Watercooling newbie :X

[Tempest|2k7]

So i recently invested about 1000$ into a new computer, which originally started as getting new ram and a new gfx card, but with the bottleneck it would've produced, and my inability to save money, i splurged and got a new system. :D

Being a 17yo kid with a job cranking out 250$ every two weeks, my budget is pretty limited. I do however, want to switch to watercooling, but i have no idea what pumps, tubing, etc. is the best, and i have NO idea how to set it up. i was thinking maybe using this kit as a starter, just to get my feet wet (no pun intended) with watercooling.
http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-aquabay-m5.html

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on parts, blocks, etc.
id say my limit is around 150$ or so. i wanna watercool my cpu, and video card, and possibly two in the future. (8800gt)

my system specs are in that handy little drop down thingy ma doo dad on the right corner, and im also new, so hey everyone. :D

[.Maleficus.]

Welcome to the forums Tempest!

The watercooling kit you linked isn't the greatest... If you want a nice kit, you'll want to go with a custom kit, and it'll probably cost upwards of $200. The kit I'm going to be using was about $350ish I think..? Somewhere around there. I am cooling my north and south bridges though, and I have two radiators, but decent kit for GPU and CPU will be somewhere around the $250 range. If you're looking to save money and watercool, a better option would just be high-end air cooling, like the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme. That'd be probably as good as the watercooling kit you linked, but $90 cheaper. Otherwise, you'll probably want to get a custom loop. Have a look at Jab-tech (http://www.jab-tech.com) for some nice prices on watercooling parts.


Edit: Also, for comparison, here's a link (http://www.jab-tech.com/EK-FC88-GT-GTS-G92-Poly-Top-pr-4037.html) to an 8800GT waterblock. You can see that they aren't cheap :(. You could go with the Swiftech MCW60 for cheaper, but it's still going to set you back quite a bit.

[Luke122]

I second that welcome!

I agree that a good air cooling solution will be as good (or better) than a cheap watercooling setup. That being said, a proper water system will DESTROY an air cooling system, not only for efficiency, but for maximum cooling potential, and uber geek factor. :D

[Tempest|2k7]

haha, well thanks for the welcome
and yeah i figured it'd be expensive. -_- crap.
well then i guess i'll just save up. quick crash course on watercooling- there's 3 different sizes of tubing, 3/8", 1/2", and 1/4", yes yes? which is better? and any recommendations for a good pump, etc?

[Spawn-Inc]

1/2" is best as it provides more flow and less restriction and strain on the pump. the Swiftech MCP655 pump is a awesome pump, highly recommended.

if you can understand me this (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9237) thread i made of w/c should help with the basics, after all thats what its meant to do.

[.Maleficus.]

Spawn's got a good thread there. Check it out.

About tubing sizes - the size makes only a marginal difference, but I recommend 1/2" too. It does have a little more flow, and looks way sweeter.

[Tempest|2k7]

wow...exquisite post dude! i feel like i actually know things now! haha
thanks for all the help guys!
the only thing i could think of that would qualify a resevoir as bad, would be leaks and possibly poor construction...as well as weak connectors, yes?
hmmm... it looks like ill have to do a lot of reading up on this lol thanks for the help though guys!
come to think of it i might have a pain fitting this in my antec 900 :X

[Spawn-Inc]

if you want a res for the convenience of bleeding but don't want a big one then the swiftech micro res is a great choice for that.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Listen to Spawn mate, he knows his stuff when it comes to water cooling, he helped me out a lot when I was looking to W/C my rig.

[Tempest|2k7]

bleeding = draining out air bubbles and stuff?
and i have an antec 900...after looking at it, i most definitely need to work on cable management before i fit anything erroneous in there, such as a resevoir and pump and all those lovely dovely toys and such. :D
i gotta say though...after looking at some of the watercooled rigs here...**** this, im saving my next 3 paychecks for a nice WC setup. :D
and seeing as spawn clocked his 8600gt to 730, and almost doubled his cpu speed, i'll definitely listen to him.
...and cause he's canadian. :D

[The boy 4rm oz]

The best place for you to mount a pump would on the floor of the case at the bottom of the drive bays, that way you can conceal it a bit. Also get a 120mm radiator and mount it on the rear exhaust fan and then get a 240mm radiator and modify the two front fan bracket/drive bay things and mount in there. This is the best placement I have seen anyone do in a Antec 900. I have a link to a cool 900 build.
Here you are:
http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?SCID=18&CIID=71045
I have the issue of this magazine where the modder shows how he mounted the front radiator, if you like I can take a pic and upload it for you.

