water cooling for a noobie?

http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-H20...t-pr-4324.html

Would this be an easy install?

What case are you using? Installs are fairly easy. If you dont have the room to mount internally, you will sometimes have to drill 2 holes in the case (if your case doesnt have them, my Antec300 didnt) for the tubing. Just a step bit for a drill is all you need. As long as you have basic mechanical skills, you will be OK.

easy peasy,

measure twice, drill once

I like to drill a pilot hole to guide the step bit

step bit not cheap, available in the special electricians tools section of the home despot

Originally Posted by doz

What case are you using? Installs are fairly easy. If you dont have the room to mount internally, you will sometimes have to drill 2 holes in the case (if your case doesnt have them, my Antec300 didnt) for the tubing. Just a step bit for a drill is all you need. As long as you have basic mechanical skills, you will be OK.

Antec nine hundred two. Also is this a good kit? Or go with this?


http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoel.html

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1451956

Thanks, but all that seems to complicated

The first kit you linked is decent for starting out with.

The second one has a 3x120 Rad, if you don't plan on cooling anything put your CPU a 2x120 will be just fine. They are both pretty decent kits but you will have a much greater sense of accomplishment if you put your own kit together and pick it all out yourself.

Originally Posted by madmike0408

The first kit you linked is decent for starting out with.

The second one has a 3x120 Rad, if you don't plan on cooling anything put your CPU a 2x120 will be just fine. They are both pretty decent kits but you will have a much greater sense of accomplishment if you put your own kit together and pick it all out yourself.

Maybe down the road i will want to do GPU?

As an owner of two of those kits I'd say skip them. The plastic fittings on the reservoir and radiator blow goats. They are prone to leaking when flexed in any direction even in the slightest. This can happen under the weight of the tubing alone. The water block is pretty good as is the radiator, so it's not like the whole kit sucks but you can get the good parts from the kit separately. Things like those plastic fittings have to go. That pump is actually a really good one but frankly it's a big bastard and it you'll need to drill holes to mount it. Not hard but you have to find suitable space for it in your case. Another complaint I have is with that reservoir. I've got a couple of them and I don't like them at all. Their mounting solution sucks. Their size and mounting hardware really makes their placement a bit tricky and again the plastic fittings suck. If you do decide to use that kit you have to make sure that your tubing doesn't torque the fittings in any direction at all.

Putting together a water cooling kit isn't as hard as it sounds and I think you'd get better results in the long run going that route. Another option which I rarely ever see get mentioned is with something like the Koolance Exos or some of their other products designed for internal installation. If money isn't the concern and you want something more noob friendly, you've got some options but as I said the price goes up. Koolance has some pump / reservoir combinations that would make for a very nice clean installation. Just mount the reservoir / pump combo with the fittings of your choice, add a radiator, tubing and a water block and you are all done. This setup simplifies your installation and your tubing by quite a bit. With the right case, or the use of a radbox for mounting the radiator outside the case you may not have to do any drilling or cutting to install your setup.

I know, Koolance isn't exactly popular on the forum here but frankly their products perform well and are easy as hell to work with. Yes you can get the same cooling for less money, (I do realize that) but the simplicity of the parts I described, or even an Exos 2 / 2.5 or whatever makes for a very easy way to get your feet "wet" with watercooling. You unpack the Exos, attach fittings, tubing and a waterblock. Then fill it up and let the air bleed out of the system and you are all done. What could be easier?

Originally Posted by Dan_D

As an owner of two of those kits I'd say skip them. The plastic fittings on the reservoir and radiator blow goats. They are prone to leaking when flexed in any direction even in the slightest. This can happen under the weight of the tubing alone. The water block is pretty good as is the radiator, so it's not like the whole kit sucks but you can get the good parts from the kit separately. Things like those plastic fittings have to go. That pump is actually a really good one but frankly it's a big bastard and it you'll need to drill holes to mount it. Not hard but you have to find suitable space for it in your case. Another complaint I have is with that reservoir. I've got a couple of them and I don't like them at all. Their mounting solution sucks. Their size and mounting hardware really makes their placement a bit tricky and again the plastic fittings suck. If you do decide to use that kit you have to make sure that your tubing doesn't torque the fittings in any direction at all.

