N00b needs some help

[ToRReVeZ]

Hi guys am new here. I was pointed in the direction of this forum by a friend after deciding I wanted to go into watercooling.

I have been reading around on this forum and you guys seem to agree that the Thermochill PA120.X is one of the best radiators around which is good as I live in England, To start off with watercooling I just wanted to cool my CPU and NB to cut some nosie out and to maybe overclock my system a little more but will the Thermochill PA120.2 be good enought to cool these two componantes quietly or should I be looking at the Thermochill PA120.3.

Also I have no idea which waterblocks I should be using for both my CPU and NB or which size tubing I should be using, I have heard bigger isnt always better lol.

Anyway hopfully you guys will be able to help me with some of this stuff.

And thanks for all your help in advance

Danny

[Marci]

PA120.2 should be plenty for a CPU and NB only...
Hard to say for sure without knowing exactly which CPU...

[Patriote]

Hi guys am new here. I was pointed in the direction of this forum by a friend after deciding I wanted to go into watercooling.

I have been reading around on this forum and you guys seem to agree that the Thermochill PA120.X is one of the best radiators around which is good as I live in England, To start off with watercooling I just wanted to cool my CPU and NB to cut some nosie out and to maybe overclock my system a little more but will the Thermochill PA120.2 be good enought to cool these two componantes quietly or should I be looking at the Thermochill PA120.3.

Also I have no idea which waterblocks I should be using for both my CPU and NB or which size tubing I should be using, I have heard bigger isnt always better lol.

Anyway hopfully you guys will be able to help me with some of this stuff.

And thanks for all your help in advance

Danny

First off, Welcome to XS :D

All right so, as Marci said, the PA120.2 should be plenty enough for a CPU + NB. But as he also said, that depends on what CPU we are talking about. Dual core ? Quad core ?

As for the CPU Block, might want to check out the D-Tek FuZion or the Apogee GTX.

As for the NB block, well, to recommend you one, we'd need to know which board you plan on mounting the NB block on. But the Swiftech MCW30 fits on most of them.

As for Tubing, i'd recommend you either 1/2" ID 3/4" OD Tubing to 7/16" ID 5/8" OD Tubing. Both of these size will fit over 1/2" Barbs. The 7/16" ID will make a better seal thought. To make sure that all your connections (Tubing on barbs) are all sealed correctly, always use some sort of clamps. I personally used Plastic\Nylon clamps for a while. But thats just before i found Worm drive clamps. The worm drive clamps are the best and safest way to seal your connections.

If you're looking for some advice for what to choose for your coolant, i'd recommend you to use distilled water + some additives.

All parts i have mentioned above can be found either at www.performance-pcs.com or www.petrastechshop.com

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask!

EDIT: Oh yeah i forgot that you are in UK. I don't really know much retailers for these parts in UK so maybe someone on XS from there could help out on that one ;)

[Marci]

UK means u can buy direct from yours truly - http://store.over-clock.com/prespec_kits.html#a657
or www.specialtech.co.uk, or www.chilledpc.co.uk, or www.overclockers.co.uk, or www.tekheads.co.uk, or www.extremeprometeia.co.uk, or www.vadim.co.uk, or www.kustompcs.co.uk, or http://www.candccentral.co.uk/, or http://www.thecoolingshop.com/, or http://www.kobaltcomputers.co.uk/, or http://www.aqua-pcs.co.uk/ to name a handful... the list is endless. There are more retailers of watercooling gear here in the UK than there are in the whole of the USA I think...

[Jedda]

Edit - Marci beat me to it. lol

[Patriote]

UK means u can buy direct from yours truly - http://store.over-clock.com/prespec_kits.html#a657
or www.specialtech.co.uk, or www.chilledpc.co.uk, or www.overclockers.co.uk, or www.tekheads.co.uk, or www.extremeprometeia.co.uk, or www.vadim.co.uk, or www.kustompcs.co.uk, or http://www.candccentral.co.uk/, or http://www.thecoolingshop.com/, or http://www.kobaltcomputers.co.uk/, or http://www.aqua-pcs.co.uk/ to name a handful... the list is endless. There are more retailers of watercooling gear here in the UK than there are in the whole of the USA I think...

LOL Nice post there. I'll remember those :)

[Marci]

(That's the list of official UK based ThermoChill Retailers - http://www.thermochill.com/retailers.php)

[NightRaven]

welcome to xs as well.

i second what the men has said just that i would not recommend the nb block. usually dosent help much.

[ToRReVeZ]

Well thanks for the help guys

forgot to tell you all with CPU and Mobo am using lol anyway am using an C2D E6600 which is currently running at 3.5GHz and the Asus P5N-E motherboard.

which NB block would you reccomend which are sutible for that board.

Thanks

[Patriote]

Bah the PA120.2 would be enough then. But if you have room and say 20$ more, you could get the PA120.3.

You have the P5N-E SLI right ?

