ok, here it goes. ive been wanting to dabble in full system water cooling for quiet a while, but have been put off/scared of actually ordering the correct/best parts for my budget and system. ive read many threads and articles in CPC and still dont know what to do. im not worried about building the loop and testing it, just need a little help on selecting all the parts that i require for it. i have a budget of say £250 but i can stretch it to a little more if need be. I would like to cool the CPU and GPU. system specs are: Antec 1200 Gainward 275GTX P35 ASUS P5K-Premium WiFi Q6600 G0 stepping Thermaltake 600W toughpower 3x Samsung 1TB F1 i already have an overclock on my cpu (3.4GHz) and running cool with the corsair H50 @ 45C would really appreciate if you could help me, would like to order it so it comes on tuesday/wednesday. also my preffered site would be scan, but looking on their site they dont have alot of choice for GFX water block. so i dont mind ordering from another site. thanks in advanced. Tinkerbell_pete
sorry, would like to bump this as i need to order it as soon as, pay day and all that jazz, money in money out. if someone could even guide me to a previous post similar to mine predicament would also be very helpfull once again thanks in advance. tink
Hi there, First of all, I'd recommened either chilledpc.co.uk, watercoolinguk.co.uk or aquatuning.co.uk. used them all in the past for my various watercooling parts and modding needs and all come highly recommended. A simple list of what you will need to cool the CPU and Graphics card: CPU Waterblock In my experience the Heatkiller 3.0 line are the bee's knee's and I'd recommend one if your budget allows it, if not there's lost of other names out there such as swiftech and the like who all make excellent blocks. GPU Waterblock I always stick with EK for these as they are always top notch products but other companies do make them it's just a case of finding one that matches your budget. Pump 12V Laing DDC-1T+ Ultra 18W (Swiftech MCP355) probably wouldnt go wrong for a loop of your size, if you really want to push the boat out the Liang D5 or MCP655 is one of the best out there but is a good bit more expensive. Radiator i imagine you'll be looking at a triple rad or 360mm for both a CPU and Graphics card. Anything from XSPC or Thermochill would be perfect for the job. I'm pretty sure I've seen Antec 1200 builds with a 360 rad mounted in the front drive bays no problem so this would probably be an ideal option for you. Reservoir Again EK ones are top notch, it's really down to how much room you have in your case if you want to buy one of the larger 250ml cylinder reservoirs or if you want to opt for one of the smaller tank reservoirs. Bay reservoirs are also an opotion which occupy 1x 5.25" drive bay if you want, these are recommended normally as they are very use to fit and allow easy access for filling (You can also buy ones fitted with pumps but from what I've heard these are bad for noise caused due to vibration). If you want to save some money you could just buy a T-junction and add an extra peice of tubing near the top of you loop which acts as a reservoir and can be used to fill the loop with ease but again this is preverence. Fixtures You'll need barbs or compresssion fittings depending on which tubing size you choose, usually 3/8" or 1/2" outer diameter (OD) , 2 for each part in your loop. A long with a length of tubing, coolant and a number of clamps if you choose barb fittings.
thankyou for the reply, but i do know all the basic components i require for the loop, im just having the trouble in the choosing specific make and models of the components. fitting sizes and tube sizes etc. (also roughtly how many metres i may need to order). links would be amazing to all these things. and where would the best place for the radiator. thanks again.
