My propposed first WC setup. Your thoughts...

[jmdixon85]

I am hoping to get my first WC setup installed into my HAF in 2-3 months time. Nothing to big, just a single loop to cool my CPU. I will be upgrading to a Quad later this year then an i7 when funds allow. Since this is my first WC setup I would like your opinion on the parts hafe have so far chosen. Do I have the right size fitting's for the hose?? I am not going for the best performance and would like to keep things as cheap as possible. Thanks in advance. (please ignore the item amount of 2 on the CPU block, I only want one)

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr8/jmdixon85/WCSetup.jpg

[Spawn-Inc]

i wouldn't trust that pump res combo. its weak and likes to break.

the rad isn't the best and is thin. go for at least a swiftech MCR series.

you don't need that coolant. go for Distilled water and a biocide. (i like pt nuke) or try silver kill coils.

it's hard to budget build with water cooling and expect it to last for your future upgrades.

go with a swiftech kit if you want to keep costs down.

[jmdixon85]

I see your point about the RAD, If I plan on using this with a i7 at some point I will have to get a better RAD. maybe this one

http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_72&products_id=931

Shame about that RES/Pump. I would really like my RES mounted in my drive bays. Are any of these any good, I don't like the blue UV ones.

http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=36

[Spawn-Inc]

i would go with this rad

http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_72&products_id=1239

from that site anyhow.


any of the clear XSPC bay res's will be fine. i will tell you though that i hear bay res's like to crack and leak. i haven't really heard about it from XSPC res's though.

[cadman420]

+1 on the res from spawn, that is a nice one. on the res I just used a small one from swiftech. I heard the same advice on the bay res about the cracking and breaking and stayed away from them. Can't complain about the one that I have. works good.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8336/ex-res-144/Swiftech_MCRES_Micro_Rev_2_Small_Form_Factor_High-Flow_Reservoir_12_ID_and_38_ID.html?tl=g30c97s165

+1 on the distilled water and biocide, nothing more needed

[QuietIce]

You really can't skimp on the pump - especially if you're going to be cooling an i7 soon. At a minimum I'd get one of these ...
http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=77_74&products_id=473


That pump is one of the best - built like a tank but quiet as a mouse. I'll do a great job and is designed to use 3/8" ID tubing. Might be a little pricey but it'll run forever and you won't have to worry about a cracked pump housing. I've got one that's been running non-stop for about 30 months now and still going strong ...

[jmdixon85]

Thanks for the advice. I wonder if the thing about drive bay RES's cracking etc is related to them being screwed into the drive bay? With the tooless design of my HAF I can't see how I would manage to crack the RES.

[cadman420]

From what I have heard on here it is the pump inside of the res and the vibration, over time it causes a failure and then a leak.

[Spawn-Inc]

From what I have heard on here it is the pump inside of the res and the vibration, over time it causes a failure and then a leak.

i have heard it more so about the non pump/res combo's. hell i only know 1 person who uses one of them and the pump died before it could crack the res lol.


i think it's people being a bit rough with the res's as well. the toolless should help.

[Conumdrum]

Here is what I think about drive bay reses. First is the long long sides of the res. Gluing the sides together over a 5-6" length while the parts are held in a bracket is not an exacting science. Depends on the builder/ poor factory worker having a bad day. Stress spots and tiny pinholes can be made.

Next the mounting to a 5 1/4 slot. You screw the screws in. What if the OD of the 5 1/4 slot is a bit larger? Then as you tighten the screws to minor snug it pulls on the sides of the res.

You move the case I'm sure the whole assembly flexes, along with the mounts for the res.

Maybe this is why the thin acrylic 5 1/4 reses have caused problems. The really thick expensive ones, and the ones with different materials besides acrylic probably don't have these issues.

Anyway, just a general input.