Watercooling System Planning: Help

[RAID]

Hey everybody! I've made the decision to take the next step and take the liquid cooling route for my system. After seeing how successful YH was and reading Tyreal's great watercooling guide, I feel more comfortable about it and am really looking forward to it.

I would really like your input on what parts you guys would recommend and help me through this as I would like to put together a really nice WC loop to complement my rig. I'm hoping to have the project completed by the end of the month. Anyways, I don't really have a set budget but from what I've seen preconfigured kits going for, I don't expect to spend more than $400-500.

I have a few goals for the system. I would prefer to have all the components internal, have the best parts available, and end up with a clean looking system that will enable me to push my cpu/gpu a bit more.

Here is the parts list I have come up with but feel free to critique and make suggestions as I am open to making changes:

• CPU Water block - Swiftech Apogee GTX $70
• VGA Water block - Swiftech Stealth $110
• Pump - Swiftech MCP655 (Laing D5) $100
• Radiator - Danger Den Black Ice GTX120 $75
• Reservoir - Danger Den Acrylic 5 1/4" Bay $30
• Tubing - Tygon 1/2" ~$30
• Fillport - Danger Den $12
• Misc - Clamps, fittings, additive

Total ~ $430

[Quakindude]

I think you've got an excellent selection there.

[Tyreal]

You will want to change the radiator. A single won't be handle the heat generated by a quad and an 8800 Ultra. You might need a triple.

Pick one: Swiftech MCR-320 or Thermochill PA120.3. The Swiftech is significantly cheaper and will perform a few c worse.

[RAID]

Thanks for your input. I was trying to figure out which radiator to choose and that was one of the issues I wanted other's advice on.

Radiator: 120 vs 2x120 vs 3x120
As I understand it, a larger radiator gives you better cooling. I suppose the question I have is how much better? I definitely could fit the 1x120 rad inside the case where the rear fan is located. I also could probably fit the 2x120 rad in the top part of my case. But the 3x120 would be a difficult addition. The only room my case has for it is at the very bottom and it might block my front panel connections (pwr, led, reset, usb). Right now, I'm leaning towards the 2x120 radiator.

[Tyreal]

If a 120x2 radiator is all you can fit internally then you have no choice. You will probably want a thermochill pa120.2 if a double is all you can accomadate. If you don't mind mounting it externally you can use a Swiftech MCB-120 radbox. It won't look as nice but you can mount a triple with it.

[RAID]

I was looking at the radbox. If I was to mount the 3x120 externally on the rear of the case, I am worried about it obstructing the dvi and sound connections I have back there. I need to do some measuring. If it works out, maybe I will go with your suggestion on the 3x120.

[halutzparilla]

water cooling??? what for??? dont get me wrong but that is way to expensive, shelling out almost half a grand for watercooling...

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by halutzparilla

water cooling??? what for??? dont get me wrong but that is way to expensive, shelling out almost half a grand for watercooling...

If you've got the money available and want to expand your computer use and experience in computers then there is nothing wrong with watercooling. It can provide better cooling and an opportunity to design an entire elaborate custom cooling system to suit your own specific needs. I would like to try watercooling some day (mostly just for the experience), but until I have an extra $400 - $500 to burn it won't happen anytime soon!

Good luck with the watercooling adventures RAID, be sure to take some of your great pics for us! What are you doing with your CNPS9700?

[halutzparilla]

no dont get me wrong i would like to experience watercooling myself, but shelling out $400-$500 is a bit to much on my opinion...

oh well... we need pix, i love looking at good looking rigs....

[RAID]

I've been wanting to set up a liquid cooled rig from the first time I saw one! This has actually been a long time coming and I am now just getting to it. I know I've mentioned it before but I really do have a passion for computers. If I had nothing to do, tinkering around with my rig would be my first, second and third option. I love reading about new products and finding out how things work. I know I don't have as much experience and knowledge as those who have been doing this their entire lives but I think my desire to learn is definitely up there.

As blake said, it is as much about the experience as it is getting more performance out of my computer. I'll listen to other people's opinion but I have always been one to actually do it myself and make up my mind from my own experience. That's exactly how I got into computers in the first place.

I will definitely take pictures and keep everyone posted on the progress of the project.

As for my CNPS 9700NT, I'm still using it until I've got the WC set up started and after that it will most likely go towards my next build which will hopefully be later this year.