going back to water, chilled this time

[Torinalth]

hello everyone. i was semi active a while back some odd 3 years ago, and am now getting back into the game. have my rig setup and now needing to work on the cooling. done various cooling before including a freezer as a rez for a water system. well, going to go for a smaller more usable system this go around. i have two main questions that have eluded me thus far.

1 - is it cost effective (within reason) to go and get a compressor, valve, gague, condensor, fan, and route my own tubing (copper jungle in the rez) vs taking a window AC unit and hoping not to break. i think i'd prefer to build my own system (know someone i can get to fill my system with just about any gas) if its not going to cost a load more then just the ac unit. any ideas on cost (cant seem to find compressors, condensors, or fans seperate), and is there anything else i need (aside from coper tubing for the main run, the compressor, condensor, fan, rez, tubing, blocks). though i;ve done this before it was quite.... ghetto and am shooting for clean and strong this go around.

2 - going with extremely cold liquid (only had about 30f with my freezer) i am wondering about different blocks and what will work best. swifty storm and its plastic, dangerden and its acrylic, and whatnot. also with the low temps is there a certain tubing i need? (stuff i found on mcmaster was around 20bucks a foot, and thats a lil high i think) and finally flow rates. will 3/8 work for blocks, or is 1/2 a must? only metal block i can find is the swifty 6000 which only has a 3/8.

i read just about every thread in this forum and these are the remaining questions i do not have answered. hope i have not pushed anyone away from assisting me, as i'd like to get this going before the moth end if funds turn out to not be as extreme.

current system:
A64 3500+ venice
DFI NF4 UltraD
Radeon x800
still deciding on memory

Torinalth

[Torinalth]

just to put up an update.... looking at the DD maze 4 with brass top, eheim 1250 pump, and tygon 3603 tubing... just need to get the chiller worked out.

T

[RussC]

The DD stuff with metal tops are fine. Go that way, or the Swiftech stuff. I would make the system as you are, with separates and putting all together yourself.

The bigger the tubing the better. But 3/8 is fine. Good pump is key.

RussC


just to put up an update.... looking at the DD maze 4 with brass top, eheim 1250 pump, and tygon 3603 tubing... just need to get the chiller worked out.

T

[Torinalth]

i think i will have more enjoyment by doing it that way. only issue is i am trying to compile a complete parts list, and if possible places to purchase said items. I may be able to get access to an absurdly large radiator for water cooling while i work on the chiller.. so i can at least get liquid back into the box.

for my parts list all i have is compressor, condensor, evaporator (made with copper pipe for my res), and a fan. is there anything else needed? havnt found a thread for a DIY, only AC modification. i suppose i need to figure out a power source, or can i splice in a wall outlet plug... and is there a better way to get the fan setup to work other then a smaller desk type fan?

TY Russ for te reply bby the way :)

Torinalth

[RussC]

Go look in the Vapor Phase Change cooling area here. The stickies there are very helpful for most questions you have. They even cover brazing.

Real quick, you need a filter/drier, vac pump, more electronics(if desired), and maybe a flare tool. It depends on what your trying to accomplish and how sophisticated you want the system.

See my "Well I have Frost" thread for more detail on some of this.

RussC