Water cooling kit.

[Nitro-Max]

Im looking for a basic but good 1st time water cooling kit mainly for the cpu for around £100 uk

so far ive looked at the swiftech h20 120

anyone got any other suggestions?

i heard the thermaltake bigwater isnt that good.

anyone tried the gigabyte galaxy stuff?

[Nicksterr]

I'm thinking about getting the swiftech h20 120 compact, it's pretty cheap here in the states at retail, beats all air coolers, and you don't have to refill it for years. I just can't seem to buy it, b/c watercooling just isn't needed.

Curious, why do you want water for your cpu?

[jbunch07]

i would go with the swiftech
i was gunna get a bigwater 760i but i read allot of review saying it was really loud

[InnocentCriminal]

I've got the Thermaltake Bigwater SE which I bought 2 years ago. However the Swiftech gets highly-recommended by a lot of people and reviewers. Seems like the only real choice tbh.

[Nitro-Max]

Ye i think the swifttech is looking the best option atm i just wanna try out water even though my temps are good at 3.6ghz my new rampage bios offers extra preformance tweaks which requires more north bridge voltage which bumps up the cpu temps a bit.They are still within safe limits but the lower i can keep my temps the better its a peace of mind thing i guess im not used to going to 60c i always try to keep it below.

[JrRacinFan]

Just by reading up, I feel as though the Galaxy may be the best first kit to get.

[sneekypeet]

just by experience of people here on TPU I say none of them, as "kits" are overpriced and in real world applications don't work much better than air cooling.

Build your own kit, I believe you are playing with about $200USD. thats plenty of money to get a good kit that can be built on.

To me buying a water kit is like saying you want a fast sports car, and settling on a Ford Escort GT!!!!!!! Unless it is just to keep things quiet and not to significantly drop temps at load, build you own!

[Nitro-Max]

well with the cpu at 3.6ghz and all preformance tweaks on etc cpu is hitting 38c idle 65c load but the room is also cold atm no heating on plus cold british weather i think as summer comes these temps could hit 70c easy.

3.6ghz without preformance tweaks idle is 29c idle 52c max load @1.4vcore.

Im hopeing for the best of both tbh sneekypeet lower temps and lower noise.

[sneekypeet]

do you ever plan to add anything other than the CPU cooler....like a graphics card block or a NB block, the prebuilt wont take too much of that B4 the system get saturated with heat!

Just hate to see you shell out 100 hard earned money tokens to get something sub par, when for about the same price you can future proof a bit is my train of thought here.

[intel igent]

the best kits available ae the swifteh ones, any of the others are a waste of money. IMO.

id also look for something with a dbl rad (120.2)

UK Based Stores
1. Over-Clock UK - premier watercooling place in the UK. Home to thermochill
2. The Cooling Shop - Large selection of asetek parts and black ice radiators
3. CoolerCases - full selection of American waterblocks from danger den, D5, DDC, Thermochill, HW Labs
4. WaterCooling Shop - Incredible selection of components from the US, UK and Europe.
5. C&C Central LTD - They stock DD and EK waterblocks as well as selling alpha cool and thermochill rads (if you have any info on their quality of service PM me)
6. Aqua-PC's - They are a new store who are Aqua-Computer's UK distributor, ship internationally, and cary their own watercooling line called "Flow". They also cary EK products and a wide variety of American watercooling products.
7. Chilled PC - They have a wide selection of popular watercooling products for good prices. They ship internationally and users in the EU have reported fast shipping times.

^^coutesy of maxxxracer @ Xs original post >> http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=67179

[Nitro-Max]

If i can grab a water block from a dead maximus cheap yes im all for that.
mine hasnt got the nb water cooler i have put a post in the forsale / wanted section but its a long shot.

[Megasty]

The rad-box idea from swiftech fascinated me to no end. All the other kits I've seen that featured it either had crappy performance or just didn't work with OCing. I know that most ppl don't like to use superfans with it (Ultra Kaze) but if I stick that loud beast on it, I can get some amazing results. TT's bw is junk. That thing will completely fail to cool a q6600 @ 3.6 & you can easily push it to 3.8 with a H20-120. I was able to push it to 4ghz with the H20-220. All swiftech products get my vote. Too bad I don't feel like watercooling anything but the cpu.

[EastCoasthandle]

Take it from a few of us who already been down this road. The first time some of us water cooled our PC we were very nervous about doing it. I know I was and read as much about it as I could. But I found myself not knowing what to buy. Once you reach this point I can guide you with a few suggestions that will get your feet up and running from the gate.

