So I've been thinking about getting a custom water cooling loop for a while now, and I've narrowed the parts down to two possible configurations, and I was hoping you guys could give me some input on price vs performance.
Loop #1:
XSPC Rasa RX360 kit
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30281
XSPC Raystorm CPU Block
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32331:3617bfae9efb036402c821c7bfd9ce72
Monsoon Free Center Compression Fittings
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=33211
Feser tubing
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25911
Total cost: $310
Loop #2
XSPC Raystorm CPU Block
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32331:3617bfae9efb036402c821c7bfd9ce72
FrozenQ double helix dual bay reservoir with Swiftech MCP655 Pump installed
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14199/ex-res-308/FrozenQ_Liquid_Fusion_Dual_Bay_Reservoir_w_Swiftech_MCP655_Series_Pump_Installed.html?tl=g30c97s168
Black Ice GTX 360 Radiator
http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-Ice-GTX-360-Radiator-pr-3613.html
Monsoon Free Center Compression Fittings
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=33211
Feser tubing
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25911
Total cost: $460
I'm pretty sure the second loop would perform better, but I'm not sure it would perform well enough to actually justify the price. Would I see a huge difference in temperatures with the second loop or would they both be pretty similar? Would the second loop even be worth the extra cash?
Also, what fans would you guys use with these? I was thinking some Corsair sp120 performance fans, some Cooler Master Blade Masters, or maybe even some Ultra Kazes...
Yeah, I'm thinking about going for the more expensive one, but I'm going to have to save some money first.
Yeah, I'm trying to decide on what fans to use right now too. I'm going to get a fan controller either way though, so maybe I should just go with three ultra kazes.
Are those Ultra Kazes are the ones that spins at about 3000rpm?
grab cosair SP120 performance fans, I've been dieing to try them out
oh and ask AkimBr0, he's all up in water cooling
Ah ok, just be sure to control their speed with something as I couldn't imagine their dB would be terrifying at full throttle. Plus, all the dust would hog up around their area so better find some sort of dust filtration item. Alas, they will do the job very well. Price is decent as well.
Yeah, I've been thinking about the SP120's, Ultra Kazes, and Cooler Master Blade Masters. I've also heard that Aerocool makes some nice radiator fans, so I'm not 100% sure one what to get at this point.
Yeah, I'll definitely be using a fan controller, especially if I get the ultra kazes.
So I think I'm going to go with the Ultra Kazes, a fan controller, and this 360mm fan grill: http://www.mnpctech.com/Honeycomb_Radiator_Grills.html
Ugh...now I'm starting to wonder if this setup might be too loud even with the fan controller. What do you guys think?
Is there anything comparable that might be quieter and cool just as well? Any radiators and fans you guys could suggest?
I would go with the thickest rad possable like the XSPC RX360 at 63mm and the Corsair SP120 quite edition, even at max RPM they are not loud (got some in my system on 12v and can not hear them). The Raystorm performs well but if you don't mind throwing a few more dead Presidents in get the Koolance CPU-370 it out performs the XSPC block. As far as the pump and res you can get a DDC pump and single bay res and be good for the CPU and dual bay res for CPU and 1 Video Card and be good, the size of the rez does not really matter but the D5 is good for 3 or more blocks anything less is over kill. The 360 will be massive overkill for the CPU would be good for a CPU and a single Video Card full cover block any more blocks and you will need more rads. I know it is a lot of info but if you are just planning on the CPU my recomendations are;
Koolance CPU-370 CPU Block
XSPC RX240 for just a CPU loop
XSPC X20DC 200
and The Corsair SP120 Quite edition
I'm actually revising my loop a little, because I found someone who can make me custom blocks for my video cards. I'm also checking Danger Den to see if they can do it too, because I'd rather get blocks from them than some random guy on Overclock.net's forums.
But yeah, I did some research, and I'm going to go with Loop #2, except I'm going with a different radiator. I'm going to get the Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper Radiator. Here's a link:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14857/ex-rad-333/Alphacool_NexXxoS_UT60_Full_Copper_Triple_120mm_Radiator.html
I'll also be getting a 120mm radiator and a 240mm radiator. I imagine I'll just get the 240mm version of the Alphacool, and I'll have to see what will fit at the back of my case after the 360mm radiator is installed. I'll probably end up getting a Black Ice Stealth 120mm radiator.
Btw, I'm going to have to make some case mods in order to fit that 240mm radiator inside my case. I'm probably going to shorten the hard drive cage and cut some holes in the bottom of my case in order to accommodate it.
I've also decided to go with the Corsair SP120 Performance Edition fans with a fan controller. I'm going with those fans because they have really nice static pressure, and Overclock3d.net did a review on the quiet editions. Supposedly they're quieter than the Noctua NF-F12's and they perform better than the Scythe Gentle Typhoons. The performance editions are literally the same fan; they just run at a higher RPM. That's why I'm getting the fan controller. I figured I can bump the RPM's a little higher than the quiet editions and still run them really quiet with great performance. They should perform better than the Noctua NF-F12's which are supposed to be the best quiet radiator fan at the present time.