Cooling Advice on newbie watercooling

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by DeX, 9 Feb 2003.

  1. DeX

    DeX Mube Codder

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    I thought I might try out watercooling as a nice way to reduce noise in my system. Do you guys think I should go with a Kit or buy the bits separatly? I don't want to spend much more than £150 and I want something silent. I read a couple of reviews of the Wet and Chilly CPU kit (stupid name :p) which seemed good and which said if you 7volt the 120mm fan and insulate the pump a bit then it is very quiet. The only problem is that the kit doesn't include a GPU block which is what I need. Could I buy a GPU block separatley or something?

    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Gretzky

    Gretzky What's a Dremel?

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    I stared almost the same exact thread some time ago and people advised me to get separte parts.

    I think kits are very expensive. I mean for a decent one. I was planning on getting a Innovatek watercooling kit and that costs about 250 dollars without a gpu block.

    So I suggest buying the parts and a good company to look for is dangerden.
     
  3. chill-tek

    chill-tek What's a Dremel?

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    Hi Dex.

    My advice would follow Gretzky's as i too would go for Danger Den gear as this is what we use here. I have been running Danger Den gear for nearly four months now without a problem with very good performance. I cannot speak for all, but some e-tailers would give you discounts on complete kits with components bought seperately.
     
  4. DeX

    DeX Mube Codder

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    Ok I have found this stuff on PCLincs.co.uk:

    Danger Den CPU Block: £40
    Danger Den GPU Block: £37
    Danger Den Resevoir: £25
    Black Ice Pro Radiator: £43
    120mm Fan: £15
    Eheim 1048 Pump: £38
    Tubing: £2

    Total: £200

    Which is already way over the price limit. Are there any better places to buy from? Also I'd need to find distilled water, water wetter and maybe UV dye.

    So basically I gather the above system will give me good performance but that is not my priority. I want a very quiet system. I don't mind buying cheaper parts even if it means my system will run 60 degrees idle like it is at the moment. So is there anything I can do to bring the price down.

    Thanks again for any help. :lol:
     
  5. Haddy

    Haddy World Domination

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    Danger Den CPU Block: £40
    Danger Den GPU Block: £37 - Not really needed
    Danger Den Resevoir: £25 - Not needed
    Black Ice Pro Radiator: £43 - Can get a heatercore for much cheaper at a local shop
    120mm Fan: £15
    Eheim 1048 Pump: £38
    Tubing: £2

    Total: £200

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

    So saying minus the GPU Block and the Resevoir, and only paying $25 *£15 minus VAT* for a heatercore that brings you down to:

    Total: £95

    Personaly the gpu block and the resevoir arent needed for a silent system...Especially one on a budget...

    Just my $0.02
     
  6. 8-BALL

    8-BALL Theory would dictate.....

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    I agree with Haddy on this one.

    If you are after silence, get yourself a Zalman heatpipe GPU cooler. I have recommended it to other people in your situation. It is totally silent, performs better than the stock cooling, and is cheaper than a danger den GPU block.

    It will also take some of the load off your watercooling loop, allowing you to run an undervolted fan on the rad yet still probably getting the same cpu temps.

    Hope this helps you out.

    Also, if this drops you below your budget, upgrade to the 1250, you'll get better performance, and it don't cost a whole lot more.

    People concentrate on the blocks andthe rad so frequently, yet the pump is one of the most crucial components.

    8-ball:)
     
  7. Blackeagle

    Blackeagle What's a Dremel?

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    Hady & 8 ball are offering good advice.

    A T fitting somewhere near the high point of your system can be used for adding water as well as bleeding air out of the lines. A T may take a bit longer to eliminate air when first you fill the system but at the cost of only a few pennys vs. the cost of a purchased res.
     
  8. DeX

    DeX Mube Codder

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    Ok I think I'll scrap the Water Cooling idea. I'll go with the Zalman HP80 heatsink and maybe a 120mm fan on the top of my PSU to cool that down aswell. Dunno what to do about the CPU though. I guess I could shell out for a decent cooler and quiet fan for that too. I'll just see what difference the PSU and grafics make first.

    Cheers for the advice though, helped me a lot certainly :D.
     
  9. 8-BALL

    8-BALL Theory would dictate.....

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    I'd still recommend watercooling the CPU if you're after silence. Just not necessary to watercool everything in the system, unless you plan to fit a huge radiator.

    8-ball
     
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