What to buy ?

[popobag]

Hey all,
I decided to buy a new pc since my pc is like 2 years old.
I made myself this setup and wonder how you guys think about it and if I would have to change anything.

Case: Antec 160 Black (Will paint myself)

PSU: Black Thermaltake Toughpower 850W ATX

CPU: Intel™ Core 2 X6800 Extreme Edition LGA 775 Dual-Core 2.93 GHz 4MB L2 Cache Processor

Motherboard: eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

Video Cards: 2x NVIDIA™ eVGA GeForce 8800GTX (in Quad SLI)

Hard Drives: 2x Western Digital™ Raptor X's In Raid 0 @10,000 RPM
Hard Drives: Western Digital Caviars SATA 250 GB 7,200 RPM 16MB Cache

(1 for windows, 1 for games, 1 for everything else)

RAM: Dominators...CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4D

Optical Drives: 2x Sony 18x DVD/RW Dual Layer Recorder Drive

Media Drive: MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital 9-1 Media card reader with Floppy Drive

Soundcard: 7.1 Dolby 3D 8-Channel Sound Digital Realtek ALC850 AC'97 audio codec

Network Card: Hawking 32-Bit Gigabit Adapter

Watercooling,

Probably this setup:

(1) Swiftech Storm Rev.2 CPU Waterblock (w/Socket 939/775/478/462 compatible USMA)
(2) Swiftech MCW60 GPU Waterblock
(2) Swiftech MCW60-G80 kit
(2) Laing DDC-2 (18W)/Swiftech MCP355 Inline 12vDC Pump + Petra's Top
(1) Thermochill PA120.3 (w/fittings)
(3) Yate Loon D12SM-12 120mm x 25mm Fans (70.5CFM, 33dBA)
(15) 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PVC Tubing
(15) Swiftech SmartCoils 625 (for 5/8" OD Tubing) - Clear
(1) 1/2" OD Polypropylene T-Fitting
(16) Stainless Steel Worm-Drive Hose Clamps
(1) Machined Delrin Fillport/T-Line Cap
(1) Swiftech MCB-120 RadBox
(1 bottle) Swiftech HydrX Extreme Duty Coolant (Green)

-PoPo

[popobag]

Or Watercooling setup like this

(1) Swiftech Storm Rev.2 CPU Waterblock (w/Socket 939/775/478/462 compatible USMA)
(2) Swiftech MCW60 GPU Waterblock
(2) Swiftech MCW60-G80 kit
(2) Laing DDC-2 (18W)/Swiftech MCP355 Inline 12vDC Pump + Petra's Top
(1) Thermochill PA120.3 (w/fittings)
(3) Yate Loon D12SM-12 120mm x 25mm Fans (70.5CFM, 33dBA)
(15) 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PVC Tubing
(15) Swiftech SmartCoils 625 (for 5/8" OD Tubing) - Clear
(1) 1/2" OD Polypropylene T-Fitting
(16) Stainless Steel Worm-Drive Hose Clamps
(1) Machined Delrin Fillport/T-Line Cap
(1) Swiftech MCB-120 RadBox
(1 bottle) Swiftech HydrX Extreme Duty Coolant (Green)

(It will get this color I hope? )
(Are these coils Clear or Green?)

[septim]

(2) Silverprop Cyclone FusionSL GPU Waterblocks (w/Dual Clip Kit mounting hardware) if you can ever find these in stock

(2) AquaXtreme 50Z-DC12 Pumps
2 D5s would be better or 2 DDC-2 with Petra's Top would be best

(1) Swiftech MCR320-QP Triple 120mm Radiator (w/fittings)
good choice here or go straight for a Thermochill PA if budget permits

(3) Yate Loon D12SM-12 120mm x 25mm Fans (70.5CFM, 33dBA)
no problems here, add to fan controller and undervolt

(15) 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PVC Tubing
(15) Swiftech SmartCoils 625 (for 5/8" OD Tubing) - Clear
nice combo here

(1) 1/2" OD Polypropylene T-Fitting
(16) Stainless Steel Worm-Drive Hose Clamps
(1) Machined Delrin Fillport/T-Line Cap
(1) Swiftech MCB-120 RadBox
(1 bottle) Swiftech HydrX Extreme Duty Coolant (Green)
all good, most can be had at Petra's Tech shop

[popobag]

(2) Silverprop Cyclone FusionSL GPU Waterblocks (w/Dual Clip Kit mounting hardware) if you can ever find these in stock

