What would be the best water cooling kit?

The Large Moose · 12-26-2004, 04:35 AM

Hey guys, I just finished building my comp, and I have opted to go with water-cooling. I have been looking at the Big Water kit, and with its reviews, I think its might what I go with. But I was also looking at the Swiftech kits. Price wise the Big Water would be better, but I could pay more for better quality. These are my system specs :

Case: Thermaltake A6000 Super Tower Silver/Red w/ 7 fans

Mobo: DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12

CPU: Intel 3.4 550 LGA CPU

RAM: GeIL Golden Dragon Dual Channel PC 32000 DDR RAM (512 x2); possibly GeIL DDR2 Performance RAM (512x2)

HDD: Maxtor 250GB 8MB 7200rpm

DRIVES: 52x24x52 CD+-RW Burner; DVD-ROM w/ Basic CD-ROM

PSU: Super Flower 550W 4 Green LED Fans

VIDEO CARD: X850 XT Platinum Editio 256MB *Booyah*

SOUND CARD: *not yet*

COOLING: Stock everything + 7 Fans in case.

I am open to any internal water cooling suggestions, although I am leaning towards a Swiftech or a BigWater. I really don't want to make a custom kit myself, even though it would cost less and everything. I just want to buy a kit thats all together and what-not. Also the prices should be around $150-$240.

For this setup, would a BigWater cooling kit be giving me good results. When I mean the "best water cooling kit" I mean I want a nice looking kit that will provide the lowests temperatures ( I want reasnable like 30C or something for load, not like -12C...) that is within my price range. From the reviews I have heard the Big Water is great, and since I am a happy Thermaltake buyer already, I would love to get that kit. I just was wondering if it would be good for this setup, because I love how it looks and from what I have read, performs. I would most likely buy the Water Tank, and Flow Indicator aswell when they come out.

Also if any of you own a Big Water kit, could you tell me how it is going, and if it was a good buy, compared to other cooling solutions? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I am making the right decision. If anything is unclear, or you need a differant system spec., post it, and I will attempt to answer the best I can. Thanks guys.

~TLM

4W4K3 · 12-26-2004, 05:03 AM

I agree with the Big Water purchase. IT does well in alot of reviews.

I know you said u didn't want a custom kit because the Big Water comes with all the parts and what not and it's no confusion. But you still have to put it all together and leak test it and all of that. It really is jsut as much work to get it together, tested, and installed as a custom kit. If you want you could get the Big Water, and as time goes by just upgrade parts on it. Maybe get a bigger rad or a better black, faster pump...and that's considered custom. That should give you even better perfomance.

Good luck. Hope that helps...

joelkyr · 12-26-2004, 11:53 PM

Performance wise, your better of with DIY WC, itll give you better result coz you can choose the best hardware for you WC, most of the water coolers i know are DIY and I think theyll be advising you the same thing. You should also know the Pros and Cons

http://www.overclockers.com/articles766/

The Large Moose · 12-27-2004, 06:09 PM

Yeah, I understand that DIY kits would do better due to the fact that you can get the better parts from differant kits and put them together. I failed to mention in my first post I would only be cooling my CPU. I am not looking to overclock HUGE, just maybe from 3.4 to 3.6 or 3.7.

I am also alittle picky about the kits looks, thats why I like the kits better than DIY. But in the future I was planning on getting a Black Ice rad, or maybe a Danger Den block, but I am just saying for starting out, would this kit give me mediocre results with my configuration. I just don't want to get a kit that will having me burn out my config. within days. I just need something that can keep my stuff relativly cool, and give me alittle overclock room.

I would also probably overclock my vid. card, but only with my Genie BIOS, or overdrive. But I wouldn't overclock it to the extreme. The chipset I am not worried about due to the 7 fans in my case with the fan control for differant speeds.

I guess I am changing my original statement to this: Would a Big Water kit give me good results to START with, and then I could change it later. I just don't want to have something not poewrful enough to handle all my system specs, since I know the Prescott is known to run very hot.

In the future I would most likely upgrade differant components, but just to start out, would this be able to handle a 3.4 @ 3.6 withing the 30's C range at idle? maybe load? I don't plan on running benchmarks all the time, and putting my cpu under alot of stress, I just will most likely playing games, maybe running 3DMark at times, but nothing like stuff that will put my CPU at constant load.

