WaterCooling Component Guide

[freakgeek1337]

This thread has a purpose: To assist newcomers in watercooling to become more knowledgeable about their components. Please use this guide appropriately. If any fixes are needed just enlighten me!
All these components can be bought from Canada. The cheapest prices to all these components can be found on this link right here: Canadian Prices: Search. Compare. Buy. - Canadian Online Shopping Search and Comparison!

CPU WaterBlocks

1. D-Tek FuZion V2
This block is on top of the list is because it has seized the performance crown. It's a very nice block overall with good flow rates, nozzles available(3.6mm, 4.5mm, 5.5mm, 6.2mm, and Quad Nozzle), and a Quad Midplate available. The block offers some customization. This block is good for a Crossfire/SLi setup. Though a waterblock doesn't come without its flaws. It's about 3.7x more restrictive than V1. Though the flow is still good it's a drastic change. Unfortunately this block will not be able to use compression fittings, also it isn't the prettiest block out there.

2. EK Supreme
What can I say, this block is bringing sexy back. Not only its looks are phenomenal, but this block delivers. With the second best performance, this block is not to be messed with. What differs this one from the FuZion V2 is that it is able to use compression fittings. But one con, this one brings it to second place. Restriction. This block is incredibly restrictive, I would not recommend running this with any other restrictive blocks as the flow would go below 1GPM.

3. Swiftech Apogee GT
The vanilla waterblock of the Apogee series. This block offers good performance. It also has a nice value behind it. It's a very plain block. I don't have much to say about it. Did I mention it also has great flow rates? Though Swiftech's block is not the performance king and isn't that pretty, just well... Plain. An additional note, the Apogee GT's base can be bowed to decrease temperatures by a few degrees.

4. Danger Den MC-TDX
This block right here is the flow king. No other CPU waterblock right here can beat it flow-wise. It has performance some where along the lines of the Apogee GT.This block also has good value, as it has quite the low price. It looks nice too. With C110 copper and a sexy acrylic top, the MC-TDX really shines when it comes to looks, details, and durabilty. But usually when you have awesome flow rates, performance drops. Same thing applies to this block. It's the one con behind this block. I cannot find anything else wrong.

5. D-Tek FuZion
This block once used to be the king of cooling. Too bad the EK Supreme was released and the 2nd version of the FuZion was released. I can say that it's flow rates are awesome and with the nozzles, it performs well. But with nozzles inserted, the block can get as restrictive as the EK Supreme. Yet the block will still perform very slightly warmer. But for a quite a free-flowing block, I can say that the performance is above good. I also like the fact that you can customize this block with nozzles(3.6mm, 4.5mm, 5.5mm, 6.3mm, and the Quad Nozzle). But the FuZion doesn't allow for compression fittings and now that the FuZion V2 has come out, the value isn't all that great. Note that this block is REALLY difficult to seek out.

GPU WaterBlocks

1. Swiftech MCW-60
Once again Swiftech manages to release another great product. This block is extraordinary. I will start off with the fact that its flow rates are among the best in the GPU WaterBlock catagory. Yet it has the second best performance here. But the list doesn't end there, as the tradition runs in the line of Swiftech products, the MCW-60 is no exception. Value, This block has exceptional value, it speaks for itself. Good flow and excellent performance at only about $40. Such a shame that this block is not a pretty one and doesn't perform the best...

2. Danger Den MAZE5
Introducing Danger Den's updated block from the MAZE4, the MAZE5. Danger Den says that this block has a better design to dissipate heat, while being a little more restrictive. While there have not been any proven tests, MAZE4 was extremely close to the MCW60's performance. MAZE5's better design should make it on par with Swiftech's performance. After all it is a little more restrictive. Even then, it probably cannot beat the FuZion GFX's performance. It deserves 2nd place.

3. D-Tek FuZion GFX
This block is really full of quality and looks. Don't forget the performance! Many tests have showed that the FuZion GFX is about 1c degree better than the MCW60(eg. Misoprostol's review). The pin-matrix design helps it take the performance crown. But since this block is so big, the block takes two slots. Out of all the blocks in the GPU section this one is also the most restrictive. If you were running multiple blocks, I would not recommend you get the GFX. But if you were running this block by itself, in a lone loop, this will give you top performance.

4. Danger Den MAZE4
The predessesor to the MAZE5, this block has decent performance compared to the rest of these blocks, a few degrees off of the MCW-60. The pricetag on this item is also pretty good. In other words the MAZE5 offers great value. But in the end, I suggest you take the MAZE5 over the MAZE4. Not much of a reason to buy the MAZE4, when the MAZE5 is released already.