[Tempest|2k7]

holy ****ing ****.
i look at things like that...then look at mine. and cry.
:|
yes please? if you dont mind?
i think registering on this site was the best thing i've done in a while, you guys are real helpful, usually i get the "GTFO n00b" welcoming. so ty all.

[Spawn-Inc]

and seeing as spawn clocked his 8600gt to 730, and almost doubled his cpu speed, i'll definitely listen to him.
...and cause he's canadian. :D
haha i've hit 895(core)/2000(mem)/2020(shaders) with volt modding, not w/c, i just have after market cooling on it. i have never done water cooling before, just read alot on it and understand how it works. over the last couple of months i've learnt whats some of the best products are via here and the ocforums. here is a link (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11803) to my thread when i started messing around with volt modding it.

in march i will be getting a bunch of money so i will be ordering this for my system
1x Swiftech MCW60 VGA cooler (https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCW60-R-VGA-cooler-pr-3777.html) = 43.99
1x Swiftech MCP655 Pump (https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP655-B-12-VDC-Pump-Without-speed-controller-pr-3803.html) = 69.99
1x Swiftech Apogee GTX (http://www.jab-tech.com/Apogee-GTX-Extreme-Performance-CPU-Waterblock-pr-3730.html)
1x Swiftech Apogee GTX copper Top (http://www.jab-tech.com/Apogee-GTX-Copper-Housing-pr-3891.html)
1x Swiftech MCR 320 rad (https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-pr-3320.html) 44.99
1x Swiftech MicroRes (https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCRES-Micro-pr-3093.html) = 16.99
1x Swiftech HydrX (https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Hydrx-Extreme-Duty-Coolant-UV-REACTIVE-pr-2476.html) = 2.99
10x ClearFLEX 60 Tubing 1/2" ID / 3/4" OD (https://www.jab-tech.com/ClearFLEX-60-Tubing-1-2-ID-3-4-OD-pr-2431.html) = 8.90
3x YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan (https://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Case-Fan-D12SH-12-High-Speed-pr-3771.html) = 9.45
1x Swiftech MC8800 Kit (https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MC8800-Kit-pr-3656.html) = 34.95

total = $330.15

i will then upgrade my cpu to a q6600 G0, then decide if i want a 8800ultra or 2 8800GT's or GTS's. then depending if i can get a good job soon, or A job soon i will pick up 3 8800 Ultras and go tri SLI, maybe...


bleeding = draining out air bubbles and stuff?

anyway back to you, yes bleeding is getting the air out of the system. and you can always mount the rad in the back like Tb4o said using just bolts or a radbox. you can mount a single 120mm rad, double rad (i would mount it from the top 120mm fan spot), and a triple rad (i would mount it in the middle 120mm fan spot). but if you want it all internal then Tb4o said it the best way.

[The boy 4rm oz]

After reading the part about mounting the radiator there wasn't a lot which the modder said that was helpful. There was a semi visual pic of the mounted radiator but none during the mounting process. This is what the modder said:
The first step was to design, cut and fit a bracket to allows the Black Ice Extreme 240mm radiator to mount into the existing HDD bays on the 900 case. A 120mm hole is drilled and the side is drilled and tapped. When bolted to the radiator the unit can be attached to the original HDD mounts.

Basically he took the radiator and fan/drive bay modules and made a bracket out of aluminium I guess which allows the radiator to be attached to the existing drive bay mounts.

Sorry about the lack of pictures.

[Spawn-Inc]

Sorry about the lack of pictures.

on that note here you go. if i had the space (i only have 5 51/4 drive bays) then i would take a flat 1/8 sheet of steel or aluminum and make this.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2690/radboxhl0.jpg
the red lines are where you would drill holes to mount in the 5 1/4 drive bay slots.

