Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice

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stevez04
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2010/10/07 05:49:26 (permalink)
I've been lurking around the forums for quite some time now and finally decided to dive in and join the festivities!  I'd like to say thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to offer their opinions.
 
I'm currently looking into putting together a decent (Less than $500) Koolance liquid cooling setup together and have put together the following list of parts necessary to get the job done.  I believe I've covered all my bases, but seeings as I'm a first timer I may have made a few wrong choices along the way. 
 

Exos-2 V2  (External Unit)

http://www.koolance.com/w...nfo.php?product_id=805
 

CPU-360  (CPU Cooling Block)

http://www.koolance.com/w...nfo.php?product_id=978
 

Adapter, Intel Socket 1366  (CPU Block Adapter)

http://www.koolance.com/w...nfo.php?product_id=749
 

Nozzle Pair, Compression  (CPU Block Compression Fittings)

http://www.koolance.com/w...fo.php?products_id=397
 

Nozzle Pair, Swivel Angled  (External Unit Fittings)

http://www.koolance.com/w...fo.php?products_id=395
 

QDC (High Flow) No-spill Shutoff, Pair w/ L-Bracket  (Slot Adapter)

http://www.koolance.com/w...fo.php?product_id=1062
 

QDC (High Flow) No-Spill Shutoff, Female Angle Barb  (Quick Disconnect for Slot Adapter)

http://www.koolance.com/w...fo.php?product_id=1077
 

Tubing, Orange UV-Reactive PVC, 1ft/30.5cm

http://www.koolance.com/w...nfo.php?product_id=760
 

Liquid Coolant Bottle, High-Performance, 700mL

 
http://www.koolance.com/w...nfo.php?product_id=553
 
 
#1

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    rh0ne
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 06:07:17 (permalink)
    I've had pretty good luck with koolance over the years, though you will hear from purists who don't like their stuff. They've always been good to me, from coolant to blocks to pumps to packing/delivery/service.
     
    I don't think you need the 1366 adapter, the CPU-360 should fit 1366 out of the box.
     

    -rh0ne
     




    #2
    voklskier4452
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 06:41:50 (permalink)
    Don't get that 1366 adapter as it's not needed, and it is probably one of the worst designs I have seen in water cooling.
     
    I also would dump the EXOS- 2.  I would replace it with either a Hwlabs, Thermochill,  Feser, or XSPC 360mm radiator.  MCP 355 pump with an after market top, Koolance makes some if you are interested in staying all Koolance.  And a reservoir of your picking, again Koolance makes some decent ones if want to keep all Koolance.
     
    The last thing I would change is the coolant, simply just dump it and use distilled water.  You will want to use something like this to keep your loop clean and algae free. 
    http://www.petrastechshop.com/sikibyia.html
     
    Keep in mind also that there are other brands available in the water cooling world.  And to be frank , a lot of them are better quality and in some cases cheaper as well.

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    #3
    stevez04
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 07:10:11 (permalink)
    I greatly appreciate the advice so far!  :-D
     
    @voklskier4452
     
    I began doing some research on the radiators that you mentioned and I see that most are internal.  I was hoping to have everything mounted externally if at all possible.  Reason being is I'm using an old Alienware case and a EVGA x58 E760 which gives me absolutely no room to mount a radiator and fan without some serious case modifications (Huge NB).
     
    I may just have to wait till I decide to part with my current case sometime in the future if need be.
    #4
    yellow__fever
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 07:46:34 (permalink)
    I would opt for a new case, as todays designs are highly adaptable to many different types of computers. Externally mounting a radiator is (to me) ugly, inconvenient, and unnecessary. However this is only my opinion. You could always make a simple box to house your radiators if you decide to go with the external look, we say choose a different radiator because the names suggested are high performers with a good reputation.

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    #5
    voklskier4452
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 07:56:49 (permalink)
    If external is the way you wish to go you can look at a swiftech radbox.
    http://www.swiftnets.com/products/MCB-120-R2.asp
     
    I'm not sure if your case has a 120mm exhaust fan like most cases, but if it does I would suggest you give that a look.  As the rads mentioned above will offer much greater performance.

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    #6
    tbturner47
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 08:39:14 (permalink)
    http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=615119
     
    Take a look at that thread and see if any of those interest you. If not, I would def. get a new case.
    Your Koolance list looks complete. But there are better products out there if you wish to go that route.

    Here is my recommended list of great components:
     
    CPU Block:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=27630
     
    Top of the line block for $89.95
     
    Radiator:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25389
     
    Great performing rad at a great price $84.95. It is a bit thick but if mounted externally that shouldn't be a problem.
     
