Spec me a water-cooling system?

[AD-15]

hello,

I'm looking at purchasing some water-cooling kit for an i7 upgrade. The main components in the system will be the following:

-Asus R2E
-Core i7 920
-6GB Corsair 1600MHz CAS 7
-8800 Ultra

The system will be installed in the Silvestone TJ09 case (undoubtedly the best case I've ever owned ). Image is from the Hexus review.



There are two exhaust fans at the top, one at the rear. There is also a fan inside the case blowing right onto the graphics card. I'm planning on removing the rear case fan, as I plan on WC'ing the CPU.

The only component I wish to WC is the CPU. From what I understand, the new X58 IOH doesn't require active cooling as much as the old NB system, during overclocking. The GPU is not overclocked much, and the current cooling system can handle it, so there is no need for water.

I hope to get as much out of the 920 D0 as possible, aiming to achieve well past 4GHz.

Unfortunately, I'm a complete novice when it comes to water cooling. I did consider the Corsair H50, but it doesn't seem to be up to the job. If there isn't a better closed loop system product, then I'd have to go with proper high-end water cooling kit.

Could anyone help me in finding the ideal components for water cooling my system? I've had a look at a few kits, such as the Swiftech apex ultima. Would this kind of thing be suitable? Is it possible to achieve better performance out of a completely custom made system of roughly the same price?

Thanks!

[Infinite]

I will point you to this for some inspiriation

http://forums.hexus.net/3xs-systems-...an-di-hui.html

[Syd]

Morning AD

I am mid term fitting a w/c system into the venerable TJ07 and I did a load of research into it

Can I point you to a couple of the threads I started and gave me good portion of the knowledage I needed to get as far as I have sofar!!!

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...-pointers.html

http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-syst...cooled-pc.html

And if you want advice from an etailer I cannot recommend Chilled PC enough - just drop them a line and Tom will be able to help you

Any questions please ask away!

EDIT: TJ09 - my bad sorry didn't read that thoroughly

The kit will still be relevant though!

[darkghost]

Unfortunately, I'm a complete novice when it comes to water cooling. I did consider the Corsair H50, but it doesn't seem to be up to the job.
Thanks!

In what way? Is this due to your case? The H50's are supposed to work well on i7.

[AD-15]

Thanks a lot for your advice guys, I'll get reading right away.

Darkghost, the H50 really only performs as well as a high-end air cooler, not even close to the performance of a high-end water cooling system. The temps that result from OC'ing the i7 920 by the amount I mention would be too high. I've had a look at plenty of reviews, and it doesn't do too well with overclocks of around 4GHz.

[oolon]

What would be really nice if someone listed the complete spec of there water cooling system, including pipes, water, additives, joints/adapters. There seem a range of different joint types, sometime people say G1/2 G1/4 sometimes the inside diameter of pipes like 10mm. Then of course we have compression fit and push fit etc etc. Picking a radiator/wizzy block seems very simple by comparison to getting all the bits right so you can actually build a loop or two!

[darkghost]

Thanks a lot for your advice guys, I'll get reading right away.

Darkghost, the H50 really only performs as well as a high-end air cooler, not even close to the performance of a high-end water cooling system. The temps that result from OC'ing the i7 920 by the amount I mention would be too high. I've had a look at plenty of reviews, and it doesn't do too well with overclocks of around 4GHz.

There are mixed reviews around on the H50, some rate it highly others are not so impressed. For a beginner it's a good bit of kit although takes some of the "fun" out of proper water cooling.

The best kit will be a full blown custom water setup, but you need to spend a lot more time and money. You may find that for the CPU you end up with, the extra difference in cooling makes no difference to your overclocks. I can recommend the Swiftech H20-220 Apex Ultima if you want to gor for a complete kit.

However - there's alot to be said for a complete custom build and the sense of satisfaction you get from building one (that works!). Of course, you can re-use the system with future upgrades, upgrading the waterblock where required.

