Switching to Watercooling, first time, gtx480 involved.

[Boyiee]

So right now my case runs decently cool, I've never broke 50c on my overclocked cpu running big air (tuniqtower) however I hate how fucking huge it is and have been wanting to try a H50 or H70 for a while. Basically the idea has been to open up some space in my antec900 (may bump up to a 1200 later this year) and all. I like the temps I get, I know that the temps between my bigair and little water may be marginal at best, but with how easy the setup is for these specific cooling units it looks like it'll be a good start.

Here's where it gets interesting. I've always been on air, never touched water before, hence why I think the h50(or 70) wouldn't be a bad start. However, getting into thinking about it... why stop at cpu? It's a start yes, but since I'm running a GTX480 at 850/1700/2100 sometimes, seeing high temps (80-90c) and the fans running throughout my cast is getting old. The 480 isn't too loud for me, but it is noticeable when I put my computer to sleep that it isn't quiet.

So since I've been looking at alternative cooling, obviously doing so to my gpu seems within reason... if not the most important thing to touch if anything at all. I know it's not cheap to do but it seems like the best bang. Since I've never watercooled before, I have no clue what I need. I know I need the block, which I've found several of: http://www.bestgraphicscard.net/cool...top-solutions/ Been mainly looking at koolance and danger den, as well as the coolit omni alc. I would also need tubing, a pump, a radiator etc for some of these... this is what I really have no clue/past knowledge about and the first timer thing gets rough.

Seeing as I've never set it up before etc, where is a good place to start. I've already looked into taking the 480 apart, it is not hard to do fortunately. Got a lot of videos on it. Do I buy some kind of complete set with everything I need, and just grab the 480blocks? Do I get everything separately, etc. Any tips, besides it's going to be frustrating for a first timer and some work? Obviously there are risks involved, but it's a learning process that could benefit me in the future. obviously if I go this route my next major upgrade would probably be a 2nd 480... however when the time comes to replace those (years) the blocks will be wasted, but the rest of the parts should be recycled.

tl;dr

What do I need to watercool my GPU besides the block for it. Where do I go and what do I buy, how many parts do I need, where the fuck is the radiator going to go lol. This is the start (along with cpu) of going to almost a complete water setup, when I've never done anything but air before. Gotta start somewhere.

[Balthasar]

Someone should really make a white paper all about water cooling (For me to read too. I don't have experience water cooling either.) But especially for the GPU water cooling part.

[Boyiee]

I know the cpu cooling is easy if I grab something like the H50. It even comes with what I need. The problem with the gpu is the disassembly and risks involved, as well as the reassembly. Obviously google searching is going to give you most of what you need, your white paper, tomshardware comes to mind. But for starters, first hand experience and knowledge from here is important especially when I'm dealing with risking a 500$ gpu.

I know what I need to know about the gpu water block. I know how to take it apart, put it on, I know water runs through it. What I don't know, is what else I need to set it up, attach it to, etc. Pump rad tubing reservoir... water lol. With the block out of the way, not sure where to start or the best way to go about it. Do I buy all this overpriced shit from koolance etc, how do I setup and manage both cpu+gpu on water, how many components will I need etc. Do I get an H50, then assemble a separate setup for my gpu? Or do I toss the h50 idea out the window and cool everything at once. I am upgrading my cpu soon, which is why the h50 would be great case it'll be compatible, but if I have a loop including both cpu+gpu, then I'd be better off waiting till I upgrade the cpu.

edited this post cause it's mostly pointless. First post works.

[Knyghtmayre]

I'd make damn sure that you are 100% happy with every one of your components atm before you dive into full water loops.

[Boyiee]

Well I'm happy with the main component, the gpu. The cpu I will be upgrading at some point. I only plan on putting water on gpu and cpu... in that order of priority.

I do not plan on doing this, lol:

Spoiler: show

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2905/img1332h.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9139/img1352r.jpg
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8826/img1346h.jpg

[Darus Grey]

The cooling blocks are the biggest expenditure when it comes to water-cooling. They're all/mostly proprietary, so if you change parts you gotta change blocks, and at $50-$150 it can add up, and they have practically no re-sale value(cause by the time you're replacing it, no one wants a cooling block for a 3000 series ati).

