Need some help starting water cooling

[Indrid_Cold]

So I'll cut right to the chase and say that while I'm not new to computer building, I'm very new to the practice of water cooling. Haven't ever built a water cooling system and I'm quite intimidated by the prospect of pushing fluid through my tower for fear of it leaking everywhere! But, with 2 8800 Ultras in SLI, the heat is just becoming too much of an issue and I really can't do air cooling anymore. So! I need some help designing a water cooling system to fit my needs. As of right now, I'm looking to cool the following,

EVGA nVidia 8800 Ultra 768MB x 2 in SLI
Intel Quad Core 6700

I'm using a Lian-Li V2000B right now, so I think I have a fair amount of space to be put to use. I'm not working with too much of a budget here, but I don't want to be spending an absurd amount of money on the thing. I'm trying to go roughly mid-range. I'm essentially looking for any parts reccommendations and links to good how-to guides with pictures and whatnot.

A quick question as well - when I take off the stock heat sink for the graphics cards, is it just a few screws or will I have to crack off any thermal paste? Like I said, I'm pretty nervous to do this stuff after all the money I've put into my computer... But, it's time to step it up

Thanks again guys.

[Spawn-Inc]

ok so here is a guide i made, with lots of pics, but i made it a while ago so grammar and what not is bad, though i still suck at english.


for your setup i would go with the following.

2x Swiftech MCW60 VGA cooler = 36.90
1x Swiftech MCP655 Pump = 69.99
1x D-tek FuZion V2 = 63.95
1x Swiftech MCR 320 rad =53.95
1x Swiftech MicroRes = 16.99
1x Swiftech HydrX = 2.99
10x ClearFLEX 60 Tubing 1/2" ID / 3/4" OD = 8.90
6x YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan = 19.80
2x Swiftech MC8800 Kit = 34.95

total = $380.27

that will be enough to cover the 3 items, give you decent temps, and is good quality stuff.

[Indrid_Cold]

I notice that the VGA coolers aren't made for 8800 Ultras... Is that going to be a huge problem? I was looking at some of the Danger Den 8800 Ultra coolers. I know Danger Den has a good reputation in Water Cooling products.

http://www.dangerden.com/store/produ...&cat=48&page=1

Thoughts?

[Spawn-Inc]

it will work with the 8800 ultra, it has the 8800 mounting kit.

but if you want a full coverage block then yes the danger den ones are nice.

[The boy 4rm oz]

The G80 adapter plate for the MCW-60 blocks don't come with the MC8800 kit do they? I thought that kit only contained the RAM and mosfet heatsinks.

Everything Spawn listed is good but I would get a drive bay reservoir instead of the swiftech one. More coolant will help keep your temps lower, especially if you are cooling 2 8800ULTRA's and a Q6700.

[J-Roc]

http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=143 Full cover 8800 blocks from EK. It says it'll fit the GTX too so i bet anything that is GTX compatible will also fit the ultra. only 80Eur each. Which i think comes in at about $130us a piece.

Or

You could get 2 of the D-Tek Uni-Sink's to go with the list of parts that spawn gave you. Just nix the tiny ram sinks.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/dtunfornv88g.html
You might need to change the gpu blocks to the fusion ones. I have one for my 8600 gts (not on there currently.) its a solid performer and reduced my temps more than 40c. Went from low 80's to mid-high 30's.


[edit] Review of the uni-sink and installation instructions on a 8800 ultra
http://www.techpowerup.com/printrevi...d=/DTek/Fuzion

[The boy 4rm oz]

The MCW-60 is far better than the Fuzion GPU block.