Liquid cooling

[slapnuts]

Hey all

I'm considering making the jump to liquid cooling, but have no idea how to go about it, very willing to learn however. Should I buy a kit or buy the parts individually . I have a budget of $300 or so. Could anyone recommend a list of parts or a good kit? If I have to spend a little more so be it. BTW. I'm looking to cool my CPU and GPU Thanks in advance.

Edited September 11, 2010 by slapnuts

[Drdeath]

If you could swing $350 you will get much better Rad

 

Rad:XSPC RX360 Rad $87

http://www.jab-tech....tmlThermalchill

 

PA120(trip 120MM rad) $110

http://www.sidewinde...m/thpa3xra.html

 

Waterblock:

Heatkiller 3.0 $77 http://www.sidewinde...killer1366.html

 

Apogee XThttp://www.sidewinde...1366.htmlApogee $68

 

http://www.jab-tech....-pr-4568.htmlEK

EKSupreme $85

All are top notch blocks and will berform 1-2 degrees from each other

 

Res:Swiftec Micores $23

http://www.sidewinde...wmcmire2re.html

 

http://www.sidewinde...htmlTubing:10Ft

Tyogon 1/2 in. tubing $20

 

http://www.sidewinde...tmlPump:Swiftec

MCP655-D $66

 

http://www.sidewinde...ttings:Bitspoer 3/8 to 1/2 barbs X 4 $18

 

Clamps:http://www.sidewinde...e.htmlClamps:$4 http://www.sidewinde...hocl7int.htmlPT

 

PT Nuke $4 http://www.sidewinde...1.htmlDistilled

 

Fans X 3 Scythe $24 http://www.sidewinde...12slsy74cf.html

 

Distilled water from local grocery store $2

 

Total: $358 High side.... $320 low

Edited September 11, 2010 by Drdeath

[ccokeman]

I would stay away from "kits" per say. They usually are just good enough to be better than air cooling.

 

A $300 dollar budget should get you there

 

For the CPU block I have been using the Swiftech Apogee GTZ for a couple reasons. Its higher end cost but provides a good mix between performance and cost . It has a repeatable mounting mechanism so you cant install it wrong.

 

Any one of the D5 Laing variants would be the way to go for a pump. Whichever you get the variable speed pump is the better pump.

 

Radiators all depend on the fans you are going to use. High speed high CFM or low speed low noise, lower CFM fans will be one of your first choices. Get fans with higher static pressure for the best cooling

 

I have had pretty good luck with Swiftechs MCR320 and Scythe Ultra Kaze 2000RPM fans.

 

 

For the GPU I would go with a full cover block. Its more expensive but cool all the components on the PCB.

 

Tubing Go 1/2 inch

 

You can use a reservoir or T-line to fill the system. Using a Reservoir just makes bleeding the loop so much easier

 

Stay away from the Coolants and stick with Distilled with either Zerex racing antifreeze or a couple drops of PT Nuke. Using a small piece of real silver in the loop is said to prevent algae as well

[Drdeath]

I would stay away from "kits" per say. They usually are just good enough to be better than air cooling.

 

A $300 dollar budget should get you there

 

For the CPU block I have been using the Swiftech Apogee GTZ for a couple reasons. Its higher end cost but provides a good mix between performance and cost . It has a repeatable mounting mechanism so you cant install it wrong.

 

Any one of the D5 Laing variants would be the way to go for a pump. Whichever you get the variable speed pump is the better pump.

 

Radiators all depend on the fans you are going to use. High speed high CFM or low speed low noise, lower CFM fans will be one of your first choices. Get fans with higher static pressure for the best cooling

 

I have had pretty good luck with Swiftechs MCR320 and Scythe Ultra Kaze 2000RPM fans.

 

 

For the GPU I would go with a full cover block. Its more expensive but cool all the components on the PCB.

 

Tubing Go 1/2 inch

 

You can use a reservoir or T-line to fill the system. Using a Reservoir just makes bleeding the loop so much easier

 

Stay away from the Coolants and stick with Distilled with either Zerex racing antifreeze or a couple drops of PT Nuke. Using a small piece of real silver in the loop is said to prevent algae as well

 

He will not get $300 with the CPU and GPU. Impossible. Try $400 to $500 depending on parts....

Edited September 11, 2010 by Drdeath

[Waco]

He will not get $300 with the CPU and GPU. Impossible. Try $400 to $500 depending on parts....

Not at all...GPU blocks can cost as little as $50 on top of a good CPU loop...

[slapnuts]

real good info so far...thanks everyone

[slapnuts]

If you could swing $350 you will get much better Rad

 

Rad:XSPC RX360 Rad $87

http://www.jab-tech....tmlThermalchill

 

PA120(trip 120MM rad) $110

http://www.sidewinde...m/thpa3xra.html

 

Waterblock:

Heatkiller 3.0 $77 http://www.sidewinde...killer1366.html

 

Apogee XThttp://www.sidewinde...1366.htmlApogee $68

 

http://www.jab-tech....-pr-4568.htmlEK

EKSupreme $85

All are top notch blocks and will berform 1-2 degrees from each other

 

Res:Swiftec Micores $23

http://www.sidewinde...wmcmire2re.html

 

http://www.sidewinde...htmlTubing:10Ft

Tyogon 1/2 in. tubing $20

 

http://www.sidewinde...tmlPump:Swiftec

MCP655-D $66

 

http://www.sidewinde...ttings:Bitspoer 3/8 to 1/2 barbs X 4 $18

 

Clamps:http://www.sidewinde...e.htmlClamps:$4 http://www.sidewinde...hocl7int.htmlPT

 

PT Nuke $4 http://www.sidewinde...1.htmlDistilled

 

Fans X 3 Scythe $24 http://www.sidewinde...12slsy74cf.html

 

Distilled water from local grocery store $2

 

Total: $358 High side.... $320 low

 

excellent info txs so much. Gonacheck out at all those links for sure

[Drdeath]

excellent info txs so much. Gonacheck out at all those links for sure

 

 

You could shop around for parts and see if you can cut some cost. The guys at Sidewinder are awesome.....

[ccokeman]

Depending on what you buy and how creative you are with your spending it can be done for $300. I've spent the money and done it..... On 4 systems. Yes you can go well over the 5 bill mark to get it done but for 3 bills it can get done. Our opinions differ!

 

The Dangerden HD5870 block can be had for 90 bucks or less and will do a fine job of keeping the GPU temps in check for a modest cost.

 

Look at Microcenter online and see what they have to offer as one of your sources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on topic though there are some excellent choices out there with some bargains to be had. If you are creative with your spending and make use of local suppliers for clamps and tubing you can save some cash.

[slapnuts]

Yeah If it costs a little more so be it. If I'm gonna spend the money I might as well do it right the first time

[Drdeath]

Yeah If it costs a little more so be it. If I'm gonna spend the money I might as well do it right the first time

 

 

I am glad you see it the better way.... Do it right the 1st time....

Edited September 12, 2010 by Drdeath

[slapnuts]

I am glad you see it the better way.... Do it right the 1st time....

 

If I don't, I'll always be looking at it and wishing for something better. It could end up way more expensive having to do it the second time round

Edited September 13, 2010 by slapnuts