(you can download the file for sketch up here (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=96b9e65dd2d11328be5d36015354a58e))

it should also act as a shroud and focus all the air to the rad and not spill out the sides. i would use a rubber gasket (get a sheet of rubber from a hardware store i think) or use a thin layer of silicone, let it dry then mount it down.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thanks Spawn, thats basically exactly what I was talking about. You can also modify the front of the fan brackets so once installed the front of the case looks the same as it did and the whole unit acts as one making it easy to remove and change old/broken fans etc.

[Tempest|2k7]

wow O_O you guys really went out on a limb there haha
thanks guys, really appreciate it.
ill definitely have to try something like that.
...im still in awe at how freakin good you guys are at this haha
i want to open a computer store with 2 or 3 of my friends, and if i can...im hiring every one of you. haha.

[The boy 4rm oz]

wow O_O you guys really went out on a limb there haha
thanks guys, really appreciate it.
ill definitely have to try something like that.
...im still in awe at how freakin good you guys are at this haha
i want to open a computer store with 2 or 3 of my friends, and if i can...im hiring every one of you. haha.

Haha thanks buddy, this sorta stuff is kinda my passion lol. I also want to start my own PC shop lol. I will come help you...but you will have to pay for my air fare from Australia lol.

[Tempest|2k7]

Haha thanks buddy, this sorta stuff is kinda my passion lol. I also want to start my own PC shop lol. I will come help you...but you will have to pay for my air fare from Australia lol.
AN AUSSIE! SWEET! dude **** that, ill pay for the airfare and you can crash at my place...hell ill feed ya too...just make me some sick cases and stuff. haha
i'm basically a hardware whore :X i don't know jack about modding cases, but if anyone ever needs help building a comp, and is on a budget, im usually on that like flies on a cow pie. but thanks mucho for the help man.
i was thinking maybe putting a quick fill resevoir where the top is cut out for the little tray type thing? an acrylic one, with a some blue uv liquid or something?

[The boy 4rm oz]

AN AUSSIE! SWEET! dude **** that, ill pay for the airfare and you can crash at my place...hell ill feed ya too...just make me some sick cases and stuff. haha
i'm basically a hardware whore :X i don't know jack about modding cases, but if anyone ever needs help building a comp, and is on a budget, im usually on that like flies on a cow pie. but thanks mucho for the help man.
i was thinking maybe putting a quick fill resevoir where the top is cut out for the little tray type thing? an acrylic one, with a some blue uv liquid or something?

Lol thanks mate, I love my tech also.

Ok about the reservoir, you could always try to make your own or you could get one of these and add a DD fillport to it to make filling easy.
Alphacool Cape Bullseye PRO:
http://www.chilledpc.com.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=108_148&products_id=568&osCsid=9d3ebabb583e142239c794a5da6dffd1
It has 3 threaded ports on the reservoir so 1 can be inlet, 1 can be outlet and the other can be for the fillport.

EDIT: Sorry this is the pro model, this has 6 G1/4" threads, lots of options.

[Tempest|2k7]

oooooo i like it.
i was thinking maybe a slanted pentagonal shaped one though, that would have a nice fit into the slot where the top is though, definitely a custom job there lol
btw man, i noticed you play bf2, if i ever get mine working with this thing again -_- ill help you get some serious points :p
heres my stats in case you wanted to see:
http://www.bf2player.com/index.php?page=stats&account=68311381&show=all-e

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thats pretty impressive mate, I only started late December and already have 11,000 points. Sounds good, you get yours working and I will give you a game lol , you will own me haha.

You could make your own res, that way it can look like whatever you want it to, and you can utilize the whole space you have, also a lot cheaper than buying pre made ones.

[Tempest|2k7]

Thats pretty impressive mate, I only started late December and already have 11,000 points. Sounds good, you get yours working and I will give you a game lol , you will own me haha.

You could make your own res, that way it can look like whatever you want it to, and you can utilize the whole space you have, also a lot cheaper than buying pre made ones.

haha thanks man. 2 and a half years of hard work and procrastinating school work :D haha

yeah, the only thing i need...is the tools and knowledge. -_-
i know exactly what i want it to look like, and have it pictured in my head, but idfk how to use any tools or anything like that lol

[The boy 4rm oz]

Draw up a sketch and tribaloverkill could probably help you out.