Putting together a water cooling kit isn't as hard as it sounds and I think you'd get better results in the long run going that route. Another option which I rarely ever see get mentioned is with something like the Koolance Exos or some of their other products designed for internal installation. If money isn't the concern and you want something more noob friendly, you've got some options but as I said the price goes up. Koolance has some pump / reservoir combinations that would make for a very nice clean installation. Just mount the reservoir / pump combo with the fittings of your choice, add a radiator, tubing and a water block and you are all done. This setup simplifies your installation and your tubing by quite a bit. With the right case, or the use of a radbox for mounting the radiator outside the case you may not have to do any drilling or cutting to install your setup.

I know, Koolance isn't exactly popular on the forum here but frankly their products perform well and are easy as hell to work with. Yes you can get the same cooling for less money, (I do realize that) but the simplicity of the parts I described, or even an Exos 2 / 2.5 or whatever makes for a very easy way to get your feet "wet" with watercooling. You unpack the Exos, attach fittings, tubing and a waterblock. Then fill it up and let the air bleed out of the system and you are all done. What could be easier?

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/88...-750BK-V2.html
Thanks Dan, is this the kit?

I have an antec nine hundred two. What fittings for an i7 1366?? Or just pick me out the easiest way to go. It can be external or internal. make it simple. lol cpu for now maybe gpu later.

http://www.koolance.com/default.php

My thread might be worth checking out...Im a noob trying to figure this all out too. We even have the same case lol.

http://hardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1452376

Originally Posted by race301

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/88...-750BK-V2.html
Thanks Dan, is this the kit?

I have an antec nine hundred two. What fittings for an i7 1366?? Or just pick me out the easiest way to go. It can be external or internal. make it simple. lol cpu for now maybe gpu later.

http://www.koolance.com/default.php

That's not really a kit. That's just the Exos 2 and it's installation hardware. You still need fittings, a water block, coolant and tubing. The fittings are up to you. The size of the fittings are dependent on what size tubing you decide to use. I like 1 1/2" (13mm), ID 3/4" (19mm) OD. (ID=Internal diameter, OD=outer diameter) tubing. You'll need a water block for it too. The CPU 345 from Koolance is a great block. So I'd just order them from the same place. If you want to handle GPUs, and north bridges as well you should probably go with the Exos 2.5 which is a triple radiator unit.

It's expensive to be sure, but very easy to setup and to use. It provides you with a no drill installation option, though you'll need to go with smaller tubing (for the I/O slot cover it uses) than I chose unless you have tubing holes in your case already. (Many newer cases already do so you might have them already.) If you change out your hardware a lot like I do this is actually a very attractive option. Add yourself some quick disconnects in your tubing to make separation of the Exos 2 from the computer easier. This enables you to change out blocks or add blocks much more easily. It can be used with other cases easily and moved between systems. Again all in all it's about the easiest way to water cool your system. You can of course add quick disconnects to any water cooling setup but the radiator and other hardware is tied to the case without taking everything apart. The Exos makes moving to a new case really easy.

Originally Posted by King Icewind

My thread might be worth checking out...Im a noob trying to figure this all out too. We even have the same case lol.

http://hardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1452376

How is yours doing? looks nice. I do like the Koolance that Dan D told me to look at.

Originally Posted by Dan_D

That's not really a kit. That's just the Exos 2 and it's installation hardware. You still need fittings, a water block, coolant and tubing. The fittings are up to you. The size of the fittings are dependent on what size tubing you decide to use. I like 1 1/2" (13mm), ID 3/4" (19mm) OD. (ID=Internal diameter, OD=outer diameter) tubing. You'll need a water block for it too. The CPU 345 from Koolance is a great block. So I'd just order them from the same place. If you want to handle GPUs, and north bridges as well you should probably go with the Exos 2.5 which is a triple radiator unit.

