Water Cooling Help

[nynnja]

I am thinking of getting water cooling for my PC.

Specs:

Intel i5-2500k
HIS 6970 2GB
8GB G.Skill RAM
P67A-C43 (B3) MSI Mobo
800W PSU

I am hoping to just watercool my CPU and GPU if possible.

My case is an NZXT Phantom

Budget: If I can keep it under ~200, that'd be nice.

 

[delluser1]

First thing to do is start reading the sticky at the top of the forum, then come back with some more specific questions.

 

[cromedome]

If you want to keep it simple and inside the case, a kit like the XSPC Rasa 750 RS240 would suffice for just the CPU. It is $130 at FrozenCPU. If you want to add the gpu to the loop, an XSPC Rasa 750 RX240 PLUS a 6970 waterblock would be the minimum. But, that would run you way over $200. If you want to overclock both the GPU or CPU I would recommend more rad space, 3x120 atleast. However, I am not sure how long the pump will last or how well the pump will perform with 2x water blocks.

linkage:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11743/ex-wat-159/XSPC_Rasa_750_RS240_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_-HOT.html?tl=g30c321

http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Rasa-750-RX240-CPU-watercooling-kit-pr-4779.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12385/ex-blc-861/EK_Radeon_HD_6970_VGA_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Nickel_EK-FC6970-Nickel.html

 

[rubix_1011]

You can run the RS360 kit with a GPU as long as you run some higher flow fans on the rad...or run push/pull would allow you to be fine...lots of folks do it. I wouldn't suggest any overclocking on the CPU or GPU in this instance, but you might be able to pull off a mild OC.

RX360 would definitely put you closer to where you'd want to be, if you have the cash.

 

[cromedome]

Yea, the RX360 would be the ideal rad for this setup. However, the RX360 kit plus a 6970 block will cost you about $300. I would recommend starting with a cpu only loop and then later add another rad and gpu block.

 

[rubix_1011]

I'd agree, but you could get by on the RS360 with the right setup and no overclocking.

 

[wolfram23]

heh for $200... If only!

There's a few kits available, Rasa makes the cheapest ones. I just got the Swiftech 220 edge not too long ago and it's great, but a little pricier. Of course the GPU block is extra, you'd probably be looking at $450 or so for a Swiftech 320 and GPU block.

 

[Cory23]

EK also makes a great water cooling kit but it is a little up there in the price. It all depends on what you want to spend. But for a beginners water cooling kit the XSPC Rasa 750 Rx360 is still a good choice

 

[rubix_1011]

Rasa kit + GPU block. Still the cheapest route for first time users, unless you can find used gear for sale.

 

[boiler1990]

Yea, the RX360 would be the ideal rad for this setup. However, the RX360 kit plus a 6970 block will cost you about $300. I would recommend starting with a cpu only loop and then later add another rad and gpu block.

That's still a ton cheaper than buying all of those parts individually. Heck, it's hard to get a pump/res combo like the X2O 750 for under $100.

 

[Cory23]

For your price range the best possible solution you can do is the XSPC Rasa Rx 360 kit but then buy a gpu block and that would get things done for your price range

 

[orangejuice789]

You could also go with a universal GPU block like the MCW82 and buy some BGA heatsinks along with the RX360 kit. That would save you some money, and you could upgrade graphics cards without having to get a new GPU block.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcungpuwa1.html

http://www.petrastechshop.com/xsra750rxwak.html

 

[rubix_1011]

^This is how I roll. (only I am running dual MCW60's)