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kinghong1970 · 05-04-2007, 08:05 AM

hey guys, i am sure you heard tons and tons of intro from newbies like myself, going for water cooling for the first time...

well, i figured i just take the plunge and try it out first and then pray to God that it works.

it seems that there is a un-discovered universe of watercooling suppliers, materials and information. in regard to this, i've yet to successfully launch a rocket so i hope that i can learn from you pro's without testing your patience...

as a starter set, i purchased a Swiftech H20-120 GT Premium Kit. i have to admit, my decision was based on some friendly recommendations but more due to my lack of knowledge of better individual parts.

plus, i've dedicated my bro's computer as the offical first water cooled system (guinea pig/victim) by me...

just a couple of questions i have are as follows:

1) vendors:
i am in USA and i've been told to go look at some of these vendors in the future...
Petra's Tech Shop, SVC.com, SidewinderComputers, FrozenCPU... are there any other vendors you can recommed?

2) biocide
is it highly recommended that i use a form of biocide such as this? http://www.petrastechshop.com/pepcobi1.html
or even the swiftech provided one such as this?http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21...tml?tl=g30c103
or by using distilled water or any form of coolants such as http://www.frozencpu.com/products/55...tml?tl=g30c103
work for me?

3) coolants
i am not sure here... the advertisements tell how good it is that you use THEIR coolants... some vendors void their warranty if you mix coolants... i on the other hand, pls be a tad understanding here, choose coolants based on color... i have purchased a red coolant i linked above, strictly based on aesthetics... any opinions?

4) tubes
3/8 ID, 1/4 ID, 1/2 ID... well, i am partial to 3/8" ID and please note, at the moment, i am doing this as a hobby and will not go into OC'ing in the near future... is 3/8" ID sufficient?

5) pumps
yes, i have read about certain standards and head pressure pumps need to have... my watercooling loop is just to one CPU and not going into GPU or chipset atm. and for simplicity's sake, i hope the kit has appropriate pump for my needs. in future, what are key aspects of pumps i should be looking out for?

6) radiators & cooling blocks
there is a ton of reading to do here... and i am told to stay away from Aluminum... hence i should try to stay with cooper/brass on all my parts, correct?

8) cooling blocks
i see some advertisements show off how shiny their blocks are polished... i also remember a term called "lapping" where you take hobby grade sand/polish papers and create your own shinny surface... the Swiftech Apogee does not have such a shine... how important is it? or has thermal paste advanced so much that it is not as essential?

sorry for asking too many questions.
as you can see, i am very excited and motivated to try this.

as soon as my bro's system "lives" then i want to venture off into the next step...

thank you in advance for your patience.

05-04-2007, 08:05 AM	#1
kinghong1970 Cooling Neophyte Join Date: May 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 16	Taking the plunge into watercooling... hey guys, i am sure you heard tons and tons of intro from newbies like myself, going for water cooling for the first time... well, i figured i just take the plunge and try it out first and then pray to God that it works. it seems that there is a un-discovered universe of watercooling suppliers, materials and information. in regard to this, i've yet to successfully launch a rocket so i hope that i can learn from you pro's without testing your patience... as a starter set, i purchased a Swiftech H20-120 GT Premium Kit. i have to admit, my decision was based on some friendly recommendations but more due to my lack of knowledge of better individual parts. plus, i've dedicated my bro's computer as the offical first water cooled system (guinea pig/victim) by me... just a couple of questions i have are as follows: 1) vendors: i am in USA and i've been told to go look at some of these vendors in the future... Petra's Tech Shop, SVC.com, SidewinderComputers, FrozenCPU... are there any other vendors you can recommed? 2) biocide is it highly recommended that i use a form of biocide such as this? http://www.petrastechshop.com/pepcobi1.html or even the swiftech provided one such as this?http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21...tml?tl=g30c103 or by using distilled water or any form of coolants such as http://www.frozencpu.com/products/55...tml?tl=g30c103 work for me? 3) coolants i am not sure here... the advertisements tell how good it is that you use THEIR coolants... some vendors void their warranty if you mix coolants... i on the other hand, pls be a tad understanding here, choose coolants based on color... i have purchased a red coolant i linked above, strictly based on aesthetics... any opinions? 4) tubes 3/8 ID, 1/4 ID, 1/2 ID... well, i am partial to 3/8" ID and please note, at the moment, i am doing this as a hobby and will not go into OC'ing in the near future... is 3/8" ID sufficient? 5) pumps yes, i have read about certain standards and head pressure pumps need to have... my watercooling loop is just to one CPU and not going into GPU or chipset atm. and for simplicity's sake, i hope the kit has appropriate pump for my needs. in future, what are key aspects of pumps i should be looking out for? 6) radiators & cooling blocks there is a ton of reading to do here... and i am told to stay away from Aluminum... hence i should try to stay with cooper/brass on all my parts, correct? 8) cooling blocks i see some advertisements show off how shiny their blocks are polished... i also remember a term called "lapping" where you take hobby grade sand/polish papers and create your own shinny surface... the Swiftech Apogee does not have such a shine... how important is it? or has thermal paste advanced so much that it is not as essential? sorry for asking too many questions. as you can see, i am very excited and motivated to try this. as soon as my bro's system "lives" then i want to venture off into the next step... thank you in advance for your patience.