PolarFlo or Swiftech?

pr0digal jenius · Sep 28, 2005, 09:11 PM

If you were watercooling a machine, which water blocks would you go with?

...and also what radiator(s)?...swiftech....or dangerden?

Lowfat · Sep 28, 2005, 09:32 PM

Without a doubt Swiftech. PolarFlo are not good blocks, they care only about looks. And what kind of pump do you plan on using? If its a good pump (i.e. D5/MCP655, or a MCP350/DDC(with 1/2 outputs) ) then i suggest the Swiftech Storm. Its a bit more expensive ($80US) than the MCW6002, however it is an amazing block. However if your pump doesn't have a lot of head, then the MCW6002 will be fine, and is still a lot better than any PolarFlow, and comparable to the TDX/RBX blocks by Danger Den.

Now the radiator, I've never used the Swiftech radiators before. When you mean Danger Den radiators, do you mean the Black Ice or Thermochill ones? How much are you wanting to spend on the radiator? I use a Black Ice Extreme III (3X120mm fans) and love it. Price wise, Black Ice Extreme radiators are the way to go, they are substantially cheaper now then Thermalchill's. Now if you willing to spend a bit more on a radiator, then Thermalchill is the way to go. Their PA line (currently only one available is the 160mm version) is the best radiator line out there. It's design allows for quieter fans than other radiators, still maintaining good heat dissapation. If your a good modder, you might want to go to PepBoys or what other car parts stores you have around, and buy a 1977 Bonneville heatercore. Its ~$20 there, and fits 2X120 fans almost perfectly, however you need to mod the end to fit regular barbs, which isn't the hardest thing.

Hope that helps

pr0digal jenius · Sep 28, 2005, 09:50 PM

I was looking at the MCP350 pump, but seeing how I'll be needing TWO water blocks, I think I'll pass on the storm, as that adds almost $100.

Radiator wise, I was looking at the Black Ice Xtreme 120mm.

Lowfat · Sep 28, 2005, 10:02 PM

MCP350 is a good pump, very quiet. and if you mod the ends to 1/2 ID barbs, it outperfoms most pumps out there. The MCW6002 is still a very good block.

Where are you buying these all?

I have found that sidewindercomputers.com is the cheapest place to buy Black Ice radiators. I've bought from them twice, and both times was very impressed.

pr0digal jenius · Sep 28, 2005, 10:13 PM

i'm debating a massive project...and the watercooling is the expensive part

look for some reference sketches this coming week

Lowfat · Sep 28, 2005, 10:30 PM

If you go for it, you won't be dissapointed. Once you go with water, you'll never go back. Temps a few ° of ambient is very nice, and you don't need extremely powerful fans to get there either.

I am currently on air, because I am still waiting for my cpu to arrive and the noise/temps are horrible

NUCLEARWINTER · Sep 29, 2005, 11:15 AM

i just finished my watercooling instal. and it surpassed any expectations that i had. not only my idle temps are 32* and full load is 43* im running stable at 4.05 GHz

pr0digal jenius · Sep 29, 2005, 12:36 PM

im not in it for mad clocks, or even temps...i have all i need on air, but air is noisy as hell.

....and the project SCREAMS for water cooling

[sketches being worked on...probably scanned and up saturday night]

Docmhz · Oct 3, 2005, 08:09 PM

PJ,

I have Swiftech in my rig, cannot be happier.

Pump is MCP650 and I used a heater core from an Audi for my radiator. It is rather large.

The waterblocks are MCW5002-64T for CPU and MCW50-T for the GPU.

And a Meanwell 320 PS tops it all off!

Doc

pr0digal jenius · Oct 3, 2005, 09:30 PM

swiftech it is, and radiator wise, it's looking like the dangerden

thanks everyone, project will begin once I amass parts/money to begin