Water cooling

[Zadock]

Morning folks

I'm considering water cooling... I know very little about it and I'm wondering if its worth it considering what I have already (see my system; antec 900, arctic cooling freezer pro)? and, which are the best and most easy to fit? I've read some reviews but am none the wiser, also most reviews seem to be quite old.

Cheers

Z

[dshepsman]

i went the easy route with the watercooling...
i bought the orig Zalman reserator a good few years ago - very quiet (in fact silent), easy to fit, never leaked and kept my P4 running at a cool 20-30 degs.

the newer versions have slightly better cooling, and clips so you can disconnect the pipes without clamping and spilling water everywhere (not that that ever happened)

but cos the reserator is a big, external thing, it did make moving the PC a bit of a chore. not that i was moving it constantly, but on the rare occasion etc etc

[Zadock]

I'd be looking for something a bit smaller, nice as the reserator is.

[Webby]

Zadock, happy to build your own or want to get a predesigned kit like the Reserator?

How much are you looking to spend which components do you want to cool?

To make water cooling a worth while investment in terms of cooling you really need to cool CPU and GPU and potentially the north bridge. And even then the best air cooling will be not far behind.

You also need to decide what you want the water cooling to bring you over air cooling, do you want it to be whisper quiet? or do you want the best performance? or are you after a compromise between the two? You have to remember that water cooling just relocates fans rather than eliminating them. But you can get away with quiet fans and still have very good performance as long as you have enough radiator space.

So let us know what you want and if you want everything internally mounted or your happy to have the Rad off the back? Or if you want a completely external system (well except for the blocks obviously!) and we will get back to you with some suggestions

[moogle]

If you aren't getting a good setup might as well pay for good aircooling
Even if it's CPU only the Swiftech H20 Kit is still pretty good depending on how much you get it for.

[Zadock]

Zadock, happy to build your own or want to get a predesigned kit like the Reserator?

How much are you looking to spend which components do you want to cool?

To make water cooling a worth while investment in terms of cooling you really need to cool CPU and GPU and potentially the north bridge. And even then the best air cooling will be not far behind.

You also need to decide what you want the water cooling to bring you over air cooling, do you want it to be whisper quiet? or do you want the best performance? or are you after a compromise between the two? You have to remember that water cooling just relocates fans rather than eliminating them. But you can get away with quiet fans and still have very good performance as long as you have enough radiator space.



So let us know what you want and if you want everything internally mounted or your happy to have the Rad off the back? Or if you want a completely external system (well except for the blocks obviously!) and we will get back to you with some suggestions

To begin with I'm just wondering if it would bring me enough benefit to make it worth shelling out for... as I said above I have an antec 900 and an arctic cool freezer and the temps seem to be pretty good except for the GPU but I think that is something to do with the card I have. It idles at 50 degrees which seems rather high to me?


If I went for watercooling I would probably go the whole hog. Using external apparatus could be quite good as I would still have the case fans as well but I lack the space until I sort myself out and buy myself a flat or house (which I am looking to do in the new year).

Edit: I think I would likely go for a kit, I've had a look at the big water kits.

[moogle]

It idles at 50 degrees which seems rather high to me?

Seems normal. My 6600GT idled at 65c, 7900GTX 60c, 2900XT 70c, 8800GTS 512 60c, 9800GTX 60c.

Graphics cards can stand alot of heat. Up to 100c iirc.

[Zadock]

Sounds like I'm probably ok then. I've seen people posting that their cards idle at 40 and such, probably exagerating then by the looks of it?


Its probably not worth getting a cooler for my GTS then? the stock one its doing its job ok?

[moogle]

Sounds like I'm probably ok then. I've seen people posting that their cards idle at 40 and such, probably exagerating then by the looks of it?


Its probably not worth getting a cooler for my GTS then? the stock one its doing its job ok?

They could be exaggerating. When I turn my fan speed up using RivaTuner on the 8800GTS or 9800GTX the temps go down to 40c, but then it's bloomingly loud

But that was when I was running my setup full whack fans maxed etc, the GPU was hardly something I'd hear above that lot. As it got colder the temps would drop to 35c (my rooms freezing y'see) and it's even colder now!

Always ask the ambient temps and then you'd know if they're exaggerating. They could boast a idle temp of 20c, but be living in Siberia or something

[Webby]

Well my GPU idles at ~25ºC and under full load (currently folding on it) it is running at 34ºC no exaggerations required that is what water cooling can do

But as Moogle said GPUs are designed to run hot 100ºC+ is not really an issue for them but cooler means they can OC further (although once properly cooled they tend to be volt limited rather than heat limited) and in theory last longer

*Finally hits post an hour and a bit later...*

[Zadock]

What is it your using Webby? Zalman/kit or DIY?

[moogle]

What is it your using Webby? Zalman/kit or DIY?

Lemme guess, DIY

Last I seen in his PC pics he's got a DDC with an XSPC Res Top Never saw the CPU cooler though.

[Webby]

Yeah DIY

2x Thermochill PA160 rads with 2x Scythe Ultra Kaze 38mm thick fans @ 1200 rpm (Rads are stacked so not as efficient as they could be )
DDC 3.2 with XSPC Res Top
D-Tek Fuzion V2 CPU block
Swiftech MCW60 CPU block
Swiftech MCW30 NB Block
1/2" EK High flow Barbs
7/16" Masterkleer Tubing
Primochill coils
Feser One Fluid Orange

There you go thats what I have, if building for yourself a triple 120mm rad is a better choice (my Thermochills were both second hand and bargain prices (£25 for the two delivered, think they retail at ~£55 each, took an age to clean one of them...) much easier to work with or if you think it will be easier to fit then a couple of duel 120mm or a duel and a single the options are almost limitless!

[moogle]

Nice to see another 7/16"er

[GeorgeStorm]

I considered watercooling for a while, (then realised I couldnt afford it) and so looked into it, it does provide a cooling performance over any air cooling, although the top air will beat the bottom water, so there is an overlap.
However, somethling like,
http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/prod...roducts_id=637
http://coolercases.co.uk/acatalog/XS...ocks.html#a571
http://coolercases.co.uk/acatalog/D-Tek_GPU_Blocks.html (a combination of them, good performance without costing too much, and, the block you can use on the new card, only need to upgrade the ramsink, rather than a whole full cover block)
http://coolercases.co.uk/acatalog/Pump_Accessories.html (the XSPC top with resevoir is very good)
http://coolercases.co.uk/acatalog/Pump.html
I would go for the third down, the DDC, and then put the XSPC top on it, that will provide you with a great pump, and a revevoir combined! (save money and space)
Shove some late yoons onto the rad, and you will ahve a watercooling setup that will easily outperform amost all air cooling setups, but also at a much lower level of volume!
You will then have to get the needed barbs, and hose etc......
(btw, the reason im going XSPC is because they offer good value for money, and while they may not be the best performance,, although it isnt half bad, they provide price/performance....)

Obviously you can shop around for cheaper prices, (i only had a quick look)

Just me..........

[moogle]

Shove some late yoons onto the rad

I love your spelling