Suggest Liquid Cooling Kit <-- Virgin Liquid-Cooler!!

[LUCI5R]

Ave,

Didn't want to use the word n00b cause I've been around hardware, but I've never ever touched or used a Liquid Cooling kit.

Very recently I upgraded my system. Got an ASUS P5Q Deluxe (P45), Intel Q9450 & 4GB DDR2-1000 PC2-8000 Memory Kit. I've already OC'd my system to 3.8Ghz 24/7 Stable, on air.

On full load the CPU hovers around 70 degrees. On idle it's around 37 ~ 40. I have the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, for the last 4 years now - and a whole bunch of case fans and what not. It's served me well. But now it's time to move on to Liquid Cooling.

I'm looking to buy a liquid cooling kit. I only have two requirements...
- Cost: Around $200
- Cooling: Definately needs to bring that 70 degrees down as much as possible

I don't care about how loud it is, how much noise it makes, how it looks like, how bulky it is, yada-yada. I really don't care about anything at all, as long as it's the BEST you can get for around $200, in terms of quality and how good it cools.

Most important thing - I know a lot of you will jump in to tell me to build my own. Well, i just don't want to. I'm too new to it, and I really just want something delivered to my home, that I can take out of the box, hook it up (installation) and get it working. I'm really, really just looking for a complete Kit. I don't wish to spend looking around for components, doing that whole research, getting them together & then building it. I'll do that one day, just not now - maybe two years from now when I upgrade to Nehalem or Sandy Bridge.

Anyhow, thus far I've been looking at ZALMAN ZM - Reserator1 V2, which looks pretty good & not too difficult to assemble. I truly don't know how good it cools and how good it really is (Apart from Newegg Customer Comments), so I'd like a word on that. Other then I've looked at Swiftech H20-220-APEX-GT and GIGABYTE GH-WIU02 3D Galaxy II.

I'm open to all suggestion, any brand, any make or model - like I said - just needs to be around $200, preferably no more - and needs to cool really well.

Would really appreciate any advice, suggestion guys - as always - you're the best!!

PS: I'd like to avoid buying from Newegg, they charge sales tax in NY, sucks - unless I really have to. Thanks!

[Polizei]

$200 isn't going to get you much in terms of a kit.

To be honest, it will get you a kit, but a high end air setup would probably beat it - TRUE120 or the Xigmatek HDT-1283 - for less money. Since you don't care about noise, you can slap on a decently fast Delta fan and you would be good to go. Load would drop down to the 50's with high end air cooling, and probably the same for the Zalman Reserator, but the reserator costs 4x as much.

[twwen2]

I'm really, really just looking for a complete Kit. I don't wish to spend looking around for components, doing that whole research, getting them together & then building it.

Most people will tell you that's half the fun of watercooling, doing the necessary research and getting it right the first time round. There's nothing worse than being lazy and skimping on parts, only to have them fail miserably or not live up to your expectations. Then you might be put off this great hobby without ever knowing what the best can be like!

To be honest there's not much difference between buying seperately vs kit, you will probably end up getting similar components (if you follow the right advice).

However you seem to have made up your mind, so if you must buy a kit then get one from Swiftech or Petra's Tech Shop, both will have half decent components to start you off.

Good luck

[LUCI5R]

However you seem to have made up your mind, so if you must buy a kit then get one from Swiftech or Petra's Tech Shop, both will have half decent components to start you off.

Not At All!! Not in the least. In fact, I'm just beginning to look into it. The three models I listed were simply based on the "Best Rating" sort on Newegg. I think I barely looked 15 ~ 20 minutes on Newegg so far. To be quite honest, you can even forget I listed any model, and start fresh.

So give me advice ... please!

PS: I guess I'm not "totally" closed to buying separately & building a kit, and will consider it if it can't be avoided. But like you said, if I have to spend as much, and get similar results, I guess I would just like to get a kit instead.

[twwen2]

Edit:

OK, $200 is going to limit your choices, but we'll do our best.

CPU - DTek Fusion V2 $65
Pump - Liang D5 vario (Swiftech MCP655) $80
Radiator - Swiftech MCR220 $40
Fittings - 1/2in ID (should come with CPU block)
Tubing - 10 feet 7/16in ID 5/8in OD Masterkleer or Duralene $15 (i can't think of any other brands at this stage sorry)
Reservior? - Swiftech MCRES $20
Zipties or worm-drive clamps

That's a little over $200, but as cheap as i could go without skimping.

[LUCI5R]

Huh?

