Critique my potential noob water-cooling set-up...

[Xylo]

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...

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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

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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.)

[Brians256]

All your choices are solid performers. There are some better components out there, though.

For a radiator, I really recommend the PA160 right now. The testing that I've seen done on it shows that it outperforms heatercores and the thermochill two 120mm fan radiators in certain conditions. Now, when you are using two medium to high performance 120mm fans, the BIX2, heatercore rads, and other conventional rads will do better. But, not much better.

If you want a bit quieter approach, go with a 120mm fan and the PA160. If you want top performance at the expense of some sound, go with any of the rads you have mentioned. I own all of them, and they work just fine.

The same applies to the pump. The D5/MCP655 pumps are great pumps and will give you better performance than the DDC/MCP350 pumps. But, the DDC/MCP350 pump is quieter and will still work in your setup.

Good luck! Show us pics when you get done, eh?

[Bugsmasher]

As Brian said above your choices...any of them...will be solid performers.

When it comes to HD cooling it seems the general concensus is that thats not really needed unless you plan on using an extremely warm running (10k) drive or are going specifically for as quiet a setup as possible. Normal air cooling should handle most drives with little or no worries. There are some nice 5-1/4" HD cooling solutions out there based on air cooling and pricewise they arent very much. I particularly like the ones that act like a large heatsink with a decent fan in front of the unit.

On the chipset once again depending whether you plan to 'clock' or not will probably determine how much cooling your chipset really needs. One fairly easy solution (assuming you arent doing extreme overclocking) is to simply replace the stock heatsink on the motherboard chipset with a higher quality one. You can also have a separate fan specifically detailed to blow over the chipset in case of a low air flow case.

Keep in mind that by adding more blocks you add more restriction to a loop lowering its overall effectiveness. In order to add either/or a chipset block and a HD block you will be adding a fair amount of restriction which will lead to higher GPU and CPU temps. Those two processors are generally the main targets for cooling when it comes to WCing so its probably not worth the additional restriction.

Lastly on the reservoir. This seems largely to be up to each individual person as to their tastes. A T-line leaves a shorter and slightly less restrictive loop while the reservoir makes it easier and faster to bleed the loop. Its pretty much a toss of the coin as to which you prefer.

[kaotic504]

well everyone's correct. you chose great choices and it looks like you know what you're doing. everyone single one of your loops has enough room for cooling a cpu, gpu, chipset and possibly a harddrive. especially since you're going to be using such a powerful pump. the BIX II is large enough , that w/ some good fans that push a lot of air, you should get getting good temps. now if you really wanted to go 2 loops. you can save money on your first one by getting a MAG pump. it's only $50 and is enough for you CPU and GPU. then when you're ready you can get another MAG and stick that for your GPU and your HD and leave the older MAG for you CPU and your chipset, that way you have 2 loops, each w/ 1 really hot heatsource. but for that you'll need 2 cores. you can go w/ 2 BIX's if you have the room. that's another thing to consider, the PA160 may not fit as well in your case as the BIX's will but if you're putting a BIXII in there, you've got the room for a PA160. it's all up to you. i would go w/ setup 2 or 1. as for a res. or a t-line. i say, if you have the space for it and have the pump power for it, go w/ a res. if not, go w/ a T-line.

[Delirious]

I would go with option #4 with a pa160 instead of the 120.2 and get the swiftech resevoir. Those two changes alone will save u around $50.00, or u could go without the resevoir and save around $70. That would be the exact the same setup i have except with a 50z pump.