Just finished my WC setup yesterday, results

[SanguineI]

This is my very first water cooling build. In all honesty, I didn't really NEED to water cool as I use a very mild overclock (2.2ghz to 2.5ghz) but it was a very fun project for me and I find that I really enjoy myself when I'm working on my computer.

 

My results have really impressed with me. I chose to keep it simple and have it be a cpu-only loop since I have a great gpu cooler. I'm using PC Ice, which is acknowledged to bump up temps about a degree or two over distilled water, but I liked how it looked and its good stuff so thats what I'm using. I don't intend on testing the heck out of this new setup but here are my before and after temps.

Before (stock hsf with a duct with 2x92mm fans on either end):

Idle: 38C

Load: about 48C or so with superpi on both cores

 

After (TDX w/ #5 accelerator nozzle, DD-D5, Black Ice GTS 240, 7/16" masterkleer, DD reservoir)

Idle: 26C

Load: 34C superpi on both cores

 

I'm really happy with how there is almost nothing obstructing my chipset fan now, so my temps have dropped a great deal. I used to end up warming up to an idle chipset temp of about 50C and topped out at around 55C and now its down to about 44C, about 48C load. Stock chipset cooler and I didn't really feel like removing it to put on as5 so stock thermal pad.

 

Just took 2 pictures since I have a crappy 2 megapixel camera that chews through batteries like nobody's business.

 

 

I ended up cutting the tubing between my res and pump a little short (was trying to stretch the tubing because I hadn't learned the hairdryer trick yet and the stretching "device" i was using got stuck) so I needed to elevate my reservoir a little bit to accomodate the situation. I ordered a separate brass tdx top from DD and so I had an extra set of springs, nuts and screws which I am using (very successfully I might add) to keep the reservoir elevated and *relatively* stable.

 

I know its not extreeeeeeeeme but what do you guys think for a first attempt?

[petercintn]

Hey - looks great. I'm going to take the jump next month (Oct). What made you go with the DD block? I'm looking real hard at the Storm, but may just get a kit. If you don't care what was your thoughts when you pick out your parts, to help me think.

 

BTW I love that case, is that a Shark?

[SanguineI]

My case is a TT Armor and thanks for your compliments

 

I went with the DD block because I hadn't heard a single bad thing about them and they are supposed to be some of the best waterblocks in the business. My objective with this build was to buy everything in one place because multiple shipping charges suck and I had that nice 20% off coupon for DD.

 

It was scary when I was starting to shop for parts at first, but I was surprisingly comfortable putting the thing together (I of course ended up with a few minor injuries like always). If you are going for a kit simply because its easier, I'd advise that you don't rule out putting your system together yourself, as it really isn't that hard.

 

As far as chosing parts, I did a whole bunch of reading and asked plenty of questions. I chose the DD-D5 because its a very strong pump and its one of those products that nobody has any serious complaints about. I chose the GTS stealth radiator because its big enough to get the job done, I made sure that I cleared out the necessary bays in the front of my case to accomodate it and knew that because the front of my case is pretty much wire mesh, I'd need something relatively quiet to avoid driving myself crazy.

 

On the tubing I chose to use 7/16" masterkleer on 1/2" barbs. A lot of people recommend 1/2" tubing because its easier to fit on and is slightly more kink-resistant, but the deal with 7/16" tubing is that it fits VERY tight over the fittings. When I say very I mean VERY. On the high-flow tubing its easy to put on with a little water as lubrication, but on the fittings for the DD-D5, you absolutely must warm up the tubing to fit it on. So I guess as far as tubing goes, if you are willing to put up with a slightly more frustrating installation process, I'd recommend the 7/16" tubing for the peace of mind in knowing that you are less likely to get a leak.

 

I got a res because it makes bleeding the air out of the lines a no-brainer, looks nice and wasn't expensive. I do prefer having one that sits on the floor of my case as opposed to a bay-style one because if it ever does leak, its less likely of hitting important components.

 

Please let me know if you need any other help or ideas, always willing to try to help

[petercintn]

Yeah, I've been reading a lot too. Seams the street is in the DD camp and XS is in the Storm camp, and buying a heater core from Auto Zone! I'm only thinking of the kit because it seems to be cheaper than a custom job. In any case, I will exchange all fittings with industrial types and clamps. I'm not worried about the grunt work, I did loops at work, I just have too many choices and narrowing them down is driving me batty, since I know nothing about the pc watercooling industry and people seem to be ... should I say it... fan boys of this or that and I don't trust reviews. I guess though, between the street and XS it seems the street is more level headed about things. Man there seems to be a lot of conflicting reports out there and I don't like wasting money, as I don't have much.

 

Thanks for the help.

[p0tter]

Looks great! I am going to use masterkleer hosing after seeing the pics. thx

[bcbooter]

looks good ^^

now maybe consider a gpu block in the loop

[SanguineI]

Nah. I paid a pretty good chunk of change for that vf900 on my video card and it gives me great temps, no need to complicate the system.