Is it worth to use WC from the start?

Will5639

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Jul 14, 2009
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Some may have read my other post asking for input about PC components. For those who have not - I'm pricing out a new computer from scratch, nothing ordered and never built one before. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268234-31-first-time-builder-advise For a list of components that I'm looking info (scroll to bottom right away on my second post).

Short version would be:

Processor: i7-920 Processor (OC to a 3.0-3.2)
Board: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58
Graphics: EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285
Memory: OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3
Power: COOLER MASTER UCP RS900-AAAAA3 900W
Case: COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000

But to the point I'm trying to be smart shopper and consider all options, one being water cooling. But I know very little outside of a few articles I read in the last day. Problem is they talk concept and how-to, or are referencing from a year + ago.

The power and case are what I'm skeptical about right now. If a water cooling system would be implemented are those the best choices? (I liked them because they are big, and steel case - weight is nothing for me.) Where would I begin looking, what parts are needed? What price range would be needed to take full advantage (a run that would cover as many components as possible)?

But at the very basics, does it save to shop now? Or if I built a system and came back later would it be indifferent?
 
You don't need to water cool your system... WC is for extreme overclocking (4.2GHz + levels). You will be better suited with the heatsink noted by shortstuff in your original post. The Dark Knight will keep your CPU cool and should be able to run stable at 3.6 GHz, which is the "sweet spot" for gaming.

If you get the Dark Knight, head over to the cooling forum and read Proximon's tread on applying thermal paste to it. It is a very helpful post, if you are not use to HDT heatsinks.
 
No on the WC, it will be a massive waste of your funds. 3.2ghz is very mild for the i7, you could do that on stock cooling with a D0 chip, and almost all chips that you buy today will be D0.

The PSU is overkill, the UCP-700 would be fine for your setup, or a Corsair 750TX, PC P&C 750w silencer, OCZ StealthXStream 700W to name a few other cheaper and high quality options.
 
Go check out XtremeSystems forums for info on watercooling. Lots of Very knowledgeable people there. Read the stickies before you ask questions and you will probably know everything you need to know about water before you even ask.