Need help with quiet-but-effective watercooling components

[nogoodreason]

Hi guys. I'm new here, so... *waves*

I've been looking for some advice on building a water cooling system (as I have never touched watercooling before so am completely clueless in this area). I basically want to cool two watercooled BFG GTX295 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-093-BG&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1324)'s running in SLi and my i7 920, overclocked to around 4.2GHz.

I'll be buying a new case for this project, and am currently leaning towards the Coolermaster HAF 932 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-157-CM).

From what I gather, the GTX295's will generate a lot of heat and the best way to set up a watercooling system would be to have two loops (one for graphics, another for CPU). This means I'll need some serious radiators, which I'd like to keep in some kind of 'radiator case' (if there is such a thing) which I can keep next to my computer. {I think external rads would be the best idea}


Saying that, I really am rather clueless about watercooling so it may well be that you guys have some far better suggestions. Either way, I'd really appreciate any feedback you could offer me.

(If anyone would be kind enough to draw up a list of recommended components I should buy that would also be greatly appreciated as, frankly, I haven't a clue what items I need to get so a comprehensive list of every single item I'll need - including the liquid - would definitely help!)

[jason4207]

:welcome: to OCF!

That sounds like an awesome project. A bit overkill, but some folks like that.

I'm going to PM a mod and get you moved into the water-cooling sub-forum. You'll get more help there.

Here's a link to that sub-forum.

http://www.ocforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

[nogoodreason]

Woops. Must have missed that sub forum. Thanks, Jason. :)

I'm about to go to bed, but here's a question to the forum in case anyone in a different timezone reads this while I'm sleeping: Would getting a TJ07 case allow me to fit the necessary radiators inside the case? If so, that could be a tidier option than having a bunch of radiators on my floor. But I'm wondering how well it would all fit. Does anyone use that case, or have a similar recommendation?

[nikhsub1]

Moved to Water Cooling :beer:

[nogoodreason]

Cheers. :)

Anyone got any thoughts on the TJ07? I've noticed there's a TJ09 out there as well which is presumably a newer version, although looking at some vids of it on YouTube seem to suggest there isn't that dedicated radiator section at the bottom. Could just be the videos, though.

[Nebulous]

The TJ07 is a really nice case, but kinda crampy for watercooling. You'll need to mod the case for the rad as the only place to fit it will be the bottom.

[nogoodreason]

The TJ07 is a really nice case, but kinda crampy for watercooling. You'll need to mod the case for the rad as the only place to fit it will be the bottom.

Could you recommend a better case?

I'm not *against* modding my case, but I've no experience in that area and considering this is my first time touching watercooling I can see drills + saw + watertubes = potential disaster in the making.

[Conumdrum]

First we should figure out what radiators you'll need. Probably a 120x2 minimum for the i7, and possibly a 120x3. Then the GPU's, two HOT 295's. I'd go no less than a 120x3, and possibly a 120x4 for the GPU's.

So your gonna need a BIG case. Look here for many internal build logs. And give Mountain Mods a look at for a case.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=223835 Many build logs on MANY cases, great learning tool.

[nogoodreason]

To be honest, half of those look way too much effort to mod. :S

Perhaps I should stick to the TJ07 and then use external rads for anything which won't fit? I'm certainly not against external rads provided they're black and I can stand them next to my case somehow.

[Conumdrum]

It's not hard to mount the rads on the outside. Put one on the inside bottom and the other out the back like lots do. Google your case and the word watercooling. You'll get lots of hits.

Ohh, noticed you wanted more info on watercooling. Here is a buncha guides and links to help you.

Guides
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=282232 Pretty up to date info and buying guide
http://gilgameshreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75:hokiealumnus&catid=40:overclocking-and-cooling&Itemid=86 Another good guide
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=312743 What to do once all the stuff is in the door
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=223835 Many build logs on MANY cases, great learning tool.

My latest rig:
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=604016

Forums
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/index.php? Not a noob site, but great stickies
http://www.ocforums.com/ My fav, good peeps, know their stuff, less hardcore
http://www.over-clock.com/ivb/inde [...] opic=20277 A GREAT Europe site
http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/ Decent site

Tests on equipment, not reviews, truly scientific tests
http://translate.google.com/transl [...] n&ie=UTF-8 Info on rad testing
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=220593 More rad testing
http://skinneelabs.com/ Host for Martins lab and some newer tests
http://www.skinneelabs.com/MartinsLiquidLab/ Test results, very technical


Stores
http://www.dangerden.com
http://www.petrastechshop.com/
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
http://www.jab-tech.com/
http://www.performance-pcs.com
http://www.frozencpu.com/