Getting ready to go water...

[Baulten]

I'm getting ready to put my rig under water (not literally I assure you!) and would like to get some second opinions on the stuff I have decided to go with. I'm also more than open to suggestions, however, I will not be able to go any higher priced than this (currently sitting at $335 after shipping), and if there is anywhere I can cut back slightly I'd be willing to check it out.

 

And without further ado, the list of parts:

 

CPU Waterblock: HeatKiller CPU Rev. 3

Pump: Swiftech MCP655-B

Radiator: XSPC RX240 Dual 120mm Radiator

Reservoir: Swiftech MCRES Micro Revision 2 Reservoir

Fittings: Feser Compression fitting G1/4 Thread ID 1/2" OD 3/4" x 8

Tubing: Durelene PVC tubing 1/2" ID 3/4" OD x 5ft

Fluid: Distilled water from the local grocery store.

 

I'll be ordering within a week (hopefully!).

 

Edit: Updated item list!

Edited June 19, 2009 by Baulten

[Jenova69]

I'd look at swiftech's radiators they're much cheaper and you won't notice much of a difference at all.

[Baulten]

I have looked at Swiftechs and they do seem suitable, however, I'm having a lot of trouble finding a good radiator comparison. Most comparisons I find are for triple rads, which will not fit in my case without serious modding (which I am not up to doing at this point). The XSPC rads seemed to perform the best as triples.

 

I'd also like to keep this suitable for putting the Northbridge under a waterblock later in the summer when I upgrade to AM3.

[hardnrg]

Don't use Feser One or other non-water products, they will clog up the blocks and cloud the tubing.

 

I'd suggest using distilled water (or deionised, or demineralised) and car radiator summer coolant.

 

You can get the water for like $1-2 a litre, and get the antifreeze/coolant off someone with a car if you don't have your own... I use Valvoline Zerex Super Coolant, but I don't know if it's made anymore, but anyway, it was designed for racing car radiators, and doesn't have anti-freeze properties.

 

Then spend the money saved on getting a Laing D5 / D5 Vario / Swiftech MCP-655 / 655B instead of the DD-CPX Pro.

 

A stronger pump is more versatile if you are thinking about expanding your watercooling in the future.

 

I suggest the D5 because it's not as expensive as the DDC-1T, but can easily cope with triple radiators and multiple blocks (I used a single one for CPU + 2xGPU + MCR-220, and have also used two: one on CPU (Fuzion) + MCR-220 and one on NB, 2xGPU, 2xMOSFET, 2xRAM + PA120.3)

[DanTheGamer11]

Pump = http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcp655.asp

[Baulten]

Found an MPC-655 on Sidewinder for $68, so I should be able to swing that. Thanks for the pointer about non-water fluids... I had assumed it did not matter. I will see if the local grocery store carries distilled water.

 

Just out of curiousity, why do you need to add radiator coolant to the distilled water? Is it to discourage growth of algae/bacteria in the system?

 

Edit: Would the MCR220 be sufficient for the possibility of a CPU, northbridge, and video card loop? At the moment that is the absolute largest loop I plan.

Edited June 19, 2009 by Baulten

[hardnrg]

I'd stick with the RX240, it's pretty similar to the PA120.2 ... it's a bit cheaper at Jab-Tech: http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-RX240-Dual-12...or-pr-4383.html

 

Maybe you can find some of the other parts there too

 

I wouldn't really recommend an MCR220 for CPU+NB+GPU for a modern system, unless you are going for silence

[taowulf]

I second the 655 pump, they are very good. The other Laing pump that is very popular is the DDC 3.2. I have had a D5 (same as the 655) and it is a very good pump, in both variable and fixed speeds, but it is large and can make mounting more of a chore than the smaller DDC pump.

 

http://www.petrastechshop.com/ladd1mcin12p.html

 

If you wanted more than a CPU in your loop, better to look at a larger radiator. the MCP320 would be a better choice, and they are very reasonably priced. Fan choice is important, what are you planning to use?

 

I would disagree on the antifreeze recommendation, PT Nuke or even an anti-algae additive from your local pet store would work as the primary function is anti-bacterial not anti corrosion as you are not mixing aluminum and copper.

 

I use "No More Algae" which is a copper sulfate based anti-bacterial that i bought at the local PetCo. It works. My loop is simply distilled water and NMA. There is also silver tubing available, which takes advantage of the natural anti-microbial properties of silver. But if you are wanting clear tubing, a small piece of silver in your loop like the Kill Coil would do the same as PT Nuke or NMA.

 

http://www.petrastechshop.com/sikibyia.html

 

As for tubing getting clouded, that is more a fault of the tubing than the fluid. The tubes tend to leech plasticizer over a while and there are many theories about ways to prevent it, but I haven't heard any sure fire solution yet. I have an idea of what I will do next time I replace my tubing, but I haven't tried it yet...stay tuned, I guess.

 

 

 

The Heatkiller is allegedly the best WB out there right now, makes me wish I could replace my Danger Den MC-TDX right now.

 

P.S. One more thing to add. Follow the KISS method, you know "Keep It Simple, Stupid" (not calling YOU stupid, it is just a good rule of thumb) by just cooling the CPU and GPU. the more you add, the more problems you may encounter on your first watercooling experience. I too went with the "LETS W/C EVERYTHING" route when I first started, and it really wasn't worth it. keep it simple, keep it easy and you will learn all you need to for your NEXT watercooling project.

Edited June 19, 2009 by taowulf

[Baulten]

Thanks for the pointers, Taowulf. The only reason I'm considering putting the Northbridge on water also is because on my current board it gets fairly warm (50C with the ThermalTake Spirit II under load), so I'm thinking it might be justifiable to put it under water. I have no plans of putting the southbridge, mosfets, ram, etc. in water.

 

I chose the tubing I did because it's dirt cheap, and some reviews of it over at XtremeSystems shows it very resistant to kinking and it doesn't seem to cloud up. At some point in the future I will be replacing it with colored tubing, so think of it as temporary.

 

Thanks for pointing out the cheaper RX240 over at jab-tech, hardnrg. I'll be going with that one. In fact, in just a moment I will update the OP with the new pump.

 

Edit: Would adding dye to distilled water have any negative effects? Just in case I'd like to color it up a bit.

 

Eddddiiiitttttt: Does anyone know if you can screw compression fittings into the Swiftech MCRES? I can't find a definitive answer.

Edited June 19, 2009 by Baulten

[Baulten]

Nevermind, things fell through. I will not be buying water cooling at this time. I'll keep this post bookmarked for when I do have the money. Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

[Baulten]

Nevermind, things fell through. I will not be buying water cooling at this time. I'll keep this post bookmarked for when I do have the money. Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

[taowulf]

If you learned something, no one has wasted any time.

 

Good luck in the future.