You said you really, really wanted a complete kit. Have you changed your mind? We're more than happy to give some advice on individual parts if you like.

Like I said... if building is inevitable, I'll look into it. At the same time, I'm sure there are Kit owners who feel they have what they wanted and its' doing the job for them - I'd like to hear from them and suggest something for me.

But yes, I'm open to your advice.

PS: Actually when I said "Not At All!", I thought you were saying "You have made up your mind" regarding the 3 kits I had listed - I think you were saying that in reference to Kit vs Building. My bad!

[twwen2]

Sorry i edited the post. That was messy. Check the post above

[LUCI5R]

Edit:

OK, $200 is going to limit your choices, but we'll do our best.

CPU - DTek Fusion V2 $65
Pump - Liang D5 vario (Swiftech MCP655) $80
Radiator - Swiftech MCR220 $40
Fittings - 1/2in ID (should come with CPU block)
Tubing - 10 feet 7/16in ID 5/8in OD Masterkleer or Duralene $15 (i can't think of any other brands at this stage sorry)
Reservior? - Swiftech MCRES $20
Zipties or worm-drive clamps

That's a little over $200, but as cheap as i could go without skimping.

Interesting. The component list is very similar to the "Petra'sTech CoolKit Basic - Rev.2" at Petra's Tech Shop, so I'm imagining I can go with the kit at that shop.

Question for you ... what kind of results can I get with this? I hover around 39 idle & 71 full load. Also, I'm imagining this will give me better results then the Zalman Reserator V2?

Thanks, Appreciate it!

[twwen2]

Can't give you temperatures (i've got a very different setup), but try out martin's radiator estimator here:

http://www.martinsliquidlab.com/Swif...20-Review.html

It's towards the end of the page in a zip file. It won't give you core temps but will give you an indication of the air-water delta.

The Petra's kit is probably a good starting point if the price is right. Don't go near the Zalman stuff, it's aluminium (i'm not sure if there's copper in the loop also) and won't perform nearly as well as the setup i listed earlier, or the Petra's kit for that matter.

[LUCI5R]

Can't give you temperatures (i've got a very different setup), but try out martin's radiator estimator here:

http://www.martinsliquidlab.com/Swif...20-Review.html

It's towards the end of the page in a zip file. It won't give you core temps but will give you an indication of the air-water delta.

The Petra's kit is probably a good starting point if the price is right. Don't go near the Zalman stuff, it's aluminium (i'm not sure if there's copper in the loop also) and won't perform nearly as well as the setup i listed earlier, or the Petra's kit for that matter.

Petra's Kit I listed will cost me $237 (Incl Shipping). What's the actually difference between what you listed & Petra's? I couldn't really spot any!

Also, Copper is better then Aluminium?

PS: What about the 'Swiftech H20-220-APEX-GT' kit I had mentioned earlier? Seems to be a few parts similar to what you or Petra's kit is listing. Any major difference?

Thanks!!

[twwen2]

One of the Petra's kit (Basic - $223.99) is the almost same as what i listed but has the Fusion V1 instead of the newer V2. No big drama but the newer one is better.

The other kit (Extreme - $256.99) is also almost the same as what i listed, but this one has the DDC3.2 pump with Petra's aftermarket top. This pump is stronger than the D5, but it won't matter in a CPU only loop.

And yes, copper is a better conductor of heat than aluminium, so temps will be better in theory. The other reason to avoid alu is that if mixed with copper blocks in the same loop, can cause corrosion (which trust me, you don't want!).

[jas420221]

If you want a kit, get the Swiftech 220 one wherever you can find it the cheapest.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835108076

[Eddie3dfx]

If you just want cpu, get the swiftech 220 kit.

[LUCI5R]

Hmm, what If I want to do at least North Bridge as well? I know the Reserator had options for CPU, GPU & NB. I could skip GPU because I really don't have too many GPU-Intensive Operations. But I'd like the option to cool NB at least.

[jas420221]

Unless you are shooting for 4Ghz stable Q9450 (like we all are ) then I wouldnt bother with the NB personally.

[Eddie3dfx]

Hmm, what If I want to do at least North Bridge as well? I know the Reserator had options for CPU, GPU & NB. I could skip GPU because I really don't have too many GPU-Intensive Operations. But I'd like the option to cool NB at least.

Don't say at least, because there is a dramatic difference in what I would recommend for a gpu/nb/cpu vs a sole cpu.

$200 is not going to get you all 3, but for sure it will get you great temps on a cpu!

