Res and pump help (first time watercooler)

[Pr3dator8]

Hey guys this will be my first watercooling attempt so i was just after some advice. i will be setting it up in the rig in my sig. im going for a single loop. just cooling my cpu.

The only part i am sure of is the Swiftech MCR320-QP Radiator coz i know it will fit (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=1263)

I was going to get the Swiftech Apogee GTZ CPU Waterblock coz i have heard good things and its available in australia so its fairly easy for me to get.

really my main dilema is with the res and pump. i want a drive bay res due to space constrictions and for the ease of it. here are the two set ups i had in mind:

*Swiftech MCP655-B 12V Pump
*EK-Bay Spin Reservoir Acetal

-----------OR--------------

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/91...?tl=g30c97s168

If i went with the XSPC what pump would i use? and im not quite sure how exactly the pump mounts to the res.

I am leaning towards the XSPC set up, coz the pump and res in one would take up less space + it looks cool. any recommendations as to which set up would be better? or if there are better options out there? i will be attemping to oc my cpu once the watercooling is all set up. ill be using 1/2 tubing if that info helps.

thanks heaps guys i look forward to seeing ur responses.

[millertime359]

First off, read through the stickies. This one mainly: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=54331 The vinegar flush and coolant filter are both outdated, ignore those parts.

I would look into this res instead. It allows for dual loops and costs about the same as the other one. It will be able to handle upgrades later on down the road.

The res is made for Swiftech MCP355 pump It mounts into the res. There should be instructions included, but it is pretty easy to do.

If you can find a Swiftech XT block, I would reccommend getting it instead. The XT has a better mounting mechanism, so it makes upgrades a bit easier. The GTZ is still a great block and will serve you well though.

[Conumdrum]

Another guide/sticky if your new at watercooling.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/25...rcooling-guide

[millertime359]

Another guide/sticky if your new at watercooling.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/25...rcooling-guide

I do wish we could get that one updated here. Yours is a bit better as it is updated and not quite as indepth.

[Pr3dator8]

@ millertime359
with the dual loop xspc res is it split into two reservoir's for each loop? so for now i would only be using one half of the res? im not ruling out the dual loop res but would the Swiftech MCP355 pump work with the single? i could be way off here but dont u need a second rad to do dual loop effectively? coz i cant really see me being able to fit another one in my case. also i have read it is quite difficult to use 1/2 barbs on the XT waterblock? any truth in that?

@millertime359 + Conumdrum
Thanks for the guides guys! i will go and read them now so i dont make a fool of myself due to my lack of knowledge (thats presuming i havent already :P)

Am i to assume that the XSPC setup is equal to/ better than the swiftech pump + EK spin res?

I think i will just apologise in advanced if i asking any stupidly frustrating questions.

[millertime359]

Yes, the only difference between the 2 res' is one is for one loop and one pump, the other is for 2 loops and 2 pumps. They use the same type of pump. There is a divider in the res dividing it into 2 res'. You would only use one side for now. I am recommending it as you have the option for dual loops later down the road for basically the same cost as the single loop version. Dual loops are really effective on overclocked CPU and SLI/crossfire setups. You will need another rad to run a dual loop.

XT blocks will mount any G1/4 fitting on the market, including 1/2" ID 3/4" OD comp fittings. I haven't heard of any block not being a being able to take 1/2" barbs. You might be confusing the XT for the HK 3.0 and barbs for the 1/2" ID 3/4" OD comp fittings.

Res' over no benefit to cooling and the Swiftech MCP355 and MCP655 perform pretty equal overall. Either pump and res would be fine. The MCP655 is just larger than the MCP355.

[Pr3dator8]

what type /brand of tubing would you guys recommend? i was going to go with tygon?

[Boogerlad]

primochill lrt

[millertime359]

primochill lrt

+1 Primochill Pro LRT is great. Tygon clouds up after a while where Primochill comes in cool colors for the bling effect.

[Pr3dator8]

and im going for red coolant. what brand should i get?

[millertime359]

and im going for red coolant. what brand should i get?

None, Your better off getting red Primochill PRO LRT tubing, and using Distilled water with a piece of .999% pure silver like this.

