Thinking Water Cooling

[cdnbum88]

I am starting to look into WC and was wondering if I am only going to start off with cpu cooling and then get to gpu cooling (4870x2 coming), how should I approach my build?

Get a larger rad now and key components for the end goal build, or focus on current task of cpu and then switch up or modify what I have when I go for the gpu?

What recommendations would you suggest?

[halo112358]

This is probably a better question for the WC forum, it really depends on how you want to handle expansion and upgrades. For example, if you don't mind adding another rad then I'd say buy something that is sufficient for your CPU now and buy another rad to handle your graphics card when you add it into the loop. Whatever you do, make sure you buy a powerful enough pump to achieve your desired flow rate in your most restrictive planned loop. IE: buy enough pump to handle any add-on blocks and/or rads.

If you want to go with the mainstay of the WC community most people would tell you to buy a PA120.3 rad and either a Laing DDC pump or an Iwaki. A PA120.3 should handle a quad core and a 4870x2 pretty effectively, if it doesn't you can always add a PA120.2 or PA160 into the loop as well.

good luck

[Serpentarius]

although i may not have 4870x2 .. but i recall it's temps are soaring high ...
if your cpu is not o/ced ... then combining both waterblocks in a loop should be ok ..

but if u're planing to o/c .. then it would be advisable to separate the loop, but separate loop means more work, more hardware

[Klarko]

This is probably a better question for the WC forum, it really depends on how you want to handle expansion and upgrades. For example, if you don't mind adding another rad then I'd say buy something that is sufficient for your CPU now and buy another rad to handle your graphics card when you add it into the loop. Whatever you do, make sure you buy a powerful enough pump to achieve your desired flow rate in your most restrictive planned loop. IE: buy enough pump to handle any add-on blocks and/or rads.

If you want to go with the mainstay of the WC community most people would tell you to buy a PA120.3 rad and either a Laing DDC pump or an Iwaki. A PA120.3 should handle a quad core and a 4870x2 pretty effectively, if it doesn't you can always add a PA120.2 or PA160 into the loop as well.

good luck

About how much all together would that cost?

[sirheck]

How much are you willing to spend and how far are you willing to go?

You may find yourself wanting to go farther after you start.

[cdnbum88]

I would like to have a good OCing system.

I would like to see the 9950 hit closer to 4.

I don't know the potential of the 4870x2, but I would think 800 since there is an OC version out there that is based at 800.

I don't want to spend $500+, but I want something that will last and be good for awhile.

[halo112358]

I would like to have a good OCing system.

I would like to see the 9950 hit closer to 4.

I don't know the potential of the 4870x2, but I would think 800 since there is an OC version out there that is based at 800.

I don't want to spend $500+, but I want something that will last and be good for awhile.

You should be able to do 830+ on your 4870x2 with a good WC loop .

If you're planning to watercool a 4870x2 and a quad core then you're going to want to spend $500 on a loop - that's about what the parts are going to cost you to do it well. If you don't want to, or can't, spend that much then you're going to have to cut corners or buy things over time.

PA120.3 - $130
Laing DDC with custom top - $100
full cover block for 4870x2 - ~$120
cpu block - ~$60-70
tubing - $60 (get something good, like tygon 2750, that doesn't hydrate and/or dissolve over time otherwise you'll have to disassemble and flush every single item that's connected and that SUCKS)
parts - $60 (hose barbs, hose clamps, etc..)

IDK, that's my .02.. A loop like that can handle anything you throw at it.

[Source]

That's a nice list.
Perhaps also a Reservoir in the loop, i personally found filling the loop with a drain port is a pain in the ass, also a reservoir like the EK or Swiftech MCRES helps getting the air/bubbles out of the loop.

For top i recommend the Petra's Tech Shop Top (here as combo)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=117215
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=137484

[halo112358]

That's a nice list.
Perhaps also a Reservoir in the loop, i personally found filling the loop with a drain port is a pain in the ass, also a reservoir like the EK or Swiftech MCRES helps getting the air/bubbles out of the loop.

For top i recommend the Petra's Tech Shop Top (here as combo)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=117215
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=137484

There's always something to forget, like a res

[inCore]

I'd drop by in the Liquid Cooling section.

By the way, that is some damned expensive tubing you got there. My Tygon 3400 was a third of that.

[cdnbum88]

Lots of good things to take into consideration.

I just need to get the nerver and $$$'s to take the plunge.

I assume you all are using non-conductive liquid to protect your parts in case of a leak?

Also, dies, I read are messy and can cause build up? If this is true how often do you have have to clean your system? Die or no die, how often?

[Ozzfest05]

dies are a waste just buy colored uv tubing actually better then dies plus you dont lose cooling performance

[cdnbum88]

This is what I ended up going with. Need to add one more fan since I only got 2.
Will add the 4870x2 block next.

Swiftech MCRES Micro microv2 1 24.50
Revision 2 reservoir
Swiftech MCP655 12v DC mcp655 1 77.95
Pump - with Speed
Controller
Swiftech Apogee GTZ apogeegtz 1 74.90 Add Optional AM2 Accessory kit =
Extreme Performance Yes(+9.95)
Waterblock
Swiftech MCR320-QP Quiet MCR-320 1 48.95 Choose your fittings = No Fittings
Power 3X120mm - Black
Herbie Clip® Nylon Hose herbieh 2 0.25
Clamp Size H - Black
Tygon R3603 1/2in. ID AAC00038 8 3.00
3/4in. OD Laboratory
Tubing # AAC00038
Feser One F1 Cooling f1uvblack 1 16.95
Fluid - UV BLACK - 1
Liter
Scythe SFF21F 63 CFM SFF21F 2 14.95 Add Black Sleeving = No
S-FLEX 120mm Quiet FAN by
Sony
Feser Compression Fitting feser1200 6 5.95
G1/4 Thread - 1/2in ID -
3/4in OD - High Flow

[AndrewZorn]

I thought "YAY!" when I read that you had opted for the MCR instead of the PA, which is what I was going to say.

