DIY Watercooling

[Chiguy]

Out of curiosity, what would be involved in building my own water cooling setup? I don't plan on making my own water blocks.

Thanks

[Telexen]

This might be long, and I'm talking on the phone while I type so I'm sorry if I stop short or go off rambling.

Pump. It's recommended you use a pump that pushes at least 300liters per hour...that's not a whole lot of water - I recommend more. I have a Via Aqua 1300...but a lot of people swear by Eheim pumps.

Waterblock - you don't have to make it yourself, there are a lot of options to buy one. Some good ones include the Dangerden Maze4, Dtek TC4, Dtek White Water, and the Cascade being the best block you can buy (but it's ! $100 USD)

Radiator - Most of us use heater cores designed for cars, the most comming being the '86 Chevy Chevette heater core. I have one from a couple older Ford trucks and cards.

Those are only the basic things you need to get by with water cooling.

Here are a few links you can look at to get some more info and look for stuff to by.

http://www.dangerden.com
http://www.dtek-customs.com
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/forumd...php?forumid=71
http://www.cooltechnica.com
http://www.criticool.com
http://www.overclockers.com/topiclis...ATER%20COOLING <-- edited this link to what it should have been.

[Chiguy]

Thanks!

I've head alot about Ehiem pumps but they look pretty expensive.

[Telexen]

They are ... most people use an Eheim 1250...those are close to $70 and up.

I got my Via Aqua 1300 for $12 It pushes more water and puts off the same amount of heat...Eheim users pay for the reputation.
I had to epoxy every piece on though in fear of it leaking.

[joker_927]

I got the PondMaster 500GPH pump from Petsmart for $60. The 350 GPH is even cheaper. I got the 500 because they didn't have the 350.

I just build my whole custom water cooler from the ground up a few weeks ago. Here is a quick overview of prices.

Pump- Decide what you want but don't sell yourself short. It's your PSU of your water-cooler
$15-$70

Water Block- DangerDen is 100% the best for your money. Whether you want to cool just your CPU, or maybe your Video card, and your NorthBridge.
$45 per block.

Radiator - Depends on how techy you are.I build my own out of a '89 Chevetter Heater Core. Seen here You can buy one online for much more.
$26-60

Fans - You need fans to put on the radiator. The Aluminum EverCool ones that I got are used ALL over. They are really quite and push good air.
$8-$20 a piece

Reservior - You can use an T-fill system, but I (and a lot of others) prefr a reservior fill system. You can get ripped off by buying a $80 off the web. Build your own like I did out of PVC for $3 at Ace Hardware. Work the same.
$3-$80

Tubing- After MANY night of research I have found theb est to be 1/2 Inner Diameter (ID) and 3/4 Outer Diameter (OD). 1/2 x 5/8 kinks too much, some 3/8 x 1/2 but it slows water flow.
Any Price. Pick it up @ Ace Hardware or equivelent for cents a foot
~$15

Hose clamps- MUST HAVE! Use them on every connection.
.25 a piece

Some form of sealant - Awarium sealant, RV sealent. All works the same
$3

Misc. Parts - Like screws and such. This adds up if you build your own things like the reservior (glur) and radiator (screws and such). Still much cheaper than buying a built one.
$15

Hope I helped. Ask me anything. It's all fresh in my mind.

PS. Here are all the pics of my water-box I built. I spend $20 on the tool box, $8 for the chrome door molding, and $2 for the fan grills.

[Chiguy]

Thanks

It looks like I might have to get a radiator. I don't really have access to a car raidator.

[Telexen]

You can pick one up at really any autoparts store. My heater core cost me $19.

[Chiguy]

Oh, why didn't I think of that?

I have a Murray's like 5 mins away from my house.

[Chiguy]

How do heater cores compare with those radiators you can buy?

[Telexen]

a LOT better than say something with round tubes that make passes...companies that used to make those have switched to modifying heater cores and selling those.

The only difference between a heater core you buy at an autoparts store and one bought from say Dtek Customs or Dangerden are the barbs come installed...with heater cores you'll probably have to cut off the barbs that come on it and add your own (though I just sweat on some copper elbows/pipes/

Here's a picture of my radiator with the copper in/outputs and a nice paint job (sorry if it's kinda dark...my digital camera sucks)