[LUCI5R]

Unless you are shooting for 4Ghz stable Q9450 (like we all are ) then I wouldnt bother with the NB personally

Definitely, definately shooting for 4Ghz. The whole exercise/upgrade is pointless if I don't achieve 4Ghz on my Q9450. I am 3.8Ghz 24/7 Stable on Air right now. But I can't take it any further because it over heats and eventually gives in. 4Ghz+ is the Primary reason I'm switching to water (Apart from bringing the 71 Degrees down a bit on full load).

Don't say at least, because there is a dramatic difference in what I would recommend for a gpu/nb/cpu vs a sole cpu.

$200 is not going to get you all 3, but for sure it will get you great temps on a cpu!

Let me put it this way. I'm obviously prepared to spend $250 because that's what the Reserator V2 would cost me - even thought $212 (Swiftech H220) sounds a lot better on my wallet. So yes, I would "Like" to cool the NB as well. (Forget GPU - if I get it, good, if not, I don't care). BUT, if I have to pay $300 to add NB, I'll forget it. I'll stick with CPU.

So to sum up:
- If I did just the CPU - Do you recommend Swiftech H220 the BEST bang for the buck, that will give me lowest temps ?
- If I want to add NB - what expense am I looking at?

Thanks Guys!!

[jas420221]

Im on water, same mobo and better PSU...I cant get 4Ghz stable yet...

[Eddie3dfx]

I am not sure what nb you throw on the motherboard. If you get a restrictive cpu waterblock, then a swiftech mcw30 won't be bad, because it's free flow (just in and out, hitting copper, no design, but works great on nb)
Now if only a specific nb block like an eddy or danger den fits your nothbridge, then it will be a bit more restrictive, so then you have to figure out what cpu block to get.
Let me check something and I'll post back in a few minutes

[LUCI5R]

Im on water, same mobo and better PSU...I cant get 4Ghz stable yet...

I'll give it a shot. Obviously OC'ing never comes with any guarantee - but I did find getting to 3.8Ghz Stable was really not all that difficult for me - as opposed to a lot of people I saw who were having issues. Quite honestly I think I can push to 3.9Ghz Stable with my current setup - I just don't like the Full Load temps - even though there's others who are running it on higher temps than I am.

[jas420221]

What are your settings for 3.8Ghz? (3.8Ghz stable wasnt hard, but it wasnt a set and voila situation either).

Vcore
PLL
FSB/VTT
NB

[LUCI5R]

I am not sure what nb you throw on the motherboard. If you get a restrictive cpu waterblock, then a swiftech mcw30 won't be bad, because it's free flow (just in and out, hitting copper, no design, but works great on nb)
Now if only a specific nb block like an eddy or danger den fits your nothbridge, then it will be a bit more restrictive, so then you have to figure out what cpu block to get.
Let me check something and I'll post back in a few minutes

Really - Really appreciate your efforts! Thanks mate.
PS: I have the ASUS P5Q Deluxe motherboard. I don't think I can help you out on any more specifics about the North Bridge.

[LUCI5R]

What are your settings for 3.8Ghz?

Vcore
PLL
FSB/VTT
NB

CPU Voltage 1.35625v
CPU GTL Voltage Reference (0/2): 0.665
CPU GTL Voltage Reference (1/3) : 0.665
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.52v
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.32v
DRAM Voltage: 1.98v
NB Voltage : 1.32v
NB GTL Reference: AUTO
SBridge Voltage: 1.20v
PCIE SATA Voltage: 1.50v

[Eddie3dfx]

K, I just double checked.
That swiftech 220-gt for $199 is excellent.
D5 Pump, apogee gt (bowed) block, mcr 220, rad-box, fans, coolant, tubing, etc.
The only thing I would say is that it might be better to get a better cpu block (maybe 2-4c better temps, not sure if it will make a difference though)
In that case, you would have to get everything separately.

[LUCI5R]

K, I just double checked.
That swiftech 220-gt for $199 is excellent.
D5 Pump, apogee gt (bowed) block, mcr 220, rad-box, fans, coolant, tubing, etc.
The only thing I would say is that it might be better to get a better cpu block (maybe 2-4c better temps, not sure if it will make a difference though)
In that case, you would have to get everything separately.

Awesome!!
Quite honestly, if I do that, I'll probably stick with the CPU Block it comes with, just to save me the hassle, if the difference is just 2-4c.

I'm imagining, since you check it out, that it works with my Motherboard/CPU.

Now, if I were to add NB Cooling - can I still get this kit and Add something to it?

Thanks!!