<CRACK@> (CS:S King)

Definitely doesn't take $350 to get a good w/c setup.. I got my setup (my pics) for $240 new and its a pretty damn good kit if you ask me.. Really people go water for two main reasons, looks, and of course overclocking potential.
Though you can get amazing results from an aftermarket air cooler, water cooling takes it another step imo..

What you do need to consider is (as Syrillian previously posted)
- Do you like to twidle with stuff?
I remember when i first setup my w/c setup, it took me alot of patience.. Took me an hour just to figure out where the hell everything is gonna be mounted, then how the tubes are run through the case. If you go w/c you definitely need to be certain it will all fit inside your case without being ghetto.

Do you plan to overclock substantially?
If you're just going for a moderate OC, then i'd stick with a good aftermarket air cooler.

If you do go WC, you will really get attached to your rig though i guarantee it. I know i did

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kimosabi

Watercooling provides more stable temps at load and a bit lower than air, depending on blocks, radiators and ambient temps ofcourse. The gap between idle and load temps also decrease when running liquid cooling but is it necessary for a Q9550 @ 4gHz? Not really.

Currently I'm using the NH-U12P cooler with S-Flex F's in push/pull and 2xZalman VF 900 on the videocard(I go air between builds). The temps are not much worse than they were before with a 360 rad with 3xNF-P12's in pull>GTZ>MCR220>2xMCW 60-R. They are not as stable but the max temps are not that much higher. The difference between idle and load jumps up quite a bit while "quite a bit" means around 5-6C. It's alot cheaper though.

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USFORCES

I've been using water for over 5yrs now and I'll never go back to air, I can also run my GTX280's at 740-750Mhz 24/7 on the core, When standard Core Clock for a 280 is 602MHz try that on Air and play crysis, LOL

Overclock


IDLE room temp 72-73F


Took less than a minute after playing BF2 for a couple hours room temp 72-73F

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Monst3r

my SLI EVGA co op gtx 295's better us :P

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runeazn

i am not going to overclock but this is the only read on for me to watercool : Of course, if you think the whole idea of pumps, radiators, and the thermal transfer from a copper block to a liquid is really cool then water is for you.

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i am 13 yeah, so i don't have the perfect grammar.
I edit my posts alot. So please reread my posts if I've edited them; It's for your benefit not mine.

MisterAutomatic

Actually air cooling can cost well over $100; especially if you are anal about the fans in your case and replacing them. A learned enthusiast/modder knows how to plan and set up their w/c setup to look clean and presentable.. If you havent checked out www.murderbox.com I suggest you do. I would also suggest you use 7/16 in. tubing. A much more snug fit all around.

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Who the hell is disturbing my Kung Fu/??!!

cooper_inc1

Water cooling makes some sweet looking systems. The stable overclocking is just an added bonus thats all

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ira-k

Really depends on what kind of clocks your after, if your going to stay in the "Safe" v-core range for your chip a good HSF would probably be fine.

If you are going to push your v-core 24/7 for a high stable OC WC'ing makes more sense.

But if your after performance build for it.

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