w/c newb needs advice :)

Hey guys. I'm brand new here, but I've been reading/interested in o/c and watercooling for a long time. I've been saving up and I will soon have about $190 to spend on a water cooling system. Right now I have pretty nice cooling but its loud as hell - its a Vantec 7000RPM fan on a copper HS. It stays at 35 C idle, about 40 C load. I'm interesting in getting an AFFORDABLE watercooling system that would be relatively easy to install. I have a Enermax case w/ 350 watt psu. Its one of those ones with the flowery window/fan on side and chrome front.

My questions are:

What pump should I get that will fit?
What radiator should I get that will fit and not make a lot of noise?
Do I need a resevoir?
What waterblock should I get, best performance/price ratio?

And is there a convienient site that I could get the majority of this stuff from, or would I have to order all the parts separately? I was looking at getting a TT Aquarius 2 but it seemed pretty low power and many people thought you could get better for around the same price

kanab,

Try reading some of the stickied guides:

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=149127

Also, the search button is a GREAT tool for everyone. Good luck and ask away when you have a specific question.

watercooling kits to stay away from:
Aquarius II
Exos
most Koolance WBs.

Good kits.
Maze3 from www.dangerden.com
spiral and TC-4 from www.dtekcustoms.com
most kits from www.jpiperformance.com
Evo and Nemesis from www.logiccooling.com
....and others.

Do some searching to find exactly what components you want. There are a couple of very recent threads that are asking the exact same questions you are.

Come back and ask us more specific questions once you've done some homework.

And as always, welcome to the forums!

Here's what I went with. You can subsitiute the Evo for Cathar's WW, or you can purchase just 1 fan and make only 1 shoud.
You can also choose a res instead of a T line.

1986 Chevy Chevette heater core
www1.autozone.com
$16.00

2 120MM PANOFLO FANS
http://www.directron.com/120l1a.html
$28.00

TYGON 3/8" X 1/8" CLEAR TUBING
http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/20/140.htm?818
$2.65 per foot. You need about 10 feet.

EHEIM 1250
http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/20/110.htm?818
$ 66.50

Evolution Waterblock
http://www.logiccooling.com/Merchan...re_Code=LC&Product_Code=EVOWB&Category_Code=W
Price: $61.00

You will also need 2 shrouds for a push pull system.
These can be made using the following link:
http://www.overclockers.com/tips1022/

Cost of parts to make your shrouds:
- 2 - 1/2" brass threaded barbs, cost $1.49 each.
- 1 - 8”x18”x1/16' aluminum sheet, cost $6.49
- Solder, cost $3.00
- Flux, cost $2.50
- Propane torch $15.00
- 1 roll of 3M silver heat tape, cost $7.00

In addition, you need a Y fitting, a T fitting, about 10 hose clamps,
and a plug to stopper the T line.

Have fun!!

He means the Whitewater made by cathar

i would recormend

RAD: chevette HC. with 1 or 2 120mm panaflow fans and shroud

PUMP: ehiem 1250 (very good quality)/maxijet 1200 (half the price and smaller)

1/2" tubing - (IMHO a must)

you dont need a res. you can make do with a filler tube and t-joint.

9i personally think neomoses nemesis is a MUCH better way to go almost same performance less than half the cost

Here's the list I give people: (updated a lot)

Here's some good choices if you're buying parts, listed in order of goodiness:

(one from each set of "<"s)

Waterblock:
<White Water Rapids block - $100
<Logiccooling Evolution block -$61
<Dtek TC-4 Rev 2 - $48
<Danger Den Maze 3 $42
<Swiftech MCW-5000 $50
<Swiftech MCW-462 $50

Radiator
<'73 Chevy Caprice Heatercore + homemade shroud - $30
<above with JPI performance "scoop" shroud -$115 (expensive, but high-quality)
<Chevy Chevette heatercore $25 + homemade shroud
<Dtek Cooler Core combo (same as above) $50
<Black Ice Extreme - $60 (only use if no room for a heatercore)

Fans (Need 2 for the Caprice Core or a push-pull setup)
<Panaflow 120x38s $14
<Delta 120x38s $12
<Sunon 120x38s $12

Pump
<Iwaki pump $115 - $130
<Danner Mag 5 or 7 $50-55
<Eheim 1250 $80
<Danner Mag 3 $45
<Eheim 1048 $55
<Maxijet 1300 $25
<Maxijet 900 $20

Tubing
<1/2" ID Tygon with 3/16" walls $20 for 10'
<1/2" ID Clearflex 60

Extras (need all of these)
+Metal automotive hose-clamps $5 for 10
+T-Fitting for filling and bleeding $2
+Barbs for pump $4
+Teflon tape for barbs $1

I would go with Dtek personally. Danny's great and I've heard nothing but praise about the service.

I would go something like:

TC-4: $50
Pro core combo: $55
Via Aqua 1300: $23
5' 1/2" clearflex tubing: $7.50
Bay Res reservoir $25
Panaflo L1A or M1A: $15

Total thus far is $175, and the res is optional.
Probably add a couple of bucks for misc stuff like metal hose clamps. All but the fan you get at D-tek. He doesn't have the panaflos. The chrome fan LOOKs like it's a good deal (80 cfm, only 30 db) but I'm not sure I trust the manufacturer's specs on it. Reminds me of the Thermaltake fan that is FAR louder than it's rated at.