i7 Watercooling

[derchris]

Ok, now that I have my Case sorted, see http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...ercooling.html , I will need to get the watercooling parts now.
I have a i7, and a 8800GT. The GT will be replaced by a 295 pretty soon, the one which already has watercooling parts fitted in.
On top I want to watercool my mainboard chipset as well.
Here are the parts I was looking at:

CPU: Swiftech Apogee GTZ + i7 kit
GPU: Swiftech MCW60
Chipset: Swiftech MCW30
Pump: Swiftech MCP655
Radiator: Swiftech MCR320-QP-K 120.3
Reservoir: Swiftech MCRES-Micro
+ all the barbs/tube required
+ Feser One - F1 coolant

I know that there are some watercooling ppl around here, so would like to get your feedback on the parts.

Thanks in advance,
derchris

[moogle]

I know that there are some watercooling ppl around here, so would like to get your feedback on the parts.

There's a few of us. I'm sure Webby will be along soon

The list looks fine. I'm not sure if the i7's are hotter or cooler running than the older Core 2's. Planning on overclocking? The Swiftech rad are fine. They give near performance to rads likes Thermochill and Feser and XSPC. Slightly a bit under but if you can't get or fit the thicker rads these is the one's to get. Not sure on the noise aspect though. If noise is your #1 concern then a thicker rad with less denser fin spacings would be perfect for you.

Which clamps are you going to use for your tubing?

[shaithis]

From what I've been reading, watercooling the x58 chipsets are not necessary and is probably a waste of time and money (as well as a pain when you are swapping/upgrading hardware)

If you are getting a 295 with a block ready-fitted soon, then I wouldn't bother putting this together until you have it......else you will need to drain, re-fit and leak-test everything again, as well as spending money superfluously on a GPU block.


Last I checked the ThermoChill PA120.3 was the best single rad...not sure if that's changed.

I like using 1/2" barbs with 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) tubing, normally use the masterkleer stuff.

Pumps and reservoirs are mainly personal taste. CPU block looks good.

[derchris]

Which clamps are you going to use for your tubing?

I haven't looked into it yet, as I don't know what the size of each of the part is, like for the barbs, tubing, ...
So that is something I need to look into, once I got my parts list ready.
The 920 is already running at the speed of a 940. So I might give it another with the watercooling fitted in.
As for the Graphicscard, I can't seem to find one which is already prepared for watercooling, so I might have to wait some time.
But I want to get this done in the next few weeks, so might go for a 8800 cooling at the moment.
Case has been already ordered, and should arrive nect week, will post some pics once I got it.
The other reason why I want to go for a watercooling setup is noise.

[derchris]

Pumps and reservoirs are mainly personal taste. CPU block looks good.

Does the size of the reservoir impact the cooling temp?

[shaithis]

Reservoirs should not effect temps but some are VERY noisy (the air pockets get caught in the water flow)

The one you linked seems to have a decent gap between the top pipe and the water level, which should mean it will be quiet

As for clamps. If you use the barb and hose sizes I mentioned, there is no need for clamps. You need to dip the tubes into hot water before they will fit onto the barbs.....but once they cool, they are on their until you decide otherwise

[moogle]

I haven't looked into it yet, as I don't know what the size of each of the part is, like for the barbs, tubing, ...
So that is something I need to look into, once I got my parts list ready.
The 920 is already running at the speed of a 940. So I might give it another with the watercooling fitted in.
As for the Graphicscard, I can't seem to find one which is already prepared for watercooling, so I might have to wait some time.
But I want to get this done in the next few weeks, so might go for a 8800 cooling at the moment.
Case has been already ordered, and should arrive nect week, will post some pics once I got it.
The other reason why I want to go for a watercooling setup is noise.

Well the parts don't really dictate what size barb you get (Unless it's those fatty compression fittings)

The Swiftech block comes with 1/2" and 3/8" barbs. 1/2" being the bigger ones. It's said there really is no major performance difference between the smaller and larger tubing.

So you're in it for the noise

Well I'm not 100% sure but the Swiftech is a thinner rad and would need more fan power to cool to levels of the thicker rads. I suppose you could use 38mm fans but you'd need to source your own screws for that.

Does the size of the reservoir impact the cooling temp?

