thermaltake armor lcs

[xinsomniacboix]

hey, im looking for a relatively cheap and easy way to drastically cool my computer down. i also want something that I'll probably stick with for future builds as well. is the thermaltake armor lcs a good option? does the water cooling really help that much? my other option is to go with something like the antec 1200, which i've heard has really good air cooling, and then use the remaining like hundred or so to get myself a second 8800gt, if i went with the thermaltake i would eventually save up enough money to water cool my current 8800gt and get a new one too

 

[faster3200]

Thermaltake WCing is the worst available. Water cooling is great, I am running a high end WCing system and it easily overpowers any air cooling setup I have seen. 37C load temps for 9800GTX OCed to 850/1250 while running a Q6600 @3.7ghz (mobo limited from further improvements) with 55C load temps is awesome. That said, don't expect to get a cheap WCing system and have it perform much better than high end air.

Expect to pay over $250 for a good cpu only loop.

 

[Granite3]

Probably the best out there prebuilt is the Swiftech Quietpower, using an Antec P-180 case.

I copied it, P-180 case, mpc-350 pump, Apogee Gt cpu block, and a swifty 120 radiator and micro resevoir to build one myself for around $330.

I added a second internal 120 swifty radiator when I watercooled my 8800 GTX, and then a third 120 rad for the second 8800 GTX.

Q9450@ 3.4 is 38c idle, 48c load, the 8800 GTX's were 48ish idle, 60ish c load, and my GTX 260's are 2c less.

2 rads internal, one on the rear 120 fan, one on the front center 120 fan, and the 3rd external on top over the top 120 fan. Pump is in the bottom, between the psu and the HD cage.

Minimual heat is output to the room, way down from an aircooled centurian case with an e6600 and 8800 GTX.

Quiet as well.