Zalman RESERATOR XT

[PsYkHoTiK]

Good decision to embark on Watercooling.

It is a lot of fun and rewarding. Though it does come at a very high price too.

For multiple block loops, you need to make sure the loop has low restriction. Currently the Dtek FuZion CPU block has the lowest restriction. Since you are probably having it shipped to you from elsewhere, you could consider it.

If you want to cool the memory with water, I would consider a Full Face block (perhaps be DangerDen or EK). If not, just slap on some chipsinks.

Thats what I did with my 8800GTS. MCW60 with chipsinks.
http://taib.rojakpot.com/8800wb.jpg

The CM Stacker 830 not too sure how people do it in that case. The old stacker was great for watercooling.

I have all of mine in a Silverstone TJ-07.
http://taib.rojakpot.com/case1.jpg

I have my setup designed for high flow.

[Chai]

MCR220 is good enough for most applications.

[PsYkHoTiK]

For less than 10 bucks more, I'd still go MCR320QP.

[jomuj]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. This will be the first time I have dabbled with watercooling, so I'll take any help I can get .

So, from what you guys are saying, maybe it would be better to buy the components sepperately instead of in a kit? And if thats the case, what parts do I need to buy? I would hate to realise that I'd forgot a few bits and can't put it together.

So far:
Radiator
Reservoir
Pump
Waterblocks

Also where to put it might be an issue. I see Swiftech offer the "Radbox" that appears to let you mount it from a rear 120mm fan port, but I'm not so sure if the larger MCR320QP would fit. And wouldn't it end up blocking all the PCI slots, making it difficult to plug things in?

PsYkHoTiK I see you have your's in the bottom of your case? You can take a look at the stacker here

I've noticed that it has a fan rack on the inside of the case door, is it possible the smaller radiator might be attached there? Or perhaps the radiator could be laid along the bottom of the case? Then again, i'm guessing that when it's outside the case it more effectively removes heat from the case. So, to get better flow, larger tubing should be used with a more powerful pump?

[PsYkHoTiK]

It would help your ambient temperatures (for the case) if you had it outside (or had it blowing outwards - like mine).

The pump that Max_87 recommended to you is a pretty powerful one.

Flow is dependant on the pump and the components. A high restriction block will impeed the overall flow of your loop (bottleneck). Too much tubing could potentially have the same effect (as well as multiple block/rads).

The MCR320QP will work with the radbox. If I'm not wrong, thats how Chai has his system set up. I too have the radbox. Used it previously on my older system but no longer using it now.

My old PC with it being used:
http://taib.rojakpot.com/wcing.jpg

You can only use 1/2" OD tubing with it though (so it can squeeze through the PCI slot). Larger tubing (like what I use) will not fit through the PCI slots.

To be honest, a rad box would be the ideal way. The CM Stacker 830 is 'too small' to fit stuff inside. Pity.

The Swiftech MicroRes is a good choice (Max, Chai, and myself are using it).

For my case, I removed the HDD cages at the bottom and mounted it using 3 5.25" bays (bought a bay converter from SilverStone).

[jomuj]

So bigger tubing is better then? In that case i could always drill some larger holes into the case to let them through.

The CM Stacker 830 is 'too small' to fit stuff inside. Pity.

I can't imagine a case much bigger than the stacker. lol.

I think the easiest thing to do would be to have a look once I actually have the case and components, I'm sure i will be able to make it fit somehow.

Does the radiator have to be upright, or can in be turned on it's side/laid flat?

[PsYkHoTiK]

I have my radiator on its sides (blowing air out thru the sidepanel). The layout on the TJ-07 is more conducive to watercooling. It is more 'open' whereas the CM Stacker 830 has more unusable space. The older stacker was great for watercooling. People would lay the rad flat at the bottom as there was more open space. The CM Stacker 830 is big (no disputes). It's just that there is more wasted space (space you can't use). For example, look at the part that is on the same level as the PSU. Plus it has 'feet' and a thick top. So overall, internal space is less.

I short listed the CM Stacker 830 initially but after seeing it in person, I knew the layout wouldn't work out for what I wanted. Other then that its a great case.

[jomuj]

The stacker 810 you mean? Yeah it looks quite a bit bigger, plus there is a 120mm fan slot right at the top, which means it would be possible to hang that large 3 fan raditor out the back. It's not as pretty though,

I wanted to get my case airbrushed to look like one of their new CSX cases http://csxstore.coolermaster-usa.com...?products_id=2

The thing is, is a radiator that large really necessary? I want to overclock, but will that slightly larger radiator make much of a difference to temperatures?

[PsYkHoTiK]

If you are going to cool the CPU and GPU and all that other stuff then yes. What are you going to use to cool it? Plus like I said its ~8-9 bucks more between the 220 and 320. Your choice really. It depends on heat load. Also you might have a higher ambient temperature there. So factor that in as well (temperature delta).

[jomuj]

What are you going to use to cool it?

The case or the radiator? Most likely I will only need to cool the CPU + GPU, the rest should be ok as it is I would say. It's not so much the price i'm worried about, it's the size and getting it to fit.