The pump/rad/hosing is cheap, you can even assemble that whole part out of store-bought shit if you want, don't spend a lot on some fancy shit, it's a very simple mechanism.

[Boyiee]

The good thing is that I'm using a 480, and any upgrade to my gpu will be a 2nd 480. So I'll get a long life out of those blocks. The cpu, not so much, especially if I loop it in off the bat with the gpu. Then the block for the cpu will get wasted, although there is some that are multi-socket compatible. This is where the H50 looked interesting... but If I'm going to spend 100+ on a gpu block, and another 200 on getting the gpu on water, it would seem stupid to use an h50 and not loop in the cpu for another 50-70$, especially since it'll be big water instead of little water.

My friend recommended Koolance to me, showed me an external all-in-one pump/rad/res. I would literally just need block+tubes. Problem is it costs around 260$. It looks like if I buy separate parts I can save a lot of money, cheap like you said. I can upgrade to 3x120 rad, with low db fans, and even setup push+pull if I wanted for less money than the all in one. Tube+rad+fans are no problem, the part I get worried about is pump and reservoir. The res's I found just look so bulky and cheap, even if they aren't, and having to do this myself worries me somewhat.

Was using this part guide for the most part since it's up to date: http://www.overclock.net/water-cooli...-beginner.html

Edit, as far as which block to use for 480. Like mentioned I was debating a few but found a german site that tested a bunch. The danger den, while a few bucks more, looks like a good option. http://www.overclock.net/water-cooli...80-blocks.html

[Darus Grey]

For what it's worth, res/pump/rad is like a monitor, I bought a pre-made back in like 1998 that is still as good today as it was then, it'll last multiple systems.

So if you're just straight up uncomfortable building your own, it's something that will last a long time at least, but they're still insanely expensive for what they are.

[Boyiee]

Well that's good to know at least, but yeah, it's a lot of money.

Priced out separately it looks like...

rad= 60-70$
pump= 50-70$
tubes lol
fans= 15$+ depending on how quiet I would want, and I'd want REALLY quiet
res= 30-60$
+fittings etc which I wouldn't know, would think most things would come with the right things but yeah.

So the all-in-one would be 260$, for a 2x120 setup at that, but high wattage, whereas diy would be 200-240$ with 3x120 setup... being generous and not getting cheap shit. Not much of a difference at high end.

note: all-in-one is external, that's a plus. It's an expensive venture but if it lasts a long time, then it could be worth it. Either way it's done, diy or the package its going to be 350-400. I'm not trying to build it on the cheap, but I'm not trying to go overboard. I just want efficiency in cooling and noise reduction.

[Knyghtmayre]

This might help a little:

http://www.overclock.net/water-cooli...-database.html

[Darus Grey]

When I said store-bought I meant literally going to a hardware store and buying a radiator/waterpump. Buying the branded stuff from DD, Koolance, etc isn't significantly cheaper, but does offer a lot more customization.

[DAKPluto]

Do not skimp on your tubing and clamps. I've seen people by the best damn blocks and radiators, and use cheap ass tubing and clamps. And before they know it, some tube falls apart or clamp breaks off, and your computer finds out if it can swim or not. BTW, I've never found one that can yet....

[Boyiee]

This might help a little:

http://www.overclock.net/water-cooli...-database.html

I'm already set on the blocks, but ty.

@Darus a friend did mention to me using parts from homedeppot and such to make a budget build. But like I said I'm not trying to make something cheap or expensive, I was looking for something that'll work and last.

I still dislike the reservoirs I've found, and am still uncomfortable in the pump/res area because of it. More looking around I guess.

[Boyiee]

Well as mentioned I picked out some overpriced namebrand parts to see what I could get away with.

215ish with just fans/rad/pump/res, still would need tubing and I'm sure fittings though I'm not sure...

My main basis behind wanting to switch to water, besides alleviate noise, was to cool my gtx480. If anyone has any opinions on efficient ways to do this, I'd love to hear it. Water is pricey since I would need a lot of components, but it would be better in the long run... And as mentioned, if I ever need to upgrade my gpu, I can just get a already blocked 480 and add it to the circuit and not need to go through the disassembly/reassembly that comes with aftermarket air.

