I need some input from the experts here :)

[Fr3ak]

Right, I have been reading this section for quite some time, but I have to admit that I still don't know much about this subject. I would like to have some input from you guys. Excuse me if some of the questions may sound stupid to you and maybe they have been asked a zillion times, but I still consider myself a total noob when it comes to chilled liquid cooling.

I am looking for a way to get better than ambient temps for at least CPU and GPU(s), besides dry ice and LN2. I want to have something I can bench with without organizing dry ice way in advance and the like. So there are TECs, chilled liquid cooling and phase change. Phase change is something I would like to look into in the future, but at this point, its simply too expensive for me. TECs are nice as well, but dedicated power supplies are expensive and cooling highly overclocked C2Ds is though.
So I thought why not getting a chiller. That way I can easily cool CPU, GPUs and even the NB at relatively moderate costs. But there are so many factors I have no knowledge about, so there are my questions:

With chilled liquid cooling you need blocks without o-rings and pumps that can work with negative temps. I have been looking a lot, but I did not find any blocks I consider chilled proof in German online shops. Do I have to build blocks myself or are there some blocks that work in the cold longer than a few days?

Same goes for pumps. I keep hearing Iwakis are the thing to get, but very expensive, which makes me choose phase change over chilled liquid cooling. Are there any recommendations? Would a Eheim work too? If it does, how long would it last?

Isolating tubing is a must, I guess. Doesn't look great, but shouldn't be too hard. Are there any tricky things regarding tube isolating I don't see?

What are your personal thoughts about chilled liquid cooling? Any pros and cons? Would you get a chiller again or get something else instead?

Something I could think of as well, is getting a cascade for the CPU and a small chiller just for the GPU(s), so it doesn't have to be a all-in-one solution.

Thank you really much for your help. It's much appreciated.

Oliver

[Starkiller42]

Well, let's see here:

-water blocks: right now the best solution I've come across is to use a Swiftech MCW-50 block with the o-ring removed, glued together, and with barbs. That's the route I'll be going.

-pumps: You'll need a magnetic drive, or MD, pump to operate at these temperatures. These pumps don't have any seals to worry about, and thus are the best for our purposes. Iwakis are indeed the kinds of the hill, but there are other good manufacturers like Little Giant out there. Ebay is your friend in this regard, too: I managed to snag an Iwaki MD-30 for $45 shipped; you can probably do as well with a little patience. Iwakis have incredibly long lifespans, so even if the one you buy has a couple of years use on it, you can expect several more (I hear about 7 yrs of continuous run-time). In a pinch you can use a Danner Mag series pump, but I've seen them fail after a few months of use in these condidtions.

Here's my take on chillers:
Pros:
-best solution for coping with multiple components/blocks and very high loads
-generally cheaper than a phase, especially if you have compatable WC parts and/or mod and A/C.
-most controllable/stable temps
-you can cycle to save electricity = $$$
-With proper design, temps can be nearly as good as top end direct die systems (I've seen a -50*C unit)

Cons:
-generally larger than direct die systems
-often run at warmer temps than some direct die systems, as many people just aim for "sub ambient".
-requires harder-to-find water cooling parts, which also means more moving parts, and a greater likelihood of failure in that respect.

I personally in the midst of building a chiller (I just need a condenser, dangit! One big condenser!) and I'm targeting -30*C at 400 watts of load. A chiller is pretty versatile, and can be almost anything you want it to be.

I hope that helps!

[Fr3ak]

Thank you for your reply. It cleared a lot up. I had the impression that finding the right blocks will be the most difficult thing. I built my own waterblocks a couple years ago, so I think I will do so again.
I will look for a Iwaki then. I dont need a chiiler super urgent, but I think I will get one some time this year. Once I have the right blocks and pump, I am good to go

[Starkiller42]

Sweet. Welcome to the brotherhood.