EasyB

Ok, i'm about to assemble a small AMD-setup. Not top of the line, just with the intention of experimenting with water, overclocking, and who knows what more... Now, i have some questions. Read a lot of reviews, explanations, howto's.... but some things are still a bit foggy.

1. How important is the flow rate of the pump? For cooling cpu, gpu, northbridge and HD for instance, what would be the minimum? An Eheim 1250? Does a higher flow rate cool better?

2. The radiator. Simple question. Which one? I heard a lot of good things about the Black Ice Extreme. Is this top? And what would the effect be of inserting a second (perhaps smaller) radiator in your loop?

3. There's two standards: 1/2" and 3/8". Which of these 2 would your guys recommend? Is there any difference in performance? And if not, why do these 2 standards exist?

4. Would u guys recommend buying a kit (for instance Innovatek seems to be good)? Or rather assembling your own kit @ Dangerden or any other shop?

5. What's the performance difference between a closed loop setup without reservoir and a setup with reservoir and submersible pump? My bet would be that the pump heats the water and thus the first setup would be best?

Hmm, so i didn't have a few questions but quite a lot....

Thanks.

RichBa5tard

1. How important is the flow rate of the pump? For cooling cpu, gpu, northbridge and HD for instance, what would be the minimum? An Eheim 1250? Does a higher flow rate cool better?
=> If you only use a CPU waterblock, i'd say a 600~800l/hour pump is enough. If you intend to use multiple blocks (CPU/GPU/NB/HD/...) i'd take the eheim 1250 (1200l/hour).
I've got a eheim 1250 and the flow is not really high when I use 3 blocks and a double rad (black ice2). Check last post in Calantak's WC thread...

2. The radiator. Simple question. Which one? I heard a lot of good things about the Black Ice Extreme. Is this top? And what would the effect be of inserting a second (perhaps smaller) radiator in your loop?
BI extreme is good, but not the best. I'd advise to by a double rad (eg. black ice extreme 2): because 2 silent 120mm fans is far more pleasent than 1 high capacity 120mm fan. I've got a BI 2 with two slow papst 120mm on 5V => absolutely unhearable, and keeps my proc, vid, and NB below 50°.

3. There's two standards: 1/2" and 3/8". Which of these 2 would your guys recommend? Is there any difference in performance? And if not, why do these 2 standards exist?
Performance difference is small, but 1/2" is better. If you're going to buy new stuff, get 1/2", but if find a bargain waterblock with 3/8" fittings, don't hesitate to buy it: you can mix the two sizes if you buy flexible silicon tubes (10mm).

4. Would u guys recommend buying a kit (for instance Innovatek seems to be good)? Or rather assembling your own kit @ Dangerden or any other shop?
Assembling your own kit is more fun, and you're more likely to get what you really want. However, there are certain kits that aren't bad price/performance at all.

5. What's the performance difference between a closed loop setup without reservoir and a setup with reservoir and submersible pump? My bet would be that the pump heats the water and thus the first setup would be best?
My experience tells me the latter is better. But i think that was because my rad was also out of the computer: so it was cooled by fresh air instead. Now i've got my rad & pump build in my case, and temps are a little higher. I surely don't regret it though: it's very, very pretty and easy to carry around (doesn't weigh much extra because I use a very, very small reservoir).



Last little bit of advice:
- ALWAYS use pure watter, not tapped. It costs about 1.25 eur for 5 litres, and if you have a leak (which is bound to happen if you're not to carefull in the beginning) you pr0lly won't damage your hardware.
- Dangerden is a great shop and has great service & products, but shipping is expensive. There are some VERY good german products which are less known (they mostly aren't for sale in the USA => no reviews), but equally or better performing and far much cheaper to get.
- If you're going to build it inside your case, plan carefully and don't hesitate to draw a pic and show it to some experienced users to ask their opinion.
- except if you got plenty money, I'd advise to buy second hand stuff. Everything in my H²O setup is second hand (except the tubes) and it would have cost me €450 brand new... i payed half of that.
- take pics, we love H²O pics.

Shop I have experience with and would advice:
http://www.shop.erfrier.net (awesome shop! German, delivered at doorstep in 3 days for €18 COD)
http://www.pc-mac2000.com/index_fr.html (french)
http://www.low-noise.de/web/index (good prices, but very, very slow.)

Hope this helps
RB

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