Fittings for Watercooling

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dave_w

New Member
Hey guys, sorry I was away for so long. I'm thinking--and by thinking, I mean I've decided--to try out watercooling for my next major overhaul. I'll be dumping my AMD and moving over to a 45nm Intel Quad. Because I've only got a mid-tower case and don't feel like busting out the Dremel on some nice Lian-Li aluminum, I've pretty much decided that I'll be mounting/propping up my radiator externally, running the lines through a premade PCI slot cover that has nice grommeted holes in it.

My question is thus: Because I'm new to this, I want to make the setup as idiot-proof as possible. Would using an externally-mounted radiator make the fill/bleed process easier and safer, as opposed to a T-line? I'd really like to avoid plumbing a length of tubing up the inside of my case, especially because the upside-down layout of my case puts the video card in the way of the lines heading to and from the CPU.

If it makes any difference, at some point I may add my video card to the loop.
 
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if you're cooling your video card make sure your radiator is sufficient.



and, what case is it that you're using? its upside down?
 
lol ya, Lian-Li V1200, modified with a side window and top window/fan. Motherboard is mounted to the left side of the case (facing it head-on), upside-down so the I/O shield is at the back. This pic gives something of an idea, but not even my case is that messy :P

Now imagine an 8800GTS in place of whatever puny little thing that guy's got, plus a top window that gives me less than an inch in between the edge of the window grommet and the case frame, and you can see why I don't really want to run an internal T-line. I'm not much of a fan of having one outside the case, where I'd probably have to just zip-tie it in place--like a snorkel coming out of my case's backside that could flop over any second. I figured I could run a single 1/4" loop through the PCI slot right below the video card, and then have the pump, radiator, and possibly (probably, the more I read) reservoir outside. This way, there's only two fittings inside the case that can really screw up my stuff, and with a little luck, I'll catch it before it leaks down to the HDs and PSU.

And as for a radiator, I was planning on a triple 120mm. A DangerDen triple is only $10 more than a dual, which is itself only $10 more than a single, so it makes sense to go big now and not worry later. Toss in at least 3 fans and a grille, and I'm there.

The reservoir is something that, as I'm reading, seems to be a better and better idea. I think I may have answered my own question. Now, if I have the reservoir as the highest point for filling, can I have the pump or radiator at the lowest point for draining, and simply disconnect the tubing from that component over a bucket when I need to change fluid?

PS - I know that coolant should flow from the pump to the radiator (to get rid of the heat generated by the pump), to the reservoir, to the CPU block.
 
wow that case would annoy me.

T fitting is nice for when you need to drain it, just cap off the end where you would drain it.

this is educational i guess, some guy draining it without a t-fitting. at least you know you would want one for the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81yZ7LN9XOE

also notice how he lapped his cpu. that's awesome. i did that to my e6300, still have yet to do my Q6600 though lol.

spend the extra cash on thick wall tubing too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v6TT_1xMdc&feature=related

lol they used thin wall tubing and the suction stopped the water flow and raised temps by 9C. oh, and they used a car radiator which is pretty cool too :P

also, this video (a tomshardware video) tells what components you'll need and how to install them with great detail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We9xGpP1RWw&feature=related

it's a bit older, but still applies. lol that's one tiny pump + reservoir.
 
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