Questions for a watercooling noob

[Spblue]

I've been looking into getting a water cooled system for a while now, but even after spending several hours reading reviews and guides, I'm still left with some questions. I hope some experts here can shed some light...

In January I'm going to upgrade to an I7, and the noise from my 7 fans in my Antec P182 has started to bother me a bit. I figured I'd take the plunge into water cooling at the same time. My main goals are reduced noise and better overclock. The 3.91Ghz I'm getting with my E6750 (using a TRUE-120) isn't too shabby, but getting to 4.2Ghz on an I7 sounds fun!

Here are the components I settled on:

TFC Xchanger - High Performance Triple Radiator 360 (Dazmode)
DAZMODE LIMITED EDITION HEATKILLER Rev3.0 1366 VERNICKELT (Dazmode)
Ek Water Blocks EK-FC 5870 Nickel Plated Full Cover Radeon HD 5870 GPU Block G1/4 (NCIX)
Feser One - Cooling Fluid - BLACK / UV Blue 1L x 2 (Dazmode)

That takes me to $350 before taxes... To this I need to add a reservoir and a pump, but I'm a bit lost on what to get exactly. Which pump should I get for that setup? Do I need a strong one? And what about all the different tops?

For the reservoir, the swiftech micro res v2 looks sweet (and can't complain about the price), but then I would be better buying metal barbs for it right? What about the EK-Multioption ones on Dazmode? Do they have any advantages over the swiftech?

I'm also a bit confused about all the tubing sizes and how they all interconnect together. Obviously, the larger sizes allow better flow and less pressure, but the reviews I've found didn't find much difference between 3/8" and 1/2" tubing. And what's with the ID / OD sizes on the fittings? (yeah I have the feeling that this question was *really* noobish but a quick google search yielded nothing and the guides don't mention it).

I'm sorry for all the questions, but with all the options I'm having a kind of "deer-in-headlights" experience here. Also, I haven't settled on a board yet for the i7, should I have preferences regarding watercooling? Hgh. Thanks a lot of helping a lost noob...

[Jackquelegs]

Originally Posted by Spblue

That takes me to $350 before taxes... To this I need to add a reservoir and a pump, but I'm a bit lost on what to get exactly. Which pump should I get for that setup? Do I need a strong one? And what about all the different tops?

For the reservoir, the swiftech micro res v2 looks sweet (and can't complain about the price), but then I would be better buying metal barbs for it right? What about the EK-Multioption ones on Dazmode? Do they have any advantages over the swiftech?

I'm also a bit confused about all the tubing sizes and how they all interconnect together. Obviously, the larger sizes allow better flow and less pressure, but the reviews I've found didn't find much difference between 3/8" and 1/2" tubing. And what's with the ID / OD sizes on the fittings? (yeah I have the feeling that this question was *really* noobish but a quick google search yielded nothing and the guides don't mention it).

I'm sorry for all the questions, but with all the options I'm having a kind of "deer-in-headlights" experience here. Also, I haven't settled on a board yet for the i7, should I have preferences regarding watercooling? Hgh. Thanks a lot of helping a lost noob...

A swiftech Microres V2 and MCP655 should do you very well in any situation.
Yes you should replace the barbs on the swiftech with some bitspower or feser ones, I hate plastic barbs.
EK multioption looks better..and...in my opinion that's it. A reservoir is a reservoir, any more than the swiftech would be purely for aesthetics.

Don't worry about tubing size, as long as you don't mix. Usually you'll see 1/2" ID 3/4" OD tubing, that corresponds to 1/2" OD barbs, ID of which don't really matter. If you see 3/8" ID 5/8" OD tubing, you should be looking for 3/8" OD barbs. Dazmode's site has a great classification system that tells you which barbs goes with which tubings.

Some prefer to fit 3/8" ID tubing onto 1/2" OD barbs, which is a VERY tight fit, and in turn does not require clamps.

[Dazmode]

+1

Reduced noise and better overclock is conflicting requirements, but it can be achieved with WC.

Reservoirs are the same performance wise, it is more about looks and ease of mounting. I've found that for myself EK round res is always easier mount then Swiftech square form-factor. In all of my resent builds I considered Micro-Res, but ended up with Muti-Res.

As tubing goes, 3/8 or 1/2 doesn't make noticeable performance, so just go with one you like (visually or by available color); Fittings for 3/8 are cheaper.

[Spblue]

Dang, I guess I waited too long to order, now the heatkiller cpu block is out of stock at Dazmode. That'll teach me. Daz, is there usually a long waiting time for a restock on those?

