cannot fathom what i need

[jayfella]

Hi all.

I've been on this forum for some time now, but have managed to shy away from water-cooling for some time. I've been reading bits and bobs here and there and i think i have to finally give up and accept the fact that i have no idea what i need!

I really want to get into water cooling. I had a Q6600 for 6 weeks before it bit the bullet (as some of you may have read) - which im pretty sure was to do with the fact that my OCZ vendetta 2 has finally been mounted once-too-many. So anyway, i bought a Q9550 in replacement, and have heard fantastic things about this CPU. Its an E0 stepping too, but i dont want to go crazy with that Vendetta 2 in the back of my mind.

So, back to the question. What the hell do i get!? I put my thinking head on and try and try to understand what y'all are talking about, and its just not clicking.

I have no idea what tube size or what makes are best. I keep seeing that Laing are a good pump make, and the DTek Fusion2 is one of the best blocks to go for. The blackIce rads seem to get a lot of attention also, but apart from that, i get a little lost.

So, i would need a rad, cpu block, pump, res and some tubing. 2xclamps for each item, so that makes 8 clamps. And some coolant, and dont use tap water.

Im ready to make an order, but would really prefer to hear some expert opinions on this so i dont wast my time and have to re-order.


Many thanks.

 

[thorilan]

the guides to watercooling is the first place to start. you have to have a highschool level of understanding of the science (which isnt really that much) and understanding the fundamentals is VERY important because if you make a mistake early on you will take yourself in the wrong direction.
so my suggestion is read up for a few days in the forums and check out the guides

especially the how to ask questions guide.

 

[jr1]

agreed on the reading up on the stickies and here is another one that i found to be a good one to read http://gilgameshreviews.com/index.p...s&catid=40:overclocking-and-cooling&Itemid=86

 

[Conumdrum]

Guides
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=282232 Pretty up to date info and buying guide
http://gilgameshreviews.com/index.p...s&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

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

 

[jayfella]

Well i hope you all dont think i havent spent the time reading, i certainly didnt intend on others doing the hard work for me.

@jr1 and conundrum - thanks for the links - much appreciated. Thats quite a thorough link-list there conundrum.

 

[hokiealumnus]

I think the high school level quip was just to be amusing, not insulting; nothing to stress over. Definitely read up, develop a starting parts list and post it. We'll all look over it, make fun of your choices and tell you what you should have picked. (j/k of course)

 

[jayfella]

yeah. post edited. i think im getting grumpy im my old age

 

[thorilan]

actually what i meant ( to be more clear) was that its not hard to learn info but if you dont learn the basics , you will make some decisions on what to purchase based on some preconceived ideas that are exactly opposite to the real workings of science.
for instance a lot of people dont understand how the Delta T works or why in a closed loop more flow means more heat transfer so they think that slower flow is better ( you would not believe how many people dont actually understand this )

im not trying to be insulting at all. was trying to be helpful but the internet does not convey tone very well in posting when speaking does.