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Going to build W/C system

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high_ping

Registered
Joined
Oct 17, 2004
Okay...

After reading through this forum, I have come to the conclusion that this is no simple matter. Everyone has their own opinions and success (and failure) stories.

So, I now pose the question...if you built a system for yourself, what you put into it? I mean all the way down to the hose clamps...

I am not going to get a kit as they seem overpriced and you can't get exactly the right part within it. My original budget was $200, but I can go above that now (thanks to convincing the wife that the fan noise is really driving her nuts on my current solution).

Speaking of current solution. The idle temp is 49C and load 64C. My system is:

  • Abit IC7-G Maxx II
  • Intel P4 3.4E (currently at 3.8)
  • Thermaltake Silent Tower (modded with two 120cfm fans)
  • 1Gb Corsair XMS PC3200
  • 2x Maxtor 120Gb SATA in Raid 0
  • Ati Radeon X800XTPE
  • Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
  • Antec Server Case
 
Well, pretty much what I have now, only I'd go for a dual 120mm rad instead of what I have now. Do you have a general idea of what you want to go with and the basics of water-cooling?
 
I have been reading this forum for about two weeks now. My plan was to get a kit like the Cooler Master (ease of install, etc.) but the reviews are terrible. My plan is to get past 4Ghz with my current proc and mobo.

As far as what I want to go with, I would like a really good cpu block and a decent gpu block as well. I want it to be as quiet as possible with excellent cooling.

Would it be best to just go to the local auto parts, pet, and home depot to get the parts? And if so, what are good parts?
 
high_ping said:
I have been reading this forum for about two weeks now. My plan was to get a kit like the Cooler Master (ease of install, etc.) but the reviews are terrible. My plan is to get past 4Ghz with my current proc and mobo.

As far as what I want to go with, I would like a really good cpu block and a decent gpu block as well. I want it to be as quiet as possible with excellent cooling.

Would it be best to just go to the local auto parts, pet, and home depot to get the parts? And if so, what are good parts?

You're doing yourself a favor in the long run by not buying a kit. Though there are a few that perform well.

By really good do you mean the best? From what I know, the best CPU blocks come from Cathar, the G4 and G5. For your GPU, the CW says the Fusion HL. How quiet your system is will depends mostly on the fans you decide on (and whether you want them the run at full speed), and to a great degree how much surface area you rad\core has. For fans, lots of people here speak well of Sanyo Denki's, but I haven't been able to find any of those. For your dissipater, think big. Whether you go with a rad or a core seems to boil down to how much you want to spend and secondarily, how you want your box to look.

The above suggestions for blocks is limited to what I think qualify as the best currently available. There are many other options that approach these blocks in terms of performance, and are in some cases are easier to find and less expensive. So let this factor into your choices as well.

Where should you buy your parts? :) That, for the most part, is subject to how you look at water-cooling as an individual, how much you can spend, and again, how you want your rig to look. I tend to like things straight-forward and quantifiable. I also don't have the expertise, or inclination, to cut or otherwise modify things to suit my ends. :) Your personality I'm sure is different. As such you might enjoy the modding aspect of water-cooling, which is fine. I shop mostly at these places:

Danger Den

FrozenCPU

Both have a wide range of water-cooling products. Look around a bit and start getting a picture of the way you want to fly. After this process, all you'll need to do is ask specific questions. I'm sure you'll be impressed with the broad range of answers you'll receive. :p
 
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I thought more peeps would jump on this...guess not.

I need advice guys...please help...
 
D-Tek WhiteWater CPU block w/ universal bracket - or - Swiftech 6002 CPU block

Danger Den Acetal Topped Maze4 GPU block

Dual Heatercore or Black Ice Extreme II or Thermochill 120.2

Laing D4 pump or AquaExtreme 50z

10 feet Clearflex60 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD (1/8" wall) tubing

'T' Fitting & T-Line cap/fillport

Stainless worm-drive hose clamps


you should be able to pump atleast 4.2ghz out of that sucker if you set up a nice water cooling loop :thup:


catch me on AIM: ubergreenguru for some more in-depth help for setting up a loop
 
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Perseus said:
It looks like you didn't need advice so much as a parts list. ;)

Nope,need both...but am unsure still. I am still looking/researching.
 
You really can't go wrong with Dandgerden in my opinion. I have always used there stuff. If you are trying to shave some $ of your purchase then buy a heatercore at autozone and just JBweld some fittings on it. You can get a 77' bonniville HC that is only about $25 and fits 2 120mm fans on one side. I have had good experience with the DD RBX block. I have hear the polorflow blocks are good, but have not had any experience with them (anyone have any idea about them?) The DD gpu block that was mentioned before is a very good block. Should keep your X850 cool. Also you could look at the Hydor l35 pumps. They are pretty good for thier price.
 
If money wasn't an object, nor was case size...

G5 cpu block (assumign I could get one) other wise TDX
Brass Maze 4 GPU
Maze 4 NB
BIX2 and BIX in Dual rads With Delta's.
2x D4 pumps.

Pump1 --> BIX 2 --> CPU --> Pump2 --> BIX --> GPU --> NB --> pump1
 
you'd be better off just running the two pumps in parallel, and just use a one 2x or 3x radiator instead of 2 different ones - and the NB truly doesn't get hot enough to warrant WCing it - you'll just add unneeded restriction to your loop by using a NB block
 
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