What is the cheapest way to watercool?

drunkmonkey · Feb 8, 2002

I know a lot about how watercooling works,the theories/design,and all that other mess but what is the cheapest way to watercool???
I'm not afriad to do a home-made system just as long as I have some good advice or instructions. I'm only 14 so I don't have much funding, but I have skill and access to a lot of tools and some power equipment.
Thanx a lot ppls...

OOhh,,btw, I was thinking of using a minifridge for a radiator and to put my resavoir in. Any Ideas??

Tiger · Feb 8, 2002

Have a look at my article, it may give you some ideas;
http://www.overclockers.com/tips777/

Anonymous Jeff · Feb 8, 2002

Hm...cheapest way just might be to make your own block out of some stock AL and use a cooling tower. There your main cost would be the pump. Not really sure of a good design on a block, but the waterblock competition might have some good ideas.

Trieber · Feb 8, 2002

Dude, Cheap WaterCooling is an OxyMoron like MicroSoft Works...

I would not put a cheap watercooling system on a $1k computer... I don't want to rely on a PoS pump that cost $8...

I would say save up, and buy decent well known parts. Eheim, DD, etc etc

I also wouldn't skimp on things, I would have hose clamps, good hoses, etc etc instead of cheap stuff that might fail at one point. If you want to watercool, do it right, don't half *** it. Last thing you want is a leaky WaterCooling System that screws your computer over.. that's not how my comp will go down, it won't drown, it will go down in blue smoke...

Maybe not though, I just caution you, cheap doesn't always mean good.

racecar12 · Feb 8, 2002

The cheapest I can custom build a top of the line water cooling system, is about $100.

Pump & Res for $25.00
RIO 600 257gal/hr powerhead water pump They are towards the bottom of the page for $13.00
Here is the link on how to assemble the resivior.

For the radiator. Go to auto zone and buy a heater core for a 1987 Ford Escort W/ac. They are only $17.99. You will have to cut off the pipes just a little and use jb weld to glue in some hose barbs. The heater core is the same design as the cooler core rad. You can see my heater core here

There is 2/3's of your water cooling setup for under $45.00. That leaves plenty of money for a Mase2, some water line, and hose clamps. As long as you don't crazy auto zone or home depot and keep an eye on the buget, you can build this system for around $100. GL

drunkmonkey · Feb 8, 2002

I'm going to use a non-conductive liquid for the system so if it leaks I won't be in trouble and I'll set up a temp monitor alarm. Also I'm making my own external temp monitoring system with the Lego RCX (a really cool mini computer) and some radioshack parts.
I really would like to make my own parts, It's more fun that way!

drunkmonkey · Feb 8, 2002

racecar12 said:
The cheapest I can custom build a top of the line water cooling system, is about $100.

Pump & Res for $25.00
RIO 600 257gal/hr powerhead water pump They are towards the bottom of the page for $13.00
Here is the link on how to assemble the resivior.

For the radiator. Go to auto zone and buy a heater core for a 1987 Ford Escort W/ac. They are only $17.99. You will have to cut off the pipes just a little and use jb weld to glue in some hose barbs. The heater core is the same design as the cooler core rad. You can see my heater core here

There is 2/3's of your water cooling setup for under $45.00. That leaves plenty of money for a Mase2, some water line, and hose clamps. As long as you don't crazy auto zone or home depot and keep an eye on the buget, you can build this system for around $100. GL

$100 is a bit much. In the last couple hours I've been planning to use a minifridge frum WalMart and build my own waterblock.
My biggest issue is how to make a good waterblock. thanx

drunkmonkey · Feb 8, 2002

Tiger said:
Have a look at my article, it may give you some ideas;
http://www.overclockers.com/tips777/

Thats exactly what I want to do. You put $40 antifreeze and 60% water right? Are there any non-conductive liquids I could use? Just in case it leaks.

KFB · Feb 8, 2002

drunkmonkey said:
Thats exactly what I want to do. You put $40 antifreeze and 60% water right? Are there any non-conductive liquids I could use? Just in case it leaks.

ppl have used alcohol, methanol, str8 antifreeze and others.
nothing cools as well as water tho.

UserName · Feb 8, 2002

Basicaly if it leaks you got about a 50/50 chance you'll loose something.
You really dont need to worry if you leak test first out of the PC or with the power off. Run it fo 24-72 hours before you use it. That way you know your safe.

check my sig for super cheap water cooling ideas

drunkmonkey · Feb 8, 2002

I think I'm going to try this http://www.overclockers.com/tips734/ it looks easy and the main reason I want watercoolin is for bragging rights and experience, though I am overclocking once I save up for an Asus mobo(that's why budget is cheap)
Any tips on radiator?
Should I go Rad or Bong??? I'll research that now... any tips would apreciated.

racecar12 · Feb 8, 2002

drunkmonkey said:
$100 is a bit much. In the last couple hours I've been planning to use a minifridge frum WalMart and build my own waterblock.
My biggest issue is how to make a good waterblock. thanx

I know that fridge and also have first hand experience with one. You will need to add an external condensor to keep the refrigerant temps from overheating. It has a real stupid disign for the condensor that comes with the fridge. It is litterally built around the entire case and is internal so you can't put a fan on it to keep it cool.

Here are a few pics of the fridge I modified.

drunkmonkey · Feb 8, 2002

racecar12 said:
I know that fridge and also have first hand experience with one. You will need to add an external condensor to keep the refrigerant temps from overheating. It has a real stupid disign for the condensor that comes with the fridge. It is litterally built around the entire case and is internal so you can't put a fan on it to keep it cool.

Here are a few pics of the fridge I modified.

I'm lookin to just put the resivoir and radiator in the fridge, not the computer, maybe keep a six-pack o' dr. pepper in there, yum. :beer:

I'm now considering just using a bong for right now, that looks like the easiest way to do it. Any tips on making a good bong, ideas?? I just need a lot of those little stupid tricks to put together to make a good bong.

What is the cheapest way to watercool?

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