Information/Guides & Reviews/Tests & Galleries

Information & Guides:

• Watercooling Template by SiGfever
• GTX 260/280 Stock Cooling Removal & UNISink Installation by [credit goes to Xilikon]
• Thread regarding various rehosts of Martin's Liquid Lab by Martinm210
• Water Cooling Estimator Spreadsheet by AndreaBZ
• System Flowrate Estimator Spreadsheet V2.9 by Martinm210
• Guide to Current Water Cooling Components by MaxxxRacer
• Guide to Online Water Cooling Stores by MaxxxRacer
• Guide to Water Cooling and Leak Testing by MaxxxRacer
• Choosing the Best Pump for Your Water Cooling System by MaxxxRacer
• The Impact of Tubing Sizes by Cathar
• TIM Comparison: Indigo Xtreme vs. AS5 vs. AS Ceramique vs. MX-2 vs. MX-3 vs. Shin-Etsu X23-7783D by Vapor
• Test Report: Loop Order, does it make a difference? by Vapor
• NEW! Dual Loop vs. Single, The Facts by Gabe
  

Reviews & Tests:


CPU/GPU/Chipset Blocks:

• My Q6600 CPU Waterblock Roundup Results by Martinm210
• OCZ Hydroflow Mini Review by Martinm210
• Swiftech Apogee Drive Mini Review by Martinm210
• Mini Swiftech Apogee GT Review by Martinm210
• Swiftech Apogee GTZ vs D-Tek FuZion V2 by Martinm210
• Swiftech Apogee GTZ Review by mcoffey
• Fuzion V2 Nozzles Compared by Vapor
• Apogee GTZ vs. Fuzion V2 on Core 2 Quad by Vapor
• Waterblocks on i7 - Part 5 by HESmelaugh
• Alphacool HF 14 Yellowstone Review by Bentleya
• Review: Rampage II Extreme waterblocks:B1ts Power vs Koolance by HESmelaugh
• Core i7 Waterblocks, Roundup #1 by Vapor
• Core i7 Waterblocks, Roundup #2, Part 1: EK Supreme, Supreme LT by Vapor
• Core i7 Waterblocks, Roundup #2, Part 2: Heatkiller 3.0 LC and LT by Vapor
• Core i7 Waterblocks, Roundup #2, Part 3: Swiftech Apogee GTZ and GTZ SE by Vapor
• Core i7 Waterblocks, Roundup #2, Part 4: Swiftech Apogee XT by Vapor
• Core i7 Waterblocks, Roundup #2 Overall Comparison Thread by Vapor
• NEW! [Review] Skinneelabs CPU Block Roundup #3 Results Database by Vapor
• NEW! [Skinnee Labs] GTX480 Block Round-Up (working thread) by skinnee
  

Pumps, Tops, Combo Units with Reservoir:

• D5 Top Performance Comparison by skinnee
• EK D5 X-Top Rev.2 by skinnee
• Detroit Thermo D5 Top by skinnee
• Koolance COV-PMP450A by skinnee
• DDC3.1 & 3.2 Pump Top Shootouts! 11 Tops Tested by Martinm210
• PrimoChill Typhoon III by skinnee
• EK-DDC X-Top V2 Review by HESmelaugh
• NEW! [Skinnee Labs] The Pump thread... by skinnee
• NEW!Martin's Koolance RP-402X2 Review by Martin210
  

Fans:

• Fan Testing Part 2 (Retesting + Noise) by Martinm210
• Fan PQ Curve Testing - Part 1 by Martinm210
• Wire Mesh/Filter/Fan Grill Testing by ScottAllyn
• Fans Review (Round 2) by Vapor
• Fans Review (Round 3) by Vapor
• NEW! 120mm Fan Testing on an MCR120 Radiator Round 6 by Martinm210

Tubings/Fittings:

• NEW!Fittings & Elbow Impacts to CPU Temperature (TEST RESULTS) by Martin210
• Compression Fittings + Blocks: What Fits What? by SNiiPE_DoGG
• Water Blocks Threading & Fittings by eXa
• 18 Types of Tubing Reviewed by virtualrain
• T3 fitting test by DarthBeavis