    Thinner Radiator:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25251
     
    If you do opt for another case then this rad is a lot thinner and it still performs very well. $77.95
     
    Fans:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=24747
    The Gentle Typhoons are amazing fans with great static pressure. They are also extremely quiet. 3 fans for $44.85
     
    If you want some cheaper fans then Yate Loons are looking for:
    http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa.html
     
    Those are the only ones Petras has in stock. Boredgunner swears up and down that Petras has the best Yate Loons. I would trust him with my life. 3 fans for $17.97
     
    Pump:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=20655
     
    Best performing pump in its price range. Great head pressure with lost of mounting options. $69.95
     
    Reservoir:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=23357
     
    I use that along with the 355 and performance is top notch. $34.95
     
    Fittings:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=26972
     
    I would get 6 of those in whatever color you wanted. Could vary depending on how you wanna set it up, but at least 6. $35.94
     
    Tubing:
    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=24199
     
    To me, tubing is tubing. You can get it from Koolance or here whichever you prefer. Just make sure it is the right size. I would get AT LEAST 6 feet of tubing. $16.50
    Coolant:
    I would only use distilled water and one of these http://www.petrastechshop.com/sikibyia.html
     
    One thing I highly recommend by Koolance are their quick disconnects. There is an assortment here:
    http://www.performance-pc...p;cPath=59_346_203_481
     
    Here is a nice write up about disconnects I would read:
    http://forums.evga.comarchive/tm.asp?m=658591
     
    Also, if mounting your pump is gonna be tough, I would suggest looking into one of these:
    http://www.performance-pc...x&cPath=59_439_767
     
    I have one and it is a life savor. I've mounted my pump in every possible location in my Cosmos case. It works well with that res pump top too.
     
     
    Using the Yate Loon fans and without any disconnects or pump mounts that comes to $435.15. I did not shop around for the best price, but I gave you what products I recommend. If you shop around at various retailers I'm sure you could shave a couple bucks.
     
    My recommended list of WC retailers:
    http://www.petrastechshop.com/
    http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
    http://www.jab-tech.com/
    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php
     
    There is also http://www.frozencpu.com/ but I had a bad experience with them along with several other people.
    post edited by tbturner47 - 2010/10/07 08:42:40

    Core i7 920 4.3 Ghz D0 3910A369, EVGA 758 x58, 6GB OCZ DDR3 1600 Gold, 2 GTX 470 SLI, Antec  TPQ 1000 Watt, Custom Cosmos Case
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    #7
    flasher4q
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 08:42:12 (permalink)
    I like my EXOS unit it has been good to me and thru 4 builds...what I changed on mine was the radiator from the aluminum to copper high flow....nothing else....by the way it's been faithful for going on 5 years now....just another opinion

    EVGA X99 FTW K |i7 5820K 4.3 @ 1.25v| GSkill Ripjaw 32Gig DDR4 3000 | CoolMaster HAF 932
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    #8
    stevez04
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 09:03:29 (permalink)
    @flasher4q
    Thank you!  Question though, would you purchase another EXOS given the opportunity or would you look elsewhere?
     
    Now if I was to consider going the route of upgrading my case altogether what would be some cases you guys would recommend based on your setups or others you've seen.
     
    I have been browsing all morning like a nut on my day off and found a nice Cooler Master HALF-X  that really struck my interests.  What do you guys think?
     
    http://www.newegg.com/Pro...x?Item=N82E16811119225
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    tbturner47
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 09:40:29 (permalink)
    The haf x is a great case! You can easily fit a rad inside it.

    Core i7 920 4.3 Ghz D0 3910A369, EVGA 758 x58, 6GB OCZ DDR3 1600 Gold, 2 GTX 470 SLI, Antec  TPQ 1000 Watt, Custom Cosmos Case
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    #10
    flasher4q
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/07 13:39:55 (permalink)
    As of now what's out on the market from when I first built mine it's a hard choice for me....I like the idea of the pump and radiator outside, looks cleaner inside the case...but then again it' just my opinion...only problem is so much to pick through....I'm sure that what ever you do you enjoy....

    EVGA X99 FTW K |i7 5820K 4.3 @ 1.25v| GSkill Ripjaw 32Gig DDR4 3000 | CoolMaster HAF 932
    XSPC D5 Dual Bay with Swiftech 655 variable pump| Koolance 380i CPU Cooler
    XSPC RX240 Dual 120mm Radiator | Lamptron FC5-V2 Fan Controller  | GTX 770 SC w/ACX Cooler        
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    #11
    stevez04
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    Re:Koolance Liquid Cooling Advice 2010/10/12 07:06:18 (permalink)
    UPDATE
     
    I would like to thank everyone above to took the time to offer their opinions. 
     
    With all the different opinion's, all seem to point to the same recommendation of building a custom liquid cooling setup.  With that said I hit the drawing board again and came up with a new setup and would like to run this setup by everyone.

    Corsair Obsidian Series 800D

    http://www.newegg.com/Pro...x?Item=N82E16811139001

    EK-Supreme HF High Flow

    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=27630
     

    EK-FB EVGA X58 CLASSIFIED Full Board

    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25769

    XSPC Dual 5.25" Bay Reservoir

    http://www.performance-pc...5&products_id=3542
     

    Swiftech MCP655™ Series 12 VDC Water Pump

    http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=28303

    Let me know what you guys think so far!  Thanks Again!!
    #12
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