Cheap Water Cooling with eBay
Cheap Water Cooling with eBay
Hello everyone!
Let me share my current configuration here...
I’m using an AMD FX-8350 with a stock cooler.
My motherboard is the Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z, which previously had problems but is still functional after warranty service.
For the graphics card, I have a Gigabyte GTX 960 G1 Gaming with 4 GB of RAM.
I also have two 2 GB of RAM modules that I found lying around.
My storage setup includes a DVD drive from my first PC, which was a Dell model from 2007 (a cool kid back then 😛).
Power supply is a Thermaltake 500W unit, paired with a Core v71 case.
I have a Sandisk 240GB SSD for booting and programs, plus four or five other random-sized disks for additional storage.
I’m planning to water-cool just the CPU, but I want to source all components from eBay parts. I’ve been following JayzTwoCents on YouTube, and recently he reviewed a waterblock for $19. Over the years I’ve known about these inexpensive eBay options, but I didn’t really focus on them until his video caught my attention. The one he got from Amazon performed just as well as a high-end brand product! Now I’m ready to finally complete this build.
I also have a small 350L/hr pump, purchased a couple of years ago for a DIY refrigeration chiller project (HVAC and reformation are my upcoming daily tasks).
I can source some soft tubing from Menards nearby.
My main challenges are figuring out the reservoir setup and deciding which radiator to buy. I see 240mm radiators with or without pre-welded fittings for around $20, while 360mm models are about $30. I’m not sure which is better.
For the fittings, I’d like a hard tube loop but don’t want to spend too much on premium brands. I’m okay with very cheap barb fittings for soft tubes, though.
I’m aiming to spend roughly $50 on all parts except the tubing if possible. Your thoughts would be appreciated!
mixing aluminum (radiator) with copper or brass is not advisable—learn about galvanic corrosion. You can purchase some inexpensive tube res on eBay or AliExpress. If you aim for around $50, opt for flex tubing. Hradline tubes will need costly fittings, adapters, and valves for draining, which could add another $40 to $50.
+1 n0ns3ns3
Avoid mixing different metals in the loop; stick to either copper/brass or aluminium, as suggested by the expert, and check your research on galvanic corrosion.
Keep in mind that most components are sourced from China, which may lead to longer delivery times and inconsistent quality checks.
Compression fittings generally perform well—it's similar to a barb fitting with a threaded retaining collar for extra security; you can achieve the same result using a barb fitting paired with a retaining ring or clip. Just be careful not to over-tighten the fittings against the waterblock and radiator, as plexi waterblocks are especially vulnerable to cracking if forced. Install by hand until the 'O' ring touches, then tighten gently with a proper tool until the fitting engages firmly—this will make turning much easier. If you're careful, a slight extra pressure will suffice.
For beginners, flexible tubing is the most practical choice—it's simpler to work with and more affordable. Route it carefully from the start, connect one end to the initial fitting, tighten fully, then unroll and route the tube to the next fitting in the loop. Mark with your finger and thumb, cut with sharp scissors about half an inch longer than needed, verify the path, and trim to size before connecting. Repeat this process for all fittings.
Pump flow isn’t a major concern for a single block loop, but it could become an issue later if you add a GPU. The radiator or fan setup is more critical in that case.
For cooling just the CPU, a 240mm radius will suffice. If you plan to add a GPU later, opt for the larger 360mm size, though performance will mainly depend on the fans. If airflow through the radiator or fan isn’t sufficient, static pressure fans will be necessary to effectively dissipate heat.
The final note: Not every setup is compatible with water coolers—make sure your radiator and fans actually fit before proceeding.
Here are some revised sentences maintaining the original meaning, tone, and structure while varying the phrasing:
The instructions emphasize avoiding metal combinations in the loop—opt for either copper/brass or aluminium exclusively, as noted by the reference to galvanic corrosion. Keep in mind that most components originate from China, which may lead to extended delivery times and inconsistent quality assurance.
Compression fittings generally perform well; they function similarly to a barb fitting with a threaded retaining collar for extra security. You can achieve comparable results using a barb fitting paired with a retaining ring or clip. The key is not to over-tighten the fittings against the waterblock and radiator. Plexi waterblocks are especially vulnerable to cracking if tightened too much. Secure it by hand until the 'O' ring engages, then tighten carefully with a suitable tool gently until the fitting itself makes contact—this indicates it’s firm enough to turn. For delicate work, apply a bit more pressure.
Flexible tubing is ideal for beginners, offering easier routing and lower costs. A simple method involves connecting one end of your tubing roll to the 'start' fitting, tightening fully, then unrolling it to route the tube to the next fitting in the loop. Mark with your finger and thumb, cut with sharp scissors about half an inch longer than needed, and verify the routing before trimming to the desired length. Repeat this process for all fittings.
Pump flow isn’t a major concern for a single block loop, nor its pressure head, but it could become an issue later if you integrate a GPU. The radiator or fan setup is more critical in that scenario.
A 240mm radius will suffice for cooling the CPU, though adding a GPU later may require a larger 360mm option. Ultimately, performance hinges on your fans—if they can’t push air through the radiator, heat won’t dissipate effectively. The two components linked will benefit from high static pressure fans.
For CPU cooling alone, a 240mm radius is more than sufficient. If you plan to add a GPU later, opt for the larger 360mm model, but expect it to depend on fan quality.
In summary: Not every setup is compatible with water coolers—ensure your radiator and fans will fit properly!
If you already have a suitable copper radiator there's no need to worry about the CPU waterblock, stick with copper for the block and brass for the fittings, although without a pic it'll be impossible to be certain the radiators you have will be large enough ( the FX8xxx series are notoriously demanding of their cooling ).
Sounds like you'll need to be creative to mount an industrial radiator neatly one possible would be to mount it in the top of the case by removing the mesh cover altogether and turning the rad into a feature, closing off any gaps with plastic or metal plates to tidy up the installation, it may even fit in the case front with a little metalwork.
Adding a silver coil is one way, but it does make the water conductive, so any leaks can be far more dangerous, I'd stick with a traditional water/glycol mix or just pure distilled water with a anti algae additive as coolant.
I tried a waterblock similar to that one, but for my Raspberry Pi. I wouldn't use anything like that on my gaming PC. It looked like a basic aluminum hollow block, maybe with a simple maze pattern, but no actual matrix. I have another one, I could open it and check, but it's extremely light which suggests very little mass for heat exchange.
I appreciate people using various resources, but keep in mind: these parts are often so cheap because of limited R&D, insufficient testing or quality checks, printed warranties instead of real ones, knock-off designs with shortcuts, etc.