choices, choices.

[omga14]

ok, please be patient with me on this. i'm going to list what i've looked at as a kit and as a pieced together setup. any suggestions on changes or if one will work better than the other would be appreciated. i plan on overclocking the system in the sig while maintaining a good level of silence and getting some really good temps.

Kit: Swiftech H20-Apex "Extreme Duty" $260(no other kits considered as they don't warrant the cost hike for temp drop to me)

Pieced together:
DD TDX CPU $52.95(RBX that much better? $60.69)
DD Maze4GPU $44.95
DD Black Ice Pro III $44.99(Xtreme version? $77.99)
DD D5 Pump $74.95
DD Dual Bay 5 1/4Res $31.95(is a T-line better?)
Tubing and Acc. $30
Total $279.79($320.53 if going with alt mentioned)

all of this is going into a CM Stacker case that i already have. i might mod the case to fit the rad up top like Maxx has done with a build he has in another thread. question is which would perform better between the two? is the difference in temps worth the extra money and time to mod the case going with the danger den or should i stick with the Swiftech being that this is my first water setup?

i have about another month before i go and order everything so there is time to make changes and save money to compensate. the max i want to go total with shipping is $350. so if someone can put together something better for same or lesser price (with where to get the parts US) that would be great.


Maxx, where can i get the grill you got for the Helhiem build? i've tried going to their site but keep getting a page not displayed. could be that i'm at my work computer so i'll try at home later. also any mod suggestions like what not to do would be great :D

[RObErT_RaTh]

DD Black Ice Pro III $44.99(Xtreme version? $77.99)

Black ice pro is thinner so you wont need as strong or loud fans to move air through it and with 3x 120's it should be sufficient cooling.


DD Dual Bay 5 1/4Res $31.95(is a T-line better?)

Personally preference really, what is 'better' or easier for you?

[omga14]

well the t-line will save me space but that's not really a problem with the CM Stacker. does the res avoid bubbles and help with temps? i'd go for the t-line as long as temps will remain the same. plus that'll save me some dollars there.

as for the Black Ice Pro providing "sufficient" cooling. i want to get the most out of the cpu/gpu and both run hotter than the current cpu/gpu's out there. remember this is a 130nm clawhammer. i probably am limited to 2.7ghz with this cpu but i want something that's gonna garauntee that temps won't be the hold back. looking for a significant temp drop from the Zalman 7000 al/cu i'm using now.

*edit* re-read Maxxxracer's guide and saw that besides extended bleed time i'll actually see a very slight increase in preformance. guess that's the way i'll be going then.

[.sentinel]

DOn't get the TDX get the Swiftech Storm instead. Or what I probably would do is get the Swiftech kit and add in a MAze 4.

[omga14]

i'll take that into consideration. thanks. so the Maze4 is the best gpu block right now? or is everything else beyond my budget?

*edit* as well how good is that pump compared to the D5 from danger den?

[BRiT]

*edit* as well how good is that pump compared to the D5 from danger den?

The pumps are identical, just different names. The 655 pump IS the D5.

[omga14]

ahh, i see. i'm an idiot:D i decided to google better this time and see that danger den's DDC 12v has 13.05ft. of head at 12v but only has 3/8's fittings while the 655/D5 has 10ft. at 12v but 1/2" fittings. does the smaller fittings restrict the DDC from performing like the D5 even with better Head?

[RObErT_RaTh]

If you want the best performance you'll want a 1/2" system all the way through.

[omga14]

seriously considering this setup here if i can afford it at the time:

CPU Block: Swiftech Storm (http://www.swiftnets.com/) $79.95
GPU Block: DD Maze4 (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=150&cat=48&page=1) $44.95
Radiator: Black Ice Xtreme III (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=4&cat=72&page=1) $77.99
Res: DD Dual 5 1/4 (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=53&cat=27&page=1) $31.95
Pump: DD-D5 12v (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=175&cat=4&page=1) $74.95
RadBox: Swiftech (http://www.swiftnets.com/)(to mount on the rear of the case till i get materials and balls to mod the case for internal mounting.) $15.00
Tubing: Tygon 10ft. (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=172&cat=33&page=1) $23.80
Ram Sinks: OCZ Copper (8) (http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=122&cat=57&page=1) $20.00

Total: ~$370.00

if i'm forgetting anything please let me know. i think this is the best setup without going for any custom or limited release parts i can go for.

can anyone suggest a better setup for the same price or less? i figure that i need to do this one time and have something that's going to last a good long time. i don't want to come back here and read another thread and wish i had done things different.

[.sentinel]

I personally would get rid of the res and get a t-line but it is up to you.

[omga14]

T-line it is then. how hard is it to make sure there is no air in the system when bleeding with a t line? remember this is going to be my first water setup. also when i had read Maxxxracers guide he does mention a slight performance increase going with a t-line but wouldn't having more water in the loop via the res keep load temps down better? if not then definitely t-line since it'll save me space.

[Ferry82]

Just get the Stormkit en Maze4

[omga14]

can i always add another radiator to the mix later on without having to add another pump if i go with the storm kit.

[Bloody_Sorcerer]

get clearflex from mcmaster and save 15 bucks :)