Spec me my first ever WC kit

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Is it worth getting a QDC for my gpu so i can easily take it out and swap it for another GPU without draining?

[Hicks12]

ive never tried QDC so i couldnt tell you, throw an email over to the guys at specialtech with the question im sure they can recommend what to do and what not to do (i believe their email should be somewhere on the main page ). Its probably a useful solution if you do swap cards out alot, i dont tend to so never considered it

[Pob255]

Quick note on that liquid, what it is is in the name, bi-distilled, ie twice distilled water.
I don't know if it's got many advantages over single distilled water.
If you plan to use distilled water you'll want to add a silver coil to the system (normally in the res) to help prevent algi growth.

I've also got a question for the water cooling people here, what about 140 rads?
eg http://www.scan.co.uk/products/ek-co...-dual-radiator

[GoNz0]

you can get high flow quick disconnects but they are all prone to leaking and have a habit of snagging the o-ring, then its a full drain down.

tbh a partial drains all thats needed in most cases and even with a qdc you still have to chase air for the next 2 days.

its amazing how little fluids drained when swapping a video card if the pc is in the right position

compression fittings all thats needed in most cases (just remember to keep checking them for a few weeks as they settle and can leak if not checked. after a month you can leave them for 6 months.

(better go check mine thinking about it)


my personal choice of coolants fluid XP, its so thick you have to thin it out at least 50%, and i just used battery water, been running it for 3 years and never needed to swap it. found a pool of it on the back of my sound card, sound card worked fine wet through!

2 months later a pool of it on the back of my 480, didnt bat an eye

you get what you pay for!

[j.o.s.h.1408]

battery water? u mean bi-distilled?

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Also, this is how my case looks like
007 by jonneymendoza, on Flickr

[GoNz0]

nah just deionised, conductive as metal but the fluid xp is good enough to put a barrier between the cards it leaks onto

it also traps crap that may break off and float around.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

ahh ok so u use fluid xp + deionised?

[GoNz0]

yep.

[Pob255]

Water it self is a fairly poor conductor even without deionizing or distilling to remove impurities.

ps have a watch of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-yT7cvfo3o

[j.o.s.h.1408]

So what u trying to say in a nutshell? That we might as well use plain water as it makes no difference in terms of conduction?

[Pob255]

Yes, in terms of damage from leaks.
in terms of maintenance no, straight tap water and you're going to have issues from limescale and other disolved minerals, which is why you'd want to use distilled water.

Most coolants are mainly just distilled water with additives added, to prevent the growth of alge, slimemolds and simular, anti-corrosives and dyes.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

cool ok thanks mate. cracking thread. im ready to spec my build

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Quick question. can i use two rads in one loop or do i need to buy another res and pump for teh 2nd rad?

i think i should be able to install another rad easily on my system.

Also, can the hdd cage u see in my pic above be removed easily?

[GoNz0]

i would say it can but easy it may not be. might have a rivet or 2 or just screws, you will find out when its in bits

you can stick a 2nd rad if you want, just remember the more bends, blocks and rads you have the harder it is to push the water round.

i have identical pumps but the one with the motherboard blocks runs the flow half as fast as the other loop. still plenty enough mind you

[j.o.s.h.1408]

If i invest in this pump. it could do the job? http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/cart.php