I7 Gaming computer with watercooling

ty14

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Jul 9, 2009
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18,510
I'm looking to get some insight on the parts I've chosen and the one's that are up in the air. I'm completly new to watercooling and this is my first actual computer build. I want something I can game with at high fps, for various games. I don't really wanna spend past 3,000 on this computer but since I'm buying most of it over a period of time, I'd be nice to see what other people think and what not. I've been using an old computer for awhile now and I just can't take playing games at like 9-20 fps anymore. I want a plan for a future purchse build of over the fall and into the winter, this'll help me make my mind up and give me a goal, rather than looking at newegg / performance pc every other day.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Summer '09 - Winter '09 BUDGET RANGE: 3,000 - 3,500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies, web surfing, Photoshop

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: None

PARTS PREFERENCES:

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: First attempt at water cooling, need help with parts chosen.

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

MoBo: ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131352

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

GPU: XFX GX295NHWFF GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150400

HDD's: 2 x Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296

RAM: mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998681
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226028

Watercooling: For right now, I'd like to just watercool the Cpu, maybe the Gpu.

Pump: This is where I really need tips, if anyone could help?


Tubing: Tygon Tubing


Radiator: Black Ice® GT Stealth 240 XFlow Highest Performance Radiator
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4540

Waterblocks: CPU: Danger Den MC-TDX Water Block for Intel I7/Nehalem/1366
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24691

Reservoirs: Another part I need help on, are these things pretty much standard, or are there certain aspects I should be looking for?

If I've made any obvious mistakes / stupid mistakes, please bare with me. I could really use a few opinions on this.
 
The Swiftech kit is really very nice and will accommodate more stuff later:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8411/ex-wat-140/Swiftech_H20-220_Apex_Ultima_Liquid_Cooling_Kit_Universal_Mount_LGA_1366_Included.html?tl=g30c321s818
All the important parts are really top notch. The pump is one of the best 12V pumps and the CPU block is excellent.

A larger reservoir means a faster prime. It can take a while to remove all the air from the system with a small one.

Forget the velociraptors. They are going the way of their namesakes soon enough. Buy one big Caviar Black for now and get an SSD at the end of the year. Or just get one now if you must:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227394

I don't have a major objection to the Mushkin. They are very dependable. However, you can get lower latency for less money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
 

ty14

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Jul 9, 2009
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18,510
Fantastic, I was looking for a WC kit but was told that it was better to buy the parts individually, Thanks a ton for all the suggestions as I will be incorporating them into my list :)
 

Nick_m

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Jul 2, 2009
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Ty14.

I just recently did my first watercooling build as well and the best suggestion i every got was to make sure to do as much research as possible. The link Below was an excellent resource for me I hope it helps you as it helped me.

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=282232]

As for Block my personal preference is Heatkiller 3.0 for the i7 Take a look at it below

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/heatkiller1366.html]

similarly to keep with same look i used the for my gtx 295.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hegpgt1.html]

Also if you want the best bang for you buck go with the Swifttech mcp355 with an aftermarket Top on it for performance. I used this with a good laing reservoir.

http://www.crazypc.com/products/mcp355-93345.html] - Pump

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/xsladdctop.html] - Head Piece

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/dubayreforla.html] - Res

If you need any other help let me know. Spend some time looking at overclocker forum on watercooling and it will help a ton.






 

ty14

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Jul 9, 2009
18
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Thanks for the guide and part recommendations Nick M. Makes this a tough decision since I probably won't include the gtx waterblock because of the price, the kit and the individual parts come to about the same, not including the tygon tubing. I'll definatly read through that guide and try to make the best decision based on it. Thanks again.

Kit: 269.95
Parts: 224.95 (roughly)