5. None

Full-Coverage Blocks

Well for this section you cannot really rank these blocks. But I can provide you more information about these type of blocks. Essentially these blocks are just a giant slab of metal(copper, nickel, acetal) that are put on to your graphics card. I would also like to mention that FC Blocks cool the GPU Core, the memory, and the voltage regulators. In other words, everything on the card. This makes it very easy for you to watercool the graphics card. The two brands that are very popular for FC blocks amongst watercoolers would have to be EK and Danger Den. EK Blocks offer more performance, but Danger Den's Blocks are more free-flowing. These kinds of blocks are more expensive though and cannot be used for any other card, except for the card it was created for.

Radiators

1. Swiftech MCR Series (120/220/320)
A favorite radiator series among watercoolers. Swiftech's MCR series has unbeatable value. It combines awesome performance with an excellent price tag. This radiator isn't very restrictive, though it isn't the most free flowing. Though there are some minor cons. This radiator does have awesome performance, but isn't the performance king. I also wish that this radiator was just a little bit more free-flowing.

2. Black Ice GT Xtreme Series (120/240/360/480)
This radiator from HardWare Labs has a wide selection of sizes. From 120mm to 480mm. With higher speed fans these radiators can easily seize the performance king. But after all it is the most restrictive radiator here. These radiators are also pretty pricey, not as much as the Thermochills but still pricey. Lastly, with high speed fans, the radiator can get loud. Not the radiator itself, but the fans.

3. Thermochill PA Series (120/240/360)
The famous Thermochills that everybody speaks of. These radiators are special, because they have odd fan spacing. With slower fans these radiators perform the best and take the performance crown. And because these specialize in slower speed fans, this radiator can be very silent. It's also very free-flowing, actually the most free-flowing of the bunch. But because of the odd fan spacing, mounting this radiator to an ordinary case can be very grueling. Though there are some cases that specialize in Thermochill fittings. Also these radiators are extremely pricey. The second most pricey of the radiators here.

4. Feser-One X-Changer Series (120/240/360)
Feser-One has recently joined the watercooling business. Most of their products have worked very well. These radiators are no exception. These look to be like a Thermochill clone. Feser-One radiators specialize in low-speed fans just like Thermochills do. Some tests have shown that these are a little bit worse than Thermochills. However Feser-One is creating a 480mm radiator. I am positive that the 480mm will beat the Thermochills.

5. Black Ice GT Stealth (120/240/360)
Last on my list are these radiators. I would not recommend these radiators, unless you have no room what so ever for other radiators. Often these don't perform that well. These radiators should be your last case scenario. If you do plan on purchasing these radiators, it is often advised that you set up your fans in a "push" configuration.

Pumps

1. Swiftech MCP655/Laing D5
The MCP655 is often the most popular pump amongst watercoolers. This pump is also a very powerful pump, silent, and fairly affordable considering pumps with higher prices. However there are a couple of setbacks. This pump is not the most powerful on the list, and also this pump is medium-sized. But overall this pump is usually enough for the average set-up.

2. Swiftech MCP355/Laing DDC 3.2
This pump is a pump with quite a bit of power, more than a MCP655. However the stock top is not all that powerful. I would advise that you buy an aftermarket top. Such as the Petra's Top, a very popular aftermarket block made of acetal. With a good aftermarket top, this pump shines. It settles in second place in terms of power.

3. Swiftech MCP350/Laing DDC 3.1
The younger brother to the MCP355. This pump is almost equivalent to the MCP355. Except that it's power is weaker. But it's also quieter than the MCP355, not by a large margin though. An aftermarket top will still work on the MCP350, boosting it's power slightly, depending on which aftermarket top you buy. Overall this is a great pump if you're settling for more silence, but willing to sacrifice some performance.

4. D-Tek DB-1/ Danger Den CPX-1
Overall this is not a very powerful pump. But this is the ideal pump if you have a small setup, cooling the GPU. But make sure that the GPU block is not very restrictive. This pump is very affordable though. Much cheaper than the other pumps on the list. It's also very compact, hardly noticeable in many cases.

5. Eheim 1250
The Eheim is the most powerful pump here. With unpredecented power, this pump could easily run the most restrictive loops out there. However, this pump is quite the large type and is also very pricey. But if you're seeking for pure power, and money's no object. This pump is a very suitable choice. although if you wish to choke up even more cash, look for a "Iwaki" pump.

