Watercooling?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

Treeh

Distinguished
Jun 16, 2008
24
0
18,510
Hey,

I'm building a new computer soon, and I plan to overclock quite a bit. However, I really really don't want the noise. I've watercooled before, and it didn't go very well...at all. The reservoir cracked after a year, it leaked everywhere, and offered poor performance for watercooling...and was LOUD (exactly what I was trying to avoid!)...so I threw it out and bought a Zalman. CPU temperatures decreased by 5 C, and was extremely quiet. So now, I'm looking for the Zalman of watercooling (even though they make watercooling units 😛)

I'm going to be building my PC in the states, but will bring it back to Europe 2 months later, so this thing needs to be mobile, and needs to be able to be shaken around quite a bit. So I need the system to be completely internal. I've read quite a few guides, but they don't seem to offer that much information...I know that going with a kit is generally a bad idea, and that each component should be purchased separately. However, I need a cheap system...I don't have $300+ to spend on WC.

I was looking at the Cooler Master S1. It's only $70, requires no filling/bleeding, and very little set up. http://www.coolermaster.com/products...te=1&id=253 9

However, I'm doubting the cooling ability of it, after seeing some benchmarks, and apparently it's quite loud...and I want GPU cooling as well.

So, this is basically what I'm asking: Is watercooling really worth it, if I just want it for the noise reduction (if I'm overclocking on air, all my fans will have to be on high, and I'll need quite a few) will it be effective, and yeah...

Also, I'm opting for a T-junction type system. No reservoir.

Sorry for my plethora of questions, I'm just curious 😀
 
I'm not trying to be a butt when I say this but were you really expecting a $70 water cooling setup to be worth a crap?

I had a water-cooled rig at one point and from a noise perspective it met my needs... it performed better than my substantial heatsink/fan (some 120 mm setup) and overall I was very happy with it. However, it was pretty difficult to install (I'm not mechanical), there was always the risk of leakage, eventually water did start to evaporate out, and it made transportation a real hassle.

I'm glad I did it... it's an experience... I'm also glad I've jumped out of a plane, but like water cooling... I don't feel the urge to do it again. It was a fun rainy day project... but if I were wanting some extreme cooling now I'd be looking at a TEC.
 
And just a side note... I don't guess I've ever heard of a cracked reservoir. Maybe someone else can respond to that... I'm thinking bad luck on your part... really, really bad luck.
 
Ok, you're right. I think it might be overkill, and as far as transporting goes, someone of a ridiculous idea.

I think I'm just going to buy another Zalman, and try to get resonably quiet case fans and a good case. :)
 
I got a $100 thermaltake been rock solid for almost 4 years - only downside = gotta refill tank every couple months, stupid Pentium 4
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835192005

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233011

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103029

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106064

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106067
Click to expand...

None of these.

www.frozencpu.com

Try the kits mentioned in their liquid cooling section. If you are only going to spend <$100 on watercooling, just spend the money on good air cooling, those H2O kits won't provide much of what you are looking for.

Swiftech makes some pretty good starter kits, most of which have components that are very well performing, such as pumps, CPU blocks and radiators. Go with at least 3/8" tubing and fittings, if you can.

I had a resevoir crack, but it was from me overtightening barbs. They should be self-sealing for the most part (if nylon/plastic) if not, use teflon tape. Also, using a back-and-forth rocking motion to push tubing on can create stress cracks; use a little silicone spray on the barb...the tubing slides right on and won't be a problem with the tubing or plastic.
 
hi

you dont need a reservoir at all just use a t line..ive been running my wc set up like that for 3 yr now.

heres a pic of a basic set up with a t line so you can get the basic ideal

dangerdensetup.jpg


pic is from danger den and this is how i set my system up
 


They don't all have to be set on high if you have the right case, and you have semi-decent non-retarded cable management. I'm OC'ing "on air" and none of my fans are set on high, and only a couple are on medium, and my temps on the cores maxed at 57C and 58C with a load.
 


Mmm...I'm opting for the Antec P182, and all the cables are behind the mobo in the case. I think I'm going to go with air..watercooling is too expensive/too risky shipping over the atlantic. I think I'll pick up that 110mm heatsink from Zalman. :) Thanks a lot for everyone's advice.
 


Cool.....you should be good to go then!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom