Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

I have an amd 4800 (2.83ghz) and two x1900's in crossfire and I am going to order a liquid cooling system but all the the configurations that I have come up with dont match in tubing sizes nor do I know if they are compatible. My brain is fried at this point. I would like to order it by tomorrow morning but only if I am sure that I found the right one.

I would perfer one that is external because of space in my case and I am not able to mount it to the back of my case either. Also I dont really care if I have a pump, radiator, etc. just sitting outside of my case not in an enclosure as long as it will not affect the performance. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions/help.

Also I can go above the $350 if there is a substantial difference. My main goal is to get my temps as low as possible for the money. (dont we all) Finally what do you recomend as the liquid/cooling solution.

Re: Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

I generally like the stuff from dangerden and swiftech as solution providers. They both provide kits with everything in them.

For radiators, I prefer thermochill's PA series (the PA160 is a wonderful balance of performance and noise but not as extreme performance as other possibilities).

For pumps, I cannot recommend anything but Laing right now (I don't use any of the other brands because they are either noisier or much more expensive or both). The Laing DDC (MCP-350) and Laing D5 (MCP655) are great pumps.

As for the coolant, I use distilled water with 30% antifreeze straight from BiMart.

Re: Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

jab-tech.com has a larger selection of stuff and decent prices
SVC.com has the best customer service and most of the stuff you need
petrastechshop.com has an active xtremesystems forum member and great selection of stuff ( some of is out of stock)

I suggest getting DDC and a plexitop
http://www.jab-tech.com/Laing-DDC-Al...4-pr-3515.html
http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html
$100 in the bag.

Next spend money on PA series RAD
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermochill-...3-pr-3264.html
$260
spend you money on this type of setup
http://www.svc.com/slim4gan78.html
compared to
http://www.svc.com/ddtyxf.html
$380

EDIT: forgot CPU WB
http://www.petrastechshop.com/aqicuncpuwab.html
http://www.petrastechshop.com/swapexpeunwa.html
http://www.petrastechshop.com/dadentdxa64c.html

You still need a res, tubing, fan3x (yateloons $4 at jabtech), and minor stuff like distilled water

Re: Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

I recommend you to look in the FS/FT forum at this site. These are the best external watercooling kits over there from jpiperformance. All you have to do is buy one of these kits(or more) and buy a good pump and waterblocks.
JPIperformance was the best(and still is) and one of the nicest looking kits over there.

Re: Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

If the budget doesnt fit the PA radiators you can pick CoolRads or Swiftech ones. They might not be as effective or low restrictive but they will be damn close.
Definitely pick a low restrictive block for CPU, Apogee or MP-01 being the best ones.

Re: Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

DD Laing D5, custom all copper WB, DIY 3 Litre res, Bonniville heater core, DIY rad box on top of vertical flow A/C @ 10ºC idle and 15ºC load @ $355.

But, ricecrispi has a good commercial solution in hand.

Re: Buying the best watercooling system under $350...need suggestions/help???
 

Black Ice Pro III = $60
http://www.petrastechshop.com/hwlablicegts1.html

Laing DDC w/ Petra's DDCT-01 Top = $100
http://www.petrastechshop.com/laddcwpeddto.html

White Water = $35
http://www.petrastechshop.com/aqwhwaliedun.html

Maze 4 SLI (2 of them) = $45 x 2 = $90
http://www.petrastechshop.com/q.html

Yate-Loon 120mm fans (4 of them) = $20
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa1.html

2 Packs of RAMsinks = $28
http://www.petrastechshop.com/evncorapof8.html

15 feet of 7/16" ID Masterkleer PVC = $4.90
http://www.petrastechshop.com/7id5odmagepu.html

1/2" Tee = $2
http://www.petrastechshop.com/1odtf1and7id.html

Whatever Additive you prefer = $5
http://www.petrastechshop.com/wacoac.html

Fillport = $12
http://www.petrastechshop.com/dadendefi.html

Total = $357 + shipping

To use 7/16" ID tubing on 1/2" barbs simply have a pot of really hot water near by and dip the ends of the tubing into it, then slide the end onto your barbs. You won't need to use clamps with it.
You will also need some #6-32 standoffs, spacers, and hex nuts to mount the 3x120mm radiator spaced off the top of your case. With the radiator mounted outside the case the only part you need to find space for inside is the pump.