Watercooling Advice!

[scaryjim]

Firstly, let me stress that I am not rushing out to buy a load of kit in the next couple of weeks: I'm currently doing some advance planning for a summer project once I've saved up a bit of cash.

Basically, I'm very happy with my current primary gaming rig, but I reckon it could do more if it didn't have all that rubbishy stock air-cooling slowing it down So, I'm planning on water cooling the whole rig in preparation for Diablo III, which will get a *lot* of playtime when it finally comes out. I'd like to couple it with a mod of one of my existing basic-but-solid mid-tower cases but there's not a lot of spare space in them: hence the very early planning

For those who can't be bothered to click my "My System" link, I'll be cooling a Q6600 and an 8800GTX on an ASUS P5N32E-SLI. Obviously I'll be looking to get a good overclock on both the CPU and GPU: I'm not so fussed about pushing the RAM.

I'm not interested in suggestions for specific blocks / pumps / res / rads at this point (that'll come nearer the summer ), but I could do with some general advice on the best balance of the loop - size and number of rads, should I get a chipset block, will I need a particularly oomphy pump, stuff like that.

I'm also interested in the concept of running without a Res - anyone done this? Are there any particular advantages (beyond ease of use / setup, I assume) to using a Res?

[mikemikemi]

Overclocking and CPU GPU in loop I would say a minimum of 3x120 rad.

I don't think a chipset block makes a huge difference to make it worthwhile, considering the extra hassle; some air flow in the case should be good enough.

GPU and CPU with rad, standard pumps at the moment D5 or DCC will be sufficient to get the job done.

I used to run without a res. Benefits being a simpler loop and lower cost. Although bleeding air out of the loop is easier with a res.

[Infinite]

Maybe it be more worth while if you just bought a new graphics card instead. A decent custom water cooling set up would cost you at least £200 which would be enough to buy a 5850. A single 5850 would give a bigger graphics performance boost than over-clocking your current system ever could.

[dangel]

You're fairly similar to my rig - i'd echo "go cpu and gpu" blocks only it's all you really need. I much prefer having a res for bleeding and filling personally. I went with a variable speed pump and as big a radiator as I could. You'll need a pump with a good head so "oomphy" is a good way to be thinking. I can't remember if i kept my 8000 series block - i might well of - i always go for full cover blocks for GPUs (plenty there to get hot) - i need to sort out my parts cupboard to check!

Thermochill rads have a bleeding screw at the top which is pretty much essential unless you want to be rotating the entire case whilst trying to get air out

[scaryjim]

Cheers guys, interesting thoughts.

I hadn't really given much thought to bleeding the system - does it need to be done regularly? I know you can get various splitters and bleeding valves and stuff - are they worth investing in to make life easier, or is it just extra complexity to the loop without much benefit?

Infinite: thanks for the suggestion but this is as much an exercise in planning, logistics and gaining experience of both case modding and assembling a WC loop as it is in gaining performance. I'm currently using a monitor with a max res of 1280x1024 so I don't really need the extra performance - I'm just bored of having a "normal" computer

[dangel]

Bleeding is something you do initially (because everything has a LOT of air in to begin with obviously) and again after a few days as it takes a while to get air out of the system completely. Once it's up and running no air should be going in as only water is being drawn through the loop. My res is a natural vent for air initially and having the bleeding screw on the rad means air which naturally traps there (the feeds come in at the bottom) is easy to get out. Because I have these two things i don't need ancillary feeding/bleeding values etc.

This pic shows my arrangement at an early stage:



You can see the bleed screw on top of the rad, and also that the cap can easily be removed from the res (and big res' are good for filling big loops!) too which makes things far less hassle. If you've the time it'd also be nice to put valves in to isolate the res/rad on demand when you're changing blocks etc (it means you don't have so much to drain and refill). There's a fair bit of water in my loop - probably about a litre!

[scaryjim]

That much explanation definitely deserves another thanks

[piggin23]

A problem you will have is availability.
The items you require will have to be second hand as they do not make 8000 series full face water blocks any more.
It is possible to purchase a single block to cool the card but the ram will require extra cooling.
As for the ThermoChill rad, these are still the king of cool but they do not have the bleed screw anymore (new design).
A system without a res is possible but has a lot of problems with removing the air.
If you purchase a res on top of a pump you can also get a performance boost.

http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/prod...roducts_id=515

[dangel]

That much explanation definitely deserves another thanks

No worries - if I can help let me know i've been WC'ing my setup for a fair few years and so i've pretty much got the answers to most problems to do with it now. There's a build log for my rig (search for antec 1200 and my username) on here which covers some of the pitfalls I had.

I'll see if i can find my 8800 block - can't remember if i threw it out by mistake!

[scaryjim]

I'll see if i can find my 8800 block - can't remember if i threw it out by mistake!

Cheers

Scan do have a couple of 8800 blocks available at the minute. Is it likely that if I wait until summer I won't be able to pick one up?

[dangel]

Cheers

Scan do have a couple of 8800 blocks available at the minute. Is it likely that if I wait until summer I won't be able to pick one up?

no idea!

Full cover blocks are pricey buggers tho - lots of copper! Will look tonight matey.

[scaryjim]

Did you get a chance to look for that 8800 block in the end?

[dangel]

Did you get a chance to look for that 8800 block in the end?

Sorry mate - completely forgot to update you - can't find it thus far (i found a second GTX280 block lol) so there's a chance it got thrown out. If I do find it (need to do a big sort out!) i'll let you know!

[scaryjim]

Cheers, Much appreciated. Perhaps I should just upgrade to a GTX280 while I'm at it...?

[dangel]

Cheers, Much appreciated. Perhaps I should just upgrade to a GTX280 while I'm at it...?

Well it's always an option

Again, sorry for forgetting hectic week!