I am cheap so sue me!

[BGP Spook]

This is my fist post on this forum. I heard about it at another forum and I was bored the other day so I regestered and discovered the relativly extensive water cooling section.....


So I have been thinking about upgrading my cooling to something a little more robust as I have reached the limits of my current HSF. Anyway, I would like to try watercooling on the cheap. I was thinking of something like this:


Heatercore: 2-302 or 2-199 (Not sure which would be better for what I intend but I would probably follow the bigger=better philosophy. About $25 each.)
Pump: Via Aqua 1300 (Maybe two of these in series? About $20 each.)

Fans (Haven't spent much thought on it other than I may be needing a shroud. $$?)
A custom reservoir (Size and exact composition have yet to be determined, probably whatever fits the bill that I have lying around. $0)
I haven't decided on a waterblock yet so I was hoping for a recommendation. (Up to about $50)

I have a Athlon XP 2600 11.5x166, I have had up to 11x200 but stability and heat were a worry.

I have made the parts choices so far because I have wanted to minimize my investment while not unduly sacrificing performance. I haven't bought anything yet so I only have an investment of research time, currently.

The only thing I will be cooling is the processor. If this works fantastically I may add more to the cooling loop later on.

I don't think it will be hard to beat my current temperatures.

Right now(10x200) it is:

Ambient ~27C in my room (I have seen it over 30C)

idle:
CPU - 42C
Northbridge - 30C (the exahust from the CPU flows acrossed the NB HSF).

Load? ....I doubt if I would have a problem breaking 60C. (All that in an open, well ventilated, case.)

Edit: I am planing on using 1/2 inch inner diameter tubing. I am hoping for a reasonably low restriction waterblock. Also noise isn't of much concern to me. (I don't want it to sound like I have a diesel engine next to me but I don't mind some mild noise. Headphones FTW!)

[MaxxxRacer]

For the waterblock I would suggest the MCW6002 as it performs well in just about any flow condition, just short of no flow.

with the mcw6002 you wouldnt need two aqua via's.

regarding the heatercore. the 2-302 is 7% larger. :D

Normally i suggest panaflows for the fans, but at 15 dollars a piece its prolly not in the price range you want.

a shroud is a neccesity. you cant use a heatercore without it. you can buy one from weapon on the forums here for a modest sum (PM me or weapon for pricing), or go ghetto and make your own out of whatever materials you have lying around the house.

[BGP Spook]

For the waterblock I would suggest the MCW6002 as it performs well in just about any flow condition, just short of no flow.

with the mcw6002 you wouldnt need two aqua via's.

regarding the heatercore. the 2-302 is 7% larger. :D

Normally i suggest panaflows for the fans, but at 15 dollars a piece its prolly not in the price range you want.

a shroud is a neccesity. you cant use a heatercore without it. you can buy one from weapon on the forums here for a modest sum (PM me or weapon for pricing), or go ghetto and make your own out of whatever materials you have lying around the house.

Hmm....That MCW6002 looks like it is almost exactly what I was looking for. It appears to sell out quite a bit, though.
($40, I was hoping to get it for a little less but I can't always get what I want.)

I will definitely try to get the 2-302 since it is bigger. (That is if I can get it for a song like I think I can.)

Fans....any other suggestions for the fans?

I do have acess to a squirrel cage fan with a high cf/m. Not sure how high but it does move alot of air.
However, I am not sure how it would take the resistance of a heater-core.
If I use it I would have to make my own shroud....something for me to think about.

BTW, Weapon, you have a PM. ;) :D

Thank you, MaxxxRacer, for the advice and recommendations. :woot:

[jellybeard999]

fans - if on a budget and with no noise concerns, a push pull of $1 fans would be best.... as it wouldnt be THAT much worse than panaflos.... make sure they are decent pressure... and if possible get 38mm fans...

pump - a eheim 1048 would probs do with a 6002, and not too pricey... MUCH more reliable than most too...

[n00b 0f l337]

Cheap? Ghetto? You rang?

If your gonna be cheap and still professional, the core and via's are okay, the via's may crap out on you though. The 6002 is a great choice as it fits most setups. And as maxx said, any flow rate... You can also look into pumps on ebay and stuff.

Electronic goldmine has uber cheap deltas and submersible pumps as well.

[cartmanea]

Push/pull doesn't offer much improvement over pull only with heatercores, they aren't as restrictive. Here are the fans to use:

Panaflo 120mm M1A, 86cfm, 35db, $8.99 at SVC.com:
http://svc.com/fba12g12m1a.html

I run these at full speed and they are very tolerable. If you want silent then drop them down to 7v by rewiring the plug and they still flow about 45-50cfm each.

For a cheap heatercore, go down to either AutoZone or NAPA and get the 2-199 or 2-302 heatercores, both will be around $27. They can be found cheaper online, but for shipping cost and time, the difference is only $3. The 199 is an easy mod, both tubes come straight out and are 5/8", one expands to 3/4". Just cut them both off a little shorter and you don't even need barbs, 1/2" i.d. tubing will stretch over 5/8 no problem, maybe soak the tubes in hot water first is all.

If you want a low restriction block, go with MaxxxRacer's choice, or a Danger Den Maze 4.

edit: 2-199 is 1970 Chevy Truck (with AC), part number AutoZone uses is 399-090 I believe.
2-302 is 1977 Pontiac Bonneville with AC

[BGP Spook]

Delta AFB1212VHE (3200 RPM, 130 CFM, 10.7 mmH2O, 48 dB-A) $3.50 + shipping
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14959&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=8
or
Delta AFB1212SHE (3700 RPM, 150 CFM, 14.5 mmH2O, 53 dB-A) $5.00 = shipping
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15317&variation=&aitem=6&mitem=8

Technical brief found here (http://www.delta.com.tw/product/cp/dcfans/download/pdf/AFB/AFBseries.pdf). (WARNING: Big file with slow download speeds.)

Thank you, n00b 0f 1337, for pointing me toward the electronic goldmine.

And thank you everyone else for your opinions, recommendations, and advice.
I will try to put it to good use. May we all celebrate with lots of :toast: when the deed is done! LOL

[MaxxxRacer]

go with the 130cfm ones.. te 150's are outright deafening.

[n00b 0f l337]

No probs man. I'm the king of cheap ghetto-i-ness.