first time watercooling questions re: ddc pump & black ice pro rad

[Brodel]

Hi

I'm looking to watercool my pc for the first time and have a couple of questions.

I've been looking at getting a secondhand BIP II rad, the one in question has a lot of paint flaked off the shroud, the seller has said this is because it is one of the first editions and it was a common problem. I was just wondering if there were any other known issues with the first versions of the BIP II and if buying a secondhand rad is a good idea?

Also, I have seen a ddc with plexi top and res for sale but am in two minds as to if I should buy a pump brand new so that I get a warranty etc, or do these ddc's literally never die?

thanks in advance :)

[DAK1640]

I always recommend brand new whenever $$ allow. You never know what went thru the system previously and how old it really is...

[Brodel]

I always recommend brand new whenever $$ allow. You never know what went thru the system previously and how old it really is...

Yea, I can't really afford it all brand new though, I have a cpu an gpu block secondhand which has saved me a lot of money.
I don't think I can really afford a brand new 120.2 BIP rad as well as a brand new DDC with plexi top and res though. Seeing as the DDC has moving parts and is the heart of the system then I think it could be worth buying one brand new unless they are built like a rock, I'm just a bit unsure about the radiator I've been looking at.

[DAK1640]

Usually your gut instinct is correct

[eXa]

as for res. use a t-line. its the best and its also cheapest. do not use the plexires wich mounts directly on the ddc. it suck bigtime(double meaning) it perfom bad an tend to suck alot of air!

so ddc witch normal plexitop and a t-line...

[Brodel]

as for res. use a t-line. its the best and its also cheapest. do not use the plexires wich mounts directly on the ddc. it suck bigtime(double meaning) it perfom bad an tend to suck alot of air!

so ddc witch normal plexitop and a t-line...


oh ok, thanks for the advice. What should be put at the top of a T line, a fillport?

[eXa]

some inches of tube, as long as possible, you can plug the tube with wathever. for instance a fillport yes. (or like me, a smaller tube wich i plugged with hotglue)

[SiGfever]

oh ok, thanks for the advice. What should be put at the top of a T line, a fillport?
If you use a fill-port I recommend that you get the Delrin fill-port not the anodized aluminum one.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/madeficap.html

[Brodel]

cool, thanks again. very helpfull :)

What do you think about the rad? I understand what you're saying DAK1640 but I'm only unsure because I don't really know what the lifetime of a radiator is or what I should look out form if buying a secondhand one.

[eXa]

well, i buy most of my things second hand or ebay or something. havent regreted anything yet!

[sephiroth8748]

how much is the used bip2? a new one is only $33.99 http://www.petrastechshop.com/dadenblicepr1.html

[ghent915]

I would really be hesitant to recommend buying a used rad. It may look ok, but all it takes is a pin-hole leak in it, and you are SOL. I'd drop the little extra $$$ and get new, at least for that.

Used blocks/pumps are OK. Used tubing?...thats like buying a used con...nevermind...

-Ghent

[Brodel]

I've decided to go for a brand new everything, the only scondhand parts are the cpu and gpu block.

I'm still undecided about a T-Line or Res though to be honest. A bay res looks difficult to fill and bleed compared to a T-line but I've read that T-lines can take a long time.

I've considered the DD res pictured here ( http://users.pandora.be/deridex/posts/epox03.jpg ) but aren't res's supposed to be at the highest point possible? Would I be able to get the same DD res as the one pictured and easily fill/bleed the system? I don't understand how all the water would flow out of the res if the lid was taken off.

[dnottis]

I've gotten good with the T-Line. Takes me about 10 mins now. I have a large syringe from Danger Den. (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=214&cat=35&page=1) Fill the loop with it, using a second PSU and hitting power briefly - once the loop is full I let it run off the other PSU for awhile till the bubbles and air are gone.

[DAK1640]

Good decisions Brodel...You may install the Res anywhere, does NOT have to be at the highest point...I find a Res very easy to manage, bleeds quickly, and I don't believe it impedes my cooling capability at all, especially with a DD5 pump.