Super cheap, but not super crappy first WC build log

[donimo]

Hi all, this thread will be boring for a while as I am still accumulating parts, but I have started so I might as well put this up, plus I may get help in not wasting money along the way.,.

My hope is to build a decent w/c setup, primarily for silence, but also to support a mild o/c. I will only be buying used or super cheap parts, after I get into this more I will be stepping up to more high end stuff, but I have started waaaaay too many projects buy spending a ton of money up front that I refuse this time so thhhhpt...

So, parts list so far:

Magicool 120x2 Rad

Swiftech 120x1 Rad

Magicool CPU cooler

5/16" tubing

DD CPX-pro pump

MCRES res

3x Noctua p12's

3x ultra kaze 3000

Cool plexi tube thing I hope to make into a resevoir

Rig in the sig

[magelan]

Donimo,

The tubing is marginal in terms of cost. Since you have 100 ft of it, you may try and ebay it or post it on sale on here. With the funds from it you can buy more than just the tubing size you will need for your wc setup.

I myself have recently started the WC due to noise from the 9800 GT video card and cpu and motherboard fans. In terms of noise, it was GPU > NB > CPU. So all 3 had to go. At the end it cost me about $1100 total. Though you could prolly go about $400 for one of the kit that Linus has made available on NCIX or on canadadirect.com.

Alternatively, keep an eye on the Buy & Sell section on this forum, you'll likely find some parts that will work for you.

In terms of not making mistakes, the biggest thing I learned was to make sure the tubing and fittings match. Plus the fitting actually have enough space on each waterblock items. I went compression fitting which are quite large in diameter compared to standard fittings. This caused a fair number of waterblock items to not being able to fit them. You can take a full review of my worklog here.

Good luck on your project!

[MpG]

Should be interesting to see how it goes. Remember to clamp all tubes at the fittings, and leaktest before fully powering up the system.

Based on your parts list, you still haven't picked out a pump or reservoir?

[donimo]

I haven't found a pump yet, there was one on here for sale for about 30 seconds or so, missed out.

I thought I had one but it didn't work out...

I have this I was hoping to adapt as a resivoir, not sure how yet, but its too close to some I have seen non to try

[donimo]

Here is the basic idea I had, which I realize totally wont work and the 900 is a horrible case etc etc, but I like to drawr (cheeky bum looker).

critique away if you want, I sure as heck aint starting any time soon!

[SugarJ]

You shouldn't need a duct, I didn't in my build. SugarJ's 900 Internal WC Project The duct might actually trap heat and lower airflow. Just put the 200mm fan on medium.

Don't forget you've got a pump and res to mount somewhere too. But it should still be a fairly simple task.

[donimo]

I figured that the airflow from the 2 5.25 bays in front of the HDD's should be more than enough to vent the hot air out of the case as it is about the same airflow most cases have (front inlet and rear 120mm + PSU). Plus it would force a bit more airflow over the HDD's as they are losing a front mounted 120mm by switching to this setup. That and front mounted Rad's seem to dump a lot of heat into the case.

Plus it's different, thats always fun...

Hell with my push/pull TRUE setup I will prolly end up with WORSE temps after this so "need" has nothing to do with this build, just something to kill time at work...I mean at home...

And J, I have looked at your thread a few times already, very nice work!

[SugarJ]

Thank you. Have fun with your build!

[MpG]

I'd skip the ducting, it's effect would be minimal, and it prevents air from coming in contact with the motherboard's chipset/power regulation, which is always an issue when you loose the CPU fan.

For the reservoir, you can turn almost any container into a reservoir. Really, the only strict requirement is that the outlet stay below the fluid level, so that no air gets sucked back out again. Beyond that, a fillport might be needed if you haven't made arrangements elsewhere in the loop, and if the reservoir is circular, a baffle may be needed to prevent a cyclone effect. But it really doesn't need to be as fancy or complicated as it's often made out to be.

[donimo]

awww, but cyclone effects are badass...


fine, no air duct, boo. I thought I was being so smart, maybe I will built it anyways just to see...