Cooler Master Aquagate Max: CPU + 2 GPU's??

[dttuner]

Do you think the Cooler Master Aquagate Max Ultimate kit can effectively cool a CPU (E8500), and two 8800GTS GPU's?
I plan on using IC7 paste on all 3 blocks, and the case will also have fantastic air cooling (Thermaltake Armor).

I'm new to the water-cooling scene, but a veteran of PC builds. I know most modders are going to say just build a custom water-cooling solution, but I'd prefer the ease of install and maintenance of a pre-built system. However, I won't settle for anything less than the Cooler Master, or perhaps Koolance kit.

[gvblake22]

I really doubt it. The only "review" (you can hardly call it that though) on the Aquagate Max was this one at I4U and they got very poor results with just a quad core processor. In fact, I question the reliability of their results because I don't think those processors can even continue to run at those temperatures.

Seeing as how the Aquagate Max only comes with a CPU bock, it is obviously not designed for the added heat of two GPUs in addition to a CPU. In short, I would highly suggest against this product for any type of cooling.

If you want to try water cooling, then buy the parts individually or get a high-end kit like the ones offered by Swiftech and do it right. Watercooling is not something you want to play with half-cocked. If you're concerned about the cost, then dismiss the idea of water cooling right now because it will definitely cost you a lot of money (compared to air cooling).

[Stormcrow]

This is true, and the only pre-made kits I'll recommend are the aging Corsair Nautilius (For single and dual cores only), and the Zalman Reserator series. I did have some luck with the stock water cooling that came with the Kandalf LCS, but the Ultima-90 I have on my E6600 now is about 10 degrees cooler.
In short, unless it's a high end premade kit like those above, those kits are just a waste of time and money...a good cooler like a Zalman CNPS9700 can be had for usually about half the price and out perform them on every level.

[dttuner]

Let's be sure we're on the same page. The cooler I'm referring to is one of the recommended pre-fab units, stickied at the top of this forum:

Cooler Master Aquagate Max Universal Liquid Cooling Kit (RL-HUB-KBU1-GP) - FrozenCPU.com

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by dttuner

Let's be sure we're on the same page. The cooler I'm referring to is one of the recommended pre-fab units, stickied at the top of this forum:

Cooler Master Aquagate Max Universal Liquid Cooling Kit (RL-HUB-KBU1-GP) - FrozenCPU.com

Yes, that is the one I was looking at too. The sticky you are referring to is not necessarily a recommendation list, just a general list so you can get an idea of what is available. To put it another way, just because a product is in that list does not mean it comes highly recommended.

Again, the Aquagate Max only includes a CPU waterblock and I would only use it for just cooling a CPU. Since you are looking to cool a CPU and two video cards, then I would not recommend the Aquagate Max as it is obviously not made to handle that much heat.

If you wanted to use the Aquagate Max for cooling the CPU and two GPUs, then you would have to get your own tubing and two more waterblocks and figure out how to get it all hooked up together. After attempting to do all that, you would almost be better off just buying all the individual components (since you would have to already buy half of them already).

Do you see what I'm getting at here? I don't think there are many (if any) pre-built watercooling kits that are made to cool a CPU and two video cards all in one setup. You would probably have to buy two or three individual kits (one for each chip) and have them all hooked up and running separately (meaning two or three complete loops, each with their own pump and radiator).

When watercooling that many components, you really need a hefty radiator (or two) to handle all the heat. You have fairly high-end parts too, so you can't slouch on this stuff, especially if you want to overclock them.

[Stormcrow]

Cooler Master makes decent pre-fab kits, they're better then some but still don't hold a candle to high end air cooling. For the price of the Aquagate Max, you would be far better served by this kit here, as you already mentioned you don't want to quite build your own loop yet.

[dttuner]

Okay good. Glad we were talking about the same thing.

Now, part two of my inquiry is this...
Can you help me then build a basic, yet effective kit which could handle CPU, + 2x 8800GTS GPU's?
The range of prices is amazing.. especially with the pumps and rads. Then you have some pumps which are designed for use in a fish tank?

Danger Den has "kits" which they sell, which are basically a bundle of their own individual products. Are these a good start?

Specifics of Build:
Good-Excellent cooling, with little or no noise .
CPU: E8500
GPU's: 2x 8800GTS
MB: ASUS P5E3 Deluxe
Overclocking: YES
High-Airflow Case: YES (Tt armor)
Dual-SLI: YES

anything else?

** EDIT: After seeing the last post from StormCrow... I realized I completely forgot one of my major points!
I would love a watercooling solution which is housed In The Case... nothing external please.
The Dual-bay pre-fab kits have that bling factor, but it's obvious their architecture just doesn't provide enough airflow to the radiator. But you catch my drift.

[Stormcrow]

Danger Den kits are excellent starting points, however they usually only come with enough parts to get you going and you'll have to add more to the kit anyway to get a complete setup like you want.
The Armor is an awesome case for water cooling, give me a few minutes and I'll see what I can throw together for you.

[dttuner]

Still, I will always wonder what CPU/GPU temps you would see with three blocks on that Aquagate setup...

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Danger Den kits are excellent starting points, however they usually only come with enough parts to get you going and you'll have to add more to the kit anyway to get a complete setup like you want.
The Armor is an awesome case for water cooling, give me a few minutes and I'll see what I can throw together for you.

This is a great site, filled with helpful enthusiasts.. Glad I stumbled upon it and registered :)

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by dttuner

Still, I will always wonder what CPU/GPU temps you would see with three blocks on that Aquagate setup...

HAHA, I would be afraid.... VERY AFRAID!

Originally Posted by dttuner

This is a great site, filled with helpful enthusiasts.. Glad I stumbled upon it and registered :)

Thanks! Welcome to HardwareLogic!!

Are your 8800GTS video cards the G80 or G92 flavor?