Vendors and Misc Questions

[Legion2005]

I probably wont be building a new system for at least a few more months, but I figured I might was well get back into the loop early.

Mostly I just wanted to know if you guys have any specific vendor preferences, or is it mostly just a variety depending on what you are needing to buy.

Also, Ive had this system water cooled for about 2 years, but Ive found that my tubing has been getting very clouded. I didnt know if this was just something us water coolers have to put up with, or if there is something I can do with my next project that might keep everything a little clearer over time. I think I used 10% antifreeze 90% distilled, but you know I might have made a mistake in measuring or calculating, I remember I was very anxious to get the system together that day.

One more . Just wondering if there is any excellent cases out there set up for custom water cooling. I see that there are a few that are set up with kits inside of them, but that isnt something I'd be looking for.

Thanks for your time

 

[Captain Slug]

http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/ -
IMHO Eddy makes THE best full-cover video card waterblocks in the world, and manages to do so at prices that are at or below anything else available. His fittings are also extremely well built. For price conversions use http://www.xe.com

http://www.jab-tech.com - Great prices, service, and selection
http://www.performance-pcs.com
http://www.mcmaster.com - For tubing, fittings, hardware, tools, materials

10% antifreeze, 90% distilled water, plus 3 drops of iodine should keep your loop extremely clean and clouding with really depend on the tubing you are using and any other dye additives you included in your mix.
Generally the most reliable and cost effective brand of tubing recommended is Masterkleer. Which you can purchase for $0.61 per foot from mcmaster.com
Simply search for part# 5233K68

And while you're there pick up some constant-tension spring hose clamps. You will need some vice-grip or groove-jaw pliers to work with them but they're great and very durable.

Part# 5324K46
Or alternatively nikhsub1 is quite fond of the wide-band version

part# 7329K13

The only water-cooling ready case I've seen that's under $250 is the Gigabyte Aurora series. It includes a mounting space in the rear for a 120x2 radiator as well as two tubing pass-through holes.
A common favorite here is the Mountain Mods UFO Cube

 

[meionm]

The vendors that I like are:
www.jab-tech.com
www.sidewindercomputers.com
www.petrastechshop.com
www.svc.com
www.xoxide.com

Don't know about tubing, I usually use swiftech green stuff, no matter how it is mix it it comes out right.

Good case is Coolermaster stacker that 01 model, svc.com had or have sale on it. There are some cases that let user install water kit but these are some cheap water kits like thermaltake case with themaltake kit. Most larger cases can fit watercooling without major modiciations like coolermaster stacker and thermaltake armor there is more but I can't think of any at this time.

 

[speed bump]

www.mcmaster.com

www.jab-tech.com

Great places mcmaster for tubing and clamps.

Jab-tech for great prices.

Petras tech shop is also a great place.

dtek is also a great place if you want the MP-05, whitewater, or the MP-01 gpu block.

 

[Legion2005]

Hey, thanks for all the info guys. I'll definately be looking into all these pieces and parts to start forming a plan for my next project .

Also about the green tubing, thats what I have, not sure if its the swiftech or not... but its getting so nasty in there that they arent so UV anymore. Its more of a very dark green when its in daylight, then at night... its half dark and half bright. I didnt know the actual tubing could effect the alge and stuff in there.

Also, the case I used was some $75 chaintech full tower. I had to do some major modifications to it, it was fun and all... but there were headaches a lot of the way through it. I guess it came out ok, but there is a few things I dont like about it. Not sure if I'd be into the Gigabyte Aurora one, doesnt seem to be my style. The cube would be SWEET but I haul my computer to LAN parties, and I'd assume cost might be a little issue . I'm kinda liking the coolermaster stacker though. It looks like you could slap a radiator right there in the front? Would most rads fit in that hard drive enclosure?

*edit* Oh yeah, Ive had another thought, would you guys recommend water cooling the RAM? I run mine 1:1 with my FSB currently, I hear that it will reduce your performance by putting a divider in there. Well, my RAM runs considerably hot, hot enough that it doesnt seem that its any good for it. I cannot think of a good way to mount a fan non ghetto style, so any suggestions?