First W/C Setup
 

Here is what I will use for my W/C setup, I am new to watercooling.

System
Thermaltake Armor
Asus A8N-E
AMD X2 4400 (Not AM2)
nvidia 7800 GT
2x 750GB HD

Watercooling
1/2" Swiftec storm CPU Waterblock
1/2" NV-78 GPU Waterblock
3/8" Silentstar HD-Dual HD Cooler
3/8" Mosfet Cooler
3/8" Maze4 A8N Chipset Cooler
Cape Cora 642 Passive Radiator (3/8")
3/8" Alphacool NexXxoS Micro 80 (with 80mm Fan)
3/8" Alphacool NexXxoS Xtreme I (with 120mm fan)
2x Repack 3.5" slot in resevoir (one 3/8", one 1/2")
1/2" Liang D5 Pump
3/8" Hydor L30 Pump
3/8" Thermaltake water flow meter
3/8" Thermaltake Refill Water Tank
1/2" Thermaltake T-type Water Temperature Indicator
1/2" ID Tubing
3/8" ID Tubing
Thermaltake high performance coolant

I will use 2 loops for my setup. I will have one with only the CPU and GPU cooler, this will use the cape cora radiator. This radiator uses 3/8" connections so I will have to use a adapter for 3/8" (10mm) ID tubing to 1/2" (13mm) ID tubing. The other loop will cool the HDs, and the chipset. Im not looking for overclock potential, although it would be nice to be able to overvlock.

Loop 1 (1/2" ID Tubing)
Repack 3.5" slot in resevoir>Liang D5 Pump>Swiftec storm CPU Waterblock>NV-78GPU Waterblock>3/8" to 1/2" Hose adaptor>Cape cora 642 radiator>3/8" to 1/2" Hose adaptor>Thermaltake T-type Water Temperature Indicator

Loop 2 (3/8" ID Tubing)
Repack 3.5" slot in resevoir>Hydor L30 Pump>Mosfet Cooler>Maze4 A8N Chipset Cooler>Thermaltake water flow meter>Thermaltake Refill Water Tank> Silentstar HD-Dual HD Cooler>Alphacool NexXxoS Micro 80>Alphacool NexXxoS Xtreme I

What do you think of that setup? Should I just have both loops using 3/8" ID connectors and hoses, as all of the parts do come in 3/8" versoins. Thanks for any help.

Re: First W/C Setup
 

That's a very ambitious setup for a first-timer. Take lots of time with it.

3/8" would be fine, but I think the D5 is 1/2" only. Happy to be proven wrong on that. But it looks like you're doing this for silence, and you might want to go with a DDC instead of D5.

If you have to deal with 3/8"-1/2" conversions in loop 1, I'd think about simplifying. Something like res->pump->CPU->GPU in 1/2", then using a 3/8" barb as the GPU block's outlet for GPU->rad->res in 3/8" should work pretty well. No reason you must keep all of the barbs the same size.

Re: First W/C Setup
 

Thanks for the reply. I didnt think of that. I have installed watercooling for other people but have never done a full setup for myself. If I do want to overclock, will the DDC be powerful enough? I could probably make the D5 practically noiseless by adding soundproof foam around it etc. Would this be a good idea? The cape cora fittings are 10/8mm. They are 1/4" ID, will using an adaptor cause too much pressure loss or will I be ok?

Re: First W/C Setup
 

Loop two: it is redundant having repack res and aquabay M1 with flow metter and waterlevel indicator. Pick one or the other, makes the loop more simple.

Cobra passive rad shoulds be for chipset, mosfets, and HD cooler. I would use a DDC in this loop because it is 3/8 th ID

Loop one: I would use a dual 120MM rad instead of a pssive rad because you will get better temps.

PLus I would stay awy for 1/4th ID with so many blocks.

Re: First W/C Setup
 

Thanks. I will probably use the flow meter. I will use a Konvekt o Matic for loop 2, it seems good enough. Ill have to mod my case a bit, but I can probably fit 3 single radiators in it, which should be good enough to cool the cpu and graphics card.

Re: First W/C Setup
 

You have a lot invested in your computer so a top quality system will serve you well and last for quite a while. Looking at the "Gallery" will give you ideas of radiator placement and tube routing. The larger the rad, two or three 120mm fan models will give you better performance but will also require more planning for their placement. Here is my recommendation for pieces parts:

1) MP-05 SP LE CPU Waterblock
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=154

2) MP-1 GPU Water Block
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=157
or

The Danger Den Acetal MAZE4 GPU
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/produc...&cat=18&page=1

3) AquaXtreme 50Z-DC12 Mag Drive Inline 12V Pump
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=138
or

DTC- D5 12v Pump
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=172

4) Swiftech MCR320-QP-K Triple 120mm Radiator (w/(3) Yate Loon fans in a "pull" configuration.
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR...r-pr-3320.html

or the high end "ThermoChill" radiator.
Thermochill PA120.3
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermochill-...3-pr-3264.html

5) 7/16" MasterKlear tubing with plastic hose clamps
http://www.petrastechshop.com/7id5odmagepu.html

6) Delrin T-Line
http://www.petrastechshop.com/madeficap.html

97% Distilled water, 2% antifreeze and 4-5 drops of Povidone Iodine (for biological protection)
http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...&id=prod385321

The more research that you do the more all of this will make sense and then you will be able to make informed decisions on the correct path for you. Just remember that if you skimp on the quality now you will pay for it later, better to save up and do it right the first time. JMO