Raduke
10-25-2008, 02:20 PM
Introduction
Hello, I'm a fervent reader of the XS forums for over a year now, and got my WC knowledge from this awesome place.
I've been keen on building a special rig for some time now, and have spent periodical investments for a year now.
Aim
I've boldly set my list of aims as follows:
performance
silence
bling
modularity
Merging all these criteria, which are inherently mutually exclusive (omfg!, did I just write that?) is the task I find most challenging.
Combining the first three objectives comes to one sole conclusion: watercooling.
Materials and methods
Hardware
The current hardware is evidently subject to major change, however here's the deal I've got:
Case: Lian Li 343B (huge, almost hypermodular, exquisite finish)
PSU: Corsair 620HX Series (modular, silent, good performance)
CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 rev. (a pedigree one, the ex-owner boasted 3,800 MHz on air)
Mobo: Asus Blitz Formula Special Edition (not a bad choice, performance and bling-wise, but bad as WC)
RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR2@1066MHz with triple Fan Module (standard)
HDD: Dual Raptor 36Gb Raid 0 + WD250KSE 250Gb (:p:) (oldies but goodies)
GPU: nVidia 8800GTX (it's really MADE by nVidia, not other retailer, got it SH from a refurbishment)
Sound: SB Audigy2 SE (a classic!)
Cooling and Water Cooling:
I intend to have 2 separate loops, one for CPU, one for GPU+others, using these parts (along with the reason I bought them for, with respect to the main project goals):
WBlocks: Swiftech Apogee GTZ (performance, bling), D-tek Fuzion GFX v2 (performance, modularity) + 8800GTX Passive Cooling Plate, Aquacomputer Aquadrive X4 copper-Edition HDD-cooler (silence, performance, bling), Stock Asus NB WB (bleah!)
Pumps: 2x Laing DDC3.2 (Swiftech MCP355) w/ XSPC Res Top (performance ftw)
Rads: PA 120.3, PA 120.2 (performance)
Fittings: Generally Koolance compresion 3/8'' fittings (bling)+ some others
The tubing, fans, controllers may vary with regards to innumerable factors :)
Some notes:
I was very disappointed to find out that there are currently no compatible blocks for Blitz' mosfets (there was a typo in EK's compatibility charts that lead me to believe otherwise when I got the mobo). Therefore, I'm stuck with the stock Asus NB waterblock (though I've purchased a Swiftech MCW just in case).
I plan, for starters, 2 loops, one for CPU, one for GPU+HDD+NB. Subject to change, hopefully with respect to this thread and your kind advices
Modding
There will hopefully be excessive modding, emerging with every post in this thread.
Most important of all, I will love to hear criticism and advices, as this worklog is as dynamic as it can be.
Hello, I'm a fervent reader of the XS forums for over a year now, and got my WC knowledge from this awesome place.
I've been keen on building a special rig for some time now, and have spent periodical investments for a year now.
Aim
I've boldly set my list of aims as follows:
performance
silence
bling
modularity
Merging all these criteria, which are inherently mutually exclusive (omfg!, did I just write that?) is the task I find most challenging.
Combining the first three objectives comes to one sole conclusion: watercooling.
Materials and methods
Hardware
The current hardware is evidently subject to major change, however here's the deal I've got:
Case: Lian Li 343B (huge, almost hypermodular, exquisite finish)
PSU: Corsair 620HX Series (modular, silent, good performance)
CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 rev. (a pedigree one, the ex-owner boasted 3,800 MHz on air)
Mobo: Asus Blitz Formula Special Edition (not a bad choice, performance and bling-wise, but bad as WC)
RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR2@1066MHz with triple Fan Module (standard)
HDD: Dual Raptor 36Gb Raid 0 + WD250KSE 250Gb (:p:) (oldies but goodies)
GPU: nVidia 8800GTX (it's really MADE by nVidia, not other retailer, got it SH from a refurbishment)
Sound: SB Audigy2 SE (a classic!)
Cooling and Water Cooling:
I intend to have 2 separate loops, one for CPU, one for GPU+others, using these parts (along with the reason I bought them for, with respect to the main project goals):
WBlocks: Swiftech Apogee GTZ (performance, bling), D-tek Fuzion GFX v2 (performance, modularity) + 8800GTX Passive Cooling Plate, Aquacomputer Aquadrive X4 copper-Edition HDD-cooler (silence, performance, bling), Stock Asus NB WB (bleah!)
Pumps: 2x Laing DDC3.2 (Swiftech MCP355) w/ XSPC Res Top (performance ftw)
Rads: PA 120.3, PA 120.2 (performance)
Fittings: Generally Koolance compresion 3/8'' fittings (bling)+ some others
The tubing, fans, controllers may vary with regards to innumerable factors :)
Some notes:
I was very disappointed to find out that there are currently no compatible blocks for Blitz' mosfets (there was a typo in EK's compatibility charts that lead me to believe otherwise when I got the mobo). Therefore, I'm stuck with the stock Asus NB waterblock (though I've purchased a Swiftech MCW just in case).
I plan, for starters, 2 loops, one for CPU, one for GPU+HDD+NB. Subject to change, hopefully with respect to this thread and your kind advices
Modding
There will hopefully be excessive modding, emerging with every post in this thread.
Most important of all, I will love to hear criticism and advices, as this worklog is as dynamic as it can be.