Water cooling my new PC

Ben:

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Hey again everyone, hope its ok to start a new thread on a similar subject :thinking:

So I've ordered all the parts I need for my custom build and they should all be here by next week.

Been reading about water cooling......:|

Now I know I probably won't be over clocking to record breaking speeds and haven't got the very highest spec. But... I love the look :bonk: (UV pipes etc) haha and its clear that it is more efficient and quieter than air cooling.

A custom build seems to be the way to go.
Corsair do a simply CPU cooler, but no cool looks lol.

I'd only be looking at the CPU at the moment.

Having not built the PC yet I'm excited to learn new things etc so the water cooling would be another skill!

As always I'm just looking for peoples opinions and experiences.
Whether it's worth it and so on.
 
The thing I don't like about water cooling is the potential for the water to leak :eek: Never tried it though...
 
arad85 said:
The thing I don't like about water cooling is the potential for the water to leak :eek: Never tried it though...
Click to expand...

Yes that is a scary thought!:gag:

Hopefully with the careful installation and a test outside the case first things should be ok :thinking:
 
Ben: said:
Yes that is a scary thought!:gag:

Hopefully with the careful installation and a test outside the case first things should be ok :thinking:
Click to expand...


I wouldn't worry about liquid leaks if you use good quality parts

I've LC'd machines before and overclocked a C2D wolfdale to 4.2GHz

The only issues come when you want to upgrade parts like graphics cards, motherboards and processors, potentially you may have to buy new blocks to suit the new components.
Also try to have all one type of metal, either all copper rads and blocks or all aluminium rads and blocks, never mix the two unless you have a kill coil installed to prevent galvanic corrosion caused by mixing aluminium and copper, this can cause leaks by physically corroding aluminium parts, you will see this as a build up on the copper parts and in the tubing.

Hope this helps

:)
 
Ben: said:
Hey again everyone, hope its ok to start a new thread on a similar subject :thinking:

So I've ordered all the parts I need for my custom build and they should all be here by next week.

Been reading about water cooling......:|

Now I know I probably won't be over clocking to record breaking speeds and haven't got the very highest spec. But... I love the look :bonk: (UV pipes etc) haha and its clear that it is more efficient and quieter than air cooling.

A custom build seems to be the way to go.
Corsair do a simply CPU cooler, but no cool looks lol.

I'd only be looking at the CPU at the moment.

Having not built the PC yet I'm excited to learn new things etc so the water cooling would be another skill!

As always I'm just looking for peoples opinions and experiences.
Whether it's worth it and so on.
Click to expand...

It's not quieter than air cooling at all.
 
Why not just spend the money on a faster processor :shrug:

Seriously.
 
A few pics of my systems

julie2.jpg



finished_case.jpg



julie_r1.jpg
 
neil_g said:
Wouldn't bother unless you're pushing air cooling limits.

Just get good silent fans
Click to expand...

+1 Get some noctua fans, pretty much silent and about £13 each :)
 
Rob 80386 said:
I wouldn't worry about liquid leaks if you use good quality parts

I've LC'd machines before and overclocked a C2D wolfdale to 4.2GHz

The only issues come when you want to upgrade parts like graphics cards, motherboards and processors, potentially you may have to buy new blocks to suit the new components.
Also try to have all one type of metal, either all copper rads and blocks or all aluminium rads and blocks, never mix the two unless you have a kill coil installed to prevent galvanic corrosion caused by mixing aluminium and copper, this can cause leaks by physically corroding aluminium parts, you will see this as a build up on the copper parts and in the tubing.

Hope this helps

:)
Click to expand...

Very helpful! Thanks :)

Skunked said:
It's not quieter than air cooling at all.
Click to expand...

Oh right :\ read somewhere that it was. Never mind though, the fans are suppose to be fairly quiet anyway.

Stratman said:
Why not just spend the money on a faster processor :shrug:

No point spending loads of money on a faster i7 when I can overclock.
Not going to be using it for HIGHLY demanding things as it is tbh.

Seriously.
Click to expand...

Rob 80386 said:
A few pics of my systems

julie2.jpg



finished_case.jpg



julie_r1.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice!!

neil_g said:
Wouldn't bother unless you're pushing air cooling limits.