No, but it'd take a bit longer for the coolant to reach equilibrium temp iirc.

Anyway me I'd recommend using 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs + zipties
But you said you're getting the GPU block later so it might be trouble taking the tubing off

[PeterStoba]

Anyway me I'd recommend using 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs + zipties
But you said you're getting the GPU block later so it might be trouble taking the tubing off

QFT!!

The parts look good, and I suppose with some quiet fans it would be quiet, but the temps would be higher than they could be, although still good.

[Webby]

You called

Right first up welcome to the insane world where people think watercooling is a good idea we have cake and everything

Swiftech make good components so you have picked well there, personally however I would make a few changes the main one being the pump the other will be the CPU block I will explain my reasoning as I go along.

So I will start with the Pump, the D5 (MCP655) is a decent enough pump but you can get more flow for less money (in the UK at least) by plumping for a DDC3.2 (MCP355) and an aftermarket top the best tops are the EK v2 and XSPC tops, if you feel up to a bit of modding a DDC 3.1 (MCP350) can be converted into a 3.2 with a bit of easy soldering, you will of course void the warranty doing this.

Radiator, the MCR series are good but if you can afford the extra and have the space which I think you will have for sure in that Li-Li cube then I would go for a thicker rad like the Thermochill PA120.3 (if you can find one in stock) Feser Xchanger 360 or an XSPC RX360. An alternative would be to 2x duals and have one in each set of drive bays which would probably look pretty cool. That does get expensive though. My final idea from looking at the review for the cube is that you put an MCR320 in one set of drive bays and then mount a MCR220 on the top panel using the plate designed just for that purpose, total cost for a triple and a dual is ~£75 which is similar to a triple TFC or XSPC RX.

CPU block, now I really like the GTZ its a great block the only miss givings I have for it in your system is that it is an Impingement block (the water is forced through slots or holes onto the surface to generate turbulance rather than using high flow through fins or pins) this means it is designed to run at its best in loops with no other restriction since you plan on having a chipset block and GPU block as well in the loop you would be better served with a low restriction/high flow block like the D-Tek Fuzion V2 or the XSPC Delta V3, since the is a reasily available Delta V3 i7 bracket I guess that would be my choice.

Chipset block the MCW30 is perfect however the is one small issue with it and that is this it may not fit on your motherboard some X58 chipsets have non-standard hole spacing so its worth checking this before purchasing but otherwise it is a great choice. You also may want to check waht other cooling you will need to add after you remove the chipset heatsink which will probably include the SB and probably the mosfets as well. You can either get air cooling solutions for these parts (Thermalright do a good selection of Mosfet coolers, and a southbridge cooler will be easy to find as well) or you can opt to water cool these as well if you do then the is a full board block for your board which will cover NB and SB using 1 block http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=326 the Mosfets will require 2x separate blocks as well.

Graphics card wise if you are getting a 295 with a block integrated then I wouldn't bother getting water cooling for your 8800GT its not worth the expense use that extra money to get more radiator or pump.

Finally onto tubing and fittings, if money is no object then compression fittings are probably the way to go they make life easy and look better than barbs with tube clamps (in most peoples opinion). I you pic compression fittings then the tube size will be dictated by the fittings if you go for barbs then 1/2" barbs with 7/16" tubing is my preferred option.

So what would I have in your situation probably the following,

Pump + Reservoir: DDC3.2 with XSPC Res top
Radiator 1: MCR320 + 3 quiet fans
Radiator 2: MCR220 + 2 quiet fans
CPU Block: XSPC Delta V3 with i7 (S1366) mount + Back plate (not sure if it comes with one as standard)
MB Block: EK FB-RE2 (what I linked earlier)
Mosfet blocks: 2x Thermalright HR09 coolers (whichever type is required, I would need to check)
Fittings: 12x Compression Fittings (you will need to check compatibility with blocks to see what size you can use, probably 1/2" ID 3/4" OD though, or if you can find them 7/16" ID 5/8" OD are slightly smaller)
Tubing: 3 or 4 metres better to have to much and not use it than not enough and have to order some more, type will depend on your fittings.

Extras: 45° or 90° rotary fittings can make some tubing runs neater so could be useful, they exist so keep them in mind during your planning.

