Lets see, I can start with a little info about my history with computers. I started to build my own computers 3-4 years ago, I started OC'ing them about 2 years ago. Air was doing me OK for a while, but now that I have a new A64, and OC'ed it a little, my fans are whining a bit too loud.
Here's what I have ATM:
AMD 3200 Winchester OC'ed to 240x10
MSI K8N Neo 2
OCZ 3200 Plat rev2 at 2.5 3 3 11
Leadtek 6800gt agp (no OC atm)
WD Raptor 74Gig Sata (main drive)
Seagate 120Gig Ide (data, backup)
Lian Li pc 6077 case
cooling it:
XP-90 on cpu with TT ufo 90mm fan (screams at full rpm, yikes! nice performing Heatsink, tho)
Gi-freaking-normous Leadtek stock heatsink and fan on 6800 (occasionaly I find it unseats the card from the slot if I slide my case around, it's so heavy)
2xPanaflow High 80mm in front on fanbus Intakes (whiney)
2Xstandard 32cfm 80mm on back Exhausts (UV Cheese fans)
1xPanaflow 80mm lowspeed on top Exhaust
I've spent the better part of a month taking a crash course in Watercooling from Internet University, although I spent 2 weeks doing research in the wrong forums (read as: before I found ProCooling's site). At first I was looking at the 'bling', but now I see that performance must sacrifice aesthetics to some degree, or you need a machine shop to make pro performance look good. Seeing as I live in a small apt in a city, I don't think I'll be using any mills/bandsaws or drill presses in the near future, however, I do have at least a dremel comming to me soon
Anyway, to sum up my 'want's' for my setup, I'm looking for:
A nice balance of performance and quiet (more performance than silence)
Ease of installation (no tools, little workspace)
Here's my final cartload:
CPU - MCW-6002-64
GPU - MCW-50 w/1/2 inch barbs
Rad - Black Ice Pro II Rad w/2x Panaflo Mediums(they'll go on the fan controller)
Pump- Aquaextreme 50Z
With 1/2" Clearflex and a T-line.
I plan to run it: pump > rad > cpu > gpu > t > pump (woo hoo, should be fun for a noob to fill!)
The selection process was quite hilarious. At first I looked at AquaComputer stuff, since it's got major bling. Once I started to understand flow, I knew I wanted to do 1/2" tubing, I started looking at DD's kits, then I came here, and learned that the BEST blocks come in small quantities from down under, and that lucite tops can crack, and that Swiftech really knows their stuff, and decided to go with them.
And some starter Q's that I didn't find specific info on:
Did I pick the right pump? I'm afriad the high flow may not like the double pass rad. I read Phaestus' article and threads on pumps numerous times, but alas, much of it still flies over my head. I can wrap my brain around theories, but I loathe crunching numbers. Freaking public education ruined me for math and science. grrr....
Where can I find/make a rheobus that I can use with my pump (if it ends up being too loud after a week or so of break in?) I found a number of electronic stores online that have what I think I'm looking for, but they seem to be rated in ohms and volts, never watts, and I don't know how they relate.
Does the orientation of the input/outputs on the rad affect performance? I'll be mouning the rad vertically, and I know having the barbs at the top should make filling the system and getting air out easier, but after the system is full and airless, will I notice performance difference if the nozzles are on the bottom?
How much does extra tubing length affect flow or overall performance? Is the effect more from the added water in the loop, or the distance the pump has to pump the water? If I had an external box set 10ft away from the comp, which would add 20ft to the loop, and um.....0.64ish gallons (pi(r)squared * length for cylinder volume, right?), would I need more pump power?
....extra credit?
I noticed from the new show pics that some manufacturers did some painting on the Swify products. Would painting the blocks affect performance? painting the clip shouldn't, right?
When PSU's start getting up towards 750 Watts, will the companies start refering to them as 1horsepower computers?
Finally, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone here for giving me the facts about watercooling. Your countless hours of hard work are appreciated. I haven't learned so much in 7 days since I don't know when. You all deserve a raise, or some cookies, at least.