Liquid Cooling Suggestions

[faint545]

I'm completely uneducated when it comes to this liquid cooling stuff. I am aware of which parts are needed for a basic CPU cooling loop, but other than that, I don't know what to look for, which companies produce good parts, ect... I have just recently compiled a list of parts for a simple CPU loop and it would greatly help me if the members here can comment and add suggestions or anything of that nature to help me with this.

Here is the list: 6831

[Mr.Ferrari]

Well you already have a thread going on this..
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=181727

Please read through the links i've provided.

And whats your budget?

[faint545]

I'm aware of that and my budget.. well I don't know.. anything over and including $300 is a bit much for me and most of the stuff such as the CPU blocks on Petra's Tech Shop are out of stock and from what I saw, I have a very small selection of AM2 socket blocks to choose from.

[Mr.Ferrari]

You could get a very nice CPU only setup for between $200-300. Heres what I suggest:

CPU Block: D-Tek Fuzion (http://www.petrastechshop.com/dfuuncpubl1.html) $64.99

Radiator: Swiftech MCR-220 (http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR-220-Radiator-Black-pr-3199.html) $40
*This is where it can get tricky. You'll have to find a place where the radiator can get fresh air. If not inside the case, you must mount it outside. This can help out: Swiftech Radbox (http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-RadBox-MCB-120-Revision-2-Black-pr-3337.html).
*If you want to add a GPU block in the future, the MCR320 (http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-pr-3320.html) would be a good choice if you can fit it.

Pump: MCP 655 (http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP655-12-VDC-Pump-pr-2982.html) $80

Reservoir: Swiftech MCRES (http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmchire.html) $20
*I would personally get 2 additional high flow barbs just because the stock ones are a pain.

Tubing: MasterKleer 7/16'' (http://www.petrastechshop.com/7id5odmagepu.html) AND 1/2'' (http://www.petrastechshop.com/1id3odmagepu.html)
*I personally prefer the 7/16'', but its harder to get on. Looks better and has tighter grip. I would suggest you get 8ft of each.

Clamps: Worm Drive Clamps (http://www.petrastechshop.com/ststwohocl.html)

Additives:
IF you want some color get this and follow the instructions: Pentosin G11 (http://www.petrastechshop.com/peg11coadb4o.html) $4.50
IF you just want some anti-algae colorless substance, use this and follow instructions: PT Nuke (http://www.petrastechshop.com/pepcobi1.html) $2.50
*ALWAYS use distilled water to dilute!

FANS: This is a personal choice, But I would go with the Yate Loon D12-SL or SM from Petras (http://www.petrastechshop.com/120x25mmfans.html). Choose SL for quiet.

We'll there you go, I tried to lay it out as simply as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, its really easier then it looks.

[faint545]

thanks alot.. i'll try to understand this stuff better!

the thing that is bugging me is that if it's just the water that's transferring the heat away from the cpu to the radiator, you would just need a good radiator and some low budget parts for the other stuff [except for the pump as well] would be exceptional.

[Mr.Ferrari]

That basically leaves the waterblocks. Yes it could just *work* with a flat copper plate underneath a piece of plastic with two holes drilled in it. But performance would be sub par. Although there is no one size fits all.

But adding obstruction and restriction to the flow of water will help the water going out to carry more heat along with it. This can result in some major temperature differences.

But too much restriction isn't good either, then it can work backwards causing the temperatures to increase.

The block I linked above has a very efficient design. Low restriction + High performance.

If the setup I linked is a bit to expensive (~$200 without the accessories), I can probably shave off a few bucks if need be whilst keeping quality.

[Adam2562]

i've got the thermaltake kandolf lcs tower and it has amazing cooling power.. had my cpu at 29C... check out the water kit it comes with.. those radiators ith has are amazing

[whubbard]

...Adam, you are lucky.

generally: Stay away from thermaltake water cooling!

[boondokk]

www.dangerden.com

[faint545]

is there a adapter that converts a 1/2 ID tube to a 3/8 ID tube?

[Brad the best]

yup at any hardware store or auto parts store .