Alright so I just finished spec'ing out a new water loop for my build. Problem is it comes to $512.09!

Thermochill 120.3PA
12v D5 Fixed Speed Pump
Tygon 1/2 Tubing
MCT-5 Coolent
Fillport
Artic Silver Compound
TDX CPU Block
3870 (comparable to 4870) Waterblock



I could buy a couple of pure copper Zalman's for $104.98 to cover the cpu and gpu.

Erm. I havn't even received my new thermochill in the mail and I'm already having buyer's remorse. I overclock quite a bit, but I've found my system outdates itself after 2 years anyways and saving $407.11 would be a nice step towards future upgrades. I mean hell, that's a second 4870 right there!

Thoughts / opinions?

Looks like you just found out what almost everyone on this forum already know: watercooling isn't worth it.

Uh you do know that once you upgrade your computer again in the future chances are you can just throw a new CPU block and GPU block on there and still have rock solid water cooling.

Yes, it might be more expensive to begin with but if you look at it like any other computer component that you roll over from build to build it's not nearly as bad as you might think it is. So don't worry about it and enjoy your water cooling setup.

All those blocks are what adds up the cost. And if you take cooling out of your old computer, you can't use it. Old gaming machines are still good for bittorrent/media centers and whatnot...

Most people don't create much of anything else with their old PC computers short of maybe passing it down to a kid or a family member. If he's not in the postition or has no desire to do any of that he can strip it for parts to make his new build cheaper.

And blocks don't cost that much $75 to $100 bucks depending on what you get a small price to pay to upgrade if you bought good WC equipment to begin with which looking at what he got is what he's trying to do.

But he can always throw his stock cooling back on his PC now when he gets a new one and still use his old machine if he wants to.

Just my two cents on the matter though. It's more of a personal choice then anything else really.

^ is it worth it to upgrade to water cooling? and is it hard? I can't find any good definitive reasons to upgrade

I've heard a lot of stories about leaks... and algae growth. Apparently, neon lights are good for photosynthesis.

you may not need such an extravigant water cooling solution.
I installed a simple gigabyte Galaxy II water cooling solution a while back and it works well I modified it slightly by striping the radiator out of its case and mounting it on the back of my case over the 120 mm back exhaust fan. so now it has a fan blowing in as well as out.
On my OC 3870 card I added a simple tin/aluminium (simple white metal not polished or anything )water block not copper . It never gets over 37 C when working hard and my OC 5000+ now clocked at 3.3 ghz never gets over 42C. This huge copper mania is really not needed in an water cooled system. The whole shabang cost me alittle over $160 delivered . truth is a good aircooled solution does a nice job on the CPU but nothing beats a water cooled GPU. The garbage that you need 1/2 inch tubing on a gpu is alot of bull. I have been using a simple 1/4 block made by tt for several years and it always cuts the temps in half compared to the stock cooler.
can't ask for anything more

kgrach

I've been watercooling for 5 years. No leaks, no fried equipment, nothing. I have had to upgrade a couple of blocks due to newer CPUs and such, but most usually have an adapter bracket for like $10.

If it's too much money, then don't do it. It's that simple. I do it because I like the DIY factor, it works well and it gives me something to do. It's not that hard, but yes, you can get very good air cooling for less money. If you are going to do it, don't waste money on those all in one bay gizmos. Stick with good blocks, pumps and radiators.

I use a $50 air cooler on q6600@3.6ghz, and temperature at max load on prime95 does not exceed 58C. Watercooling is not necessary. It's a computer, not a car engine.

The blocks are $206 of that. The pump (12v D5 Variable) I have is already 2 years old (I figure it's bout due). I have a thermochill 120.2, but would like the 120.3 in case I crossfire. My tubing is cut specifically to length for the build it's in now so I can't reuse it effeciently. The MCT-5 I change probably once a year anyways...

I guess my point is the only thing I can see to salvage would be the 120.2PA radiator. That's about $130.

I'd have a restocking fee + shipping return on the 120.3 of $35... So I'd save $95 but I'd have to tear apart a 4.1Ghz Pentium D and make it a 2.6 (not to mention I gave away my stock coolers to a poor old man that accidentally ordered OEM lol).

I'd feel bad letting the blocks and the current rock solid w/c set-up go to waste for that. Quite frankly it sucks at that speed . Although it's going to my parents so I guess they should just be happy with what they get .

I dunno, maybe I could ebay my current blocks (TDX and Maze4) and Thermochill 120.2PA. If someone did buy those old blocks (I see them as a hard sale) I would still only recover the cost of the new rad. I see this cycle happening everytime I build a new system .

I really enjoy the watercooling, but vs a second video card I'm yet undecided. Thank you all and more comments please. I love them all and they help me keep things in perspective.

My cpu waterblock has worked on three different systems. Both AMD and Intel with the very same block and mounting hardware. Also under max load the cpu never exceeds 40c. Never had any leaks and don't have to listend to a windtunnel of fans.

To the OP:

You actually have bought some great stuff and properly maintained and installed you will get awesome cooler temps, a much quieter system and the coolness of water.

I went water, I informed myself over a few months by reading at real hardware forums. Tom's is like Radio Shack when it comes to good info and the types of people that frequent it. Pretty sparse.

Head over to OC forums and xtreme forums and read for a while. You'll learn a ton. Read all the stickies and use their search function to find your case. Also Google your case with the word watercool.


Actually, you could save a bit. Cheaper rad and save $70. But that's an awesome rad, the best you can buy. It will easily cool a hot CPU/NB/GPU loop. And it works great with quiet fans.

Liquid. Yes cheaper. Distilled water and a few drops of Petras PT Nuke is all anyone ever needs. The person who said algea etc and leaks is one of the peeps that thinks Radio Shack is the best place to buy electronics.
Pump.

The d5 vario is a better pump. But yours is okay, no worries.
You didn't mention fans or clamps.

Installing and testing and tuning isn't hard at all with some prep, no rush and reading.

I went water 3 years ago,

1st was a water cooled case, already built in, 1/4 incher that did great on cpu, not great after I added my x1900xtx to the setup!

Then off the store components, and now almost all DIY stuff.

Hoses and clamps - $18 Home Depot worm clamps and tubing 3/8".
Swiftech 350 pump- $55
Swifty Apogee GT cpu block- $30
3x Swifty 120mm rads- $50 (2 bought on forums for $10 each)
8800 GTX block- $85
8800 GTX block- free with second hand card purchased on ebay
Bay res and fillport- $22

Add a little of Petra's magic blue solution, and you have about $225 worth of stuff.

I like the quiet, and the lack of heat coming from the case, plus the satisfaction of knowing I did it.

As stated earlier, following the procedures helps for leaks, etc.

I bumped my Q6600 from 3.4 to 4.0 this weekend...runs great...little warmer...about 44-45C at load. The new 9800GTX runs at about 800/1100 and seems to hover around 40C at load.

Works for me.

^ whats your water cooling setup?

Danger Den 12v pump, DD TDX cpu, DD NB (not sure of model#) Swiftech MCW60 GPU, BlackIce 2x120mm rad, 2x custom built acrylic resevoirs, passive radiator; transmission/oil cooler for street racing.







http://store.summitracing.com/part [...] toview=sku

What vcore do you run at for the 4ghz?

1.375; I might try dropping it a little to see if it remains stable and cools off a little.