which blocks!! Pllllleeeeasssee help me out?

[Axle]

Honest to GOD last time I ask. I really am sorry, but I FINALLY (after xmas) have the money to order my WC blocks & pump. I really need your help on making a decision, though, so plllllllleeeeeeaaaaassssseeee lend me a hand? It's a huge investment for me, and there's no way I could get it right by myself. OK, so here goes:

1/2 or 3/8? I've always planned on 1/2, but I may go the other way. Any REAL difference between the two?

blocks: (cpu): I've yet to see any #s on the MCW5000, which looks pretty good to me. I know the TC-4 is the best overall, and I would get it over both the maze and spri@l. Innovative's is too expensive, but I like their NB & GF4s. What I'm very interested in is becoolings unaBlock, which at $15 is my kind of block!! But will it work? Right now I run a t-bird 1.2 @1.3@54C idle, and was hoping for some cooler temps & more ocing power. Anyone tried this?

(NB+GF4):
Max I'd really like to spend is $35 each. Less if possible. this for the NB, I was thinking maybe? It's a pretty cool NB (shuttle ak31)-but when I unplug the fan, I get unstability. I was also thinking swifty's MCW40, or even the MCW50 if the extra $10 is really worth it? Innovative's GF4 is quite spify, but again I'd like performence.

(ahhhhhhhhh!)pump:
This will be a passive system. My rad will be a large bucket at first, which will eventually change to either some copper tubing or a large heat sink stuck to the side of my case which I saw somewhere in german. If I go the tubing route, it'll need to be pretty powerfull (right?), but otherwise less gph=less noise? It need to be DEAD quiet-like you-cant-hear-it-over-a-5v-panaflo quiet. I was thinking mag drive, but are there any others that are this quiet? I don't mind spending $50 for a quiet pump that can run 24/7.

Pllllllllleeeeeeaaaaaassssssseeeeee help me out? I really need it quite badly, and I'd love you forever Please? TIA to anyone who even reads this...thanks!!

[gmat]

Originally posted by Axle

1/2 or 3/8? I've always planned on 1/2, but I may go the other way. Any REAL difference between the two?

Yes. Go with 1/2". That's a 45% increase (at least..) in cross-section area.

blocks: [...] I know the TC-4 is the best overall...

So don't be cheap... Go with it ! Even if you have to spare money for an extra month or two.

(NB+GF4):
Max I'd really like to spend is $35 each. Less if possible.

mhh good luck the price for NB and GPU block seems more around $40-$45.
I like DDen's Z-blocks a lot. Their european counterpart, Aquacomputer Twinplex, are great as well. You can get DDen z-blocks for around $40. (one is at $38 if i remember)
You can get small blocks at D-Tek as well.

If I go the tubing route, it'll need to be pretty powerfull (right?), but otherwise less gph=less noise? It need to be DEAD quiet-like you-cant-hear-it-over-a-5v-panaflo quiet. I was thinking mag drive, but are there any others that are this quiet? I don't mind spending $50 for a quiet pump that can run 24/7.

Eheim, Little Giant are known to be dead silent. heck even my Hydor L30 is less noisy than an idle HDD or a Papst fan.

I'd love you forever

uh oh, stay away. I'll go that way, and you the other way.. geently...

[Turbokeu]

Originally posted by Axle
I know the TC-4 is the best overall, and I would get it over both the maze and spri@l.

I'm really wondering where you did hear that....
The best WB (no doubt about it ) is the Little River - White Water from Cathar...

Originally posted by Axle
This will be a passive system. My rad will be a large bucket at first, which will eventually change to either some copper tubing or a large heat sink stuck to the side of my case which I saw somewhere in german. If I go the tubing route, it'll need to be pretty powerfull (right?), but otherwise less gph=less noise? It need to be DEAD quiet-like you-cant-hear-it-over-a-5v-panaflo quiet. I was thinking mag drive, but are there any others that are this quiet? I don't mind spending $50 for a quiet pump that can run 24/7.

Passive? Then go for a massive truck heatercore...
Mag drive? Go for an Eheim 1048 or 1250...
Other than mag drive and you don't mind to spend 100+ $?
Go for a 12V Johnson or Jabsco pump...

IMHO, don't bother to WC your NB, just use a good passive cooler instead...
And yes for 1/2" tubing...

CD

[gmat]

Originally posted by Turbokeu

IMHO, don't bother to WC your NB, just use a good passive cooler instead...

Hey nice to see you're still there dude !
(et un p'tit bonjour, en voisin j'aurai une pensée pour nos amis Belges le 31 au soir quand on va s'envoyer quelques litres de bière par le fond )

Axle: For the NB, go passive if you run at stock FSB (133 or less). The Zalman chip cooler is at $5 and is great for that. If you're planning to pump the FSB up to 200 or even 166, active cooling is necessary.

[Axle]

Really? Like, really-really? I've planned on 1/2 forever now, but all the cheap stuff is in 3/8 :shrug: I mean would it make a large (5c+) difference in temps?