Fluid: Either distilled water and biocide (PT Nuke) or Feser One is reasonable.

i think that covers everything any questions ask away

Edit: I have not included the graphics block in the list as it will come with the card and its not worth water cooling the 8800GT if its going to be swapped out in a short while.

You may also want to consider dual loops but that will require another pump and res but will mean you can use any CPU block you fancy

[derchris]

Hi Webby,

thanks for this lengthy post
Very detailed.

The board block you posted is actually exactly for my motherboard, as I use the Asus Rampage II Extreme.
If I understood, I would need both then, the full board block and the MCW30, or just the board block?
I was also thinking of doing a dual loop, one for CPU and one for GPU.
Where would I add the board cooling then, CPU or GPU loop?

Yeah, I think I can easily fit 2 Rads into the new case, one on each side. But I can only use a 120.3 on one side, as there will be disks and a DVD on the other.
Or fit it into the top as you said.

Compression Fittings sounds good, might have to check that out.
When it comes to buy all this stuff, what are your prefered shops.
They ones I looked at so far are thecoolingshop and chilledpc.

Thanks again.

[moogle]

When it comes to buy all this stuff, what are your prefered shops.
They ones I looked at so far are thecoolingshop and chilledpc.

Thanks again.

ChilledPC. You'll get great service from there. It's where I bought my first watercooling bits and where I'm buying some more bits

[GoNz0]

the ek rampage block covers north and south bridge, may as well get the mofset kit while your at it and do the lot !

thats my next planned upgreade, i7, rampage and full WC kit.

anyone want to buy a water cooled striker extreme

personally i cool my cpu and gpu on a pa 120.3 and the mobo on a pa160

[Webby]

Hi Webby,

thanks for this lengthy post
Very detailed.

The board block you posted is actually exactly for my motherboard, as I use the Asus Rampage II Extreme.

Yeah I know I is spying on you

If I understood, I would need both then, the full board block and the MCW30, or just the board block?

You would just need the full board block

I was also thinking of doing a dual loop, one for CPU and one for GPU.
Where would I add the board cooling then, CPU or GPU loop?

I would probably say put them in the graphics loop if you were going to have a similar set up to what I suggested I would have the the CPU on its own loop on the MCR220 and then the motherboard blocks and graphics together on the MCR320.

Yeah, I think I can easily fit 2 Rads into the new case, one on each side. But I can only use a 120.3 on one side, as there will be disks and a DVD on the other.
Or fit it into the top as you said.

Compression Fittings sounds good, might have to check that out.
When it comes to buy all this stuff, what are your prefered shops.
They ones I looked at so far are thecoolingshop and chilledpc.

Thanks again.

Yeah I would say a triple in the front on one side and a double in the roof will give you plenty of cooling capacity. Compression fittings are certainly worth a look but that is an easy place to save some money if costs begin to spiral.

Finally shop wise ChilledPC are very good and I also use Specialtech, Scan have some items so worth checking there as a few things are cheaper than you can find elsewhere (most is more expensive though).

[derchris]

Ok, I'm currently setting up a list of stuff I'm going to buy.

Looking at the pump, I found a Aquastream XT USB Ultra
Is it any good?
I like the idea to control this via USB.

[Will404]

remember pictures

[derchris]

I just ordered some parts for my new setup:

2x Lian Li EX-34B HDD Bay Black
1x Lian Li Radiator Mount for 343B
1x Aquacomputer Aquastream XT USB Ultra
1x Aquacomputer AquaStream Connection kit
1x AquaComputer Aquabay (Dual 5"1/4)
1x Aquacomputer Aqua-jet
1x AquaComputer Aquatube Silver 8mm P&C
1x AquaComputer AquaBay Alu Black Fascia
1x AquaComputer UV aqualight
1x AquaComputer Pro 360 Radiator
6x Yate Loon D12SM-12C Slim 120mm Fan
2x Nexus 17dBA 80mm Quiet Fan
4x Acousti Ultra-Soft Fan Mounts (Pack of 8)
2x G1/8 Straight Connector to 8mm Plug & Cool
2x Aquacomputer Straight Rad Connector

So whats left is the CPU/Chipset Block, Fittings, Tubing and Fluid.

If you could comment on the stuff I bought, that would be brilliant.