Then I thought "awwwww" when I saw the "cooling fluid". $17 for 1 liter of liquid hassle (I can show you how to get hassle for FREE!). There goes the fancy tubing, infrequent changes, performance...

EDIT but don't let me rain on your parade. Awesome looking build. Just don't add in that fluid!

[cdnbum88]

I thought "YAY!" when I read that you had opted for the MCR instead of the PA, which is what I was going to say.

Then I thought "awwwww" when I saw the "cooling fluid". $17 for 1 liter of liquid hassle (I can show you how to get hassle for FREE!). There goes the fancy tubing, infrequent changes, performance...

EDIT but don't let me rain on your parade. Awesome looking build. Just don't add in that fluid!

What is wrong with this fluid? Beyond a cost factor, is it bad for the system?

[Zigosity]

What is wrong with this fluid? Beyond a cost factor, is it bad for the system?

Lets just say that similar cooling products have been known to leave residues on blocks, stain tubing and overall be annoying.

The best fluid to go with for pure performance and safety\maintenance is plain distilled water and a few drops of biocide - people like to use Petra's PT-Nuke. If you really want the bling go with the coolant - there won't be any negative performance, you just might end up with some nasty surprises when you drain your loop for the first time. Then again, it may be fine. YMMV.

I've been researching all this stuff hardcore for a few months, saving up the pennies for my own WC conversion .

-Zigosity

[MomijiTMO]

Errr I don't think the any set up is going to get you to 4GHz .

The Feser fluid is fine. A lot of people have used Feser coolant with no issues. However, those who dilute it or then go ahead and add some anti microbial product end up in hell. There are people who I respect that have run into issues with it and then there are other people who haven't. There isn't a win win scenario.

[VOID WARRANTY]

well out of the two cpu,s you own...only one even has a chance of hitting 4ghz..24/7..on water..and thats your q6600...but even on water its gota be A banging chip to run 24/7 on safe volts...and your board has to be up to the task....quads stress your board harder than duals..2nd its going to cost a lot of coin to water cool your whole system including the 4870x2......really what i would do is forget it...put some bad boy fans in your case....take the 4870x2 apart and redo the thermal paste with some mx2 or something else non-conductive and of quality..then set the fan speed higher on the card..then if you want to get hardcore on the air supply cut a hole in the bottom of your case right underneath the air intake of the card...and mount a fan there...preferably all high cfm fans if the noise dosnt bother you...and maybe a true 120 or a core contact freezer pro on the quad....

[cdnbum88]

Well I hope the coolant is cool and I have no issues. I guess time will tell on that one.

As for the 4.o that was just a joke.

This will be for my AMD build and currently I have it at 3.3 on air and can play Crysis without issue.

So I am hoping with the liquid cooling I will be able to get up to 3.5 or 3.6ish range.

We will see how she goes.

I know this is one of the best AMD boards on the market now, and with the Redline's I hope I give it a go run.

Stay tuned.

[cdnbum88]

With distilled water, don't you then again have a conductive situation?

With the non conductive stuff, I know it can become conductive over time, but if you change with a decent frequency, I would think that would be less risky then having something conductive.

Who knows

[cdnbum88]

Got what I think I need for the cpu WCing.

Will see if it fits like I want it to.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePh...9393342&page=1

[cdnbum88]

Dang it....how do I post pictures on a photo gallery like KodakGallery?

I thought I just copied URL to the folder in my collection.

Help??

[cdnbum88]

Try these links...

[cdnbum88]

You can see my AMD system in my sig that this was done on.

So far so good. Have some leaking during testing and just had to tighten some fittings.

Doing this in my hotel room, left the tool selection to be desired

But I got it in and with the OC I had at 3.319 my idle temps where 51 and now they are 36. So that is nice. Will start cranking on it later to hope to get up closer to 3.5 and 3.6.

With that said my 4870x2 temps went up from 68 to 83. I know these run hot, but odd that it went up. Not worrying too much, will most likely next month get the XPSR for it and cool it down and maybe a NB cooler.

BTW...what recommendations for what I should do and get forsure the GPU and possibly the NB?

Here are some pics....

http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wcpartszk6.jpg
http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?i...hotel03ag5.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?i...hotel02rv7.jpg
http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu03bu2.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu01vy3.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu02ob2.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu05ck2.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu04qx4.jpg

[Riggs]

You can see my AMD system in my sig that this was done on.

So far so good. Have some leaking during testing and just had to tighten some fittings.

Doing this in my hotel room, left the tool selection to be desired

But I got it in and with the OC I had at 3.319 my idle temps where 51 and now they are 36. So that is nice. Will start cranking on it later to hope to get up closer to 3.5 and 3.6.

With that said my 4870x2 temps went up from 68 to 83. I know these run hot, but odd that it went up. Not worrying too much, will most likely next month get the XPSR for it and cool it down and maybe a NB cooler.

BTW...what recommendations for what I should do and get forsure the GPU and possibly the NB?

Here are some pics....

http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wcpartszk6.jpg
http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?i...hotel03ag5.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?i...hotel02rv7.jpg
http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu03bu2.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu01vy3.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu02ob2.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu05ck2.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wccpu04qx4.jpg

2nd and third pics dont work. Otherwise looking great for a first setup man!



Dont know how temps could go up so much, so cant really help on that.