Summer is here - Time for watercooling?

[crazyfool]

hey guys,
Been looking to watercool my pc for a while now however the cost was putting me off. However now that the summer is here and my cpu is running at 50 degrees idle(this is with a tuniq tower in a cm690 case with 5 very good fans running on full tilt) it seems like a good time to look at watercooling.
Now I haven't done this before but the installation isn't a worry. Problem is I have no idea where to start, I mean what is a good waterblock right now, or a good radiator etc...
This is where you guys come in...
I'm hoping someone could recommend me a setup for cpu only, that'll give me a starting point to start researching
I have a budget of £200 maximum, hope thats enough. So what can you guys recommend?

[TAKTAK]

XSPC RASA ~ £45

Laing DDC ~ £50

Pump top ~ £20

Thermochill PA120.3 ~ £60

Bay res ~ £15

Fittings/Tubing etc ~ £15

[TAKTAK]

Something along the lines of:





If you set a budget it just has to be maxed out (£201.82 delivered)

For:

XSPC Rasa CPU Waterblock for Intel 775, 1366, 1156 : RASA
@ £ 37.44
1

Laing DDC-1T Pro Pump 440 L/hr 10W (MCP350) : DDC-1T
@ £ 46.51
1

XSPC Laing DDC 200ml Reservoir Pump Top : Plexi
B: B
@ £ 17.01
1

Thermochill PA Series 360mm Triple Radiator : PA120.3
F: F
@ £ 57.86
1

XSPC 7/16" ID - 5/8" OD (11-16mm) High Flex Tubing : Black
@ £ 1.69
2

1/4" Thread Barb Fitting for 1/2" ID Tubing Copper Plated
@ £ 0.42
4

3/8" Thread Barb Fitting for 1/2" ID Tubing : Thermochill
@ £ 1.57
2

VAT £29.22
Shipping £5.58

Total: £201.82



EDIT: More saving to be had as the pump+top are on bundle deal ATM, putting it at £199.68 delivered

Add some fans if you don't already have some, and sorted

That is for a tip top spec though... Meaning that you could chuck your GFX card in if you wished in the future.

You could save money on a smaller rad for a CPU only loop, also by getting a cheaper pump, personally i would stick to the laing DDC though

[crazyfool]

Thanks for the quick replies, looking into the part you guys suggested atm. Is there any benefit in going for the 18w version of the pump?

[TAKTAK]

Thanks for the quick replies, looking into the part you guys suggested atm. Is there any benefit in going for the 18w version of the pump?

It gives you more head (ooh matron!)

But you can mod the 10w version to 18w if needs be (and vice versa)

http://windycj.pixnet.net/blog/post/6590735

[crazyfool]

It gives you more head (ooh matron!)

Lol
Ok another question is how easy or difficult for me would it be to add a gpu to the loop at some point in the future
Right now I'm just trying to work out how much cutting I'll need to do to fit the rad in my case (CM690)

[TAKTAK]

Lol
Ok another question is how easy or difficult for me would it be to add a gpu to the loop at some point in the future
Right now I'm just trying to work out how much cutting I'll need to do to fit the rad in my case (CM690)

To add your GPU, just grab a GPU block, some more barbs, drain the loop, install and you're in

As to mounting internally: http://forums.overclockersclub.com/i...owtopic=152692

A thinner rad than the PA120.3 would make it easier

[crazyfool]

Cheers for the link to that mod. I remember having seen that before, it seems I'll have to cut quite a bit of the top (pretty much most of it) in order to fit the rad.
Hmm... I'll have to think about this, never done any serious modding before... then again how hard can it be

[Queelis]

Unless you live somewhere really hot, I'd suggest trying to remove all the dust from the heatsink first

[crazyfool]

haha
I'm gonna pull everything out the case at some point, do some proper cable management and dust the inside. Will probably get me a couple of degrees.
As far as the watercooling, at the moment I'm not sure I want to mod my case to the extent required to fit a triple rad (didn't realise how much work it would be), mainly because being my first time if I mess it up (which is very likely) I don't have another case and that would mean shelling out another £60-70 on a replacement.
At the same time I don't see a point in going for a smaller rad as it will limit cooling performance, especially if I decide to add a gpu to the loop later on.
So for the moment I think I'll hold off on the watercooling until I next upgrade, at which I'll get a case made for watercooling, no cutting involved.
Right now though I'm looking at replacing my tuniq tower, it seems that is has been eclipsed by a number of other cooler, Noctua NH-D14, Cogage arrow etc...
I'm looking at the arrow right now as its the cheapest I can see with the best performance, although I'm not sure how much better it is than the tuniq as there aren't any reviews comparing the two... I'm guessing (hoping) its quite alot better

[dmuz]

I use a 120.2 for an i5/4870 loop, works fine for me.

[dfour]

I use a 120.2 for an i5/4870 loop, works fine for me.

I use a 120.2 for a 965be and a 4890, even overclocked I have no problems. My 120.2 is not in the case so that might make a little difference.

What about the corsair hydro cooler just for the cpu approx £60 just plug and play.

[crazyfool]

Hmm... From what I've read it seemed that a dual rad would only be good for a single loop (ie cpu cooling only) and even then a triple rad is supposed to be much better. But you guys are saying different.
I did look into the corsair h50 although it seems there are air coolers such as the noctua which perform better than it.
So what is the difference between using a triple or dual rad? I mean the difference be alot in terms of temps?

[Queelis]

I'm gonna pull everything out the case at some point, do some proper cable management and dust the inside. Will probably get me a couple of degrees.

I've said that because I've managed a 10-degree drop of load temp just by vacuuming the dust off the heatsink, and I run an undervolted Phenom II with a stock HSF; having your Q6600 and narrow spacing between the fins of the Tuniq I assume would amplify the effect dust has on cooling efficiency.

I'd be very interested to see your results