Decisions...

[frostybrad]

Do you have the CPU, Northbridge and Southbridge all in the same loop?? I am tossing around the idea of changing over from air to water cooling. Probably be something mostly external since I have an Antec 900 case. There is no chance of getting a new case to suit the watercooling needs, so i'm pretty sure its gonna be something external if it happens....


Also..... if you had to choose which to watercool..... which would it be.... CPU/Northbridge/southbridge or GPU's (in SLI) or all? LOL..


thanks guys..... your the best of the best of the bestest!!

[Yellowhello]

Don't put the CPU/NB/SB in the same loop! The chipset blocks are really flow-restrictive and can really hurt your CPU cooling. I've heard of cases of people's CPU idling at 50-60C because of chipset water blocks.

I'd water cool:

• One CPU-only loop
• One GPU in SLI loop
• And air cool the chipsets.

Or:

• One CPU/GPU loop with a REALLY good radiator
• One NB/SB loop

[frostybrad]

Would you reccomend a very good External unit for doing the CPU and bridge chips? Is it best to buy something that is already set for all the previously mention chips above. I am probably going to just do the cpu and north/south bridges.... I dont have the guts for the Gpu's.....

I dont have alot of room around the computer. I dont have a flat top on the case to rest anything,. Are Externel units something you still piece together or is it better to buy a kit. I know nothing aobut the things.... starting to read up on them now. I had to bump my OVErClock down to 3gigs becasuse over a certain periode of time I would lock up. I didn't like gaming and being on the leader board for 4 maps in arow then have to start all over again becasue the system froze up and I am assuming its from the OVerclock and heat possibly..... plus I think it would be cool to have a watercooled PC :)

[frostybrad]

what about this??

ThermalTake Big Water 760i Liquid Cooling System Kit CL-W0121 in Canada at TigerDirect.ca

[simple_inhibition]

YH is right, chipset waterblocks are very restrictive due to their small size and are generally not worth the hassle. now on to the CPU and SLI loop. yes it can be done, however i would recomend a 3x120mm radiator. for maximum performance get a Thermochill PA120.3. however it will cost you (usually around $130 or so) if you need something a little cheaper, then the swiftech MCP320QP is a pretty good alternative.

run your loop in the following order if possible: pump>radiator>cpu>gpu(s)>t-line or resevior>pump

[simple_inhibition]

Originally Posted by frostybrad

what about this??

ThermalTake Big Water 760i Liquid Cooling System Kit CL-W0121 in Canada at TigerDirect.ca

stay away from premade kits.theyre woefully inadequate for your needs

[Tyreal]

Especially that one.

Other than that, there's a lot of good advice in this thread already.

[Yellowhello]

So, are you going to have the CPU, NB and SB all in one loop? It's really not recommended... It WILL hurt you CPU's temps quite a bit... But for good external kit's... hmm... I think you should buy all the parts separately (a DIY kit) and have the radiator outside of the case, where the rear exhaust fan is, and drill holes for the tubes. Kinda like this:



But if you have the CPU, NB, and SB all in the same loop, you better have a triple fan radiator:


Thermochill 120.3 radiator

...And a strong pump:


Swiftech MCP355 w/ Custom Petra's Tech Top

That's what I think you should do.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by frostybrad

what about this??

ThermalTake Big Water 760i Liquid Cooling System Kit CL-W0121 in Canada at TigerDirect.ca

You're not going to get very good performance from that kit. If you need external, you might want to look at the Corsair Nautilus, Zalman Resorator XT or one of the Swiftech kits that hangs off the back of your case like the Swiftech H220 Apex Ultra.
You could probably mod the Antec 900 to fit a dual 120mm fan radiator on the outsite of top of the case too.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

You could probably mod the Antec 900 to fit a dual 120mm fan radiator on the outsite of top of the case too.

That's a pretty good I idea. I did that with my case:



But of course you'll make your look WAY nicer.

Actually, this looks like a VERY nice external kit: Home of the WaterKeg's !!!