A noob to watercooling, what do I need?

I don't know much about WC but did you look at the Water Cooling Essentials Sticky??? http://www.overclock.net/t/226970/updated-water-cooling-essential-threads

Just get an XSPC kit. They're perfect for starters.

EDIT: The RS360 is what I used for my HAF X.
Edited by bigkahuna360 - 7/31/12 at 6:19pm

^Agreed

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16616

It is $149.

To read this thread..It can be done for $200 seeing you have gpu block.
http://www.overclock.net/t/557313/rays-bong-build-how-to-56k-warning-come-see/0_20
Pm me for improvements..

A good GPU block will be $100 itself, so add $230 for a Raystorm EX360 D5 kit and you are looking at around $350 for CPU + GPU loop including extra fittings. Another $45 would add an EX240 giving you plenty of radiator space.

Not gonna link you cause I'm kinda lazy . But given you already have the GPU Block, you still need (if you plan to WC your CPU) a CPU block, radiators, tubing, fittings, and fans.
I believe the XSPC Raystorm is currently the best CPU block out there, but they're all within a few C of each other TBH. As for your radiator of choice, head over to Skinnee Labs (http://skinneelabs.com/2011-2012-radiator-comparison/) and take a look to see what suits you best. Generally people like the XSPC low profile radiators. Given you're cooling your GPU and possibly CPU you probably want at least a single 360mm radiator. You're also going to want at least 3 additional 120mm fans to slap onto that radiator to help lower temps. Anyone chime in if I've missed anything.

Here's what I would do... I can't link as I am typing this from my phone, but I will give you the parts names:
RAD - XSPC EX360 (slimmer but outperforms the RX360 at fan speeds above 1000rpm)
CPU BLOCK - Swiftech Apogee HD or XSPC Raystorm (former has options for parallel loop and the best mounting system, the latter is extremely un-restrictive and $10-20 less; both are excellent performers)
FANS - This depends on your preference of noise v performance, but for the EX rads I would recommend something like the 120x25mm Koolance 2800rpm fans with their 5.2mmHg of static pressure, especially as they are around $7/fan. You could get 6 for push-pull and wire them to a fan controller so they are quiet when under light load but still be able to crank them up for when you need real cooling power
TUBING - This depends on whether or not you want color; if so, and you don't want the hassle of dyes, I think Primochill Primoflex Pro LRT is still a good bet so long as you don't add a bunch of crap to the water. Otherwise, Duralene has a following and seems like a great option for clear tubing. I would suggest getting 1/2"ID 3/4"OD for the thick walls and good looks
FITTINGS - My opinion is that you are best served by buying a number of XSPC Compression Fittings ($3.99/ea) as they are cheap, low profile, and considered one of the best there is; you will need at least 10 for a CPU+GPU loop with one each rad/pump/res. Then, you can get some Bitspower Rotary Angled Adapters which cost less than angled fittings, and unlike the angled fittings, can be used with any tubing size simply by buying new compression fittings ($25-30 to change tubing size instead of $150+), so they are something you can use for a very very long time. I would suggest getting at least 2x each of 45deg single-rotary adapters and 90deg Dual Rotary Adapters, and while you may not need them, they can make tubing routing MUCH easier, cleaner, and more efficient.

RESERVOIR - If you don't have one already, I recommend the EK Multi-Option Res X2 - Advanced 150mL or 250mL; 5 fitting locations in the bottom and 3 in the top, multiple anti-cyclone bits, and it's a good looking piece to boot!

I hope that this helps some.

You will need a pump too! Or the water isn't going to circulate the loop. The most popular (I think) are the laing D5s. Alphacool do one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Alphacool-Laing-D5-Vario-Pump-VPP655-T12-/200770476067?pt=UK_Computing_Water_Cooling&hash=item2ebeda5823) , as do swiftech (http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/290511576680?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y). From what I have read here on the forums and in reviews, there's a preferance for Alphacool (please correct me if I am wrong). Sometimes people have two pumps in case of error in one of them, but to be honest one is plenty for your loop. You can improve flow rate by getting rid of the standard top and buy a aftermarket one - like the butspower top (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lad5wprbimod.html), which is an absolute beut, but maybe too bling for your setup. You can get other ones too.

If you are really trying to skimp, you could cut costs by simply buying barbs and clamps. Not as pretty as compression fittings but much cheaper. Whatever you do, make sure you buy the right sized barbs/compression fittings and tubing - check the ID and OD of the tubing against the ID and OD of the fittings.

Depending on what you are aiming for - low level noise vs performance (or maybe a balance of both), you should think about the fans you are going to mount on your rads. Some rads work better with fast fans, and others slower. You need to read about that.

Hope that helps somewhat.