Good watercooling setup?

[cvitullo]

I'm looking to add watercooling soon-ish, and this seems to be a decent CPU block/radiator/pump for pretty cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106117
I'd probably spend a bit more and get a GPU block and some different tubing, but how's that look to all you experienced folks?

[SXRguyinMA]

I've got the same setup on my PD 820, has worked flawlessly for years now :up:

[cvitullo]

S'nice, thanks for the quick response, +rep. That's pretty cheap, too, yay.

[Spawn-Inc]

junk..... just like all thermaltake stuffs. somehow SXRguyinMA is the only person i know who has managed to have good luck with there stuff.

kits in general are crap and cheaply made. the only kit i would get is a Swiftech one or one that a water cooling site has put together, like this one from petras tech. http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoba.html.

or this one which will allow for a gpu in the loop, pending your specs.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoel.html

[Zephik]

Stay away from Thermaltake. They're cheap for a reason.

I've always liked Swiftech. They're probably the most trusted, most used brand as well. I would trust most of the stuff on Danger Den's website too. But if you are new to water-cooling, then just stick with Swiftech. Best bang for your buck for sure.

If you are water-cooling just to water-cool, then don't use that reasoning to cheap out. I wouldn't trust brands like Thermaltake, when it comes to water-cooling anyways, any where near my rig. Their kits are cheaply assembled and made with cheap parts, which is why they tend to break down much more often than compared to other, more trusted, brands like Swiftech. The last thing you want is a dead PC because something came loose, or broke, etc.

The difference between Swiftech and Thermaltake is one is a sure thing while other is a hit and miss. I know where I'm putting my hard earned money!

Edit: Had another thought. You might be wondering why the reviews and ratings for thermaltake water cooling kits are anywhere from pretty decent to pretty good. Simple explanation; It usually takes a few months before most people start noticing things going awry with their kits. Most people will buy something, then review it within a month of purchase. For professional reviewers, they don't usually have the kit longer than a week or two. They don't test for long lasting durability.

[Zephik]

I'm not backing this product up, so buy at your own risk. However, I did try to dig up some dirt on CoolIT kits and I can't seem to find any. So, if you want a cheap kit, then you might want to look into their kits.

However, the general consensus seems to be that a good Air Cooler would out preform some of the cheaper CoolIT kits. But, it should still provide you with decent cooling while being able to say that your water-cooled. The only real downside now is that they aren't nearly as pretty if you have a window in your case. :)

Here is a super cheap one, which is the one that I'm guessing was being referred too with the whole good air cooler being better thing. But, its pretty damn cheap and I can't personally find any dirt on it.

http://www.amazon.com/CoolIT-DM-1000-Domino-L-C-Cooler/dp/B001LKMU56/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1240626910&sr=8-1

Just make sure you go over it and make sure everything is nice and tight.

[cvitullo]

Wow, sudden flurry of (really useful) replies. Okay, thanks for all the suggestions. I'm mostly just doing watercooling for design purposes, and to get some experience with it. I *do* plan on having a window, though, as well as a GPU block, so I'll go with Spawn's second recommendation. Thanks for the tips on brands, too.

[w0lv3r1n3]

Just my 2 cents.

"Good Water-Cooling Setup" = More expensive, but you get what you
pay for ( If you do your research ) You may be able to go a little cheaper
on the hoses and radiator, but i would suggest to pay more for the pump
and the Water-Blocks. You will thank me in the future, believe me.

I have a dual loop system in my older system.
Swiftech cpu blocks are great, I have the Swiftech Apogee GT Extreme
CPU block and it is one of the best. They also make a very good, if not
one of the best pumps. The MCP355™ 12 VDC Pump. Stay away from
anything Asetek, like the waterchill pump for one thing. I have experienced
the classic "horror stories" with them and will never buy their products again.
Dangerden is also another great company. Their Black Ice line is very good.
I would look at getting a dual radiator, rather than a single. It will cool
your system better than a single rad, regardless of your setup. If you
must buy a kit, get one that has a dual radiator.
Also either way, shop around. Their are some good deals out there if
you look. If you post exactly what you are looking for, I am sure there
are plenty of us that have good shopping sources for ya to check out.

Hope the above helps ya.

[Spawn-Inc]

Just my 2 cents.

"Good Water-Cooling Setup" = More expensive, but you get what you
pay for ( If you do your research ) You may be able to go a little cheaper
on the hoses and radiator, but i would suggest to pay more for the pump
and the Water-Blocks. You will thank me in the future, believe me.

I have a dual loop system in my older system.
Swiftech cpu blocks are great, I have the Swiftech Apogee GT Extreme
CPU block and it is one of the best. They also make a very good, if not
one of the best pumps. The MCP355™ 12 VDC Pump. Stay away from
anything Asetek, like the waterchill pump for one thing. I have experienced
the classic "horror stories" with them and will never buy their products again.
Dangerden is also another great company. Their Black Ice line is very good.
I would look at getting a dual radiator, rather than a single. It will cool
your system better than a single rad, regardless of your setup. If you
must buy a kit, get one that has a dual radiator.
Also either way, shop around. Their are some good deals out there if
you look. If you post exactly what you are looking for, I am sure there
are plenty of us that have good shopping sources for ya to check out.

Hope the above helps ya.

the apogee gt was great in its day but it is outdated now and no good for quads.

not that it matters but laing makes the pumps but swiftech, and many other, rebrand them.


i will assume you mean single 120mm and dual 120mm not single and dual rads?

Wow, sudden flurry of (really useful) replies. Okay, thanks for all the suggestions. I'm mostly just doing watercooling for design purposes, and to get some experience with it. I *do* plan on having a window, though, as well as a GPU block, so I'll go with Spawn's second recommendation. Thanks for the tips on brands, too.

you will be very happy with that kit. great stuff in that.

[w0lv3r1n3]

Correct Dual 120mm rad or better known as a 240 rad
is definitely better than a single 120mm.

[Spawn-Inc]

Correct Dual 120mm rad is definitely better than a single 120mm.

i know that, i was asking if you implied a single rad or 2 rads versus 1 single 120mm or 1 double 120mm rad.

and besides a triple beats out both :)(referring to my setup)

[Zephik]

Ha, I laugh at your tiny radiators!

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=21622

or if you really got some money to throw around...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=457_458&products_id=25382

:dead:

[Spawn-Inc]

Ha, I laugh at your tiny radiators!

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=21622

or if you really got some money to throw around...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=457_458&products_id=25382

:dead:

lol, i'm one triple away from the 1080 and for the price of the monsta i would get 5 mcr320's and smoke 2 of the monsta's. well 1 forsure.

[w0lv3r1n3]

Gee, makes my setup seem tiny now.
hehe