The first thing you will need is a Thermalright LGA775 RM Retension Bracket (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thlgrmrebr.html). This will allow you to properly torque your CPU waterblock. Also tighten the bolts in a crisscross pattern. This will allow you to apply even pressure. I learned to count each full turn but, that's just how I do things.

The next item you will need is a CPU waterblock. I recommend D-tek FuZion (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/fuexpecpubl.html). It's surface area of cooling can accommodate both single, dual and quad core CPUs. There are others like EK Supreme but it's a tad more restrictive.

You will then need to decide on a radiator. Now you have some wiggling room depending on your budget. You can either get a:
-Thermochill PA 120.2 (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thpa2xhipera.html)
OR
-Swiftech MCR220-QP (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcqupo2x.html)
The PA 120.2 cools best with low CFM fans and is less restrictive. The MCR220 is cheaper and can also cool with a low CFM fans however has a slightly higher restriction. Both can be accommodated by either Yate Loon Medium Speed Fan: D12SM-12 (http://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=283&cat=0&page=1) or Scythe SFF21E (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/scsf49cfms12.html) fans which are a tad better but cost more. One major difference between these radiators is Thermochill radiators require a larger fitting thread of 3/8", G3/8. While the MCR220 uses the standard fitting thread of 1/4", G1/4

As for a pump, I have to go with what I know is reliable and that's either the D5 (http://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=175&cat=4&page=1) or MCP655 (which are the same pump).

Now you have to decide if you want your water cooling loop to use a reservoir or a T-line. T-Lines offer a clean look and reduce your overall cost as you don't have to buy a reservoir. However, IMO T-Lines are a pain to properly bleed and adds unnecessary time to get your PC up and running. This is do to all the little bubbles that get trapped. If I were you I would save yourself the aggravation and get a 5 1/4" bay reservoir. It will cut your bleed time considerably. But, make sure your reservoir is at a higher elevation then your pump.

Now the last few things you have to consider are tube clamps, barb size and tube size. Barb size is something you have to consider 1st as it will determine what kind of tube size and clamp size you will buy. Some go with 1/2" barbs with 7/16" ID tubing while others go with 3/8" barbs which are smaller. The choice is yours to make. Just remember you will need clams:
2 for the CPU WB
2 for the GPU WB
2 for the Radiator
2 for the Reservoir
2 for the pump
add 1 for a fill port
add 3 for a T-Line

[intel igent]

i have fully bled my loop in less than 1hr using a T-line

[JrRacinFan]

Can we please keep this thread going. I am looking into water also and every little bit of information is helpful. So a basic water loop consists of pump, cpu block, rad and what else?

[EastCoasthandle]

i have fully bled my loop in less than 1hr using a T-line

With a reservoir it's cuts that time to only a few minutes (if that). Also, for someone water cooling for the first time that may choose to use a T-Line it will probably be longer then what you posted. ;)



Can we please keep this thread going. I am looking into water also and every little bit of information is helpful. So a basic water loop consists of pump, cpu block, rad and what else?

Tubing (about 10' which depends on product placement and case size/length. It's good practice to keep extra tubing)
tube clamps
barbs
Distilled Water
Reservoir

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

check out asateks kits ...

[sneekypeet]

I have to agree with eastcoast here....my res allows me to bleed my loop in under 5 mins for sure. I can set the loop in action and at first there are tiny bubbles. I hold a flashlight on the line to verify clearity. (it may help to know my res is the highest point of my loop at fill-up)

And dont worry eastcoast I too count turns on my CPU block install....lol

[asb2106]

I would say go with the swiftech 220 kit, its only a few bucks more, and the double rad will help with the cooling quite a bit.

The pump on the kit is a MCP350 and its a great pump, I had a regular 350 in my old computer with CPU GPU NB and SB all water cooled. The pump handled with ease. I later added on another 320mm radiator, and I still use those 2 radiators today. I modded the pump with a petra top and its still been running great. Going on 3 years now!

EDIT** My old computer is actualy my pic in my sig!

[asb2106]

I have to agree with eastcoast here....my res allows me to bleed my loop in under 5 mins for sure. I can set the loop in action and at first there are tiny bubbles. I hold a flashlight on the line to verify clearity. (it may help to know my res is the highest point of my loop at fill-up)

And dont worry eastcoast I too count turns on my CPU block install....lol

the radiator in the 220 kit has the rez at the top of the radiator. So if you mount the radiator extrnally on the rear fan you will have it at the highest point. And it does a great job of working bubbles out.

