Suggestions
 

I've been researching, documenting, and thinking some more. I am inviting some feedback on what I plan on purchasing.
My current setup is this:
Aopen HX08
XP2100+
A7N8X Dlx
2 cdroms
2 HDDs

My major concerns are 1.)noise, 2.) price, 3.) temps. I looked at the 'newbie' kits ( aquarius / iceberg systems ) and honestly I don't see the benefit when I can get virtually same temps via air.
So my plan is this:
Via Aqua 1300 - 55
Maze 3 Waterblock - 70
1/2" ID Hoses - 8
Chevette Heatercore - < 25? - used likely
Total under $200 CAN dollars.
Reservoir unknown at this point, but a minor detail.
(4) Panaflo 120mm volt modded to 'supposedly' produce 19dBa @ 37cfms ( 2 for rad - push/pull, and 1 exhaust / 1 intake ).
I'm aiming for something around 10°C above ambient.

Hello All, Looks good Ben Jr. you might want to take a look at the Hagen Laguna pumps, they're made up your way and have a pretty good reputation. I'm using their PT-305 Utility/Statuary #2 pump 810L/214G @ 0', 130cm/4.26 Water column, 11 watts, cost me $35.00 US, very quiet. They have more powerful pumps as well, but this is enough for mine. Check in the pond section under products. Regards, Szandor

http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/

Are you planning to overclock or overvolt your system? If not, then based on your own criteria the proper answer is air cooling. Certainly there's nothing wrong with water cooling, but for stock systems the only real justifications include "something new to try", "geek factor", etc. Top notch heat sinks will keep your processor quite happy and stable without producing any more noise than a fan blowing on a radiator.

As for "suggestions", an inside joke would be, "Choose a different user name". LOLOL.

wheeee
I would add MUCH more but it is not fair to kick a cripple
lol

Come on guys, that's not very nice... :p

Yeah... What's wrong with "Ben"?:p

Otherwise, this system is A-OK. Nice to see a noob get it right the first time.;)

Ben
at a young age you were spirited away from your native world
this universe is described in

"The World of Null A", by AE van Vogt

Ben Jr: if your first criterion is noise, you'll have to change a few bits.
- start by running at stock.
- fans: get down to *one* fan only. 120mm Papst fans are even more silent (get the 4412 N/2GL). Undervolt it. Multiple fans in parallel *always* produce more noise, and produce extra noise due to resonant frequencies.
- get rid of *any* other fan in your case. Mod the PSU with a silent 80mm such as the 8412, and take a good PSU to begin with (Zalman, Antec TruePower..)
- make sure the airflow produced by your only fan cools down critical elements (HDDs for instance). If your case is closed make sure it passes over the mobo.
- then and only after you've done that, start to overclock / volt mod etc.
That's the way to get a 'rather silent' system. Don't worry about the singly fan on the rad. With a good rad it's not problematic - you'll still get good temps.

wait a second here gmat

Null A Ben just said it was "A-OK" ???

Ben Jr
listen to gmat
your namesake is adrift withoud a paddle, he is however quite expert in posting

Ben Jr: Ah i just saw you've got an A7N8X.
Pop that crappy NB heatsink off. Replace it with something useful, or at least lap it and use thermal paste. Or with the money you'll save on fans, buy a NB waterblock. Since you're buying at DDen - take one of those wonderful Z blocks, and 2 Y splitters. You'll thank me later when you get stable 200+MHz on the FSB...

Without an overclock, the base description is "spot on".

If you're shooting for an OC, then follow gmat.

nope
without an overclock, do listen to myv65's comments

remeber, reliability is inversely related to complexity
simple is always better

Don't get his hopes up too much... there are some boards with an earlier revision of the NB and SB (A2) that have difficulties breaking the 185 mark, even with improved cooling... mine certainly does :(

Skulemate:

That's mostly because the NB is not getting enough voltage to remain stable above 180FSB. A quick Vdd mod will solve that problem, however this is not for the "faint of heart" :)

Yeah, I realize that's probably the issue with my board, and when I get a chance I'm going to give the VDD mod a shot. But the fact still remains that there are some v1.04 boards that can't do 200FSB straight out of the box.

I'll prob follow some of the suggestions, and I'll look at that other pump as well.
I just changed boards actually and once I finish building my sisters PC, I'll exchange my 512 Crucial 2700 for some PC3200. My previous board was the A7V8X, and I was able to get a stable 2400Mhz from a XP2100+ off air. I haven't gotten the chance to overclock with the A7N8X since I always seem to be working, but I'll assume that I'll get the same.
I might be swapping that cheesy HS off the NB with something else, its getting hot.

For the CPU I'd suggest the TC-4 over the Maze 3. And Gmat's NB advice is right on, get a water block or at least a Iceburg.