Yeah, I think a NB block is better than the passive sink too. I emailed Zalman, asking if it would be OK with zero airflow, but no responce yet. I do plan on OCing a tad, I wouldn't mind hitting 1.4 or 1.5, so that would mean some additional heat.

Any thoughts on this NB block? 3/8", I know, but it looks relativily unrestrictive, and it's cheap

I think I'll get the TC-4 either way (in 3/8 or 1/2-its the best non-$102-from-AU-w/ship-block). Still cant decide what to do about the NB & GF4. If I go 3/8, then it's either innovative ($87 shipped for the both of them), or the becooling jacket ($25 shipped) + the MCW50 ($45 shipped). If I go 1/2, I think I'll get the other NB jacket from becooling for $28, but are there any other places that sell 1/2" GF4 blocks?

Thanks again!!!!!!

[Turbokeu]

Originally posted by gmat
Hey nice to see you're still there dude !
(et un p'tit bonjour, en voisin j'aurai une pensée pour nos amis Belges le 31 au soir quand on va s'envoyer quelques litres de bière par le fond )

Aha, tu vis toujours??? , c'est gentil de penser Ã* nous...
So what's new?

CD

[ambient]

Hi. If you're using the AK31 you'll want to check for NB clearance. I've worked with that board in a couple of different systems, and there is NO room between the NB and socket. I couldn't get any of the Volcano's to fit, they would always ride up on the NB HSF. Even with the HSF removed those coolers were still resting on the NB Chip. I ended up having to use FOP's cause they're only slightly larger than the socket lug. I have the Spir@l and I know it's not gonna fit on the AK31. Don't know what size the tc-4 is but i would check.

[mmakay]

Originally posted by Axle
Really? Like, really-really? I've planned on 1/2 forever now, but all the cheap stuff is in 3/8 :shrug: I mean would it make a large (5c+) difference in temps?

Yeah, I think a NB block is better than the passive sink too. I emailed Zalman, asking if it would be OK with zero airflow, but no responce yet. I do plan on OCing a tad, I wouldn't mind hitting 1.4 or 1.5, so that would mean some additional heat.

Any thoughts on this NB block? 3/8", I know, but it looks relativily unrestrictive, and it's cheap

I think I'll get the TC-4 either way (in 3/8 or 1/2-its the best non-$102-from-AU-w/ship-block). Still cant decide what to do about the NB & GF4. If I go 3/8, then it's either innovative ($87 shipped for the both of them), or the becooling jacket ($25 shipped) + the MCW50 ($45 shipped). If I go 1/2, I think I'll get the other NB jacket from becooling for $28, but are there any other places that sell 1/2" GF4 blocks?

Thanks again!!!!!!

If you run the NB (and GPU?) in a parallel circuit, it doesn't matter if they are 3/8". Actually, it's probably better so as to keep the majority of flow passing through the CPU side.

[jtroutma]

For your GPU block, check out this thread that I started a while back when I was asking the same question.

Which GPU Block?

AS for the NB block, personally you dont need to watercool it. A vantec Iceberg, ThermaTake Crystal Orb, or a BlueOrb is more than adequest to handle it. I am personally using the BlueOrb on my nForce2 NB and plan on hitting 200FSB. It does NOT add a lot of noise to the system.

Tubing on the GPU block can still be 3/8" and the rest of your system 1/2". Simply put a "T" line between your pump and your CPU block that uses 1/2" on the straight part and 3/8" on the "T" and run the 3/8" to the gpu block and then comeback to another "T" after the CPU block.

Go with the Dtek heatercore if you can afford it and have the room.

Good luck.

[Axle]

I checked for space, ambient, and it seems like it'll fit ok. The TC-4 is 2"x3"x.8", and the becooling NB 1.69"^2, which may be a close fit, but should work. Thanks for bringing it up, if I'da ordered something different and it didn't fit !!!.

About the parallel circuit- that means two pumps? Sounds like a good idea, except 2xpump=2xprice + 2xnoise = ???.

About not cooling the NB- what? WHAT? Sorry, I can't hear you over all these fans!!!! I really want absolutely NO fans at all, or I'd just leave the stock NB thats in there now.

Pumps!! Been checking out the overclockers.com forums for pumps, and have come to the conclution that for quiet/power/price the best way to go would be two Maxi Jets(295GPH) or an AquaClear(400GPH). The AquaClear would require some modding, but both got rave reviews. I'm gonna try to explain what I'm thinking of (parallel?)- one pump with 1/2 barbs going to TC-4. One pump with 3/8 going to NB/GF4. Both go to same rad/res. ?????? Which should I get/do?

So far:
TC-4
Innovative NB/GF4 OR becooling waterjacket & swifty MCW40
2xMaxiJet OR 1 AquaClear

Thanks !!!!! !!!!!

(Oh, hey, Gmat- finally dawned upon me...I've got an idea for the fanless PSU build. Eventually I'd love the deltatronics, but for now I'm going to try something out. I'll let you know how it goes- and speaking of which, what happened with you?)

