newbie cheapo watercooling
 

I'm trying to build my own watercooling system, right now I'm on air and I've never used watercooling before. My dad works at a university and has access to all sorts of machining tools, copper, etc., so that shouldn't be a problem. I trying to do a white-water-ish design, and I was wondering if you have to use the end-mill for that or if I could use a saw blade (still on a mill) If I go with the saw, I can fit more channels in a smaller area (the blade is 1/64" thick!?!?!?!) is this too small?

I was also wondering how cheap I can go for the pump. I found one at wal-mart for $35 that was 310 gph w/ a 8'5" head. Good/bad? Thanx in advance for your help.

You have to use slitting saws to do microchannels (whitewater design) anyway so your lucky you have acess to the right equipment. I have use 1/64 channels in my latest block, it worked very well:)

For a pump you need to get something that is recognised as a good watercooling pump. try something like a Hydor L30 or Danner Mag3 they are nice and cheap but are also pretty good pumps.

liang d4 pumps are also very good if you can get them - dangerden now rebrand them so shouldnt be too hard to get one. iirc they are slightly more expensive (but I dont know how much in usd). They are about the same price as an eheim 1250, or £20 more than the hydor over here (which is about 40usd).
While the more channels the better, it also makes blocks more restrictive, so remember that... no point in having a very restrictive block for a nb...