I'm in need of a complete setup for watercooling.

[JoshKorn12]

I'm looking for a very good water cooling setup for the computer listed in my sig. I want the ability to add in a gfx block if and when I buy a new card.

I've looked at the ThermoChill PA120.3 for a radiator. It seems to be a very good choice. I'm going to get some lower cfm fans so my setup isn't as loud as this one. I'd like to push this chip as far as it will go and keep the noise levels down a little. The fan I have on my Thermalright 120 is like 130-140 cfm. It's loud as hell.

I really no nothing about water cooling. I'm assuming i should go with 1/2 fittings to maximize my water flow. Any recommendations would be great.

Thanks guys!

[jdrom17]

That is a great radiator from what I hear.

For the CPU block, D-TEK FuZion is probably what you want. Pretty much the best block right now.

Pump wise, the Swiftech MCP655/Laing D5

For fans, you might want to check out the Noctua NF-P12 (http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=12&lng=en)

[AKHandyman]

Jdrom, you are most definitely right about the fan ... check out this review (http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/3792-noctua-nf-p12-120mm-fan-review.html) ... too bad they haven't made a 140mm one yet ... :(
I too have heard great things about Swiftech and though I haven't ventured into water cooling yet, I would mosey on over here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70) as these guys surely have their fingers on the pulse of today's H20 rigs ... :)

[AlphaChicken]

"f" that crap. 20 bucks for a fan? lol. thats way too much. for a PA120.3 he would be spending at least 60 bucks on fans alone. Most everywhere I have read, the consensus for low-cost, good CFM, quiet fans are Yate Loons. Get some yate loon SL models for low speed and the SH models for high speed. I recommend the SLs as the SHs are 40dB :)

Here are some links:

http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1blle.html (SL model)
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa2.html (SH model)

For $7.50 each or 4/$24 I dont think you can find a better choice.

As for the radiator thermochill is top dog hands down for low to mid speed fan setups. The black-ice series radiators start to even out with thermochills when both are paired with high CFM/speed fans.

That 120.3 will be overkill its so good though. I still recommend getting it though if you have a place for it in your case. This way you have room to add more waterblocks to your loop without overflowing your radiator's cooling capacity.

[AKHandyman]

... "f" that crap. 20 bucks for a fan? lol. thats way too much...
Obviously you're not a "fan" of Noctua ... haha Pun intended!! I think that silence is golden and those fans are far better than what you're recommending, anyday! They're top quality and if the guy wants to spend the money, let him ... quit putting down a product that you haven't tried ... believe me, if you HAVE tried them, you wouldn't be saying $hit about 'em ... :cool:

[AlphaChicken]

Oh. I forgot to add. The only problem that you will have with thermochill rads is that they use a british threading. So you are stuck with plastic, weak, cheapo barbs.

To solve this without having too much of an impact on your flow and without having to worry about corrosion due to mixed metals, I suggest ordering some high flow G1/4" threaded barbs of your choice (these are the standard barb threadings) and then getting some of these adapters:

http://www.mcmaster.com/ and search for product number 4860K657

Brass Threaded Pipe Fitting Nickl-Pltd,
3/8" BSPP Male X1/4" BSPP Fem,
Hex Bushing

[AlphaChicken]

Im not saying "$hit" about anything. Im saying they cost too much. Also, have you tried Yates? OR, in your words do you just "think" they are insuperior?

[AlphaChicken]

And for anyone interested in some reading:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=170224


EDIT***
I also take back some of what i said. and only SOME. The yates dont perform OUTSTANDING, but for the price they OWN the Noctuas.

[AKHandyman]

Im not saying "$hit" about anything. Im saying they cost too much. Also, have you tried Yates? OR, in your words do you just "think" they are insuperior?
I did try them and to be honest, they're okay ... not what I would call "great" or "superior" but I guess I would say adequate ... :)

[AKHandyman]

And for anyone interested in some reading:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=170224


EDIT***
I also take back some of what i said. and only SOME. The yates dont perform OUTSTANDING, but for the price they OWN the Noctuas.
Vapor hasn't yet got his hands on the new Nocutas, so maybe we ought to wait a little more for his highly over-rated opinion of those as well ... :p

[AlphaChicken]

I did try them and to be honest, they're okay ... not what I would call "great" or "superior" but I guess I would say adequate ... :)

Aight. We're cool then I hope. I was just pointing out that for the price they cant be beat.

[AlphaChicken]

Vapor hasn't yet got his hands on the new Nocutas, so maybe we ought to wait a little more for his highly over-rated opinion of those as well ... :p

I trust him. I seriously doubt that someone would show fan-boy-ism over a fan.... (pun lol). But yes w/e. He hasnt tested the new ones. I still would NEVER spend that much on fans. Especially given their previous track record of so-so performance.