Radiators:

• Triple Radiator Performance Comparison V2 by skinnee
• Triple Radiator Performance Comparison by skinnee
• XSPC RX120 by skinnee
• Huge Radiators: Roundup by HESmelaugh
• XSPC RX360 radiator review by HESmelaugh
• 120 vs. 140 radiator tested! (Black Ice) by HESmelaugh
• More Radiator-Sandwich testing-Stacked Rads! by HESmelaugh
• Triple Rads Roundup by HESmelaugh
  

Coolants:

• Nanofluid by HESmelaugh
• Thermochill EC6 Coolant Review by bentleya
• NEW! [Skinnee Labs] Coolant/Fluid - Thermal Performance by skinnee

Galleries:

• Cases with all internal Water Cooling from the Gallery by Zehnsucht
• Liquid Cooling Render Gallery by bentleya
• Liquid Cooling Parts Gallery by bentleya
• Liquid Cooling Case Gallery by Ashraf
  

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mcoffey

Thank goodness. As much as I enjoy the stickys, they were over running the main forum page. Great idea consolidating like this.

andyc

---

+1 :clap:

SWEET!

I had thought about suggesting this very idea many times but thought, "why bother, it's probably already been suggested 2.2 billion times".

Edit: you've made my phone happy by doing this. I've got a crappy (memory wise) LG and could only get ~5-6 topics, now it seems I can get ~14-17 topics.

Good thinking Ashraf...I hope to be adding some contributions to the list soon.

Thanks Ashraf. :up:

Looks Good...I like it

We like!

Nice and much cleaner!

Ashraf is the section organization Guru, good stuff man :up::up::up::up::up::up:

Cheers Ashraf, it has been a long time coming :)

Thanks for your work once again :up:

A humble request: There should be a short guide on the most popular rads (Xchanger, PA, MCR, GTX) so people know what to choose and why. There is an endless stream of "which rad is the best"-threads. I don't know enough to write such a guide or I would have done it myself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alacheesu

A humble request: There should be a short guide on the most popular rads (Xchanger, PA, MCR, GTX) so people know what to choose and why. There is an endless stream of "which rad is the best"-threads. I don't know enough to write such a guide or I would have done it myself.

---

Briefly:

PA and Feser Xchanger (low/med airflow): The best rads on the market

Swiftech (low/med airflow): Best bang for buck rad only 1-2C behind PA and Feser

GTX (high airflow): In short... If you don't plan to put some extremely high airflow fans on this rad, don't bother buying one. If you do however it beats the PA and Feser rads.

rehosted and posted here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...41#post3540441

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

rehosted and posted here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...41#post3540441

---

Thanks. :)

Very nice :clap::yepp:

Updated. :)

Ok, so I am in the process of planning my new rig and was curious about liquid cooling vs. normal fan/heatsink combo and figure this would be the place to ask. I'm approaching my budget, but running a i7 I know I'm going to need good cooling, what benifites would a cheap liquid cooling rig like this or this offer over a Noctua NH-U12P?

Would it be worth the extra money? (is a cheap water system worth it?) :shrug:

Any other suggestions to look at for cooling? After all, you guys are the experts... :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Otis11

Ok, so I am in the process of planning my new rig and was curious about liquid cooling vs. normal fan/heatsink combo and figure this would be the place to ask. I'm approaching my budget, but running a i7 I know I'm going to need good cooling, what benifites would a cheap liquid cooling rig like this or this offer over a Noctua NH-U12P?

Would it be worth the extra money? (is a cheap water system worth it?) :shrug:

Any other suggestions to look at for cooling? After all, you guys are the experts... :D

---

the thermaltake wont outperform the air cooling but that swiftech kit is great, it will give you excellent temps (is it compatible with i7? I dont know)

start a thread in this section about your hardware and what you want using this template and you will get lots of help :up:

NEVER buy ANYTHING watercooling that is thermaltake. period.

