project moving from air to water.

Hey there, after reading up on the stickies for about 3 weeks now this is what I've come up with for my water loop. It will take me some time to gather all the parts needed but before I buy anything I would like y'all to take a look at my parts list. I have one piece that I'm currently wondering about. I read that you wanna stay away from nickel-plating, however I don't think I quite fully understand what the nickel-plating is? The part in question is the GPU block I've chosen, it says it is electroless nickel-plating but in the description it says the base plate is copper, so I don't really know...

Here is the parts list.
Rad: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...Radiator_-_MCR320-XP.html?tl=g30c95s161#blank (looking at 2krpm 120mm yate loon fans but I do have 1 scythe ultra kaze that will be in the middle of this rad.)
Pump: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2..._MCP350_12v_Water_Pump_Native_38_924_GPH.html
Res: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9..._Swiftech_MCP350355.html?tl=g30c107s152#blank
CPU block: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8...6_939_940_754_AM2_AM2_AM3.html?tl=g30c323s828
GPU block: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...reme_HF_NickelAcetal.html?tl=g30c87s143#blank
tubing: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...ck_-_UV_Blue_PFLEXP10-58-B.html?tl=g30c99s171
Fluid will be distilled water with ptnuke
fittings will be compressions
Already have some copper heat sinks that I will be putting on the video card for the components that need them.

Current computer setup is in my sig. But I will be upgrading to an intel SB 2500k and will be splitting my crossfire setup back down to 1 card (need the other card for my HTPC/Storage comp) then I will eventually get a single nvidia card, 570 maybe, or a 6 series card when they come out (depending on funds when I do upgrade the card)

Here is my computer case that I built that these will be going into. (disregard the piece of paper being used as my mouse pad it is only temporally)



You can find the build thread for this at http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=660964&highlight=squadfer

Here is where I'm currently looking at putting the rad and res/pump. Actual sizes of the pieces will dictate where they will end up.

List looks good. Just couple comments.

You listed the weaker pump mcp 350 as opposed to mcp 355. Years ago, I bought mcp 350 thinking it was a lot quieter than mcp 355, but now I have 2 of each, and only use mcp 355 (in fact 2 in series). If inside a case, and with 900+rpm fan speed on rad, you wont hear either pump above fans. Might want to think about getting 355, though if you really want mcp 350, your flow will still be ok with rad, cpu, gpu blocks you picked out, ie nothing is restrictive.

And yes the GPU you picked out has a copper base outside, but the copper internals (water channels) are apparently plated with EK's new electroless nickel. It may do fine since it is electroless, though I wouldnt get it myself. If you had a clear top, then I could understand using nickel/bling. But with a non-see through top and hence no aesthetic benefit from nickel, I would try to find one that is all copper, no reason to risk nickel if nothing to gain from it.

Also, ok 3 things, I would get a good fan controller, you will want quiet fan speed while gaming, etc, and higher speed while stress testing, etc.

thanks for clarifying the GPU block for me. I'm going to switch that to the swiftech mcw82 and get the hd6900 heat sink block for my 6870. http://www.swiftech.com/hd6900-hs.aspx and when I get the new nvidia card i'll just buy the new heat sink for it.

I was going for the slower pump since the pump is going to be outside of my case bolted to the side of it. However, after browsing swiftech's website for a little bit I found a nice little, rad, res, pump combo that sparked my interest however I cant really find any good data on it. Has anyone had any experience with the MCR-X20 Drive Rev 3? http://www.swiftech.com/mcr-x20-drive-rev3.aspx#tab3 along with the mcp35x? I really like the concept of having those three things in one since I don't have much room to work with.

That rad/pump setup is good. Make sure you get enough rad for your heatload.

Pay attention to the mounting req for the rad, it neds to be vertical for the best setup. It also can be whinny since the pump is bolted to a big mwtal part. You'll also be using PWM off the mobo for that pump.

I think I will go with the swiftech 3X120mm rad/res/pump combo. If the rad isnt enough I can always add another 120mm rad on the other side of my case next to the video cards. The 3X120mm rad will be mounted with my scythe ultra kaze as the middle fan. I'm going to use 3 cheap 120mmX25MM fan's (with the guts taken out) as spacers between my case and the rad so that the bottom fan has enough breathing room between my case. The top fan will be sticking above my case so I'm not worried about it having a breathing problem.
Here is a crude picture for reference.

Sounds good. I do like the new ST rad/pump setups.

Would like to thank everyone for the help. Here is the finished product . got to touch up the red paint around the holes i made for the tubing but besides that it is done. Was looking at 102degrees fahrenheit playing BF3 for a solid 3 hours. Big difference from the 180 degrees fahrenheit that I was seeing from the stock air cooler on my gpu.

Shweet! Good job. Seeing your early pics etc I knew you could do it. Your not a new guy at modding etc.

180F? Ohh wait. Don't see many use F, even in the USA. Funny, I use C for PC temps, but use F for ambients sometimes. Maybe it's the C on the PC but the F on the thermometer. Good GPU temps once I do the math.

Glad you like the new setup. You go with the MCP 355 or the new 35X with PWM speed control?

Conumdrum said:

Shweet! Good job. Seeing your early pics etc I knew you could do it. Your not a new guy at modding etc.

180F? Ohh wait. Don't see many use F, even in the USA. Funny, I use C for PC temps, but use F for ambients sometimes. Maybe it's the C on the PC but the F on the thermometer. Good GPU temps once I do the math.

Glad you like the new setup. You go with the MCP 355 or the new 35X with PWM speed control?

Click to expand...

Went with the new 35x. Only used fahrenheit because that was the last temperature I remember when my gpu was on air. I do typically use Celcius though lol.

Since my cpu has the 4th core unlocked I cant get any readings from the sensors on how hot that is running but Im about to be ordering a thuban to replace it.