For a waterblock Swifttech Apogees or D-Tek FuZion are good - EK Supreme is cheaper but still a good block.

The best pumps are Laing - DDC-1Plus Ultra is probably the best all rounder from their range. These are expensive - but remember this is the main working part of the cooling system and if it fails your CPU will overheat and you could boil your coolant which will leak.

Radiator - I would go for a triple Swiftech, Black Ice or Thermochill model with some decent fans. The models vary depending on the thickness and the type of core. Pay attention to the fitment as they are not all the same. The fan holes are positioned slightly differently depending on the make, so if you need to use a rad grill it needs to be compatible with the rad.

For a reservoir this really comes down to personal preferance and case used. If you have room, I would go for a 5.25" bay mounted (preferably dual) as they are much easier to top up and refill.

For a CPU loop, go for 1/2" tubing and barbs from the start as it is expensive to upgrade later. G1/4 is the most common thread type on pumps, rads etc, but check when buying. Tygon is the best tubing out there, but god is it expensive (and getting hold to get hold of)! It is worth getting quality tubing as it will last longer and make the build so much easier.

As for fluid/coolant, I just go for something that is easy to get hold of such as Feser One.

Of course most of this is my own personal opinion and others may suggest otherwise, but most of my kit is based on the above and has proved to be good, reliable cooling.

[AD-15]

Thanks for the great advice mate, appreciate it.

The main question I have now is with regards to the radiator. Will a dual rad be enough, or should I really go with a triple one (as you suggested)? I'll be using a push-pull fan config either way (so 4 or 6 fans).

Also, will either configuration be enough if I decide to later add the IOH to the mix?

[watercooled]

The IOH doesn't produce much heat afaik so yeah it shouldn't make all that much difference adding it to the loop.

[Pob255]

I will point you to this for some inspiriation

http://forums.hexus.net/3xs-systems-...an-di-hui.html

I think that would be a very good starting point for a watercooling layout

Looking at it
5.25" bay reservoir > pump > 120x2 rad at the top > cpu block > 120x1 in the middle > 1st GPU block > 2nd GPU block > back to reservoir

[darkghost]

Thanks for the great advice mate, appreciate it.

The main question I have now is with regards to the radiator. Will a dual rad be enough, or should I really go with a triple one (as you suggested)? I'll be using a push-pull fan config either way (so 4 or 6 fans).

Also, will either configuration be enough if I decide to later add the IOH to the mix?

If you are only going to cool the CPU, a dual radiator will be okay but you will need to run the fans at full speed, where as a triple rad you could reduce the speed a bit (less noise).

You probably won't need to go for IOH cooling - but if so, I would go for a triple radiator.

[PeterStoba]

CPU only loop, go with a double.

You will have a hard time fitting anything else in there. DDC and a XSPC reservoir top will be best in that case I'd say, not sure what radiator would fit in the top, black ice stealth gt definately, but maybe an XSPC.

As long as you have good airflow your IOH will be fine.

[Pob255]

One thing to note is that you currwently have a double 120mm fan mount in the top of the case that should fit a 120x2 rad without modification.
If you want to put a 120x3 rad in there it means you would have to cut a new hole or get one cut, to fit it.

[AD-15]

hello,

Thanks for that, I'll do a little more research.

However, with regards to where I mount all this, I was hoping to mount the rad outside my case (possibly to the side, even if it's just using a bit of velcro tape...). Surely it would be far less efficient if I simply let the thing recirculate hot air around my case?

[darkghost]

As others have said - a dual radiator is your easiest option. If you are really taken with a triple rad, then research "swiftech radbox". Your case has holes predrilled to work with this, so you can add a triple radiator (and a 2nd dual inside the case for GFX cards later maybe) without modifying the case

[Infinite]

Silverstone actually make a dual bracket for the top of the case:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...-for-TJ09-TJ10