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Do I spend $80 on Fan or can I get Water for that?

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Crispy

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2001
Location
Midwest
Like title says. I read the Stickies, but I want to know how a cheap Setup compares against a XP-90C with a Tornado fan or a even higher CFM Delta? I only have $80 for cooling and I'm even going over limit for PC a bit. But I would actually like to possibly check out Watercooling. Good WC that will give be better performance than the XP-90C? Safetly.
If not then I'll just stick with the XP-90C. I had to ask though. I remember WC was still kinda new back when I built this PC and I couldn't afford it then and I believe it was still kinda on the Risky side. Well for me atleast. And still kinda is. Because if something happens I'm screwed for a looooong while. Enough of me blabbering. Well People what say Ye?
 
second hand, you might be able to do it.

New, hell no; you'd be looking at double that for a basic (but decent...) new set up.

If you decide to take the plunge, spend the money on the moving part item first (the pump). The rest you can skimp on, at least a little.
 
I agree with etacovda. You wont be able to get WC for 80 unless you go used.. Heatercores shouldnt be that expensive but might take some modding. your biggest expense is going to be your pump and block. You should have classified access. Go check it out.
 
Oh Cool. I actually meant Building myself. Not buying a Kit. So Basically you say get good Pump. So I'd need to spend money on Pump and CPU cooler thingy. How much/cheap can I get a good pump for? Also I would like to cool GPU down the road if that matters. And How much for a decent CPU cooler? See I have no Idea. I read the sticky's but sometimes new things come out and people have other ideas..you know?
I Figured like $40-50 for pump and like $20-30 for CPU cooler. But I can't find enough review on this stuff I found a few CPU WC thingy's but nothing on Pumps. Can someone tell me what those are called so I don't keep calling them CPU WC Thingy's. Thanks
 
brand new a cpu water block will run ya about $50, a gpu block $40-50, a pump anywhere from $30 to $100+, tubing about $10, fluids for the water cooling about $12. These prices are for brand new stuff that are quality products. You can cheapen down on the cpu block and the gpu block and hope that the pump makes up for it. Water cooling is so customizable with all the parts available. You just have to set your budget and get the best parts within that budget, because you can always upgrade your parts later.
 
Instead of calling it a "CPU WC Thingy" we call it a CPU Water Block. Now that we have that out of the way, may I ask you a question? (I'm going to anyway :D) I'm not sure what you are wanting to cool, from your post it seems like it was just the CPU but Aidenswarrior listed the GPU block in there too, and that will definate make it hard to get buy with under $80, new or used. If it's just the CPU, then we know it can be done because one of our own did it, but it will take a bit of work for you. You can get a cpu water block for around $40 and I'm not familiar with pump prices (besides the $70 ones). You will definately have to use a Heatercore (can be bought from auto store) for the radiator tho, anything else will be over $40 while the heatercore cools well and can be only $20.

Like mentioned already here, check the classies and see if you can pick up some used stuff on the cheap. Good luck to you my friend :)

Burdman
 
For JUST the CPU, you could buy a Mag3 for about $30, a WW for ~$30, tubing for about $10, and a heater core for ~$30. Total would be about $100, and you would still need a few fans.
 
Well this is sounding Tempting. Do you think it'll be possible to reach temps lower than a XP-90C for around $100?
Yes I just plan on the CPU for now. I mentioned the GPU because I will be adding one down the road. I am uber scared about leakage though. So what are a few of the best Waterblocks out. So I know whats good in the classified. Looks like I MIGHT be converting to WC. Thanks again
 
Obviously the best in the classifieds are gonna be the storm/G4/G5 but you wont be far off with a WW. You can get an old maze for uber cheap, lower performance but still a quality block, you can get one with a coldplate too and upgrade to tec later if you like, unparralleled performace compared to the $$ jet blocks. I would try to find a ehiem if you are on a budget, they are quality pumps and used prices have dropped as everyone is going 12v pumps.

DD has cheap BIPs so I wouldnt consider a HC anymore.

Temps are gonna beat your XP but not by a huge amount, the difference in sound is why you will never go back to air cooling.
 
