Author Topic: Looking for a watercooling setup...
Acidspits 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
I want a decent water cooling setup for cpu/gpu (i7-930/gtx 470). Preferably not too expensive, but if it is worth it then I may consider it.

First time water cooling also, so any tips much appreciated.

 

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Seffrid 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
My advice would be to avoid watercooling.

I had a new computer built professionally with such a system a couple of years ago and there was a fault with the batch of watercoolers used at that time, the model having since been discontinued. Although I was told subsequently that mine didn't come from that batch it nonetheless failed, spewing muck everywhere, and in addition to the cooler I had to have several components replaced including the motherboard and memory (under warranty). When I refused to have a replacement watercooler fitted and insisted on a conventional cooler the engineer agreed with me and said he'd given up on them awhile back. When they work they're great, but when they fail it can be pretty catastrophic.

 

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Ravynmagi 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
Graphics card is the most difficult thing to cool. And you have an older card as well that I'd wonder if you'd be upgrading soon.

A decision you'll want to make regarding cooling the graphics card is if you want a full cover block or GPU only block. The full cover block cools memory and the MOSFET as well, which can get really hot and needs it. But these cost $80 to $150 and can only be used with one type of card. So you have to buy a new block everytime you upgrade the card. I'd only buy a full cover block with a new card that is valuable enough to justify the expense.

The other option is a GPU only block. These can be reused with different cards, with occasionally needing to buy a cheap mounting bracket. But they don't cool the memory or MOSFET. You can buy self adhesive heatsinks for the memory and MOSFET. The MOSFET gets really hot though, so you'll need a pretty large heatsink for it. Also these heatsinks can be difficult to remove later. But this route is definitely much cheaper in the long run.

The CPU water block is pretty easy and can be reused as long as you have the right mounting brackets, which can also be purchased later when new motherboard sockets come out.

Water pump, radiator, low pressure fans, reservoir, fittings, tubing, and biocide. Are other parts you'll need.

$80 pump
$60 triple fan radiator
$45 three low pressure fans
$30 reservoir
$20 10 feet of tubing
$30 8 barb fittings
$5 biocide
$60 CPU water block

$80 GPU water block
or
$60 GPU only block
$20 RAM/MOS heatsinks

Comes to a little over $400 before taxes and shipping. It's really hard to do water cooling "not too expensive".

Now if you would be happy just water cooling the CPU, you could get one of those Corsair all-in-one water cooling units for about $80 and much easier to install. Won't cool quite as well, but usually better than most air heatsinks and quieter. But soon as you add in a GPU to the mix, it gets complicated and expensive.

 

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Karsus_the_Great 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
Here is the new XSPC 750 kit which has a slightly better radiator for $189. A 360 radiator should give you ~450w dissipation so assuming you have not overclocked your video card or cpu you can run both on just that radiator. If you have (the 930 specifically can burn over 250w overclocked from it's stock 130) you need to add another 240 radiator. The kit's pump is pretty decent and will support that.

I found a few waterblocks for 470's, but they are getting hard to find because the cards are so old. Like Ravy said, your going to want a complete cover, not just the block because it's honestly just not worth the pain in the a...

Honestly it's probably going to be better to just keep it on air and go with an H80 or H100 for cpu only until you replace your video card.

 

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Ravynmagi 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
That XSPC kit looks pretty solid for the price. And I happen to have that same reservoir in my case (makes things so much easier).

I'd buy some extra tubing though. Kit comes with 6 feet, which is plenty if you don't make too many mistakes cutting the lengths out. But mistakes happen and it'll be good to have a little more spare I think.

The pump is about half as powerful as what I'd buy. But I think it should be okay with the triple radiator and single graphics card.

Might want to grab a water fill syringe too, helps with filling up the reservoir.

 

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Karsus_the_Great 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
Ya, I just put this kit in my computer because of recommendations on [H]ardforums. It's been great for what it is although the EK supreme kit is what I wish I went with. That being said, this kit fits the OP's needs perfectly. They have this kit for $149, but the one I linked has the new radiator, which is why it costs more. This is probably the most common water cooling kit in existance (non enclosed haha.)

I also echo the call for extra tubing. If you want it to be red/white/black/etc get tubing that color instead of coloring. The tubing that comes with this is clear. Distilled water can be bought at walmart or home depot for like $.89/gal. Silver kill coils are absolutely necessary. get 2 of those and some PT Nuke and your at a pretty solid setup.

As for temps with this kit, I can run prime 95 or a folding client 24/7365 on my 930@4.1 and not pass 62c. Thats CPU only, I am waiting on Kepler for GPU. If I can get a Nvidia 3 screen solution on 1 card I will be putting that in my cooling loop.

Here is an awesome site to read about water cooling. http://martinsliquidlab.org/

Edit: man I want that Aquastream XT pump he reviewed on his site. It's really nice.

 

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Ravynmagi 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
Karsus_the_Great posted:
If you want it to be red/white/black/etc get tubing that color instead of coloring. The tubing that comes with this is clear.


Yeah. And the clear tubing will fog up fairly soon. So if you want something aesthetically pleasing, color tubing is nice. Some people use colored coolants in their water, but I hate that idea because it can gunk things up.

Karsus_the_Great posted:
Silver kill coils are absolutely necessary. get 2 of those and some PT Nuke and your at a pretty solid setup.


You can, but it's redundant. One or the other will be perfectly fine. They both do the same thing. I haven't used Silver Kill Coils myself, but seems they are popular these days. I don't know of any advantages of one over the other.

 

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Karsus_the_Great 
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Subject: Looking for a watercooling setup...
Your right, it's one or the other but I am a paranoid f.... Come on Kepler and Ivy-E so I can upgrade my system..

 

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