I have the same case, it's easy to set up for Water Cooling. I've got a big setup in it though, I7 @ 3.7 & 2x GTX280 @ +25% I've spec'd a similar setup uo mine http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Aqua-Computers-Cuplex-XT-Di-775-G1-4-Copper-CPU-Blocks-(21527) (+ I needed the kit for I7, it was great when I Q6600) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/XSPC-RS240-Radiator-Black-(G1-4-Threaded-Ports) http://www.aquacooledpc.co.uk/index...ducts_id=605&zenid=pbh0dj2gd0m8smbq3t8s1qv0r7 http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/XSPC...ltra(18w)-Acrylic-Reservoir-with-G1-4-Threads http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/TFC-...-4-OD-Compression-Fittings-1-4-BSPP-High-Flow (2 sets) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/25m-TFC-Clear-UV-Reactive-Tube-1-2-ID-3-4-OD (2 sets) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Scan...otary-Elbow-Adapter-to-Female-G1-4-(1-4-BSPP) ( I used 2 to make the hose run cleaner) I'd go with 2 x 240 radiators, that way it's a bit simpler to fit the HD's The 2x 120 fans at the back are great for fitting a 240 rad to, and the 240 in the front will mount straight to the front of the 3 in 1 block (but it fixes to the back, so your 3 in block wont fit) It will not work if you use a 7 Slot board, the bottom of the rad blocks the top PCI cover, your board (and mine, and my P5Q-E before) use only 6 slots. Loop is this. Pump > Cuplex Di (CPU) > rear rad > EK GPU Block > Front rad > pump/res. The 18Wat Pump has loads of preasure and will work through a few more blocks if needed. Oh! BTW, I wish I had got black tubes, and black alcateal blocks, But they were the tubes from my previous case (<< avatar) Or clear tubes and black coolant. Would have looked smart in the 1200. A quick piccy of mine. ( if you want specifics I can show you how I did mine) EDIt. Add pics. You can see my 360 rad has come close to my 2 HD's, 3 HD's wont fit above the rad. Thats Why I sey use a 2pair of 240 rads. I could mount the HD's behind the rads but that would give me three problems 1) block the back of the rad, reducing airflow 2) It would sit 40mm further back and look odd. 3) the HD would need a different mount.
ok, if i plan to mount the radiator on the rear of the case, do i need any mounting brackets? or does it come with the neccessary things to do it
To mount the rad, I used m3? screws like the ones used to fit a CD/DVD and bolted them to the fan (Screwing through fan from the other side. So the fans were then fitted to the Rad. I then screwed the fans to the case. If you don't follow my meaning I'll try and do a sketch......
i got it. thanks for the help, will all hopefully arrive wednesday, the only thing was the pump out of stock/pre order. will post some pics as well when i have it up and running. thanks for the help unkown. tink
jubilee clips >< I always forget them on my list..... If you didn't put them on the list, It'd be faster to get them from halfords/B&Q. Also, Don't forget to leak test, use the PSU short trick only plug in fans and the pump. If it leaks, wipe dry and then put the stuff in the airing cupboard to dryout before you try again. use either fancy fluid (like fesser) or distilled water. Good luck. Any questions and folks here will be glad to help.
Very interesting! I am very close to do this my self. Have a question though, can you close the side panel with the 240 rad mounted like that?
Just a though, if you mount the rear rad there does it not make the VRMs overheat from reduced airflow...
cpu block http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product...preme-LT-Acetal-universal--775-1156-1oe-.html EK Water Blocks EK-Supreme LT £30 gpu block you need to know what reference design your praphics card is as water blocks are different per graphics card design rads you want 2 of these http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product_info.php/info/p3362_Aquacomputer-airplex-XT-240.html 33 x2 pump http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product...Pump-12V-DDC-1T--Swiftech-MCP350--Retail.html Laing DDC-Pump 12V DDC-1T £58 res http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product...-reservoir-complete-incl--decoupling-kit.html XSPC Laing DDC reservoir £26 goes ontop of pump fittings http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product...ting-straight-G3-8--silver-nickel-plated.html £3 x10 tubing http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product...learFlex60-tubing-19-13mm--1-2-ID--clear.html £3 x2 always good to have extra liquid http://www.aquatuning.co.uk/product_info.php/info/p8047_Thermochill-EC-6-UV-Blue-1000ml.html £9 dosen't have to be blue and i think that is everything giving you a total of £225 and that is with out the gpu block which costs about £75 so you are going to need at least £300 i am afraid but i can cut the price down a bit more if needed but will have quite a big effect on the quality of the components