This is what I picked out for the most part:
Res: http://www.dangerden.com/store/dange...voir.html#tabs
Pump: http://www.dangerden.com/store/dd-cp...pump.html#tabs
Rad: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/42...?tl=g30c95s161
Fans- Probably 3 Scythe gentle typhoons
Tubing: http://www.jab-tech.com/PrimoFlex-Pr...D-pr-4425.html

+gpu block

Now, I don't know if or how many fittings I'll need. I found some nice compression fittings, found some nonconductive water... The idea is to cool my GPU first, what else will I need to do so, and other than the obviously overpriced reservoir (that looks awesome and has good reviews), where can I make changes that will still cool this beast, keep quiet, and remain effective in the long run?

[levish]

I'd go with vga sinks / mcw-80's for the gpu(s), a XSPC RX240 for a rad and a mcp 655which would be enough should you decide to throw the cpu into the same loop, but i'd go with a XSPC RX360 rad then.

and make sure you have nice airflow over the vga unisinks to keep the vrm temps under control.

[CoronA1979]

If I could offer you a suggestion in terms of your fittings - Use compression. They do indeed cost a little bit more but then you aren't stuck using clamps and shit. Not to mention it looks ALOT better. Those black fittings in that picture you posted are good stuff, Bitspower is top of the line as far as I am concerned.

What kind of budget are you looking at? I could maybe put something together component wise if I knew a #. To do this and do it well, you're looking around 5-$600 IMO. Could it be done for much cheaper? Yes, yes it could. I'm not sure why anyone would want to go cheap when putting water in there PC, though.

As for the liquid you use, just use distilled water ($0.83 a gallon @ WalMart) with PHT Nuke from Petra's Tech or get a Silver Coil to put in the loop.

Also, don't forget water will require more maintenance than air - It's not horrendous but there will be times when you have to break it all down and clean everything out, regardless. From everything I have read that's somewhere in the are of every 6-12 months. I'm new to this to, so..

[CoronA1979]

Also, have a read:

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=410769

There is alot of good information on EVGA's forums - I'd recommend that community to anyone any day of the week.

[Boyiee]

The mcw80's are cool but I would like to see some comparisons between other blocks, which is why I am almost settled on the dd block. Thanks for the rad link, I'll probably pick that up. The 240 is probably enough for me, since my main concern is gpu, I can always toss a h50/70 on the cpu and not have to worry about too intricate of loops.

Since it's my first time I'd rather it be as simple as possible, especially since I'll be changing out my cpu/mobo this year so looping that in is probably a bad idea if I did it anytime soon.

Still not sure how much I want to spend. I have no idea how to setup the pump and all yet, or how I'm going to mount shit.

@corona, if I'm starting with GPU only based loop, with the block included, I priced it out at around 350-400. As mentioned, I'm not looking for a budget water build, but since It's my first time I don't want to overdo it and fuck it all up. I was going to use compression fittings, guess I didn't link them.

[CoronA1979]

The mcw80's are cool but I would like to see some comparisons between other blocks, which is why I am almost settled on the dd block. Thanks for the rad link, I'll probably pick that up. The 240 is probably enough for me, since my main concern is gpu, I can always toss a h50/70 on the cpu and not have to worry about too intricate of loops.

Since it's my first time I'd rather it be as simple as possible, especially since I'll be changing out my cpu/mobo this year so looping that in is probably a bad idea if I did it anytime soon.

Still not sure how much I want to spend. I have no idea how to setup the pump and all yet, or how I'm going to mount shit.

How big is your case? I just finished my build and I used a XPSC Dual 5 1/4" Res/Pump combo - It's nice but it does take two 5 1/4" bays and will require you to either leave the one above it open or be willing to pull whatever is above it out to fill it/top it off, etc..

http://theafterlifels.com/album/rona/loadwindows2.jpg

The pump is to the right and it's a MCP655 or w/e - Here's the part

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=27998

[Boyiee]

I have an antec900, only 2 free bays.