recommendations Cheap but good quality temp and flow monitoring?

[Stilez]

I'm seeking recommendations to get a cheap but effective combined flow+temp LCD monitoring tech, for my custom loop, which I've described here. 

 

The loop is copper/brass, with a heatkiller IV and Hardware Labs SR-2 480 and D5, to disperse heat from an 18 core CPU being run overclocked.  The radiator is good enough that I sjhould be able to run a static water flow, and at most PWM rad fans based on water temp, but even that might not be needed.  Once the loop is set up, I'll look at the LCD daily, and then ignore it.

 

I've seen a variety of separate and combined (in-line) monitoring devices, and honestly I'm confused.  I know what I'm after and it's pretty simple.  But I'm not sure whether it's going to cost £50 or £200, and whether a cheaper model will do or I need something more.

 

• Functionality - I'd like a simple standalone LCD that continually displays 3 simultaneous figures:  ambient temp, water temp, and flow rate.  I don't care if it's 3.5" case fitting or standalone.  I also don't care if it's a controller + LCD + sensors, AIO sensor/LCD, or whatever else. That's all I need.
  (Optional:  "nice to have" would be  (1) an alarm on water temp/flow rate, (2) water temp -> fan speed PWM output)
• No need for USB/data connection once set up - I want it not to require software or a USB/data connection on the PC.  I don't mind software as a "once off" to configure it, but once set up it should need a PSU connection and nothing else.
• Sensors - If it doesn't have inbuilt flow or water temp sensors, I'll need suggestions for separate sensors as well. That might make it cheaper as separates or AIO.
• Quality - Good build quality reputation/reliable, and compatible with brass.
• Cost - Obviously as cheap as possible "all-in"!

 

It's hard to figure out what to get. Something Aquacomputer? Something Barrow or Bitpower? No idea!

 

Ideas please that will get me what I want without spending more than I need to!

 

[Tristerin]

Check places like Aliexpress and Ebay, they make all sorts of them that fit into the 5.25" bay - some with tons of features, some basic as it gets but does the same.

 

(examples are like Swiftech Maelstrom or Koolance RP-1250 Im guessing, but China offers similar products at a lot cheaper)

[Stilez]

17 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Check places like Aliexpress and Ebay, they make all sorts of them that fit into the 5.25" bay - some with tons of features, some basic as it gets but does the same.

 

(examples are like Swiftech Maelstrom or Koolance RP-1250 Im guessing, but China offers similar products at a lot cheaper)

Thanks - at this point I don't know which models to look at. Ideally reputation in the field - bitpower, barrow, aquacomputing, etc. It's my 1st serious custom loop so should I include Koolance/Swiftech in that list as well?

 

Right now Im more after suggestions for specific models, or specific controller/LCD/sensor combinations.

 

It wonn't be mounted in a 3.5 bay - it'll be modded to fit on a plinth above the chassis - I like modding!  But that means I'm equally happy with any of standalone/separates/3.5 bay, because I can mod any of them into a plinth enclosure, when I get them.

 

Specific Chinese ones would be fine, but delivery will be slow, build quality unclear, and metals - can I be sure there's no cheap aluminium inside? I'd rather a "known brand" already sold in the UK/EU, unless there's a very specific Ali/Chinese product recommendation in mind.

[Tristerin]

16 minutes ago, Stilez said:

Thanks - at this point I don't know which models to look at. Ideally reputation in the field - bitpower, barrow, aquacomputing, etc. It's my 1st serious custom loop so should I include Koolance/Swiftech in that list as well?

 

Right now Im more after suggestions for specific models, or specific controller/LCD/sensor combinations.

 

It wonn't be mounted in a 3.5 bay - it'll be modded to fit on a plinth above the chassis - I like modding!  But that means I'm equally happy with any of standalone/separates/3.5 bay, because I can mod any of them into a plinth enclosure, when I get them.

 

Specific Chinese ones would be fine, but delivery will be slow, build quality unclear, and metals - can I be sure there's no cheap aluminium inside? I'd rather a "known brand" already sold in the UK/EU, unless there's a very specific Ali/Chinese product recommendation in mind.

 

I personally steer clear of all name brands and only focus on Chinesium loops - its my forte lol - and I have yet to have a single issue with any of my components (and yes, I intentionally mix metals - however have yet to had an item not come as the metal described) from China (2-6 week LT though for sure - if Aliexpress, Ebay from China is typically 2 weeks).

 

I suggest going to Ebay/Google and searching for:

 

Bay Reservoir temp sensor flow sensor

digital flow temp sensor PC loop

 

Till you find one that matches what you are looking for

 

Stuff like this is pretty dope if it works :

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Computer-PC-Water-Cooling-System-Flow-Indicator-Meter-G1-4in-Built-in-Sensor/264556919301?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D225086%26meid%3D6afe32f053364eee8ac74912b6f30b19%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D163991402803%26itm%3D264556919301%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598

[Stilez]

2-6 weeks is 1-5 weeks too long  Also, with £2.5k ($3.1k) hardware at risk if there's ever a loop component problem, I don't mind skipping mixed metals and unknown makers, and sticking with "known good", I have to be honest.

 

Part of why I'm asking is that it's hard to know what features they have (and if there are cheaper models missing features I dont need), from these kinds of web pages.

[Tristerin]

4 minutes ago, Stilez said:

2-6 weeks is 1-5 weeks too long  Also, with £2.5k ($3.1k) hardware at risk if there's ever a loop component problem, I don't mind skipping mixed metals and unknown makers, and sticking with "known good", I have to be honest.

 

Part of why I'm asking is that it's hard to know what features they have (and if there are cheaper models missing features I dont need), from these kinds of web pages.

Understandable - just some things you can search for and terms used in the industry for these things.  In the end I think you could call Swiftech and Koolance as good suppliers though, from what I read here