[sneekypeet]

So then something like this (http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoba.html) isnt worth the 60 money tokens over the 220 (http://www.jab-tech.com/product.php?productid=4047) at jabtech?

[asb2106]

So then something like this (http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoba.html) isnt worth the 60 money tokens over the 220 (http://www.jab-tech.com/product.php?productid=4047) at jabtech?

the pump is much better in the first one, allows u to add more to the loop with ease. and it comes with its own CPU block instead of being mixed with pump - its worth it.

The first one is the kit I started with.

Check out www.sidewindercomputers.com for the parts, you could prob build your own kit cheaper, and with a bigger radiator!

[sneekypeet]

Thanks on that confermation asb. Thats what i mean about spending a bit more up front tho. It seems to really be worth the effort!

[asb2106]

Thanks on that confermation asb. Thats what i mean about spending a bit more up front tho. It seems to really be worth the effort!

it is! Wow that was weird, TPU was down for like 2 minutes. Just would not load.

Im actually buildin a list of parts right now, that I would recommend, to see if its cheaper than buyin a kit.

Are u gonna WC ur Grfx

[asb2106]

Pump (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpuw.html)
Resevoir (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bliceproiiit.html)
CPU Block (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swapgtxexpeb.html)
Reservoir (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcre1.html)
Grab yourself 1/2" ID fittings, 3 120mm fans, and some tubing( i recommend 1/2ID 3/4OD) the 3/4OD doesnt kink as easily!

[sneekypeet]

it is! Wow that was weird, TPU was down for like 2 minutes. Just would not load.

Im actually buildin a list of parts right now, that I would recommend, to see if its cheaper than buyin a kit.

Are u gonna WC ur Grfx

yeah TPU did drop for a few.

But the kit is not for me...i am throwing info to the OP and letting him decide. Im just giving him hate to say it "kit" that is all seperated quality parts. Vs pump/block combo parts.
Also Yate Loons in the petra kit! 88CFM per fan!

I guess it more that if he spends the extra loot up front he has the option to add anything he wants...within reason. With the prebuilt kits there are limits to what it can do/handle!

[asb2106]

yeah TPU did drop for a few.

But the kit is not for me...i am throwing info to the OP and letting him decide. Im just giving him hate to say it "kit" that is all seperated quality parts. Vs pump/block combo parts.
Also Yate Loons in the petra kit! 88CFM per fan!

I guess it more that if he spends the extra loot up front he has the option to add anything he wants...within reason. With the prebuilt kits there are limits to what it can do/handle!

well whatever will work for yah. I think that either way will give you great results. Some say that the temps will not be that much better by using a kit over just air. I think that only stands true if you use a cheap kit with a single 120 rad and a restrive system and weak pump. When I installed my 220 on my pentium D @ 4ghz my temps dropped from ~68C to under 50C. Thats a big drop to me

[sneekypeet]

well whatever will work for yah. I think that either way will give you great results. Some say that the temps will not be that much better by using a kit over just air. I think that only stands true if you use a cheap kit with a single 120 rad and a restrive system and weak pump. When I installed my 220 on my pentium D @ 4ghz my temps dropped from ~68C to under 50C. Thats a big drop to me

I have to agee there, that is a significant drop!

[Nitro-Max]

Thanks for the suggestions guys and links but with uk pricing as it is a kit is looking to be the cheapest option atm but im gonna keep looking if i come up with anything other than the swiftech h2o 120 ill post them up thanks again.

p.s. idealy id like to spend £100 but i can stretch to £160 for somthing awsome thats gonna show great improvement.

[asb2106]

Thanks for the suggestions guys and links but with uk pricing as it is a kit is looking to be the cheapest option atm but im gonna keep looking if i come up with anything other than the swiftech h2o 120 ill post them up thanks again.

p.s. idealy id like to spend £100 but i can stretch to £160 for somthing awsome thats gonna show great improvement.

I do know that sidewindercomputers will ship world wide, you could email him and see what he would charge

[JrRacinFan]

Thanks guys for all the extra info! So in total a decent (not All-In-One) kit is about $200 with only cpu block?

[asb2106]

Thanks guys for all the extra info! So in total a decent (not All-In-One) kit is about $200 with only cpu block?

yep, thats a quality system, and a system that allows you to add on in the future too!

[Megasty]

For what its worth, my q6600 @ 3.6 core 0 was pumping temps of 38C idle, 59C load on a MaxOrb. With the H20-120, it went down to 27C idle, 35C load. That's sick if you ask me and its dirt cheap too with chgo's 37C summer temps & minimum air conditioning. You can't go wrong with that thing.