You can then use LEDs in your res to get the color there.

Here's mine:

[shadow46x2]

hehehehe miller you love pimping that res don't you?

btw...i think you sold me on it too

--j

[millertime359]

hehehehe miller you love pimping that res don't you?

btw...i think you sold me on it too

--j

I personally think the LEDs look better than colored coolant, at least on the Typhoon III.

Its also a bit safer using Distilled and LEDs as you don't have to worry about these coolants breaking apart and clogging your blocks.

[shadow46x2]

not to hijack the thread...but what pump is installed in that res? i was checking your buildlog, and all i saw was "PrimoChill Typhoon III w/D5 vario"...unless i missed it buried in one of the subsequent posts somewhere

--j

[Agent11]

not to hijack the thread...but what pump is installed in that res? i was checking your buildlog, and all i saw was "PrimoChill Typhoon III w/D5 vario"...unless i missed it buried in one of the subsequent posts somewhere

--j

Laing D5 = swiftech mcp655

Miller's got some good advice, any impurities in your loop will only hurt performance and lead to possible issues. You can't beat pure distilled.

[shadow46x2]

Laing D5 = swiftech mcp655

awesome sawce....guess that helps out that part of the shopping list then

--j

[Detale]

Hey bud, I have the dual version of that res by XSPC and the pump mounts on the bottom. You can see it in the 4th pic down in my worklog. Best of luck.

[Pr3dator8]

great! thanks detale i was a little confused as to how it all worked. im getting all the gear as a chrissy presant for myself lol so ill have to wait till after then to put it all together. i just want to make sure i get the rite bits!

[Pr3dator8]

Detale....i just read ur worklog. ur leaking XSPC worries me. is this a common thing or do u think you just lucked out and got a dodgy one?

[Pr3dator8]

just an update. ive ordered some bits that im sure i will use. i got the +1 Primochill Pro LRT (red) tubing. i got 3 meters of it coz im sure since this is my first time that i will need some extra. i got the Swiftech MCR320-QP Radiator and i went with the Swiftech Apogee GTZ CPU Waterblock simply coz its easier to source out here in australia. ( apologies miller i dont mean to disregard ur XT suggestion) im just waiting on some more funding to get the other bits. im going to go with the XSPC res with the Swiftech MCP355 pump. Any final thoughts on this decision? also i have a question about fittings. i really like the idea of compression fittings. im not a big fan of the appearance of the various hose clamps i have seen. is there any issues with compression fittings i should be aware of before i order them? thanks again guys for all your help. when i get all my bits ill be sure to post a work log of some sort. Im excited !...and nervous at the same time :P


EDIT: Woops tripple post...i hope thats not against any forum rules...apologies!

[millertime359]

just an update. ive ordered some bits that im sure i will use. i got the +1 Primochill Pro LRT (red) tubing. i got 3 meters of it coz im sure since this is my first time that i will need some extra. i got the Swiftech MCR320-QP Radiator and i went with the Swiftech Apogee GTZ CPU Waterblock simply coz its easier to source out here in australia. ( apologies miller i dont mean to disregard ur XT suggestion)

Don't worry about it. The GTZ is still a great block and if it easy for you to get, all the better.

[Detale]

Detale....i just read ur worklog. ur leaking XSPC worries me. is this a common thing or do u think you just lucked out and got a dodgy one?

Honestly, I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with them leaking. My guess is it was a fluke. XSPC did send me a new one from China! All I had to do was provide a picture of the leak and they were very nice about it. I live in Brooklyn NY, look how fast they got it to me.





I also have the GTZ cpu block man. It still works great (bought mine when it was new One thing about it is there is a little dot that is supposed to be the intake- keep that in mind bud.

[Waterlogged]

Honestly, I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with them leaking. My guess is it was a fluke.

Not a fluke. There have been several other cases of leaking XSPC DDC res-tops reported here.

[Pr3dator8]

hmmm should i avoid it then? is there any other drive bay res that can take a DDC pump? i already ordered the MCP355 pump :S

[bundymania]

I´m using many XSPC Laing Tops and bay res. over the years, no probs with leaks until now.