3/8 or 1/2 - Storm vs Apogee? For a friend.

[norse]

My friend is thinking of doing a loop in his stacker and wants to do an apogee, mcw60, 1x120 rad in back, 2x120 rad on bottom, mcp 350 pump, and 3/8 ID tubing.

Would it be more efficient to go with 1/2"? I am trying to convince him to buy 1/2" with a 3x120 and a storm instead of what he is looking at.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Matt

[m0da]

sorry i can't answer your question, but I'd also like to know which is better, the storm or the apogee.

im sure ppl could help you better if you specify what you're planning to cool (cpu, gfx card, chipset?, etc).

[norse]

Opty 175, 7900 gtx

[V I P E R]

The difference between Storm and Apogee on a specifically designed test system is no more than 2-3 degrees. On normal setup it is probably less, because the temperature in watercooling systems depends on many things, so your friend can save some money and buy Apogee.

[ghent915]

I'd say go with a Storm, and a 7/16" (1/2" barbs, ect). With a stacker, he can install a 120. with little muss or fuss.

HOWEVER, what has to come first is the budget. If it means eating ramen for 2 months to go with the bigger $$$ system, and he won't be overclocking a lot, go with the apogee block.

Just my $0.02
-Ghent

[SMa]

http://www.systemcooling.com/images/reviews/LiquidCooling/Swiftech_Apogee/image23big.gif
So 1/2" would be better.
Go for a storm.

[norse]

Alright, thanks for the advice guys

[eXa]

if hes on a budget, get an apogee. also a 120.3 rad would be both cheaper and better than 120.1+120.2
get him to use 1\2 barbs and 7\16tubing!

some of the money he saves he can use on an alphacool top. modding the inlet from 7mm id to 12mm would help a bit too!

[m0da]

thanks, helped me out too ;)

[Max Spain]

Hi guys, I'm the friend that Norse is referring to. Anyway, I'm building my first A64 box and already have most of the parts (I'm buying piece by piece.) My objective is to build the best system (for me) that I possibly can. I plan on oc'ing to 250 1:1 for now.

Specs are: Opty 175 CCBWE 0550 UPMW, DFI Expert, OCZ5002048EBPEK (strongly recommended), XFX 7900GTX, X-Fi Fatality...all housed in a CM Stacker

My last box had 4 TT Smart Fan II's and a SP-97 with a 92mm Tornado. I want a quiet one this time ;) I have some experience with water cooling (kits) and would like to do my own custom setup. I wanted to avoid 1/2" tubing because I thought it would ruin the look (huge tubing everywhere) so I thought a 3/8" system would do the trick. This was my plan:

Swiftech MCP-350 (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcp350.asp) in a MCRES-1000P (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/MCRES-1000.asp) --> Apogee (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/APOGEE.asp) --> el cheapo 3/8" 120mm rad (mounted @ back of Stacker) --> Swiftech MCW-60 (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw60.asp) --> MCR-220 2x120mm rad (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/MCR220-QP.asp) --> back to res With Tygon tubing filled with Fluid XP+ in midnight blue

From what my buddy Norse is telling me, I should go with 1/2" Storm, MCP-655, Masterkleer 7/16" ID tubing like he is gonna do. If I was to go 1/2" it would raise the costs on my system (love that ramen comment :D) but, like I said, I'm building the best system I can here. I'm just wondering (for those of you who have this equipment) whether or not the pump will be quiet, and if the larger tubing detracts from the appearance of the system (pics would be a plus) Thank you all for your responses :cool:

[mcflurry4321]

Only 2 weeks ago I was making the same decision that you are trying to make. I ended up going for the Storm with 1/2 inch tubing. Honestly, I couldn't be happier (well I guess a G5 could make me happier :D ). Actually in my opinion, I think 3/8 tubing detracts from the aesthetics of the setup. I really like the looks of 1/2 inch tubing. That is, of course, only an opinion. It performs as well as it looks, too!!!

As for pictures, go to the thread where people post their watercooling setups and take a look. I just posted mine yesterday :) . Just ignore the general messiness of my cables and everything. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Deathknight]

and if the larger tubing detracts from the appearance of the system (pics would be a plus)

I don't think the larger tubing detracts at all from the appearance unless it gives you routing problems. This is more of an issue for people with very small cases or additional blocks in their loop (NB block, HD blocks etc).

Here are a couple of pics from my newest rig that I took a while back. Routing, cable sleeving etc has changed some, but you can get the idea of what the 1/2" tubing looks like at least:

http://www.jimmysoft.net/jimmysoft/images/BuildLogs/Widowmaker/CloseupMoboSide(Large).JPG
http://www.jimmysoft.net/jimmysoft/images/BuildLogs/Widowmaker/UVMoboSide(Large).JPG

[creidiki]

i would go so far as to say that if youre even remotely thinking of putting 3/8 tube on it, the storm isnt the right waterblock for you.

[[XC] DragonOrta]

And there are better blocks than the Apogee besides the Storm. The AquaXtreme MP-05 springs to mind, for one. I'm not really sure how a TDX would compare to an Apogee, but you might give that try.