Great job! Very usefull :up:

Anyone have link or infomation on latest guides on watercooling for newbies such as myself, i7 system updates latest best water cooling hardware etc, most guides above are old dating back few years. Just need a guide tells me about the water loops and putting it together not sure about the pipe standards 1/2 3/4 etc

Any information will be great.

many thanks.

the latest guides are in the OP.... read them, they pretty much all still apply.

Think Martin now has a version 3.1 for his flow estimator: LINK

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hokiealumnus

Hello XS folks. I recently completed a Water Cooling Guide for Beginners and after being reminded of this thread, I'd like to humbly submit it for consideration. It's not as advanced as most XS liquid cooling users, but is pretty comprehensive and hopefully will help people new to the liquid arena. If too basic for XS, I totally understand. Thanks for looking. :)

---

Reading it right now. I have a few comments for the first pages:
1. You divide case options into "cases with holes for tubing" (rad external) and "Mountain mods". I would argue the most common option is neither of these. Most people use a standard, full tower case and put a radiator or two internally.

2. For nearly all products you mention, you link to specialtech.co.uk. This seems like advertising to me. A more honest approach, imo, would be to link to manufacturer specs.

3. The MCP355 w/aftermarket top does better in a high restriction loop than the MCP655, not the other way around as you have written.

Edit: Read through it, there's quite a few much worse factual errors than those listed above. If you make a new thread I'm sure you'll get plenty of (hopefully) constructive feedback from the more knowledgable people here, and we won't have to use this sticky for discussion.

Done, thanks!

Updated 1st Post with Guides.

WOW...I hate when stickies sit around so long that they loose their helpfulness becasue they are so out of date...

I was hesitant to check this thread looking for good online store tonight, but was suprized to find that MaxxxRacer just updated the store guide in June :eek: Thanks so much for keeping this up to date :toast:

I've got a new review if a mod could add it to the OP, Thermochill EC6 Coolant Review .

Ashraf HIGH 5

Great sticky here!!! :clap:
Lots of info and not enough time to read all at once :shocked:

radiator

http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=355
http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=440
http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=391
http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=445

Quote:

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Originally Posted by G-UNIT91

radiator

http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=355
http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=440
http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=391
http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=...ardware&id=445

---

Please no outside links. We want guides, reviews, etc. that are written/made by XS members only. Thanks.

All gallery threads have been added to the first post of this thread.

This is a great sticky and all lots of detailed information.

What is missing from the Liquid section is a sticky with links to product resources. Online e-tailers that sell parts for WC systems. Such as Performance PC's Frozen CPU etc.

Of did I just flat miss it somehow?

DOH Ok after looking at the OP again I just over looked it. What an idiot!

Guide to Online Water Cooling Stores by MaxxxRacer

Sigh I'll learn someday. Its gotta have something to do with the screen getting blurry because I've been up since 6 am.

Two New Reviews from Myself.

Thermochill Compression Fitting Preview and XSPC Rasa Review

Huge Radiator roundup from myself :)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=250927


and this one - a Benchtable Review:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=250511


and for the Galleries Section -> Wallpaper !

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=180050

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bundymania

Huge Radiator roundup from myself :)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=250927


and this one - a Benchtable Review:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=250511


and for the Galleries Section -> Wallpaper !

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=180050

---

Awesome!!!! What I really liked about your review other than the detailed testing was your wrap up analysis. Very user-friendly. The review is very even-handed. Nice to see reviewers like yourself who do not feel the need to flame companies but instead take the high road. :up:

Alphacool Cape Cyclone 38 HF 150 Reservoir :

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=252286

Roundup with 22 CPU Waterblocks:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=253470

Gabe's Dual vs Single loop comparison should really be added.

Tubing Comparison: 3/8" & 5/8" from Masterkleer, Primochill, Tygon, Kooolance, Nalgene

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=257991

[Review] Roundup: Bay Reservoirs & Laing Tops !

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=258969

Review: 4 Tecnofront Reservoirs from Italy !

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=259486

140 mm Fan Roundup.