Also, leakwise, have you guys had any problems with the Big Water, or any other kits? I know to leak test, but once you leak test, there still is possibility that it can leak in the future. Is the Big Water's connectors and such made so it doesn't leak? Because I definately don't want to lose anything. 'Speccially my radeon.

joelkyr · 12-27-2004, 08:21 PM

Get a Swiftech or Dangerden kit rather than Bigwater, i think youll have more room to upgrade with this kit. Here are a review of bigwater

http://www.techniz.co.uk/modules.php...content&id=168

The Large Moose · 12-28-2004, 11:24 PM

Yeah, I have read that review, aswell as many of the other Big Water reviews, and from what I have read, its a great kit, for the price. I just like the thermaltake looks, and since it looks good WHILE performing, I think thats great. I am also a bit pricey now, and I had a swiftech config setup, but it was at 200$ for everything basic.

I really don't plan on upgrading soon, or at all maybe. If I were to upgrade, it would probably only be to a new radiator. I love how the water block looks, and the pump aswell. At 150$ I can afford it too. I was only worried about if it leaks or not, as well as if wouldn;t perform well under a 3.4 @ 3.6 I hav'nt heard of a leak yet, but I have still not seen a test with a 3.4 overclocked. Could anyone find a review on that if there is one?

The Large Moose · 01-02-2005, 08:10 PM

Hey guys, can you help me out? I am getting my card soon, and I am still without cooling. I might just go with air, but I really want to do water cooling. Would the Big Water cool my system efficiently at 3.4 @ 3.6?

vinhnhuynh · 01-03-2005, 02:11 PM

hay guys, im overclocking my system from p4 3.0ghz to 3.4ghz, and it is running great.
im not sure that thermaltake pipe101 copper heatpipe cooling system is good enough for it, mind give me some hints..thanks a lot

vinhnhuynh · 01-03-2005, 02:15 PM

plus i got a sc 512mb geil dragon ultra. i thought about dc 1024mb geil dragon for awhile now, but it is a little exp [250-300usd]. anybody have any idea where i can get it cheaper.

The Large Moose · 01-04-2005, 03:20 AM

Although you are sort of jacking my thread, its ok, I have accidently done it sometimes aswell, and I am sure you didn't mean it. If you have any questions of your own, start a new topic. Anyway, please try to keep this on-topic to my kit. I just have this last question:

With my setup, would the Big Water be able to handle a 3.4 Prescott at 3.6? I don't want freezing temps, just something better than stock. Would it do the trick? Without talking about custom setups or anything or upgrading. If not, would the Swiftech kit work? I would only switch if the Big Water wouldn't cool the processor and fry.

12-26-2004, 04:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
The Large Moose Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Age: 18 Posts: 27	What would be the best water cooling kit? Hey guys, I just finished building my comp, and I have opted to go with water-cooling. I have been looking at the Big Water kit, and with its reviews, I think its might what I go with. But I was also looking at the Swiftech kits. Price wise the Big Water would be better, but I could pay more for better quality. These are my system specs : Case: Thermaltake A6000 Super Tower Silver/Red w/ 7 fans Mobo: DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12 CPU: Intel 3.4 550 LGA CPU RAM: GeIL Golden Dragon Dual Channel PC 32000 DDR RAM (512 x2); possibly GeIL DDR2 Performance RAM (512x2) HDD: Maxtor 250GB 8MB 7200rpm DRIVES: 52x24x52 CD+-RW Burner; DVD-ROM w/ Basic CD-ROM PSU: Super Flower 550W 4 Green LED Fans VIDEO CARD: X850 XT Platinum Editio 256MB Booyah SOUND CARD: not yet COOLING: Stock everything + 7 Fans in case. I am open to any internal water cooling suggestions, although I am leaning towards a Swiftech or a BigWater. I really don't want to make a custom kit myself, even though it would cost less and everything. I just want to buy a kit thats all together and what-not. Also the prices should be around $150-$240. For this setup, would a BigWater cooling kit be giving me good results. When I mean the "best water cooling kit" I mean I want a nice looking kit that will provide the lowests temperatures ( I want reasnable like 30C or something for load, not like -12C...) that is within my price range. From the reviews I have heard the Big Water is great, and since I am a happy Thermaltake buyer already, I would love to get that kit. I just was wondering if it would be good for this setup, because I love how it looks and from what I have read, performs. I would most likely buy the Water Tank, and Flow Indicator aswell when they come out. Also if any of you own a Big Water kit, could you tell me how it is going, and if it was a good buy, compared to other cooling solutions? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I am making the right decision. If anything is unclear, or you need a differant system spec., post it, and I will attempt to answer the best I can. Thanks guys. ~TLM

