Watercooling advice

Hey guys.

I'd like some advice/recommendations on some Watercooling kit if possible please.

It would be a first time WC build for me, but, ambitious as I am, I'd like to jump in at a relatively deep end.

Above all, my system has to be quiet, which mean an uber-quiet pump.
Fan noise shouldn't be a problem - I've got millions of Yate-Loons knocking around now.

It would be cooling the stuff in my main (non-Allendale) rig, which is housed in a P180.

I'm thinking about just cooling the X2 4200+ for now...as the 7800GTX that I own has the 512MB version's cooler, which is fairly quiet for the most part, and the A8N32-SLI has a silly but fairly efficient heatpipe system, but I'm open to suggestions on this.

It's all to be housed in a P180...and with only 4 HDs installed in the system so far, the upper HD bays would be free to install the pump, or 2 of the 5.25" bays above.

If possible I'd like recommendations of all the WC components, down to people's preferences on tubing :) (I'm thinking 10mm ID/ 0.5" OD atm, but am open to persuasion).

Price isn't tooooo much of an issue...anything under £250 and I'll probably just buy it there and then...and I'm happy to ponder anything over :).

Thanks for reading guys, and I look forward to hearing all your wisdom pour forth.

aquaxtreme mp-05 pro le waterblock for the cpu.
thermochill pa120.2 radiator, or a 120.1 if you arent going to bother cooling anything else.
ive used far too much of the clearflex 1/2" id tubing this last few weeks and i have to say that it discolours after approximately 24 hours if you use zerex, not bad enough to notice, unless you drain it, but its there. tygon does the same, not tried masterkleer yet.
i use a swiftech mcp655 pump and it is plenty quiet enough for me, but it does need some dense foam under it, or it whines, but it is adjustable.

oh and the thermochill pa series rads like low rpm/cfm fans, so the job is a good un :)

Apogee for the cpu.
I've got a swiftech rad and I like it a lot, not tried any others.
I have clearflex and its gone a bit couldy after 4 months but still works fine. 1/2" is definetely better than 3/8" for flow.
Pump I'd say D5 with the variable switch. I have a csp-mag which is really really quiet and tiny so also worth looking at, especially as you'll have a low restriction setup with only cpu cooling.
Res or fillport is a personal choice, I've had both and am leaning towards a fillport as its less hassle. Only difference to the loop is a fillport will give you less restriction but less time time to temp equilibrium.

I reccomend Masterkleer tubing, 7/16" ID and it looks a lot neater than most 1/2" ID tubing. Thermochill rads are meant to be supreme, although I found out that Alphacool make some decent rad's for a lot less than most. If you were to cool the GPU I'd have to say go with either a Danger Den Maze 4 GPU or possible the EK-79 waterblock if you wanted to go for a full cover block. been running it a week and it is still clear as day, although its a bit kinked so I will be ripping a bit out and replacing it soon enough. I think if you went with either the new Laing D5 vario or even the Laing DDC-1 Plus, both seriously powerful pumps and will produce enough flow to cool everything you throw at the system.

Thanks for the input so far guys.

I'd read a fairly helpful review a few months ago: http://translate.google.com/translat...language_tools
and for my purposes, both the DD D5 or the Laing DDC seem to fit the bill.

My initial thoughts had leaned towards the Apogee, but again, I'll consider absolutely anything atm :).

Would people recommend a dual rad if it'll fit? I *think* I might be able to get away without even using a shroud (although I'm aware this may hinder cooling a bit - my case is just getting so damn long) but it's not a big deal if not :).

If dual is the way to go....are there any particularly amazing shrouds out there...or are they all pretty much of a muchness?

This is how my old case looked:

http://www.dur.ac.uk/a.w.wallace/old.jpg

I made my own shrouds and radbox from 3 old 120mm fan casings with the blades cut out. They worked fine and held the radiator there. A shroud isn't really necessary, its main purpose is to eliminate the deadspot around the centre of the fan but in reality it won't make more and a few % difference.

I'd definately recommend a dual 120mm rad if you want good cooling and low noise, I use the Blackice xtreme II, its definately worth a look. I dont use a shroud, so I dont know how much better performance would be with it.

1/2" tubing is a must for maximum performance.

I personally use a reservoir, but its up to you if you wanna get a fillport instead and mod it into your case.

this is the cpu block i was talking about. it performs as well as a Storm, but is around the same price as an Apogee, which it demolishes :) (and it looks better that either, if that makes a difference to you).

the swiftech mcp655 pump that i mentioned, is just a rebranded Laing D5, also known as a Dangerden D5...all the same :), but do be aware of the whine if not properly insulated.

Reviews here:
http://www.systemcooling.com/cooltec...xtreme-01.html

Looks like they're not quite up to the Storm and are quite restrictive. The price is pretty damn good though and they should beat the Apogee. The SP looks a bit better than the Pro from those benches.

regarding the restrictiveness, at the moment, i am running...

aquaxtreme mp-05 pro se block
DD chipset block
tyee gpu block
bay res
pa120.3

all from a single mcp655/d5 pump and it handles it fine, so the restrictiveness isnt a problem for a half decent pump :)