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So, parts wise, I have my build more or less where I want it. However, I have a hankering to tinker some more. Which means putting everything under water. For the first time!

Specs for the system I want to WC are as follows:

ASUS M5A97 AM3+
AMD PhenomII 1055T
Powercolour 7950 PCS+
Coolermaster 690II Advanced


I'm interested in doing a 'budget' WC project at first. So basically, trying to get everything in at the lowest cost possible. Right now, I'm not really interested in 'bling' parts. So, no outrageously expensive but supercool gold plated parts. This is a budget, first time Watercooled build so that I can get my feet wet doing it (no pun intended). The super bling WC build will come later!

In my loop, I would like to include the CPU and the GPU.

I should have room for a 2x120 Rad in a PUSH configuration (pushing Up OUT of the case) at the TOP of the case, and a 2x120 Rad in either Push, Pull or Push/Pull configuration at the BOTTOM of the case. I prefer this solution!

OR, if I want to keep everything nice and clean, I could use 1x 2x120 Rad at the Top of the case and 1x 1x120 Rad pushing out the BACK of the case.

So, recommend me some nice, budget watercooling parts. Go! All prices in CAD (at NCIX.ca if possible)

Get an xspc kit to start with, great bang for buck, though you will need to add a graphics block to it

NCIX's water cooling selection is pretty crap.

Try ordering from http://www.frozencpu.com/ or http://www.aquatuning.us.

I'll echo the point that their cooling selection is pretty crappy.

For other reliable Canadian options there is tigerdirect.ca and canadacomputers.com and directcanada.com

I have and like the Corsair H60
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_ ... _id=054614
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=77377 ... omoid=1360

OP wants to make a custom loop that would include his CPU and GPU, Corsair AIO is not an option.

read this too early before my coffee and missed that point.

But the other Canadian sources are still valid for price comparason. Also I think that the water cooling parts may be zero duty items (I picked up some similar items in the spring from Amazon.com instead of Amazon.ca) so US ordering may be an option for you.

Come to think of it, http://www.dazmode.com is probably the best Canadian online water cooling shop. Not exactly cheap but he has a good selection if you email Daz with any inquiries, I've found him to be very helpful and quick to respond.

He has some pre-spec'd kits here, that could be a good starting point.

http://www.dazmode.com/store/product/du ... -flex-kit/

Sorry for not aiding to spec it out, but I'm at work and don't have the time to dig through all the parts on the internets.

Wow, I just noticed, this thread got necro'd pretty hard last month, lol.

My rig has changed substantially, and I still haven't gotten around to watercooling it.

If you are still interested, I second the XSPC starter kit. Good bang for buck as for as custom water cooling goes.

BTW, as Prestige suggests, the only decent place to buy custom water cooling stuff in Canada, as far as I know, is Dazmode. Located in Toronto. I bought my XSPC kit from there, plus a few other things, and service was pretty good. Prices are hit/miss, but it may be cheaper overall than having to pay for shipping from the US.

See here for their custom XSPC starter kits. Start by deciding whether you want a dual 5.25 bay mounted reservoir/pump combo or not.

Seems like now they only offer the Laing D5 pump with the kit. I got mine with a Laing DDC pump. Both get pretty good reviews. The D5 is probably a bit quieter on average, though it is larger. The D5 also has a bit higher max flow rate, but the DDC purportedly has a bit more max head pressure - good if you are doing more components in your loop. Extra flow much above 1 gallon/minute apparently doesn't get you much.

I also recommend you get some Dazmode protector. This is used in place of biocide and kill coils, etc. Its the only additive you need, and is a great price. Made for Dazmode by Feser. I've been using it for a year and it's been great. No algea, no corrosion. Just mix with distilled water as directed. One bottle, for $7, should be good for 2 fills.

With that XSPC startup kit, I should just be able to add a GPU block and a second rad at a later date and the pump will still be strong enough, right?

Why on earth are you installing hardware to a toilet !?

maxxcool wrote:

Why on earth are you installing hardware to a toilet !?

To get the modern low-water-use toilet to properly flush after a big stinky you need to overclock to close to 100% over the base clock.

Great_Big_Abyss wrote:

With that XSPC startup kit, I should just be able to add a GPU block and a second rad at a later date and the pump will still be strong enough, right?

Absolutely. These Laing pumps are quite a step above what comes with the closed-loop solutions (eg, Corsair H100). At full power, one D5 or DDC should easily be good for 2-3 rads, a cpu block and a gpu block. (The DDC pumps with the custom XSPC tops will probably last even longer with a few blocks in the loop as it will help the pump run cooler by slowing down the flow). Depending on how well designed (restrictive) your loop is, you may be fine additionally adding a second GPU and maybe a motherboard mosfet cooler block.

as a seasoned watercooler and having done many systems i also recommend the xspc kits sort of - only one of their kits come with a good pump (the D5 kits - with laing D5 vario pump) the X20 pumps some of their kits come with are pretty bad for noise and performance and reliability

my favourite one of their kits is the RayStorm D5 RX240 WaterCooling Kit
RayStorm CPU Waterblock
D5 Dual Bay Reservoir
D5 Vario Pump
RX240 Dual Radiator
G1/4″ to 7/16″ Compression Fittings (Black Chrome) x6
XSPC 1650rpm 120mm Fan x2

all really good parts for the price of the kit, the fittings do have a tendency to cut right into the tubing if you do them up too tight though

a good place to look for reviews of watercooling parts is martinsliquidlab - heres a couple of links to tests of some of the xspc parts from the kit i mentioned
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2012/03/27/xspc-rx360-radiator/
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/04/03/koolance-pmp-450-d5-vario-pump/
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/09/26/i7-2600k-cpu-xspc-raystorm/

i would use pure deionized and demineralised water with a silver coil in it and nothing else (like this http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_301&products_id=19311&zenid=8f4f39738ef62a44236efea4a4bbc06e ) - i have been using it for years at a time without any issues at all

good luck and make sure to take your time doing it - its very easy to screw it up if its your first watercooling system




edit: WOW i only just noticed the original post date what a necro post.!