Swiftech MCP35X Pump + optional Reservoir

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=262536

9 x GTX480 Waterblocks tested

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=262937

Fan Testing Round 6 working thread (50 Fans Tested and More to Come!)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=261778

Mora 2 / Mora 3 / Phobya 1080 Comparison

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=265722

Swiftech MCP-35X & Reservoir Combo Rev2

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=267016

Thanks!:up:
Martin

Skinneelab's Universal GPU Block roundup on heatmonster GTX480.

Vinegar is bad now? Great!! My favorite rad has been running for five or six years now. I love that rad!! Hopefully not too much damage has been done.. I guess I'll have to try to neutralize it.. I have three big boxes of baking soda. But beyond that. Any suggestions? I really should stop in more often!! LOL....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clay

Vinegar is bad now? Great!! My favorite rad has been running for five or six years now. I love that rad!! Hopefully not too much damage has been done.. I guess I'll have to try to neutralize it.. I have three big boxes of baking soda. But beyond that. Any suggestions? I really should stop in more often!! LOL....

---

Wait what? you've been using vinegar as a coolant/coolant additive? :eek:

What? Oh No!!!! (LOL) Vinegar used to be what we used to get rid of the flux in the rads. We'd fill em' up and let em' sit. Then we'd rinse em' out really good.. And use them.. I guess it doesn't rinse as well as we thought it did. Anyway apparently vinegar is bad if we use it like we did. I just read the new sticky and freaked out a bit. I haven't been around for awhile. And I wanted to know what besides baking soda would help neutralize it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

Wait what? you've been using vinegar as a coolant/coolant additive? :eek:

---

Anyone know of any air filter comparisons, aside from ScottAllyn's?
Something a bit more methodical/comprehensive*, along the lines of Martin's fan work.

*no offense meant Scott, thanks for your efforts!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clay

What? Oh No!!!! (LOL) Vinegar used to be what we used to get rid of the flux in the rads. We'd fill em' up and let em' sit. Then we'd rinse em' out really good.. And use them.. I guess it doesn't rinse as well as we thought it did. Anyway apparently vinegar is bad if we use it like we did. I just read the new sticky and freaked out a bit. I haven't been around for awhile. And I wanted to know what besides baking soda would help neutralize it.

---

haha, okay good. Yeah I used to do the vinegar cleaning regimen as well with my old PA's (way back on my very first c2d system). Glad to hear its not what I thought it was ;)

Clay ... no need to panic. If you cleaned your radiators with vinegar initially and you've had no problems, don't worry about it. Most of the newer radiators don't require vinegar for cleaning. The sticky was modified because people were over doing it, and also cleaning/soaking water blocks in vinegar.

If folks do use vinegar for cleaning, the important thing is to rinse thoroughly. I also cleaned my older PA radiators with vinegar, and they've been going for years, so not an issue.


Jalyst - you'll have more luck getting an answer if you post a new thread in the general Liquid Cooling Section.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shazza

Jalyst - you'll have more luck getting an answer if you post a new thread in the general Liquid Cooling Section.

---

Hi Shazza,
I did ask that question in my own thread...
Silverstone CW02 mods + air filtration box + best filter medium
But so far no thoughts on that particular Qn!

Cheers

Here i have a new short review:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=270713

Tecnofront Torpedo Reservoir

Yo dawg I herd you like reviews so here's a review to add to your review list


http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=269051


Huh, if there was a user review section he could have posted it there :p

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=271560

Tecnofront RAVEN Benchtable

Alphacool Cape Fuzion Core 10 & 30 Acetal Black-Reservoir

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...lack-Reservoir

I'm just now learning the computer building stuff and have a huge fascination with water cooling PC and external water towers and so forth.....and this thread delivers! So much good info in this thread it's crazy! Thanks to all you who contributed!

I found this review usefull, though I do not see it listed in the TS:

Review on GPU full cover blocks for the HD6950 / HD6970
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...dup&highlight=

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...rvoir-D5-Clear

Primochill-Myriad-Dual-Bay-Reservoir-D5-Clear

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...er-Waterblocks

10x GTX 570/580 Fullcover Waterblocks

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...HD7970-Roundup

7970 Waterblocks roundup