[AKHandyman]

Aight. We're cool then I hope. I was just pointing out that for the price they cant be beat.
Alpha, to some people in this community of "computer enthusiasts", money is not a hindrance, but a means to get exactly what they want ... if I wanted quietness coupled with performance, I would pay almost whatever it took to achieve that objection ...

I know about prices as well, because for my customers, they always want something for nothing ... it'll never end ... I got a bunch of Yate Loons from my good friends at SVC for numerous builds ... you're right about the price, they can't be beat for what they do ... http://www.svc.com/d12sl-12-or.html

This is a great little company ... they offer a lot of different fans and you should check them out ... but hey, we're cool ... :cool:

[AlphaChicken]

Yea i gotcha on the enthusiast thing. Despite the fact that money is an issue to me (and most everyone for that matter) I always aim for the best first personally and then I cut costs where cost is needed least. For recommending something to someone I always assume budget first and then adjust based on their responses. I guess its just personal habit.

If I personally were to get any fans though, I would get the S-Flex E or F fans. Their price is kind mid the yates and Noctuas.

The thermochills really dont need tons of CFM to perform how they do. They are really meant to be low-noise, low CFM radiators to their HE series counterparts which took high CFM fans.

The new Noctuas might just be an ultimate fan. But im not gonna spend 20 bucks to find out just yet.

[AKHandyman]

Gotcha buddy ... there was a day when I would have said the same thing ...

[jdrom17]

As for the barb issue, Thermochill makes chrome barbs specifically for their rads so that really shouldn't be an issue.

And SKYMTL over at Hardware Canucks said the Noctua is a lot quieter than the Yates and has better performance. If you want to check it out:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/3792-noctua-nf-p12-120mm-fan-review.html

[JoshKorn12]

I'll probably pick up those Noctua fans considering how quiet they are. I finally dug up the model number on the fan I have now. This (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2519/fan-22/YS_Tech_120x38mm_Fan_-_126CFM_FD121238HB.html) is it. At 45dba it's really loud.

Where it a good place to order this stuff from? I noticed Frozen CPU didn't have that D-tek FuZion block. It would be nice to order everything from one place, but if I can't I'll deal with it.

Tubing, anything special I should order when it comes to this? I know avid found that he liked some stuff from Home Depot(this was a while back) the best. I'll need a good amount of flexability without it kinking.

Coolant, what should I use for this? I know some people like to use the premixed solutions and others seem to like just water and maybe a little antifreeze.

If I think of something else I'll post later.

[jdrom17]

Places to order:
http://www.jab-tech.com/
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
To name a few...

Tubing, Clearflex or Tygon are probably good choices. Tygon is the best but costly.

Coolant, definately distilled water with some additive such as antifreeze, iodine, or simply Swiftech's HydrX. Those pre-made coolants usually offer worse temperatures over distilled water.

[JoshKorn12]

Here is my list to order so far:

ThermoChill PA120.3

D-TEK FuZion

Swiftech MCP655

Noctua NF-P12 X 3

Tygon tubing ½ or 7/16 (not sure how much either) I’ll probably get like 10-20feet or so.

A pile of little hose clamps

I'm not really sure what to do for barbs yet. Looks like I might have to order plastic barbs for the Thermochill radiator. I'm assuming I should probably use 7/16 ID tubing and 1/2OD barbs on everything.

I think the pump comes with 1/2 barbs on it.

[AlphaChicken]

As for the barb issue, Thermochill makes chrome barbs specifically for their rads so that really shouldn't be an issue.


No one in the US sells metal barbs with thermochill radiators. That is only if you order from the UK.... kind of a crappy option.

[jdrom17]

No one in the US sells metal barbs with thermochill radiators. That is only if you order from the UK.... kind of a crappy option.
Well I can get them in Canada:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25389&vpn=63018&manufacture=Thermochill
And NCIX has an American store too...

[JoshKorn12]

One last question. Is it worth getting a shroud for the rad? I don't really mind spending the $24 if it is going to increase performance.

[AKHandyman]

One last question. Is it worth getting a shroud for the rad? I don't really mind spending the $24 if it is going to increase performance.
It can't hurt it ... :p and BTW, great choice on the fans ... you'll like them and your ears will thank you for them ... get pics up when it's up and running ... :)

[jdrom17]

One last question. Is it worth getting a shroud for the rad? I don't really mind spending the $24 if it is going to increase performance.
It does help with performance. Also make sure you get 1 or 2(?) gaskets as well as you want a perfect seal between the shroud and rad, and the shroud and fans.