I have no clue if the MCW30 would fit. I can't see if it use push pins under that huge aluminum heatsink. Does it ? Cuzz the MCW30 uses such kind of holes.

[sssf]

if you go for the PA120.3, make sure it will fit in your case (a friend of mine had this problem)

[sssf]

I'm trying to make a list of cases that are able to support a PA120.3 rad here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=153577

[Jedda]

When choosing rad size, it's worth getting as big as your position will take. You'll find the prices don't scale.
ie a double fan rad isn't twice the cost of a single. Because it's only more core material that's the difference.
So it's much cheaper to get the biggest that'll fit right off, than adding a second rad later.
:welcome: Anyway, and hope you enjoy putting your loop together.

Take a browse through the WC Gallery sticky thread. It's not all lights and bling. You'll soon see the cases where PA120.3 rads have gone in easily. I'd recommend Lian-Li's V2000 because I like it's look as well as it's ease of use with WC, but any full tower Lian-Li will take that rad.

[ToRReVeZ]

so basically your saying the PA120.3 is the best value for money.

As for a case I am looking for a new one I have been leaning towards the cm stacker as its big and relitivly cheap but cant decided if to go with the T01 or the 810.

and dose anyone know if the MCW30 will fit on an Asus P5N-E

also I have just realised one vital part of this system, which is a pump which would you guys reccomend getting.

also what are the advantage and disadvantages of have a T line or a reservoir

Thanks Guys

Danny

[fire]

As for a case I am looking for a new one I have been leaning towards the cm stacker as its big and relitivly cheap but cant decided if to go with the T01 or the 810.


Well, if you do intend to go with a 120.3, I don't think it'll fit in the 810. Doesn't look like it has enough real estate without some serious modding. Even then, looks like a small case. I'd go with the T01, since I know quite a few folks who mount the radiator on the bottom and then raise the case up. It's a good design. (You can also front-mount it with a bit of modding - some foam, maybe.)

If you want to spend a little more cash, you can get a the TJ07 for $300. Real nice case, especially for a 120.3 (in the bottom), but quite a few extra dollars. The advantage is that if you mount the radiator in the bottom, the air passes through the bottom compartment without too much entering into the case. Neat idea.



also I have just realised one vital part of this system, which is a pump which would you guys reccomend getting.


Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but most folks will recommend the DDC/2 around here. Let me point you at this resource first (it's a sticky under the liquid cooling section): . That should give you some background information. If you want to know where to buy, take a detour over to [url]http://www.petrastechshop.com/pumps.html ("http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41495"Choosing The Best Pump for Your WaterCooling System[/URL).



also what are the advantage and disadvantages of have a T line or a reservoir


A reservoir makes it easier to fill and bleed (remove the air bubbles from the loop) your system. As for disadvantages, it costs more money, and it adds another component to your loop that could leak (I'm fishing here - that's not a huge deal if you buy a decent reservoir).

The advantage of a fillport is that they're small and can be placed anywhere very easily. The disadvantages are that it makes it a pain in the rear end to bleed the system. It takes a lot longer, and you have to be thorough.

[lee143]

I think the best price-performance radiator is the Swiftech MCR320-QP. Correct me if I"m wrong.

[fire]

I think the best price-performance radiator is the Swiftech MCR320-QP. Correct me if I"m wrong.

Price-performance, I'd have to agree, depending on where you are. In some non-US areas folks can't get the MCR320 for a whole lot less. Performance overall though, the Thermochill outperforms the Swiftech (of course this all depends on the fans you are using, etc. - not trying to get into a debate over that!).

I'm not sure about the UK though (assuming that's where the original poster is from as per their profile), someone else might be able to provide you some ballparks. I know here I can get a PA120.3 for $115, and a MCR320 for $40 (ncixus.com).

Anyhow, it all comes back to your budget, and if you feel it's necessary to spend the extra cash for a PA120.3 instead of an MCR.

[Marci]

UK Prices...

MCR320 - £38.29 (= $78.11 USD)
PA120.3 - £56.99 (= $116 USD)

[Section8]

UK means u can buy direct from yours truly - http://store.over-clock.com/prespec_kits.html#a657
or www.specialtech.co.uk, or www.chilledpc.co.uk, or www.overclockers.co.uk, or www.tekheads.co.uk, or www.extremeprometeia.co.uk, or www.vadim.co.uk, or www.kustompcs.co.uk, or http://www.candccentral.co.uk/, or http://www.thecoolingshop.com/, or http://www.kobaltcomputers.co.uk/, or http://www.aqua-pcs.co.uk/ to name a handful... the list is endless. There are more retailers of watercooling gear here in the UK than there are in the whole of the USA I think...
Rubs SALT in my wounds...GRRRR :)

[ToRReVeZ]

Ok thanks for all the help guys, You have given me and insight into what I need and what are most likley going to be the most sutible parts so I can start planning my loop out. its going to be a few months yet probably before i can afford it all and get everything setup but i will post you guys some pics :D