misplacedaj

Hey guys,

I've been a long time air overclocker dating back to the days when AMD was king. Until recently, I've never had the....audacity to switch to watercooling. Everytime in the past 6 years I've decided "MY NEXT RIG IS GOING TO BE WATERCOOLED", a couple hours spent researching has sent me right back to the air train. I'm currently on a TRUE120 and its amazing. It's getting me 3.9ghz stable on a q6600. However..

I am upgrading to the new 920 i7 processors with a brand new system. I've already managed to sell my old one for a pretty profit . This time though, I've decided to go watercooling. I've spent the last couple hours reading the guides and going through Petrashop and the Dangerden website. That said, I'm still confused as hell about the different variations and fittings on all the pieces!

So I'm going to try to take the easy way out and see if I can get the fine folks here who have helped me a couple times in the past can help me build one. I need my hand held, I'm scared! Without further ado, the following is my proposed system:

Processor: i7 920
MOBO: DFI UT t3eh8
GPU: Sapphire 4870 1gb
Memory: I'm looking at the OCZ Flex DDR3 2000 because it has built in watercooling. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227403) but may just end up with the Kingston 3gb kit. For my purposes, just make-believe I'll be using the OCZ Flex.

I'm also using my current full ATX Tower for the new rig.(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133154) I'm hoping to keep the entire loop inside the case if its possible as well.

Now I don't want to spend an insane amount. I'd like to keep it around 350 or so if its possible. I want to be able to successfully cool the processor, the GPU and the memory with enough room in the future to add an extra 4870 to the loop. I'm planning on pushing the i7 well past 4ghz if I can (Hoping a good IMC will get me over the hump since it seems the new platform is less dependent on motherboard). I'm not looking to get a WC setup to make my room quieter, I'm looking to get it for performance. Can I get it for my budget range? Will I have to go higher?

Please give me suggestions on complete pieces (essentially a homemade kit) including everything I'll need. I'm still trying to figure out the different types of tubing at this point, so I'm nearly clueless. I tried to build one on Dangerden.com using thier custom kit as well as on the cart, but I'm hopeless!

Your help is greatly appreciated in advance!

006

here what i am thinking of for my Q6600 WC setup

Pump-----------Laing DDC3.2 pump
Reservoir------- XSPC Premium Acrylic Reservoir LaingDDC
Tubing----------Tygon 3603 Tubing 1/2'' ID 3/4'' OD
Coolant---------Feser One F1 Cooling Fluid - UV Acid Green - 1 Liter
Radiator--------- Feser X-Changer Triple 360 mm Extreme Performance
CPU block--------Swiftech Apogee GTZ Extreme Performance Waterblock

__________________

Project Log: T-600 Watercooled

misplacedaj

This is what I've worked out so far, but I'm not sure about how much horsepower it has for all the stuff I want to cool in my loop:

CPU Block: D-TEK FuZion v2 with the 1336 i7 mounting kit
GPU Block: Swiftech MCW60-4870 Full Cover Waterblock
Pump: Swiftech MCP655-B Inline 12V DC Pump with XSPC Top
Res: Danger Den Dual 5 1/4" Bay Reservoir
Radiator: PTS Ultimate Radiator Combo MCR320-QP Edition

006

you will need this for mounting GTZ CPU block on i7.

__________________

Project Log: T-600 Watercooled

006

you will probably need a 2nd Radiator if you want to cool your GPU too.

__________________

Project Log: T-600 Watercooled

006

for radiator(s) you should go Black Ice GTX or Feser X-Changer.

__________________

Project Log: T-600 Watercooled

misplacedaj

Thanks for the suggestions 006. Would I HAVE to get a second radiator for the loop to powerful enough to cool a GPU as well as my memory? That's part of what I wanted. I want enough room to do two GPUs in the future, so I imagine I may have to go that route. I want to avoid having to do two loops if possible, so if 2 rads works, it'd be the way to go. Further, how does a 2 radiator setup work? Would the pump be powerful enough to handle that kind of setup?

Is it better to get a full GPU block or a nonspecificed one who I can keep it around for future upgrades.

I'd love other build suggestions from other folks too! Thanks.

006

full GPU block= pros:looks clean
less hastle

cons:can't reuse on different card
expensive


nonspecificed= pros:cheap
can be reused on other cards.

__________________

Project Log: T-600 Watercooled

misplacedaj

So basically there is no cooling difference with a non-specified block? Just function over form? Good to know.

Regarding having to go Dual Radiator for the setup: Could I skimp out on the 2nd radiator as it will only be going thru mid-loop (I assume between the CPU and the GPU). So getting something like the Feser X-Changer Quad 120mm Radiator $170 and then something like the Swiftech MCR-220 "Quiet Power" Series Radiator $44? Or maybe get two rads that are similar for around the same price: ie two $70-100 dollar rads?

Is it ABSOLUTELY necessary to get two rads to get good-excellent cooling?

Boy.. this is getting complicated AND VERY expensive in a hurry...

006

Two rads and pumps are necessary for good- excellent cooling especially when overclocking.
but since this first time you are doing this, i think it will be better to stick with water cooling CPU only and add-on later.otherwise it will get way too complicated and expensive.

__________________

Project Log: T-600 Watercooled