(2) AquaXtreme 50Z-DC12 Pumps
2 D5s would be better or 2 DDC-2 with Petra's Top would be best

(1) Swiftech MCR320-QP Triple 120mm Radiator (w/fittings)
good choice here or go straight for a Thermochill PA if budget permits

(3) Yate Loon D12SM-12 120mm x 25mm Fans (70.5CFM, 33dBA)
no problems here, add to fan controller and undervolt

(15) 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PVC Tubing
(15) Swiftech SmartCoils 625 (for 5/8" OD Tubing) - Clear
nice combo here

(1) 1/2" OD Polypropylene T-Fitting
(16) Stainless Steel Worm-Drive Hose Clamps
(1) Machined Delrin Fillport/T-Line Cap
(1) Swiftech MCB-120 RadBox
(1 bottle) Swiftech HydrX Extreme Duty Coolant (Green)
all good, most can be had at Petra's Tech shop

Alright !

Thanks for the reply I was like refreshing this page every 15-30mins.

(2) Silverprop Cyclone FusionSL GPU Waterblocks (w/Dual Clip Kit mounting hardware) if you can ever find these in stock

What block would you suggest for SLI 8800 GTX (or maybe 8900 GTX, if it comes out in February-March)?

[popobag]

Do you have any idea if I would get the color on the picture with Swiftech HydrX Extreme Duty Coolant ? Or would I get some other color green ? I like that color and want the exact same (see photo)

Hope you can help me out once again

[popobag]

(2) Silverprop Cyclone FusionSL GPU Waterblocks (w/Dual Clip Kit mounting hardware) if you can ever find these in stock

(2) AquaXtreme 50Z-DC12 Pumps
2 D5s would be better or 2 DDC-2 with Petra's Top would be best

You mean this one ?

http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html

Would I need the top on the D5 or on the DDC-2 ? or on both ?

[popobag]

(1) Swiftech MCR320-QP Triple 120mm Radiator (w/fittings)
good choice here or go straight for a Thermochill PA if budget permits

Well if it's alot different in performance I will, but wich one ?

Thermochill PA120.1
Thermochill PA120.2
Thermochill PA120.3

And would I need anything else in combination if I would take tha PA instead of the MCR320 ?

[Bail_w]

Thermochill PA120.3 over MCR320

[popobag]

Thermochill PA120.3 over MCR320

is the difference worth the 100$ ?

[popobag]

What GPU Blocks are available for the 8800 GTX besides Swiftech MCW60-G80 kit ? (doing SLI so I assume I need 2 ?)

[popobag]

Does anyone also know how many times I'd have to refill the cooling system ? Because the company that will actually build my rig said I won't get warranty anymore when I open the case (and that company is in the US and I live in Europe... so )

[IanY]

1) Why wouldn't you want to learn to build your own machine and maintain it yourself? If you are going to have this as a hobby, shouldn't you learn how to upkeep your own rig? Its really really easy too. If its so difficult, would there be so many hardware forums out there?

2) The Thermochill is worth more than the price difference. Either you do water cooling right, or its not worth water cooling at all.

3) Swiftech Hydrex... the color of the coolant is dependent on the ratio of Hydrx to distilled water you use. Swiftech recommends a one bottle to one litre mixture. More concentrated for a darker green color (which I don't recommend) and less concentrated for a lighter green color (which I also don't recommend). I would prefer a reservoir to a T-line fitting, but that's just me.

4) Yes you need two MCW60 blocks with adapter plates for 8800GTX SLI. There are the Danger den full cover blocks too (and EKs soon), that's if you like full cover blocks. I myself would not go that route.

5) In order to water cool, you will need to periodically check the coolant level in the reservoir. In most instances, you cannot do that without opening your case. Which brings me back to my point about building the machine yourself.

6) I think you are getting ahead of yourself. You should learn about the hardware you want to purchase (and water cooling too) before attempting to buy an expensive system.

[Zeus]

Does anyone also know how many times I'd have to refill the cooling system ? Because the company that will actually build my rig said I won't get warranty anymore when I open the case (and that company is in the US and I live in Europe... so )

You're gonna let a company build your system?

Damn, you must be loaded, getting a sys like that build for you in the states and ship it to Holland!

Why not build your own system?

[Aerou]

Does anyone also know how many times I'd have to refill the cooling system ? Because the company that will actually build my rig said I won't get warranty anymore when I open the case (and that company is in the US and I live in Europe... so )

You're kidding right? What if there is even the slightest problem with the setup and you gonna send it to the US? WTH, watercooling is also about building it, maintaining it, improving it, loving it ... it's fun, trust me man ... Without your own effort in it, it wont have its true worth ...

