Seeking Watercooling Suggestions

[83racecrew]

Hello all...I do believe that I have been bitten by the watercooling bug. I am warming up to the "challenge"? hmmm maybe not right term but it will do. I want to add it to the rig in my sig, I would like to hear any and all suggestions. I would like to keep it internal if possible with a radiator in place of one of my fans or whatever. I don't have extremely deep pockets 125 would be about max :yup: A complete kit would be nice but if mixing and matching from different manuf. or different components from a single manuf. yields best results...no problem.

Thanks

E

[Shayd]

Ok, here are just a couple of things that I as a :hide: newb to WC recommend to watch for.

First for I'd go for a single input, single output cpu block. I got the RBX with is a GREAT cpu block from Dangerden but you have to have alot of space to get the 2 returns back together using a 'Y' and not kink or restrict the flow AND get it back to where you want once together.

Second, I got the poly 5.25 sized reservoir and it came with all plastic fittings. There is a reason alot of folks epoxy the plugs in as I have found that they are highly seceptable to leaks if there is any lateral force on the hoses using just teflon tape. I n trying to get the leaks that developed to stop without draining the whole system I ended up accidently *cough* spliting *cough* the female plug on the tank. :bonk: :bonk: :bonk: If you get one of these types of tanks use the epoxy trick, or a good plastic pipe dope that will set firmly to seal those even if the plastic distorts some and tighten no more then hand tight IMO.

Depending on the case it is a very very tight fit to get everything inside. Check for cases that have the room for your radiator you want at the fan(s) that are normally used as exhaust for the cpu. I'd turn it into a intake drawing air thru the rad first, then into the case with a blowhole up top. Watch your pump size as well as while compact the higher volume ones do take up much more precious space.

For the optimal case I'd get Weldzilla to weld one together!! :thumbs: He has a Sweeeet case he modded. Check it out under the case mod thread.

[Shayd]

Almost forgot, use stainless steel hose clamps!! Forget those plastic ones for anything in the case! Be gentle with those as well on plastic fittings.

[83racecrew]

Cool, thanks. I saw this kit by Kingwin for $99 at newegg, has a radiator, cpu, gpu or northbridge block, etc......anybody ever use one of these? Seems to have a nice 5.25" bay control head with temp and a place to fill it. Thinking it might not work much better than a good air cooler but maybe, I don't know.

[Killer Munkey]

i got a friend who bought the kingwin 5 1/2 bay water cooler and he was a big dissapointment. it didn't cool the cpu much more than his thermalright heatsink with normal fan on it. if you want that kit though i'd suggest you grab another radiator to work with it.


also, pretty soon i'll do up a article on a mod project using my friends kingwin kit with radiators in a small refrigorator i'm using to stash my beer in atm. :D

[Shayd]

If I was looking for a packaged compact wc unit (it is external though,) this might be a good option.

Koolance Exos review (http://hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjQ1LDE=)