It's expensive to be sure, but very easy to setup and to use. It provides you with a no drill installation option, though you'll need to go with smaller tubing (for the I/O slot cover it uses) than I chose unless you have tubing holes in your case already. (Many newer cases already do so you might have them already.) If you change out your hardware a lot like I do this is actually a very attractive option. Add yourself some quick disconnects in your tubing to make separation of the Exos 2 from the computer easier. This enables you to change out blocks or add blocks much more easily. It can be used with other cases easily and moved between systems. Again all in all it's about the easiest way to water cool your system. You can of course add quick disconnects to any water cooling setup but the radiator and other hardware is tied to the case without taking everything apart. The Exos makes moving to a new case really easy.

There are holes in my case's so I will not need the I/O slot cover holes, but this will be external? so use quick disconects so I can go to another case? or also can just use with a tech station? Also what fittings for the CPU 345? How is it powered? Thanks Dave.

Originally Posted by race301

There are holes in the case, but this will be external? and use quick disconects so I can go to another case? or also just use with a tech station? Thanks Dave.

Yeah this is an external unit. If you use quick disconnects on your lines that come out of the Exos, you can easily move it to other machines, other cases, or use it on a tech station.

Originally Posted by Dan_D

Yeah this is an external unit. If you use quick disconnects on your lines that come out of the Exos, you can easily move it to other machines, other cases, or use it on a tech station.

Also what fittings for the CPU 345? I just saw on the Koolance fourms that the 345 is discontined? Does it need a 1366 adaptor? There are some to buy on line. How is unit powered?

Originally Posted by race301

Also what fittings for the CPU 345? How is it powered?

The Exos 2 / 2.5 is powered by a cable that runs to a I/O bracket that installs in one of your cases expansion slots. Internally it uses a 12v 4 pin molex connector for power. The 345 can use any fittings you like. Once you've chosen your tubing size you buy two sets of fittings. One for the Exos and one of the water block. I'm using the CPU-350 Acetal water block myself. I am using the same 1/2" 13mm ID / 3/4" 19mm OD fittings that I used on the back of the Exos 2.5 because 1/2" (13mm) ID x 3/4" (19mm) OD tubing is what I've chosen to to use.

Originally Posted by Dan_D

The Exos 2 / 2.5 is powered by a cable that runs to a I/O bracket that installs in one of your cases expansion slots. Internally it uses a 12v 4 pin molex connector for power. The 345 can use any fittings you like. Once you've chosen your tubing size you buy two sets of fittings. One for the Exos and one of the water block. I'm using the CPU-350 Acetal water block myself. I am using the same 1/2" 13mm ID / 3/4" 19mm OD fittings that I used on the back of the Exos 2.5 because 1/2" (13mm) ID x 3/4" (19mm) OD tubing is what I've chosen to to use.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/54...ml?id=uMutKqia

Are these it? I think i should get the 350 also

Originally Posted by lollerskater69

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1451956

Now that you seem to be picking some of your own parts, I'll refer you back to this previously suggested thread.

It's an excellent thread even if you're NOT new to WC'ing.

Instead of the CPX-pro pump, two equally viable options are the Laing D5 (aka swiftech mcp655) and the Laing DDC 3.2 (aka swiftech mcp355), however these 2 pumps perform best with an aftermarket pump-top. Sticking with the CPX-pro will keep things inexpensive, simple, and quiet.

I would suggest piecing together your own kit. It's not much more difficult to assemble, and the performance per dollar should be greater.

Originally Posted by Archmage

Now that you seem to be picking some of your own parts, I'll refer you back to this previously suggested thread.

It's an excellent thread even if you're NOT new to WC'ing.

Instead of the CPX-pro pump, two equally viable options are the Laing D5 (aka swiftech mcp655) and the Laing DDC 3.2 (aka swiftech mcp355), however these 2 pumps perform best with an aftermarket pump-top. Sticking with the CPX-pro will keep things inexpensive, simple, and quiet.

I would suggest piecing together your own kit. It's not much more difficult to assemble, and the performance per dollar should be greater.

You do not like the Koolance? Its seems nice & simple?