Need help water cooling my pc. WHAT SHOULD I BUY?

502 Views 15 Replies 6 Participants Last post by benson733, Aug 7, 2013

benson733

Discussion Starter · Aug 6, 2013

I live in Canada and would like to order within the country to avoid duties and shipping delays. I have a amd 965 BE and a XFX 7950 CORE ( FX-795A-TNFC ). My case is the Corsair 200R. I am looking to stay at a lower price point so nothing too fancy... Thanks

I would like to cool my cpu and gpu.

What do I need to buy?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Crooksy

· #2 · Aug 6, 2013

Could you state a budget as the range of money that can be spent is huge...

I only cooled my CPU and GPU but spent around £550 - £600 ($887 CAD)

benson733

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 6, 2013

I'm looking to spend the least amount. So whatever can get me started in the world of water cooling for around $300 if possible. I Can only find one compatible block made by swiftech and its unavailable almost everywhere and $160

SuprUsrStan

· #4 · Aug 6, 2013

For your case, just go with a XSPC Raystorm RX240 kit with a D5 pump. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/19407/ex-wat-253/XSPC_Raystorm_Customizable_RX240_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_w_D5_Variant_Pump_Included_and_Free_Dead-Water.html

That's all your case can take anyway, but the kit is highly expandable. Get an EK waterblock for your GPU if you want to cool that too. Though GPU + CPU on 240mm is going to be warm. You'll achieve your same overclocks at a quieter noise level but don't expect extreme performance.

SuprUsrStan

· #5 · Aug 6, 2013

You might need the AX240 version because you might not have a lot of space up top. Alternatively, you could just get a H100i and just cool your CPU to keep it simple.

benson733

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 6, 2013

Well right now my 7950 loads at 84C so would love to get the temps down and thats stock clocks. I wonder if their is an EK block that can fit my card?

Crooksy

· #7 · Aug 6, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by benson733

Well right now my 7950 loads at 84C so would love to get the temps down and thats stock clocks. I wonder if their is an EK block that can fit my card?

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/ek-ek-fc7950-acetal-high-performance-full-cover-water-block-for-radeon-hd-7950

benson733

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 6, 2013

OK

So If I get:

XSPC Raystorm Customizable RX240 Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit w/ D5 Variant Pump Included and Free Dead-Water!

+

EK Radeon HD 7950 VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Acetal + Electroless Nickel Plated (EK-FC7950 - Acetal+EN (Nickel))

What other fittings and cables will i need...

I will expand it later this is enough to get me started at least.... and I expect a little bit of overclocks a little warm isnt to bad to start off with.

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Fulvin

· #9 · Aug 6, 2013

Does it need to be pretty, or just work? That can make a big difference in the initial price.

Regarding fittings, cpu loop is easy to do without any angled fittings, but with gpu involved, you should also get a couple of 90 degree fittings to spare, just in case.

A small (150ml or so) tube res is usually the most convenient option as far as tube routing and filling goes.

As for the pump, I got an EK DCP 4.0, which is pretty straight forward as it doesn't need to be mounted anywhere and can sit by itself on the bottom of the chassis. It's also more affordable and you won't need to worry about getting additional pump tops.

Distilled water + biocide/kill coil makes maintenance easier and you don't need to worry about the dye building up anywhere or staining. If you want colors, get colored tubing.

A 360 45mm+ should be sufficient, paired with some 1200rpm fans.

benson733

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 6, 2013

No Im happy with standard tubing, nothing fancy.

So far this is what I have. I just need to know what fittings to add to the cart.

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DerComissar

· #11 · Aug 7, 2013

Do keep in mind that you will pay more for shipping, and likely pay duty charges, ordering from the US. Sometimes there is no choice but to buy certain items from the US.
But have a look at Dazmode, they are in Ontario:
www.dazmode.com/store/
You may wish to check out the XSPC kits there as well, to suit your budget.
A full-out custom system is best, but can get costly.
I'm using the EK 7950 blocks, I have the copper/acrylic version on my 7950's, and they are working well.
But make sure they are compatible with your 7950 first:
www.coolingconfigurator.com

Idk if that RX 240 rad will clear the mobo in the top of the 200R though, if that is where you intend to mount it.
As for the fittings, they would need to be the same size as your tubing, and you have to decide on compression or barb fittings, color, brand etc.

bluebunny

· #12 · Aug 7, 2013

You can get the tubing at a local hardware store for pennies on the dollar and you can buy used like a pump and rad and get some good deals as there a lot of water coolers selling there stuff all the time on this forum. When i got into water cooling 3 years ago I got everything for $150. I would recommend a triple rad with that setup if you plan on cooling a cpu and gpu as they get really hot. As for coolant you can just get distilled water from the store for like $1 a gallon. You would need a pump, tubing, rad, and 2 blocks. Shouldnt cost over $300 for those parts new and even less if they are used. I put a quick list together which was a mcp655 pump $67, swifttech rad 320 qp $68, and a xspc block for $50. And then you factor in about $10 for tubing , $1 for the water and $100 for the gpu block you chose and it comes out to $296 + $35 for shipping.. I used performance pc for the pricing

DerComissar

· #13 · Aug 7, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluebunny

You can get the tubing at a local hardware store for pennies on the dollar and you can buy used like a pump and rad and get some good deals as there a lot of water coolers selling there stuff all the time on this forum. When i got into water cooling 3 years ago I got everything for $150. I would recommend a triple rad with that setup if you plan on cooling a cpu and gpu as they get really hot. As for coolant you can just get distilled water from the store for like $1 a gallon. You would need a pump, tubing, rad, and 2 blocks. Shouldnt cost over $300 for those parts new and even less if they are used. I put a quick list together which was a mcp655 pump, swifttech rad 320 qp, and a xspc block for $190. And then you factor in about $10 for tubing , $1 for the water and $100 for the gpu block you chose and it comes out to $301 + $35 for shipping.. I used performance pc for the pricing

I agree that saving some dough on used parts can be a good plan.
However, the op is in Canada, and some of the US-based sellers on the OCN Marketplace won't ship to Canada.
The shipping costs you quoted may be lower than they would be to have them shipped to Canada, and don't include the duty that is charged as it crosses the border.

Fulvin

· #14 · Aug 7, 2013

Is aquatuning.us out of question? They often have very good sales. I got my fans for 2.5€ piece and barbs for 1€ each. Their bulk pvc tubing also has served me well.

Considering the radspace you have available, cooling both the cpu and gpu might be tricky or you will have to grab at least both 240 + 120 to get decent temps. I would consider saving up and get it done properly or not at all.

Or how about throwing the money at a 4670k+mobo combo? That should be within your budget and would definitely yield better performance bump.

benson733

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 7, 2013

I'll think about my options and go from their. maybe just do a cpu loop for now?....

benson733

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 7, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulvin

Or how about throwing the money at a 4670k+mobo combo? That should be within your budget and would definitely yield better performance bump.

I went for the cpu and mobo combo as you described. I will do the water cooling thing the right way in a few months time...

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