[Mini-Review] Watercooling Setup!

[ra[g]e]

Hi there.

Hope you're still awake

Just wanted to ask, in a water-cooling system there's the CPU block, the piping, the pump and the reservoir, along with the coolant. Have I missed out anything?

I asked such because....

YOU SERIOUSLY POISONED ME. Might get a $2k P55 rig and WC it >.<

CPU block, tubing, reservoir, radiator, radiator fans, pump, coolant, compression fittings (or barbs/clamps), rad box (optional) and gpu block (optional)...

Woo poison is good

Go for it! $2k P55 rig + WC = pwnage

 

[Adilogy]

Real poison for me. How do you get started when totally 0 hands on experience?

 

[ra[g]e]

Real poison for me. How do you get started when totally 0 hands on experience?

Good places to start reading:

[Introduction + Guide]
http://forums.vr-zone.com/overclockers-hideout/587730-watercooling-guide-work-progress.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/diy-water-cooling-101,1055.html

[Reviews]
http://skinneelabs.com/

[Forums]
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70
http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/


ra[g]e's Express Guide - I'm sort of a beginner so follow at your own risk

If you want to just dive in... Research on the loop you want to make - make sure the arrangement/layout is appropriate. Make sure you get the correct sized fittings for the tubes size you decide to get. Cut the tubes to the length you want using the special tool from edge2o, better than scissors imo. Read the manuals which come with the products very carefully and make sure you connected the correct tubes to the respective inlets and outlets (sometimes it does not matter, but sometimes it does). Make sure everything is very tight and sealed.

Put bunches of tissue around all the potential/possible leakage sites (just as a precaution, almost never occurs if you put the fittings correctly). Add coolant/distilled water to the reservoir. At least 3/4 full if not more - some liquid should have flowed into the pump area - pump should be at lowest point in the case. Use half of a paper clip bent into a U-shape to provide power to the pump without switching on the motherboard (Google for more info) to make the coolant rotate around the loop. Top up reservoir as required.

Viola, eventually there will be enough coolant in the loop to form a closed system, and you can seal the reservoir.

Note that power to the pump should not be left on when there is no coolant in the pump - it uses the coolant to cool itself, so there is a risk of overheating.

I recommend non-conductive coolant - these remain non-conductive at least initially, so any initial leaks or spills won't damage your components even if they are turned on (no guarantees of course).

Everything should take between half a day to a day - its hard work but really fun to do

 

[tarui04]

how much did u pay for the pump?

last time i had 1 i paid just under 100 or something

 

[JimmyBoy007]

wasted no pic of your gfx block b4 installin.

can take a pic of the gfx block installed - bottom view ie shooting upward

thx

 

[Adilogy]

Cool. Thanks for your kind input.

 

[ra[g]e]

how much did u pay for the pump?

last time i had 1 i paid just under 100 or something

See your budget and what you want. I got the ultra-silent pump as I was interested in a fully silent setup - as such it was the most expensive =x

Edge2o (http://www.edge2o.com) stocks the silent Swiftech pumps at above $100, but I'm sure if you're on a budget and don't mind some noise sabe will be able to bring in other cheaper ones

 

[ra[g]e]

wasted no pic of your gfx block b4 installin.

can take a pic of the gfx block installed - bottom view ie shooting upward

thx

Yah very wasted I know. Big regret not taking many photos during installation. I'll see what I can do for the gfx wb photo

 

[clon22]

Wow! Impressive.
I haven't touch water cooling for along time.
My kit still picked in some shoe box.
Good work there.

 

[ra[g]e]

Cool. Thanks for your kind input.

Np man

Just remember to share your poison if you ever get it

 

[ra[g]e]

Wow! Impressive.
I haven't touch water cooling for along time.
My kit still picked in some shoe box.
Good work there.

Thanks! Come join in the poison

 

[tarui04]

See your budget and what you want. I got the ultra-silent pump as I was interested in a fully silent setup - as such it was the most expensive =x

Edge2o (http://www.edge2o.com) stocks the silent Swiftech pumps at above $100, but I'm sure if you're on a budget and don't mind some noise sabe will be able to bring in other cheaper ones

655 u mean?


anywya yrs got the speed control?

 

[ra[g]e]

655 u mean?


anywya yrs got the speed control?

The one on his site is the 655-B, no speed control for the pump - imo not much point anyway... if you accidentally turn down your pump when your comp is on, gg

It does have rpm monitor though

 

[tarui04]

The one on his site is the 655-B, no speed control for the pump - imo not much point anyway... if you accidentally turn down your pump when your comp is on, gg

It does have rpm monitor though

wont 1. even at lowest speed, the temps (on my old com) rose by ard 3-7degs depends. can monitor rpm? good also..

 

[ra[g]e]

wont 1. even at lowest speed, the temps (on my old com) rose by ard 3-7degs depends. can monitor rpm? good also..

Oic... so you've had a setup before? You're probably better at this than me then

Hmm... well the only reason for turning down pump would also be to minimise noise right... won't need to if the pump is silent at max rpm

 

[ra[g]e]

wasted no pic of your gfx block b4 installin.

can take a pic of the gfx block installed - bottom view ie shooting upward

thx

Okay here you go... it actually looks nicer in real life

 

[Elijahonli]

hais too bad no money for WC cooling....

 

[JimmyBoy007]

Okay here you go... it actually looks nicer in real life

thanks very neat n tidy

very impressed by your workmanship

those barbs must be damn expensive

 

[JimmyBoy007]

Oic... so you've had a setup before? You're probably better at this than me then

Hmm... well the only reason for turning down pump would also be to minimise noise right... won't need to if the pump is silent at max rpm

the mcp655 even on max is very silent.

Cos my fren have wc setup...was impressed by low noise level.

Lucky u bot the 655 and not 355

 

[ra[g]e]

hais too bad no money for WC cooling....

Save money le

Can get a good setup ~$400 if you're really interested...