji]

I use a Thermaltake bigwater atm which was cheap for my Q9450, and it keeps my core i7 at 4.35Ghz under 70C. I just bought the EK supreme for it and it works nicely.

[Glow of fire]

I use a Thermaltake bigwater atm which was cheap for my Q9450, and it keeps my core i7 at 4.35Ghz under 70C. I just bought the EK supreme for it and it works nicely.

While that system seems nice, it's 775, and the waterblock you stated implies me spending money, which goes against the whole purpose.

[Spawn-Inc]

.. stay as far away from thermaltake as you can with water cooling....

there are VERY FEW cases of tt kits doing anything. Badbonji must have great ambient temps.

[Glow of fire]

there are VERY FEW cases of tt kits doing anything. Badbonji must have great ambient temps.

Ahh, but as you may have noticed my fine feathered friend, I simply care that my temps stay below the boiling point of silicon(boiling point of hafnium is higher, but it is the weaker of the two links which determines my limit).

EDIT: I know it is melting point I should be concerned with, but boiling point sounds so much cooler.

[Blazing fire]

Ahh, but as you may have noticed my fine feathered friend, I simply care that my temps stay below the boiling point of silicon(boiling point of hafnium is higher, but it is the weaker of the two links which determines my limit).

EDIT: I know it is melting point I should be concerned with, but boiling point sounds so much cooler.

So why don't you want to go with air?

[Perseus]

.. stay as far away from thermaltake as you can with water cooling....

I'm starting to wonder if TT is run by a failed AI experiment. :screwy: You'd think that they'd have figured it out by now just by looking at other OEMs.

[Spawn-Inc]

Ahh, but as you may have noticed my fine feathered friend, I simply care that my temps stay below the boiling point of silicon(boiling point of hafnium is higher, but it is the weaker of the two links which determines my limit).

EDIT: I know it is melting point I should be concerned with, but boiling point sounds so much cooler.

but what good is it when your pump dies all the time? i wouldn't be surprised if there was more p500 pumps in the world (working and broken) vs D5's or DDC3.2's.

I'm starting to wonder if TT is run by a failed AI experiment. :screwy: You'd think that they'd have figured it out by now just by looking at other OEMs.

they seem to not care or have enough people wasting there time and money with them.

[Perseus]

:D Maybe TT has a large 3rd world market share!

[Glow of fire]

but what good is it when your pump dies all the time?

Yeah, if the stuff dies, I'm not in for it. replacing dead parts is not my cup of tea. It ends up costing money(which I am vehemently opposed to)

[Surferseth]

Noctua NH-U12P SE 1366. Less expensive than TRUE, and it comes with 2 glorious noctua fans instead of the 1 fan stock on TRUE. I'm very impressed with mine, it performs well.

+1 for this. Extremely quite fans and a great heatsink. Keeps my i7 below 40C idle and ~60C full load.

[Blazing fire]

FYI, home made block: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?p=6112352#post6112352