[lukasz70]

some ppl here will disagrea, but if you are on a budget, what about a via aqua 1300 ? they are $20us and 370gph

[koslov]

Eheim, Little Giant are known to be dead silent. heck even my Hydor L30 is less noisy than an idle HDD or a Papst fan.

I've heard the exact opposite when it comes to Little Giants, judging by owners who use these in aquariums. Eheims aren't completely silent either, at least the one I had (1060).

One pump that hasn't been "introduced" into the WC arena yet is the Rainbow Lifegaurd "Quiet One." It's extremely high flow, but pretty poor performance under pressure (lol). Also transfers much heat into the water. Supposedly the quietest pump you can buy.

Also, check out the Iwaki pumps, perhaps an MD-20.

[jtroutma]

Axle: The two separate pump loops is an overkill. If you have a good solid pump then you should be able to use a single pump that will provide flow to both loops. Both loops meaning one loop that goes to the CPU block only and another parrallel loop that goes to the GPU block and NB block.

Heh if you are intersted, I have a Becooling NB block that is barely used that would work perfect for you and I would be willing to sell it to your for $15 shipped.

I have to disagree with the Ehiem being loud. I currently own and use a Ehiem 1250 and it is dead quiet. As long as you proper insulate the pump from the case in some shape or form, I can hardly hear it. It is expensive but I feel that it was worth the investment.

Need any more advise

[gmat]

Originally posted by jtroutma

AS for the NB block, personally you dont need to watercool it. A vantec Iceberg, ThermaTake Crystal Orb, or a BlueOrb is more than adequest to handle it. I am personally using the BlueOrb on my nForce2 NB and plan on hitting 200FSB. It does NOT add a lot of noise to the system.

It does, in a dead silent system... I had one before i bought my NB waterblock.
Axle here wants a *silent* system so adding fans is not an option...

[jtroutma]

I was figuring that with at least a 120mm fan running at 12v it would mask most of the noise. Guess my case is unique

[Axle]

Thats a great price, jtroutma, but I'm leaning more towards the Innovatives. They're a bit smaller, which'll work out better....I took a closer look at my system today, and there's verrrry little room by the GF4. Speaking of which, does anyone have a #s on these blocks? GF4 & NB, I mean.

LAST question about the pump: that maxi jet (the 295 gph one): would that be enough to power either:

a) an 3/8" TC-4, and Innovative 3/8" GF4 & NB, out of a bucket and into the case...maybe 1.5 ft of lift, and 10 ft hose, or through about 15 ft of copper tubing and then through 10ft hose OR

b) use Ts to split up: 1/2" for TC4, 3/8" for the rest. Same rad/res setup

Or should I look at a different pump with a bit more than 295GPH?

and LAST question SWEAR: it would really dimish the cooling powers to get the TC-4 in 3/8"? So I could just run it pucket/pump -> CPU -> GF4 -> NB -> bucket/pump. I understand more flow, etc, but it just seems simplier for a noob like me, if it didnt really cause a big cooling loss (like 5C+ hotter)?

Thank y'all so very much, I'm ordering as soon as I hear from you!!! TC4, Innovatives, usplastics.com tygon, and a soon to be decided pump!!!! Really, great apprechiated

[DJ-Quack]

If 1/2" blocks are more expensive (no reason why they should be) buy the 3/8" version and buy some 1/2"x1/4" NPT barbs at a local hardware store. Even if they ARE the nylon ones . For a passive cooling system, you might want to put a zalman passive heatsink on the northbridge. The heat would be enough for that heatsink to handle, but in the water loop would probably be enough to raise temps.

[g.l.amour]

axle does have a point on the zero airflow problem. but i'd say, if u still have the psu sucking the hot air out of the upper compartment of the case, there shouldn't be too big a problem.


i blew up a mainboard because of the zero airflow problem. voltage regulators just exploded. that was with no psu, and no exhaust fans at top of motherboard compartment.

[Axle]

Ouu..... Ahh.... ???. That sounds sort of serious.....I won't actually have any fans at all, not even one in the PSU (still working on that gmat)....so it might be a good idea to cut a nice vent in the top of my case to let out some steam?

About the passive NB....Yeah, it might work, but it would also put some heat into the case, and with no exhust fans, I dont think I really want to do this. I mean I may be wrong, but it seems logical to me.

But no turning back now!! I just ordered an Innovative GF4 + NB block from Sharka Now only to decide the question of the day! (3/8 or 1/2 on the TC4, and if the maxijet'll have enough power). I think it really depends on which pump I get, it seems to me 295GPH (now matter how cheap and pretty) isn't enough to pull the system along. So I'm back on the inline pump search...Hydor, you say? Heh ebay doesn't even list em!! ??

[Puzzdre]

I'm running maxijet 1000 (european version) in my rig, and I'm completely satisfied. But it feeds only cpu block, so if you gonna do the gpu and nb, maybe to consider having two of them in series?

I'm ordering another mj1000 first thing monday, I like this small and quiet pump...

It runs 24/7 since end of august and no problem...