[Dazmode]

Only Nickel plated are sold out, copper is still available :)

[Spblue]

Ok, I think I got all the components I need for my build. Here's my shopping cart at Dazmode :

1x Swiftech Water Cooling Reservoir, plastic barbs $23.99
1x Swiftech MCP 655-B Water Pump $74.99
1x EK-D5 X-TOP - Acetal G1/4 Rev.2EK-D5 X-TOP - Acetal G1/4 Rev.2 $38.99
1x HEATKILLER CPU Kuhler Rev3.0 1366 $119.99
1x TFC Xchanger - High Performance Triple Radiator 360 $124.99
1x Feser Aqua - Ultra Pure Water $6.94
2x Feser One - Cooling Fluid - BLACK / UV Blue $25.98
2x TFC - High Flow Comp Fitting G1/4" - 1/2"ID - 3/4"OD (pack of 4) $47.98
2x TFC - High Flow Fitting G1/4" - 1/2"ID - 3/4"OD - 45 Rotary $19.98
25x Feser Tube UV Hose - 1/2" ID - 3/4" OD - CLEAR/NOT UV (1') $34.75

Total $518.58. To this I'll need to add a 5870 gpu waterblock from NCIX, since there doesn't seem to be any for sale at dazmode :

1x Ek Water Blocks EK-FC 5870 Nickel Plated Full Cover Radeon HD 5870 GPU Block G1/4 $119

Grand total of $639 + taxes. (ouch). I didn't want to spend much past $500 . So, with this, do I have everything I need, or did I noobishly choose something that wasn't compatible with something else? Thanks again for the help!

[ontariotl]

Originally Posted by Spblue

Ok, I think I got all the components I need for my build. Here's my shopping cart at Dazmode :

1x Swiftech Water Cooling Reservoir, plastic barbs $23.99
1x Swiftech MCP 655-B Water Pump $74.99
1x EK-D5 X-TOP - Acetal G1/4 Rev.2EK-D5 X-TOP - Acetal G1/4 Rev.2 $38.99
1x HEATKILLER CPU Kuhler Rev3.0 1366 $119.99
1x TFC Xchanger - High Performance Triple Radiator 360 $124.99
1x Feser Aqua - Ultra Pure Water $6.94
2x Feser One - Cooling Fluid - BLACK / UV Blue $25.98
2x TFC - High Flow Comp Fitting G1/4" - 1/2"ID - 3/4"OD (pack of 4) $47.98
2x TFC - High Flow Fitting G1/4" - 1/2"ID - 3/4"OD - 45 Rotary $19.98
25x Feser Tube UV Hose - 1/2" ID - 3/4" OD - CLEAR/NOT UV (1') $34.75

Total $518.58. To this I'll need to add a 5870 gpu waterblock from NCIX, since there doesn't seem to be any for sale at dazmode :

1x Ek Water Blocks EK-FC 5870 Nickel Plated Full Cover Radeon HD 5870 GPU Block G1/4 $119

Grand total of $639 + taxes. (ouch). I didn't want to spend much past $500 . So, with this, do I have everything I need, or did I noobishly choose something that wasn't compatible with something else? Thanks again for the help!

The things I can suggest is to remove one bottle of Feaser one cooling fluid. You only need one as it will be plenty. You don't need the pure water bottle either. 25' is excessive for tubing, half that will be fine for your build unless you were planning to have the rad external and away from the computer. I would go with the swiftech res. instead as it is cheaper and it does the same job like any other res. out there. To save a few more bucks, you could always buy some distilled water from the grocery store (a dollar or so for a 2 litre bottle) and pick up some Swiftech HydrX or Dazmode's protectant to protect your blocks and fluid from impurities.

Look at directcanada for your 5870 block, it is much cheaper. Also not to take business away from Daz (only helping him out since he had a budget), but look at directcanada for the thermochill pa120.3 rad as it is a very nice rad and cheaper. The only drawback is the fittings are G3/8 and not the typical G1/4. But you can pick up a few barbs from there as well.

That should help you save some money.

[chrisk]

I saved money by getting the EK Supreme block instead. Was about $75, and I bought the backplate for the EK Supreme as well to help ensure I did not flex the motherboard. If you are really careful you might not need a backplate for the Heatkiller, but I would play it safe and get one.

[Jackquelegs]

Supreme is a severe flowkiller

Supreme LT on the other hand is goooood, but I would go for a HK 3.0 if I had the money.

As the previous posters have said, remove one of the cooling fluids, as well as only order about 10ft of tubing, it'll be plenty enough.
Plus you really don't need that X-top

[Dazmode]

Thank you considering Dazmode store!

Good call on X5 top and good radiator.

I see couple questionable areas:
1. You have both Feser Aqua and F1 Coolant. Unless I'm missing something, you need either pre-mixed F1 (1 bottle is enough) or Distilled water (F Aqua) + biocid addictive ( Feser Base or Dazmode Protector).
2. Way too much tube. If you cut things nicely without waste, you probably need 10 ft, so 15ft would be plenty. You may consider colored or UV tube (it looks nice).
3. You may forgot: couple of drain/fill ports, fans and fan controller, thermal compound...

As block goes, I have Supreme in my setup with dual GPU and chipset set of 3 blocks. The difference with single block was barely half of degree, so in my book restriction of Supreme was overplayed. It is my favorite block, although HK is better, no question here.