12-26-2004, 05:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
4W4K3 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lewisville, TX Age: 20 Posts: 6,876	I agree with the Big Water purchase. IT does well in alot of reviews. I know you said u didn't want a custom kit because the Big Water comes with all the parts and what not and it's no confusion. But you still have to put it all together and leak test it and all of that. It really is jsut as much work to get it together, tested, and installed as a custom kit. If you want you could get the Big Water, and as time goes by just upgrade parts on it. Maybe get a bigger rad or a better black, faster pump...and that's considered custom. That should give you even better perfomance. Good luck. Hope that helps... __________________ My Computer I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe. Can I eat your brain? FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

12-26-2004, 11:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
joelkyr Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Age: 33 Posts: 344	Performance wise, your better of with DIY WC, itll give you better result coz you can choose the best hardware for you WC, most of the water coolers i know are DIY and I think theyll be advising you the same thing. You should also know the Pros and Cons http://www.overclockers.com/articles766/ __________________ MOBO: ASUS P4C800E DELUXE CPU: P4 3.4HT @ 3.918ghz COOLING: Vapochill PE / MCW20-P /MCW50 /MCP650/ BIX RAM: TWINX1024-4400C25 CORSAIR HDD: MAXTOR 120GB/8MB OS: XP PRO SC: TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ 5.1 PSU: OCZ Modstream 520W

12-27-2004, 06:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Large Moose Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Age: 18 Posts: 27	Reply Yeah, I understand that DIY kits would do better due to the fact that you can get the better parts from differant kits and put them together. I failed to mention in my first post I would only be cooling my CPU. I am not looking to overclock HUGE, just maybe from 3.4 to 3.6 or 3.7. I am also alittle picky about the kits looks, thats why I like the kits better than DIY. But in the future I was planning on getting a Black Ice rad, or maybe a Danger Den block, but I am just saying for starting out, would this kit give me mediocre results with my configuration. I just don't want to get a kit that will having me burn out my config. within days. I just need something that can keep my stuff relativly cool, and give me alittle overclock room. I would also probably overclock my vid. card, but only with my Genie BIOS, or overdrive. But I wouldn't overclock it to the extreme. The chipset I am not worried about due to the 7 fans in my case with the fan control for differant speeds. I guess I am changing my original statement to this: Would a Big Water kit give me good results to START with, and then I could change it later. I just don't want to have something not poewrful enough to handle all my system specs, since I know the Prescott is known to run very hot. In the future I would most likely upgrade differant components, but just to start out, would this be able to handle a 3.4 @ 3.6 withing the 30's C range at idle? maybe load? I don't plan on running benchmarks all the time, and putting my cpu under alot of stress, I just will most likely playing games, maybe running 3DMark at times, but nothing like stuff that will put my CPU at constant load. Also, leakwise, have you guys had any problems with the Big Water, or any other kits? I know to leak test, but once you leak test, there still is possibility that it can leak in the future. Is the Big Water's connectors and such made so it doesn't leak? Because I definately don't want to lose anything. 'Speccially my radeon. __________________ XBL (Xbox Live) Gamertag: The Lost Llama CASE: Thermaltake A6000 Super Tower Silver/Red w/ 7 fans MOBO: DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12 CPU: Intel 3.4 550 LGA CPU RAM: GeIL Golden Dragon Dual Channel PC 3200 DDR RAM (512 x2); possibly GeIL DDR2 Ultra RAM (512x2) HDD: Maxtor 250GB 8MB 7200rpm DRIVES: 52x24x52 CD+-RW Burner; DVD-ROM w/ Basic CD-ROM PSU: Ultra X-Connect 500W 4 Green LED Fans VIDEO CARD: ASUS X850 XT 256MB YaY :)

12-27-2004, 08:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
joelkyr Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Age: 33 Posts: 344	Get a Swiftech or Dangerden kit rather than Bigwater, i think youll have more room to upgrade with this kit. Here are a review of bigwater http://www.techniz.co.uk/modules.php...content&id=168 __________________ MOBO: ASUS P4C800E DELUXE CPU: P4 3.4HT @ 3.918ghz COOLING: Vapochill PE / MCW20-P /MCW50 /MCP650/ BIX RAM: TWINX1024-4400C25 CORSAIR HDD: MAXTOR 120GB/8MB OS: XP PRO SC: TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ 5.1 PSU: OCZ Modstream 520W Last edited by joelkyr; 12-27-2004 at 08:46 PM.