Tubing

1. Primochill Primoflex LRT
This tubing has the best bending radius here. Very flexible. Primoflex comes in several colours, including blue, green, red, black, just to name a few. I particularly like this tubing because of it's value. You get 10 feet, compared to the usual 5 feet. The cheapest I've seen it go is $13.

2. Feser-One Tubing
Feser-One is the new kid on the block. I expected this tubing to deliver. And it does. Sure, it doesn't flex as much as the Primoflex, but it's flexes better than Tygon. That means alot right there. This comes in the same colours as the Primoflex, except it doesn't come in black, but it comes in silver. Another reason that Feser-One is not nearly is as good is because that it only gives 5 feet. But at the same time it's slightly more expensive.

3. MasterKleer PVC 7/16" Tubing
For a perfect seal for components, this is the tubing for you. I still advise you use hose clamps and zip ties though. This tubing is very affordable, but it doesn't bend as well as the tubing here. It only bends better than the Swiftech tubing. 7/16" is believed to be the "sweet spot" for tubing, but if you can get a tight seal for 1/2". 1/2" is still king.

4. Tygon R-3603
A few months ago, every watercooler liked Tygon R-3603. But then along came Feser-One and Primoflex. Many people still use Tygon, but they don't realize that Primoflex and Feser-One make better tubing. Though this tubing still bends very well. It's also very transparent, so you can see what's inside the tubing. Still, Tygon is very expensive tubing and in conclusion, not worth it.

5. Swiftech 7/16" Tubing
Quality tubing made by Swiftech. For a very good price too. Value is mainly this tubing best quality. It bends well, I do recommend you buy some anti-kink coils though. This Swiftech is good, but if your going to get 7/16" tubing. You might as well settle for the MasterKleer tubing.

Future Products

Black Ice GT Xtreme 560
The Black Ice GT Xtreme 560 is basically 4 140mm fans rolled into a huge radiator. If fan makers out there can manage to create better 140mm fans, look to the 560 to perform the best. Watch out Thermochill and Feser-One!

Danger Den CPX-Pro
Danger Den's new pump takes the shape and form of the CPX-1(D-Tek DB-1). But cranks the power to 11. Danger Den's new pump looks to compete with the likes of the Swiftech 655 and 355. This pump also has a low heat-dump. Meaning that it creates less heat that will go into your setup.

D-Tek FuZion GFX V2
With the new "Nanofin" technology, D-Tek's new GFX block has lower restriction and higher performance than V1. This has not been proven though, We'll have to see if the Nanofin technology delivers in real-world testing.

EK Supreme VGA
EK has finally jumped into the non-fc VGA block business. There has been alot of speculation of the EK competing with the D-Tek. Though many forum people say that this block will be very restrictive. Powerful pump strongly recommended.

Feser-One X-Changer 480
Though this radiator has been released, I have yet to see any stock in Canada. Tests from Martinm210 from Xtremesystems have shown that this radiator beats the Thermochill 120.3 in performance with every fan type.

XSPC Edge CPU Block

This block has too been released. But not spotted in Canada. More tests by Martinm210 from XtremeSystems show that this block performs very close to the EK Supreme in performance, yet is much more free-flowing. We'll see if these XSPC products land in Canada.

[CanadaRox]

This will be a great addition to the forum if we can keep it up to date and thorough. If you want any help I'll be glad to throw in my 0.02.

[Cptn Vortex]

Yay! I'll be sure to throw in some feedback....

[miggs78]

I will wait for this guide of yours, seen few of them at other forums but not quite as helpful really.
I think if sswilson and Cpt Vortex also add some info it will be helpful since those 2 are basically in almost all threads in here commenting and helping.

[freakgeek1337]

Thanks for the support guys, I REALLY appreciate it. Thanks once again.

[matsta31]

I support this, really specially the canadian side of it. You should really take a look at this one, this is up to date and detailed about what is currently the ''good'' parts :

Water Cooling Parts Guide 2008 V1.2 - EXTREME Overclocking Forums

[Mibs]

Good work freakgeek! The guide from the above post is great too, but it's good to have our own!

[CanadaRox]

You should also mention that the D-Tek V2 can use nozzles and has an optional quad midplate, and that it is also fairly restrictive. And it would be worth adding something for full coverage GPU blocks (not any specific one, just all of them in general). Great work so far though

[freakgeek1337]

K will do. Thanks for the feedback! Keep it coming.

[Supergrover]

How about getting the price added to the items?

Since most newcomers to water wont necessarily know this info.

And I second the full coverage block section.

You should mention that bowing the GT nets you a few more C's.