Just get good silent fans
Click to expand...

Hmm guess that is the other option.
But doubt I'll be pushing the limits of the air cooling at all tbh.
Just liked the idea/learning/look of water lol
 
Ben: said:
Very helpful! Thanks :)



Oh right :\ read somewhere that it was. Never mind though, the fans are suppose to be fairly quiet anyway.





Nice!!



Hmm guess that is the other option.
But doubt I'll be pushing the limits of the air cooling at all tbh.
Just liked the idea/learning/look of water lol
Click to expand...


If you want to try water, drop me a pm for more detailed info :)
 
about 7 years ago i was running a phase change system and the loudest part of the system was the water pump so if you not looking at getting the max from your system it a waste of money and might be better getting a good case and making sure the fans are running in best direction for good cooling.
 
Last September, I've put my system under water. Mainly because fans on gpu could make as much noise as starting rocket hehe
It was silent in idle/www etc but in games it was just loud.
Now under water its silent again ;) and gpu is staying cool as well.
I've never done it before and did not had any problems.
You just need to plan ahead with connections, which way water will be flowing etc. Putting barbs on tubes can be pain but is not impossible:)
You can pm me if you have more questions
 
Stratman said:
Why not just spend the money on a faster processor :shrug:

Seriously.
Click to expand...

The same reason people tune Honda hatchbacks to produce 600+ HP. It's really rewarding and fun, and satisfying racing past "sports cars" like they are standing still. Not to mention it can be great value for money.

If I had the patience and wanted to spend the money for the components I'd build a PC with a view to overclocking.
 
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trencheel303 said:
The same reason people tune Honda hatchbacks to produce 600+ HP. It's really rewarding and fun, and satisfying racing past "sports cars" like they are standing still. Not to mention it can be great value for money.

If I had the patience and wanted to spend the money for the components I'd build a PC with a view to overclocking.
Click to expand...


:plusone:

You learn a lot and have fun doing it
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone :)

I'm still keen on the idea lol.

So far (with the help of Emily) I've got a list of these parts.

PUMP
This

SINGLE BAY RESERVOIR
This

DUAL 120mm RADIATOR
This

CPU WATER BLOCK
This

2x120mm FANS
Maybe these, or similar

Just looking for some advice on fittings, tube (clear) and coolant (blue UV reactive blue ideally)
 
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Good articles in this weeks micromart on various cooling options and overclocking etc
 
trencheel303 said:
The same reason people tune Honda hatchbacks to produce 600+ HP. It's really rewarding and fun, and satisfying racing past "sports cars" like they are standing still. Not to mention it can be great value for money.

If I had the patience and wanted to spend the money for the components I'd build a PC with a view to overclocking.
Click to expand...

Lol - I knew two young guys when i was working milton keynes - their grandad died and left them 5k each

one went out and bought a corsa for 1K then spent the other 4k doing it up retune, chip, body kit etc

the other bought an old porsche 911 for 3.5k and put the other £1500 quid in the bank

The porsche was a lot faster and handled better, on top of which the porsche was more impressive to girls (most of them thought the corsa made him look like a total utter knob ) plus the porsche owner still had the cash to show them a good time due to having 1500 quid in the bank.

Theres a moral in there somewhere :lol:
 
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Ben: said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone :)

I'm still keen on the idea lol.

So far (with the help of Emily) I've got a list of these parts.

PUMP
This

SINGLE BAY RESERVOIR
This

DUAL 120mm RADIATOR
This

CPU WATER BLOCK
This

2x120mm FANS
Maybe these, or similar

Just looking for some advice on fittings, tube (clear) and coolant (blue UV reactive blue ideally)
Click to expand...

What about pump combined with reservoir? Easier to connect and bit less tubing,
What do you plan to cool?? What case you've got?
Although rad would be fine for CPU only why not get bit bigger one and have doors open for future?
 
As for fans , arctic cool 12w with regulated fan speed.
And overclockers is not cheapest out there :) start thinking about tubing( transparent or in colour you can always dye water )
And what kind of connections you want to use. I use barbs
 
bastic said:
What about pump combined with reservoir? Easier to connect and bit less tubing,
What do you plan to cool?? What case you've got?
Although rad would be fine for CPU only why not get bit bigger one and have doors open for future?
Click to expand...

