$500 DIY Water Cooled PC Challenge - Scrapyard Wars Episode 2a

The team behind Scrapyard Wars Episode 2a sets out to build a $500 water‑cooled PC, allocating $300 for the computer and $200 for cooling components. They source a classic tower case from Craigslist for $200, a submersible pump for $110, a radiator for $108, and copper tubing for $20, leaving $150 for the radiator, reservoir, fittings, and GPU block. The plan includes crafting a CPU water block and a GPU block using a neighbor’s CNC mill, with a focus on a quiet, efficient loop. The team will hand‑bend the copper tubing to fit the case, sourcing parts from Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, and Home Depot, and will use a Dremel tool for final adjustments. During the build, the speaker demonstrates how to create aluminum blocks for a DIY water‑cooled PC, using copper tubing and a corrosion inhibitor. He highlights future updates on Scrapyard Wars and notes Luke’s use of a Dremel tool. The video showcases the assembly of the water‑cooling loop, the installation of the GPU block, and the final tuning of the system’s acoustics. The team’s goal is to achieve a quiet, efficient loop that meets the challenge’s criteria of creativity, effectiveness, aesthetics, acoustics, and overall performance.

Viewers praise the video’s clear demonstration of the build process and the practical sourcing of parts. Comments highlight the team’s enthusiasm for the challenge and the quality of the video’s editing. Some viewers note the helpfulness of the Dremel tool and the efficient use of the $500 budget. Overall sentiment is positive, with many likes and supportive replies indicating strong engagement.

Topics · pc · tech · review · build · performance · gaming · unboxing