So an Old Maze would be ok and still work a bit better than the XP-90C? Is there 1 over the other that's better? Thanks much for help and ideas. BTW I don't know what BIP's are or HC's. Sorry. Thanks again
 
Cyrix_2k said:
For JUST the CPU, you could buy a Mag3 for about $30, a WW for ~$30, tubing for about $10, and a heater core for ~$30. Total would be about $100, and you would still need a few fans.

Don't forget cooling additive, distilled water, fittings, clamps, some sort of fan-rad mount, a rad-case mount, and gas spent driving around. A "mount" can be as simple as a couple zip-ties, but it often gets more complicated than that. These seeming tiny things add up hideously fast, and it doesn't end there. Consider utility knife blades, Dremel cut-off wheels, thermal compound,

and lots...


and lots...


of TIME.

DIY is all about the process, not the result. Best bet for your constraints is to buy a complete kit (or DIY) being sold by someone "getting out of watercooling." Of course then you have to ask yourself "why is said person getting out?"

For $80, go for solid air cooling and start enjoying your machine today.
 
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Crispy said:
So an Old Maze would be ok and still work a bit better than the XP-90C? Is there 1 over the other that's better? Thanks much for help and ideas. BTW I don't know what BIP's are or HC's. Sorry. Thanks again

BIP = Black Ice Pro; a nice radiator with integrated shroud, mounting holes, and proper fittings, offered by Danger Den. Great price considering what you get.
HC = Heatercore (from auto parts stores. Get all-copper, not aluminum or brass).
 
This kit for sale in the classifieds will smoke a XP-90C at less than half the volume. The pump seems to be a weak point but you can always upgrade that later on, (also you can buy those pumps brand-new for about $15 locally I believe) and at $60 shipped it is even cheaper than you intended budget.

The WW is proboly the 2nd best block out right now, behind the storm series.

Anyway here is the thread: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=423745
 
How hard would it be to seal it and clean it out? And do you guys think that's a good deal? Looked good to me, so I pm'ed him right away just incase. Well thanks for all the help getting me hooked up and into WC.
 
omaticrail said:
Don't forget cooling additive, distilled water, fittings, clamps, some sort of fan-rad mount, a rad-case mount, and gas spent driving around. A "mount" can be as simple as a couple zip-ties, but it often gets more complicated than that. These seeming tiny things add up hideously fast, and it doesn't end there. Consider utility knife blades, Dremel cut-off wheels, thermal compound,

and lots...


and lots...


of TIME.

DIY is all about the process, not the result. Best bet for your constraints is to buy a complete kit (or DIY) being sold by someone "getting out of watercooling." Of course then you have to ask yourself "why is said person getting out?"

For $80, go for solid air cooling and start enjoying your machine today.
Cooling additive? I use Isopropal Alcohol... very cheap and effective. Zip Ties work great for tubing clamps, and as you said already, work great to mount the rad and fans. A simple but effective shroud can be made with cardboard & ducttape. All off this is very cheap. :)
 
RBX $30, Dtek pump $25, Heatercore $40, fan *free already had one*, Shroud *free, carboard boxes and duct tape*, Tubing coolant and clamps $20 at any hardware store.

You can do cheaper too. you can get amazing deals if you look around at various classifieds. I got all mine here and mine totals about $150 cdn. I baught a xp90 a month before that and this mediocre system outperforms it in every way.
Definatly worth it if you are willing to do some modding to a case.
And even if your not, external setups work too.
 
Does it matter how many GPH it'll move? I mean is there a certain requirement? And can you get one that Pumps too much? I saw one that pumped 317gph but wasn't sure if that'd create any or too much pressure for tubing and Waterblock.
I read the "Water Cooling De-Mistified" article from OC and he looked like he did it cheap and that was almost 6 years ago. So I'm gonna give it a shot.
Also will a Midtower work for WC? Or will I need to find a bigger case? Thanks again
 
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Crispy said:
Does it matter how many GPH it'll move? I mean is there a certain requirement? And can you get one that Pumps too much? I saw one that pumped 317gph but wasn't sure if that'd create any or too much pressure for tubing and Waterblock.
I read the "Water Cooling De-Mistified" article from OC and he looked like he did it cheap and that was almost 6 years ago. So I'm gonna give it a shot.
Also will a Midtower work for WC? Or will I need to find a bigger case? Thanks again
Check for "Max Head Pressure." Any pump able to generate 7ft of head or better should do fine.
 
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