What to buy ?

[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.