Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Standard Noobie question: What do you suggest...

JJR512 · 11-14-2004, 05:31 AM

Yes, I'm a noobie, and yes, I'm going to commit the dreaded sin you experts all hate so much: I'm going to ask you for suggestions. Sorry. From my point of view, the best that can happen is I get good advice, the worst that can happen is I get flamed, and from what I can tell about the people here so far is I'm more likely to get the former rather than the latter. No harm in trying, right?

Now I'm not a complete idiot. I can't just ask what the best watercooling components are and get a single meaningful answer. Answers vary depending on a wide variety of factors. So, I will try to be as specific as possible about what it is, exactly, that I want, in order to help you, dear expert, help me better.

Because of the detail I will provide, this post will be fairly long, so apologies up front...now on to it.

I intend to create a new computer in a CoolerMaster Stacker case (click here if unfamiliar); system will most likely be whatever is the top-end P4 Prescott at the time I actually buy it, or possibly a P4EE, but I may just wait for a Prescott on the 1GHz FSB. Anyway...System will also include the current top-end GPU from NVIDIA or ATI. I would like for the watercooling system to include the CPU, GPU, and chipset. I would like for the case to be essentially unmodified, so I would not want to be cutting holes in it, etc. This leaves two spots in the case for mounting a radiator: A 120mm exhaust fan location on the back, and an 80mm blowhole on top. BTW, did I mention I want the radiators mounted inside the case, rather than hanging off on the outside? Anyway, there are those two spots, and I figure...why not use them both? Putting in radiators in both locations should only improve cooling capacity, correct? As for noise considerations: I currently have a Lian-li PC65 case with the two stock 80mm front intake fans, stock 80mm blowhole fan, and two non-stock 80mm Antec rear exhaust fans, plus the PSU, an Antec TruePower 450 (I think it was 450, been a while since I put this system together...). The system is not what I would consider to be loud, but then again, I'm used to it. It's like...when it's running, I don't notice it, but if someone else turned it off, I notice the absence of sound when I enter the room. This old system has a P3/933 with the stock Intel HSF, and the graphics card and chipset are passive cooled. I would like for my new watercooled system to be no louder than what I have now. I was under the impression one of the primary reasons to go with watercooling is that they are much, much quieter than air-cooled rigs, but I've seen a lot of posts here that mention noise levels, so I'm not sure what to expect, really.

I have some specific questions:
1. Given the three waterblocks, two radiators, the pump...and I assume a reservoir is standard equipment, though I rarely see them actually talked about (I guess one vessel that can hold water is just as good as another, really...right?)...what would be the best loop arrangement? Should the two radiators be in series, on right after the other? Should they be in two separate loops that split off after the pump and join back before it, and if so, which waterblock(s) go with which radiator?

2. Given an 80mm and 120mm radiator together, what brand/model would be most preferable? I have read many comments on single-row/low restriction. I'm hoping for a pointer to a specific brand name and model to look for, or at least a suggestion of several to choose from.

3. What would be a good pump for this system? Again, I'm hoping for specific brand/model suggestions.

4. What about hoses? See a lot of talk about Tygon, is that the best?

5. What about fans? Should each radiator have a push fan, a pull fan, or both? From what I think I've understood in my reading here so far, it seems that one fan is better than two...if I understood right.

6. Despite my earlier comment, I suppose I need a suggestion for a reservoir as well...Capacity? Are those drive-bay-mounted units adequate?

7. Fluid: Besides water, what else? I know there are additives, what do I need? One thing I want is water that glows blue by a UV light.

Ummmmm...I think those are all the questions I have for now. If you need me to be more specific about anything, just ask me. Thanks for your help!

11-14-2004, 05:31 AM	#1
JJR512 Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD, USA Posts: 8	Standard Noobie question: What do you suggest... Yes, I'm a noobie, and yes, I'm going to commit the dreaded sin you experts all hate so much: I'm going to ask you for suggestions. Sorry. From my point of view, the best that can happen is I get good advice, the worst that can happen is I get flamed, and from what I can tell about the people here so far is I'm more likely to get the former rather than the latter. No harm in trying, right? Now I'm not a complete idiot. I can't just ask what the best watercooling components are and get a single meaningful answer. Answers vary depending on a wide variety of factors. So, I will try to be as specific as possible about what it is, exactly, that I want, in order to help you, dear expert, help me better. Because of the detail I will provide, this post will be fairly long, so apologies up front...now on to it. I intend to create a new computer in a CoolerMaster Stacker case (click here if unfamiliar); system will most likely be whatever is the top-end P4 Prescott at the time I actually buy it, or possibly a P4EE, but I may just wait for a Prescott on the 1GHz FSB. Anyway...System will also include the current top-end GPU from NVIDIA or ATI. I would like for the watercooling system to include the CPU, GPU, and chipset. I would like for the case to be essentially unmodified, so I would not want to be cutting holes in it, etc. This leaves two spots in the case for mounting a radiator: A 120mm exhaust fan location on the back, and an 80mm blowhole on top. BTW, did I mention I want the radiators mounted inside the case, rather than hanging off on the outside? Anyway, there are those two spots, and I figure...why not use them both? Putting in radiators in both locations should only improve cooling capacity, correct? As for noise considerations: I currently have a Lian-li PC65 case with the two stock 80mm front intake fans, stock 80mm blowhole fan, and two non-stock 80mm Antec rear exhaust fans, plus the PSU, an Antec TruePower 450 (I think it was 450, been a while since I put this system together...). The system is not what I would consider to be loud, but then again, I'm used to it. It's like...when it's running, I don't notice it, but if someone else turned it off, I notice the absence of sound when I enter the room. This old system has a P3/933 with the stock Intel HSF, and the graphics card and chipset are passive cooled. I would like for my new watercooled system to be no louder than what I have now. I was under the impression one of the primary reasons to go with watercooling is that they are much, much quieter than air-cooled rigs, but I've seen a lot of posts here that mention noise levels, so I'm not sure what to expect, really. I have some specific questions: 1. Given the three waterblocks, two radiators, the pump...and I assume a reservoir is standard equipment, though I rarely see them actually talked about (I guess one vessel that can hold water is just as good as another, really...right?)...what would be the best loop arrangement? Should the two radiators be in series, on right after the other? Should they be in two separate loops that split off after the pump and join back before it, and if so, which waterblock(s) go with which radiator? 2. Given an 80mm and 120mm radiator together, what brand/model would be most preferable? I have read many comments on single-row/low restriction. I'm hoping for a pointer to a specific brand name and model to look for, or at least a suggestion of several to choose from. 3. What would be a good pump for this system? Again, I'm hoping for specific brand/model suggestions. 4. What about hoses? See a lot of talk about Tygon, is that the best? 5. What about fans? Should each radiator have a push fan, a pull fan, or both? From what I think I've understood in my reading here so far, it seems that one fan is better than two...if I understood right. 6. Despite my earlier comment, I suppose I need a suggestion for a reservoir as well...Capacity? Are those drive-bay-mounted units adequate? 7. Fluid: Besides water, what else? I know there are additives, what do I need? One thing I want is water that glows blue by a UV light. Ummmmm...I think those are all the questions I have for now. If you need me to be more specific about anything, just ask me. Thanks for your help!