No don't like the idea of combined. As Emily suggested, if the pump goes wrong is a hassle to either try and change it or buy a whole new combo.

Whoops should have stated build in OP. It's a Corsair Obsidian 650d, so perfect for cooling :)
Plan to cool just the CPU at first, maybe at a later date when I upgrade the graphics card I'll cool that. And a dual rad should be able to cope.

bastic said:
As for fans , arctic cool 12w with regulated fan speed.
And overclockers is not cheapest out there :) start thinking about tubing( transparent or in colour you can always dye water )
And what kind of connections you want to use. I use barbs
Click to expand...

Transparent tubing and dyed fluid (UV).
I'm thinking maybe compression fittings for piece of mind, although they seem expensive!

Anyone got any recommendations on where to get fittings?

Thanks
 
650 can't take 360 read can it??
If you include gpu in future you would need to get at least extra 240 for it and leave 120 as well.
I forgot name of the shop from where I bought my bits and pieces. ..will post it up later.
 
bastic said:
650 can't take 360 read can it??
If you include gpu in future you would need to get at least extra 240 for it and leave 120 as well.
I forgot name of the shop from where I bought my bits and pieces. ..will post it up later.
Click to expand...


He's not using a 360, he will be using a 240mm, with the addition of a single 200mm at the front, if he decides to cool other parts in future

:)
 
Rob 80386 said:
He's not using a 360, he will be using a 240mm, with the addition of a single 200mm at the front, if he decides to cool other parts in future

:)
Click to expand...

it seems like all is sorted and help of others is not needed...:coat:
 
Help is always needed :) and appreciated.
I have been speaking to Emily on pm and we've discussed the rads. So a 240 should do for the CPU. Are you saying the 240 couldn't cope with CPU and GPU? If so, I'd run a single 200mm aswell :)
 
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all depends on what gpu and CPU.
If you don't play games at all single 240 would be plenty. Maybe even 120 with good pump and fan.
 
Well I'm now thinking...(when I can afford it)
'sell the Xbox, buy a decent GPU, water cool GPU, buy game, play on pc :)'

I'd add a 200mm rad if needed. As case has a 200mm fan in front already
 
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Ben: said:
Well I'm now thinking...(when I can afford it)
'sell the Xbox, buy a decent GPU, water cool GPU, buy game, play on pc :)'

I'd add a 200mm rad if needed. As case has a 200mm fan in front already
Click to expand...

Case fan won't be much of help...
It will help to cool down drives nothing else
For my water I've spend around £300
 
bastic said:
Case fan won't be much of help...
It will help to cool down drives nothing else
For my water I've spend around £300
Click to expand...


The case fan will be exactly like any other fan, just remove the unused bays and put the rad with the fan blowing through it into the case

:)
 
Ben: said:
Are you sure it won't? It's suppose to be decent and I've seen a thread elsewhere that runs a similar setup.
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=94403

Woo all my pc parts have just arrived!! I'll be busy tonight :)
Click to expand...


That's cool have fun :thumbs:


If you follow the build from the other thread, your case fan will be more than adequate for the task of cooling a rad

:)
 
Rob 80386 said:
That's cool have fun :thumbs:


If you follow the build from the other thread, your case fan will be more than adequate for the task of cooling a rad

:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for keeping up the confidence Emily :)

YAY!
 
All built, outside of the case to test it. Graphics card plugged in and powering on but nothing displayed on screen :/ any reason for this?
 
Ben: said:
All built, outside of the case to test it. Graphics card plugged in and powering on but nothing displayed on screen :/ any reason for this?
Click to expand...

does the card need extra PCI-e power connectors, if so are they plugged in?

:)
 
Today I received an Asus mobo( on z68) and same(? 1866) ram with i7-2600k :)

As for your PC nit posting....have you connected all psu cables to mobo?
Those new Asus main boards have a button to set memory in case there is something wrong. Have a look in manual.and you don't happen to have hazro screen??
 
I believe there is just 1 power connection for the GPU. Main power for mobo and the other smaller one is in. Boot drive LED is on obviously. And VGA LED.

And nice one on your purchases ;)
 
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