Comment: My First Water Cooling System

[foodfightr]

Tomorrow (monday) I'm going to be ordering the parts listed below. The idea for this build was a powerful water cooling system that can be upgraded with new mounting hardware in the future.

Swiftech Apogee GTX
Swiftech MCP655-B (Now: Petra DDCT-01s)
Thermochill PA120.3
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Reservoir
Swiftech MCW60-B (eVGA 7950 GT)

What changes would you make? What am I forgetting? I'm going to get ten feet of tubing, but I haven't decided which kind yet. Will I need anything else, like some of the 90 degree angle tubing I see on some people systems to route the tubes to the graphics block for instance? Just want to make sure I order everything in one swoop to save a headache later.

[Bail_w]

pentosin G11?

http://www.petrastechshop.com/peg11coadb4o.html

a couple Yate Loons Fans?

http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa1.html

[ranker]

Get a DDC-2 w/ modded top instead of the D5 pump.


Might need some ram sinks and mounting plate in the case your MCW60 doesn't fit whatever it is that you've got (8800GTX, R600)

[foodfightr]

Get a DDC-2 w/ modded top instead of the D5 pump.


Might need some ram sinks and mounting plate in the case your MCW60 doesn't fit whatever it is that you've got (8800GTX, R600)

Serialk11r also suggested I use a different pump. Can you link me to what you would prefer and explain:

why
the difference


EDIT: Found this in the stickies.... "DDC-2/MCP355 DDC-1/MCP350- Any incredibly popular pump all over the world for its small size and excellent performance, the DDC-2 provides performance exceeding the AQX50Z and MCP655, while having a smaller footprint and consuming the same power as the MCP655 (the AQX50Z consumes less than half). Please read more on this pump further down in the guide and in the links provided. (Note: the DDC-2 with and without modified tops is not included in the calculations that Cathar made due to the fact that they were released after the calculations were published, but Alex "Petra" has created detailed PQ curves of the various DDC models which are linked below in the DDC Section)"

So.... the modded top???

[serialk11r]

Serialk11r also suggested I use a different pump. Can you link me to what you would prefer and explain:

why
the difference


EDIT: Found this in the stickies.... "DDC-2/MCP355 DDC-1/MCP350- Any incredibly popular pump all over the world for its small size and excellent performance, the DDC-2 provides performance exceeding the AQX50Z and MCP655, while having a smaller footprint and consuming the same power as the MCP655 (the AQX50Z consumes less than half). Please read more on this pump further down in the guide and in the links provided. (Note: the DDC-2 with and without modified tops is not included in the calculations that Cathar made due to the fact that they were released after the calculations were published, but Alex "Petra" has created detailed PQ curves of the various DDC models which are linked below in the DDC Section)"
Simply, the pump is made for high max. pressure and low flow, so it will get better flow in restrictive situations. The D5 will end up whoring all your electricity for nothing. If you are worried about the pump breaking (as many accounts have appeared here) then get the 50z, which is also a very nice pump. Oh oops... didn't see the "edit" :D anyways you don't have to get the Petra's top if you want to save a bit of money, because the performance increase is quite small really.

[foodfightr]

Simply, the pump is made for high max. pressure and low flow, so it will get better flow in restrictive situations. The D5 will end up whoring all your electricity for nothing. If you are worried about the pump breaking (as many accounts have appeared here) then get the 50z, which is also a very nice pump. Oh oops... didn't see the "edit" :D anyways you don't have to get the Petra's top if you want to save a bit of money, because the performance increase is quite small really.

So.... this brings me to 50z or DD2. What to choose, what to choose. lol

edit Another sticky quote: "My reccomendation to you is that you seriously consider the DDC-2 (with the 1/2" barbs) if you have a system that has a dual 120mm rad or larger. The DDC or AQX50Z listed below for those of you with smaller radiators. There is one potential downside to the DDC. It appears that there have been numerous failures of the pump after appx 1week to 2months of use. "

Looks like for the PA120.3 I'd want the DDC-2. If I'm spending hundreds of dollars on this stuff, I'm going to get the sweet one from Petra. I'm worried about failure, do you think the DDC2 will fail?

[ranker]

Serialk11r also suggested I use a different pump. Can you link me to what you would prefer and explain:

why
the difference

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


That is what you want to purchase. It's the best pump for most water cooling setups out there.

[foodfightr]

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


That is what you want to purchase. It's the best pump for most water cooling setups out there.

Cool, that looks good. I can definately handle that.

So is the Apogee GTX worth the extra money compared to the GT?

[serialk11r]

Cool, that looks good. I can definately handle that.

So is the Apogee GTX worth the extra money compared to the GT?

Well not to be harsh or anything but that's not exactly a valid question. You could say "well I could make my own stupid top for way less money and have the same performance!!!" because the bases are exactly the same. You might say "wtf 20 bucks for that thing? hell no!". Then you might say "oh yea that's sweet, only 20 bucks? Sure its worth the extra performance!". It depends on what you're looking for. If you're having a hard time convincing yourself AND you have plenty of the green, just think wow factor ;)

[foodfightr]

Uhh... is this the same thing?
http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html

Its a lot cheaper and looks the same... lol.

Either way D-Tek or EK barbs?

Do I need a filling siringe or a water filter?

Pentosin? Petra'sTech "PT Nuke"? What do I need to add to distilled water.

[serialk11r]

Uhh... is this the same thing?
http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html

Its a lot cheaper and looks the same... lol.

Either way D-Tek or EK barbs?

Do I need a filling siringe or a water filter?

Pentosin? Petra'sTech "PT Nuke"? What do I need to add to distilled water.

That is only the top. The pump itself it 75 bucks give or take a few dollars wherever you go.

[foodfightr]

So tequila for a water additive? :rofl:

[serialk11r]

So tequila for a water additive? :rofl:

Uh, I wouldn't add that ethylene glycol s*** but a little really doesn't hurt nor does it actually do anything......(Pentosin, zerex, etc. are all ethylene glycol, some are propylene glycol. i.e. antifreeze identical to the stuff in your car.)

Dye for bling plus algaecide, Petra's PT Nuke is a convenient and cute little bottle of copper sulfate dissolved in citric acid for 2.5 dollars, so I suggest you get that (although if you have some iodine stuff for aquariums you can just use that).

[septim]

hmm cough 2 ddc with tops cough cough...

ek barbs looks good imo...