Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Critique my potential noob water-cooling set-up...

Xylo · 07-12-2005, 05:53 AM

This is the first WC'ed system I will be assembling. I'd love any and all feedback on these possible set-ups...mostly the first one, as that is what I am currently leaning towards.

First, a few preliminary comments/questions…
1) I am thinking of just cooling in one loop right now my CPU and GPU, because I’ve read that cooling the chipset isn’t that important…but just how important is or isn’t it? I’m going to be doing some over-clocking, of course…

2) So at a later point, I might add a chipset block in series in the one loop.
OR, I’m also considering maybe water-cooling some HDs and adding a sort of second “partial loop” for the chipset and HDs, sharing the res. and radiator.
a) Does this make any sense (arguments for/against HD cooling aside)? Or should I just go ahead and stick the chipset in serial now?
b) If do end up adding a second partial-loop, I’ll likely add a second pump. Should I somehow plan for that in mind now?...get a slightly weaker pump?

3) I have listed 2x120mm radiators…but I am unsure if my set-up warrants such. Or if it might in the future, if additional blocks are added? Or perhaps in the future, it might even been insufficient?

4) Similarly, I’m wondering about the thicker vs. thinner radiators…I listed the BIX and Thermochill rad’s below, but not sure of the amount of benefit over a something simpler thinner?) like the BIPs?

5) Yes, it is all 1/2" high-flow stuff, as I really just haven't yet spec.ed out a 3/8" set-up...hmmm...

-----------------------

Potential set-up #1 $294
- pump: MCP-655 / DD12V-D5 $75
- radiator: BIX II $58
- cpu block: STORM G4 $76
- gpu block: Silverprop Fusion HL $57
- reservoir: acrylic bay res(?) $28
- (chipset block: ? (later) ?)
- (tubing, clamps, and fluid/additives) ? ($40) ?

Cheaper setup #2a $225.75
- pump: DD12V-D5 --
- radiator: BIX II $58
- cpu block: DD TDX $108.75 (w/ pump)
- gpu block: DD Maze 4 GPU $45
- reservoir: T-line + fillport $14

Slightly cheaper setup #3 $257
- pump: DD12V-D5 $75
- radiator: BIX II $58
- cpu block: Alphacool NexXxoS XP Bold AMD 64 $65
- gpu block: DD Maze 4 $45
- reservoir: T-line + fillport $14

More expensive setup #4 $353
- pump: MCP-655 / DD12V-D5 $75
- radiator: Thermochill HE120.2 $105
- cpu block: STORM G4 $76 (G5?)
- gpu block: Silverprop Fusion HL $57
- reservoir: anodized alum. Res $40

-----------------------

6) Still up in the air about the reservoirs. I’m somewhat debating just making a T-line / fillport, and then using a small little pseudo-reservoir like the Typhoon 120X or Thermaltake CL-W0009 mounted somewhere visible just for looks… Any words of advice for/against such? I wonder how much my system might “foam” if doing the latter?

7) With two 120mm fans on the radiator, 1 120mm fan in the PSU, and likely 1 120mm in both the front and the back of the computer…well, will that likely be more than necessary? Or less?...

8) Anyone know of directly comparable tests done with the BI radiators and the Thermochill? I’m curious exactly what the measurable differences are…

9) The only consistent item throughout all my listed possibilities is the MCP655/DD D5 Laing Pump…I really haven’t seen much in the way of comparable pumps, even at the price? Also, the G4 and Fusion blocks are both somewhat restrictive, so…

10) At some later point, might also want to experiment w/ adding peltiers…

And if it’s helpful to anyone: AMD 64 3500+, ATI X800 Pro, 1 Gb Corsair RAM; case, PSU, and motherboard are all still TBD

Thanks!
Xylo

(P.S., the spacing/tabbing didn't copy-and-paste happily, so please forgive any odd formatting.)

07-12-2005, 05:53 AM	#1
Xylo Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 14	Critique my potential noob water-cooling set-up... This is the first WC'ed system I will be assembling. I'd love any and all feedback on these possible set-ups...mostly the first one, as that is what I am currently leaning towards. First, a few preliminary comments/questions… 1) I am thinking of just cooling in one loop right now my CPU and GPU, because I’ve read that cooling the chipset isn’t that important…but just how important is or isn’t it? I’m going to be doing some over-clocking, of course… 2) So at a later point, I might add a chipset block in series in the one loop. OR, I’m also considering maybe water-cooling some HDs and adding a sort of second “partial loop” for the chipset and HDs, sharing the res. and radiator. a) Does this make any sense (arguments for/against HD cooling aside)? Or should I just go ahead and stick the chipset in serial now? b) If do end up adding a second partial-loop, I’ll likely add a second pump. Should I somehow plan for that in mind now?...get a slightly weaker pump? 3) I have listed 2x120mm radiators…but I am unsure if my set-up warrants such. Or if it might in the future, if additional blocks are added? Or perhaps in the future, it might even been insufficient? 4) Similarly, I’m wondering about the thicker vs. thinner radiators…I listed the BIX and Thermochill rad’s below, but not sure of the amount of benefit over a something simpler thinner?) like the BIPs? 5) Yes, it is all 1/2" high-flow stuff, as I really just haven't yet spec.ed out a 3/8" set-up...hmmm... ----------------------- Potential set-up #1 $294 - pump: MCP-655 / DD12V-D5 $75 - radiator: BIX II $58 - cpu block: STORM G4 $76 - gpu block: Silverprop Fusion HL $57 - reservoir: acrylic bay res(?) $28 - (chipset block: ? (later) ?) - (tubing, clamps, and fluid/additives) ? ($40) ? Cheaper setup #2a $225.75 - pump: DD12V-D5 -- - radiator: BIX II $58 - cpu block: DD TDX $108.75 (w/ pump) - gpu block: DD Maze 4 GPU $45 - reservoir: T-line + fillport $14 Slightly cheaper setup #3 $257 - pump: DD12V-D5 $75 - radiator: BIX II $58 - cpu block: Alphacool NexXxoS XP Bold AMD 64 $65 - gpu block: DD Maze 4 $45 - reservoir: T-line + fillport $14 More expensive setup #4 $353 - pump: MCP-655 / DD12V-D5 $75 - radiator: Thermochill HE120.2 $105 - cpu block: STORM G4 $76 (G5?) - gpu block: Silverprop Fusion HL $57 - reservoir: anodized alum. Res $40 ----------------------- 6) Still up in the air about the reservoirs. I’m somewhat debating just making a T-line / fillport, and then using a small little pseudo-reservoir like the Typhoon 120X or Thermaltake CL-W0009 mounted somewhere visible just for looks… Any words of advice for/against such? I wonder how much my system might “foam” if doing the latter? 7) With two 120mm fans on the radiator, 1 120mm fan in the PSU, and likely 1 120mm in both the front and the back of the computer…well, will that likely be more than necessary? Or less?... 8) Anyone know of directly comparable tests done with the BI radiators and the Thermochill? I’m curious exactly what the measurable differences are… 9) The only consistent item throughout all my listed possibilities is the MCP655/DD D5 Laing Pump…I really haven’t seen much in the way of comparable pumps, even at the price? Also, the G4 and Fusion blocks are both somewhat restrictive, so… 10) At some later point, might also want to experiment w/ adding peltiers… And if it’s helpful to anyone: AMD 64 3500+, ATI X800 Pro, 1 Gb Corsair RAM; case, PSU, and motherboard are all still TBD Thanks! Xylo (P.S., the spacing/tabbing didn't copy-and-paste happily, so please forgive any odd formatting.)