[popobag]

6) I think you are getting ahead of yourself. You should learn about the hardware you want to purchase (and water cooling too) before attempting to buy an expensive system.

Yeah well I do, but I dont know anything about Watercooling and the new processor stuff, I haven't bought a new pc for like 2-3 years so I'm kinda out that stuff... I have alot more spare time for it now so I should be getting up-to-date again soon.

I'm kinda outdated when it comes to SLI (I don't know much about it) and I don't know anything about Watercooling.

[popobag]

You're gonna let a company build your system?

Damn, you must be loaded, getting a sys like that build for you in the states and ship it to Holland!

Why not build your own system?

Yeah well I did save money for about a year and a half so no I'm not that loaded..

Anyways, you guys actually made me reconsider my choice and maybe I will just buy the parts myself and build it on my own...

[popobag]

You're kidding right? What if there is even the slightest problem with the setup and you gonna send it to the US? WTH, watercooling is also about building it, maintaining it, improving it, loving it ... it's fun, trust me man ... Without your own effort in it, it wont have its true worth ...

As I replied to Zeus... I think I might just order the parts and build it myself
I did find and choose all the parts above tough, but the thing is, wouldn't it be alot cheaper if I let that company order/assemble all parts and then let them ship it to me at once instead of ordering the parts everywhere and get them shipped to me ?
Because the problem is, I will order the parts outside my country because
1. It's all so DAMN EXPENSIVE in my country... So that will cost me alot of money on shipping alone. And
2. I don't have any local stores near me that is even selling watercooling stuff.

[popobag]

2) The Thermochill is worth more than the price difference. Either you do water cooling right, or its not worth water cooling at all.

So the setup I have right now (in green in my first post) is good ? Or could I improve anything else ?

And why I actually never build my own rig before is because I'm scared of breaking the hardware.. not physically but I mean some connecter connected wrong and BOOM bye whole gaming rig... so I don't know... On the other hand... If I do this it will be my FIRST OWN-BUILT RIG EVER (kinda cool tho )!

[popobag]

btw, what card is better?

XFX or eVGA ?

[popobag]

3) Swiftech Hydrex... the color of the coolant is dependent on the ratio of Hydrx to distilled water you use. Swiftech recommends a one bottle to one litre mixture. More concentrated for a darker green color (which I don't recommend) and less concentrated for a lighter green color (which I also don't recommend). I would prefer a reservoir to a T-line fitting, but that's just me.

What reservoir would you recommend and why would a reservoir be better?

[IanY]

A reservoir is primarily for convenience more than anything else. Its much easier to bleed a system with a reservoir. There is a legitimate argument that a T-line will yield a teeny tiny bit more improved performance, but I won't go into a debate about that.

A Swiftech MCRES-MICRO reservoir is very cheap and effective device. There are more fancy ones like the new EK reservoir (look at a current thread), but its up to you. I personally like my reservoir topped up and the peace of mind to know that there's enough fluid in it so that if I somehow go away for 2 weeks, there isn't a danger of fluid running low. Of course, you can just as easily switch off the PC lol Once again, its your computer and you should buy what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy, no matter how many people are pressuring you either way.

[popobag]

A reservoir is primarily for convenience more than anything else. Its much easier to bleed a system with a reservoir. There is a legitimate argument that a T-line will yield a teeny tiny bit more improved performance, but I won't go into a debate about that.

A Swiftech MCRES-MICRO reservoir is very cheap and effective device. There are more fancy ones like the new EK reservoir (look at a current thread), but its up to you. I personally like my reservoir topped up and the peace of mind to know that there's enough fluid in it so that if I somehow go away for 2 weeks, there isn't a danger of fluid running low. Of course, you can just as easily switch off the PC lol Once again, its your computer and you should buy what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy, no matter how many people are pressuring you either way.

check your pm

[IanY]

btw, what card is better?

XFX or eVGA ?

Both are generic cookie-cutter standardized products. I would personally buy EVGA, but buy whatever you prefer. Again, its *your* computer, not mine, and not anyone else's. Both companies put out decent products, and when the underlying products are crap, then the products sold are also crap. Both companies have their share of customer service merits and nightmares. Ultimately, they're all pretty much the same hehe

[popobag]

can u reply to my pm plz ?

[Ashraf]

I like eVGA myself.

I forgot some website that tested both XFX GeForce 8800GTX vs eVGA GeForce 8800GTX. eVGA beats XFX.