Good Cheap WaterCooling Kit for P4 Skt 478 - Overclock.net

Highly-Annoyed · 10-25-05

Hi All,

I recently got my 3GHz P4 Prescott (skt 478) to 4GHz (5:4 ratio) stable on air, but it was rather hot (68 Deg C) when fully loaded, so I decided to stick with 3.6GHz (also stable), with a 1:1 ratio and leave my computer at this o/c permanently, as the temp under full load is only 62 Deg C at this speed.

I have been running 3.6GHz continuously now for a few days, but I have noticed that not only are my CPU temps much higher than stock (as they would be) but also that the temps tend to jump rapidly. For example, @ 3.6 my idle temp is 46 Deg C, but just opening up IE6 makes this temp jump (in literally 1 or 2 seconds) from 46 to 52 Deg C. Equally, as soon as the CPU activity has dropped back to 0% again, the temp drops back (within 2 - 3 seconds) to 46 Deg C again. Obviously 52 Deg C is not a problem for my pressy to handle, but I am concerned that the rapidity of the temperature change will over-stress the CPU materials if these rapid jumps happen frequently over an extended period of time. After all, if I heat a glass up with hot water, then drop it in a bucket of cold water, it will crack, even though the glass may be able to tolerate both the hot and cold temperatures, the rapid change of temperature stresses the glass to breaking point. Obviously silicone is a little tougher than glass, but I am concerned that the same principle could apply with equally adverse effects.

So, I though that perhaps watercooling could be the answer, but being a total watercooling noob, I have a few questions to ask, that I hope you guys can help with. I really don't want to spend much more than $200 US all in and will be buying from a UK retailer, so please keep that in mind.

Q1. Will watercooling stop the rapid jumps of temperature I have been experiencing?

Q2. I like a quiet system (ie less than 20dBa from any one component) is watercooling a quiet cooling solution?

Q3. I have a Thermalright XP-90 with a SilenX 92mm 14dBA/36CFM Fan, will an entry level watercooling kit still be better than this cooling set-up?

Q4. Are watercooling set-ups an install-and-forget cooling solution like air cooling, or do they require regular maintenance?

Q5. I understand it is possible to build-your-own watercooling set up, is this viable for a watercooling noob like me, or is it best to stick with a kit on my "first time".

Q6. Is it cheaper to build your own watercooling set-up, or just get an off-the-shelf kit?

Q7. Do watercooling set-ups plug directly into the mains, or do they plug into internal (Molex) power plugs like hard drives and optical drives use?

Q8. If watercooling set-ups do plug into internal (Molex) power plugs, what PSU rail do they draw power from?

Q9. How much power will an average/entry level watercooling set-up use, will I need a new PSU to deal with extra power requirements?

Q10. What are the risks involved with watercooling, like leaks etc and what damage is most likely to occur?

I think that’s all of the questions I can think of at the moment. I really do appreciate your input on this and of course, reps will be forthcoming for those who take the time to help. Also, any recommendations within the criteria I have mentioned (ie $200 US / less than 20dBA) are also appreciated. With reference to Q9, my current PSU is 600W, has 22A on the +12V rail and quite high Amps on the other rails.

Thanks All!

Highly-Annoyed

Leprachuan · 10-26-05

ok i think i can answer a few of ur questions

1. watercooling is likely to stop the rapid jumps in temprature

2. watercooling is much more silent than air cooling if done corectly

3. entry level kits never seem to out perform some of the better air cooling solutions and the xp90 is definately a good air cooling solution i would suggest gettin a custom DD setup and building it urself

4. depends on how u do it. but in general no they are not. if your watercooling setup has a resevoir u will need to add a little bit of water every once and a while. for my setup i have to add water about every 3 weeks. you also should flush the system every once and a while.

5. I would say yea. Its not as difficult as it seems just search around for some of the best parts and put it all together. it is surprisingly simple. and as long as u leak test the thing for 24 hrs or so u should be just fine

6. i personally think its easier/cheaper to build ur own system part by part

7. this is a personal choice if you buy a 12v dc pump it can plug right into a molex or u can buy a 110v ac pump and u can plug that into the wall

8. they draw from the 12v rail i believe but im not positive on that one

9. not sure on this one i have a 110v ac pump

10. if u properly secure ur tubing and u leak test the likely hood of damage is low..but if u wish to be a lil more on the safe side u can use a liquid called fluid xp for ur cooling fluid. It is completely non conductive so if it leaks it wont cause and shorts or any electrical damage

hope that helps u out a little bit....and welcome to the wonderful world of water cooling

Torched-Geek · 10-26-05

What you americans dont understand is that DD bits are hard to get here and if you can get them they cost more then the cpu

Leprachuan · 10-26-05

well ill suggest the nextcool watercube gt3 for skt 478 alot of people will claim that its not the best but i love mine and have had no problems and you should be able to get that waterblock relatively easy overseas

Highly-Annoyed · 10-26-05

OK,

I have done some looking round for watercooling kits for under $200 US and have found the following. Please have a look at each one and let me know which you think it the best of them. I understand that it could well be a better option for me to assemble my own kit by buying parts individually, but I want to explore the kits option first. It may be quite likely that you think all of the following kits are rubbish and not worth consideration, in this event, please tell me which you think is the least bad out of the group.

Here they are then:

1. Thermaltake CL-W0005 BigWater 12cm - £49.29 - ($87.75 US)
2. Asetek WaterChill KT03-L20 - £62.22 - ($110.77 US)
3. Poseidon WCL-02 120cu - £87.50 - ($155.77 US)
4. Alphacool Starter Retail Uni - £105.74 - ($188.25 US)
5. Coolermaster Aquagate - £105.74 - ($188.25 US)

So, watercooling is achievable for under $200 US, but, the question is, how good will that sub $200 watercooling be? I'm guessing (like most things) the more you spend the better you get, so based on that alone, I would hazard a guess and say that the most expensive kit here, wont be as good as one twice as expensive, but perhaps there can be a decent value, price/performance compromise?

With the above in mind, do you think that it would be cheaper, or better value to buy parts individually and assemble a system myself? For example, if I could have a system, twice as good as any shown above and it could be achieved for, say $220, then that would be an option I would seriously consider, if possible. Keep in mind though, that it may be that the UK prices are a bit higher than US prices for the individual parts, so that could rule out anything but kits ultimately.

Your assessments, reviews, opinions, suggestions and recommendations are welcome.

Thanks All!

Highly-Annoyed

Leprachuan · 10-26-05

first off i would suggest building ur own setup part by part, but if u had to get one of those kits i would get the asetek waterchill kit. To me it seems like the best of all the ones u have listed

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Good Cheap WaterCooling Kit for P4 Skt 478

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