12-28-2004, 11:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Large Moose Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Age: 18 Posts: 27	Yeah, I have read that review, aswell as many of the other Big Water reviews, and from what I have read, its a great kit, for the price. I just like the thermaltake looks, and since it looks good WHILE performing, I think thats great. I am also a bit pricey now, and I had a swiftech config setup, but it was at 200$ for everything basic. I really don't plan on upgrading soon, or at all maybe. If I were to upgrade, it would probably only be to a new radiator. I love how the water block looks, and the pump aswell. At 150$ I can afford it too. I was only worried about if it leaks or not, as well as if wouldn;t perform well under a 3.4 @ 3.6 I hav'nt heard of a leak yet, but I have still not seen a test with a 3.4 overclocked. Could anyone find a review on that if there is one? __________________ XBL (Xbox Live) Gamertag: The Lost Llama CASE: Thermaltake A6000 Super Tower Silver/Red w/ 7 fans MOBO: DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12 CPU: Intel 3.4 550 LGA CPU RAM: GeIL Golden Dragon Dual Channel PC 3200 DDR RAM (512 x2); possibly GeIL DDR2 Ultra RAM (512x2) HDD: Maxtor 250GB 8MB 7200rpm DRIVES: 52x24x52 CD+-RW Burner; DVD-ROM w/ Basic CD-ROM PSU: Ultra X-Connect 500W 4 Green LED Fans VIDEO CARD: ASUS X850 XT 256MB YaY :)

01-02-2005, 08:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Large Moose Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Age: 18 Posts: 27	Hey guys, can you help me out? I am getting my card soon, and I am still without cooling. I might just go with air, but I really want to do water cooling. Would the Big Water cool my system efficiently at 3.4 @ 3.6? __________________ XBL (Xbox Live) Gamertag: The Lost Llama CASE: Thermaltake A6000 Super Tower Silver/Red w/ 7 fans MOBO: DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12 CPU: Intel 3.4 550 LGA CPU RAM: GeIL Golden Dragon Dual Channel PC 3200 DDR RAM (512 x2); possibly GeIL DDR2 Ultra RAM (512x2) HDD: Maxtor 250GB 8MB 7200rpm DRIVES: 52x24x52 CD+-RW Burner; DVD-ROM w/ Basic CD-ROM PSU: Ultra X-Connect 500W 4 Green LED Fans VIDEO CARD: ASUS X850 XT 256MB YaY :)

01-03-2005, 02:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
vinhnhuynh New Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: .. Posts: 6	hay guys, im overclocking my system from p4 3.0ghz to 3.4ghz, and it is running great. im not sure that thermaltake pipe101 copper heatpipe cooling system is good enough for it, mind give me some hints..thanks a lot

01-03-2005, 02:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
vinhnhuynh New Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: .. Posts: 6	plus i got a sc 512mb geil dragon ultra. i thought about dc 1024mb geil dragon for awhile now, but it is a little exp [250-300usd]. anybody have any idea where i can get it cheaper. __________________ case: aspire x-dreamer black ii cpu: p4 530 with ht tech @ 3.4ghz cooling: thermaltake pipe101 copper heatpipe motherboard: asus p4p800 deluxe ram: 512mb geil dragon ultra sc [planning: 1024mb geil dragon dc] hd: 120gbz ata133 8mb cache with a 250gbz maxtors graphic: nvidia fx 5200 256mb sound: creative sound blaster audigy 2 zs

01-04-2005, 03:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
The Large Moose Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Age: 18 Posts: 27	Although you are sort of jacking my thread, its ok, I have accidently done it sometimes aswell, and I am sure you didn't mean it. If you have any questions of your own, start a new topic. Anyway, please try to keep this on-topic to my kit. I just have this last question: With my setup, would the Big Water be able to handle a 3.4 Prescott at 3.6? I don't want freezing temps, just something better than stock. Would it do the trick? Without talking about custom setups or anything or upgrading. If not, would the Swiftech kit work? I would only switch if the Big Water wouldn't cool the processor and fry. __________________ XBL (Xbox Live) Gamertag: The Lost Llama CASE: Thermaltake A6000 Super Tower Silver/Red w/ 7 fans MOBO: DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12 CPU: Intel 3.4 550 LGA CPU RAM: GeIL Golden Dragon Dual Channel PC 3200 DDR RAM (512 x2); possibly GeIL DDR2 Ultra RAM (512x2) HDD: Maxtor 250GB 8MB 7200rpm DRIVES: 52x24x52 CD+-RW Burner; DVD-ROM w/ Basic CD-ROM PSU: Ultra X-Connect 500W 4 Green LED Fans VIDEO CARD: ASUS X850 XT 256MB YaY :)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode