Ok, I've NEVER touched anything to do with watercooling before.
Which is better, barbs or compression? -
IMO with a single block loop barbs will be good enough. I used barbs and didnt have one issue
What is your experience of watercooling? As a competant PC builder, I am going to get leaks having never touched watercooling before? Is it relatively maintainence free (once setup correctly) or not? -
Last year was the first time I had ever attepted a watercooled system. Once I read up on what I needed it was very easy. Didnt get one leak as I took my time and made sure all joints and seals were secure. Also, pretty much maintainence free, mine could really do with emptying the loop and re-filling as its been running for nearly 18 months. Though temps are still low and the pump and coolant look fine.
Would I be right in assuming there is nothing stopping me from setting the water loop up in a system that only has a PSU to test with? (i.e Pump, Rad, Reservoir, CPU Block) -
yeah thats fine mate, I just used an old PSU and put a paper clip on the 2 crimps on the 24 pin adaptor so the PSU could be "jump started". Google will tell you which 2 pins you need to papercli together.
What is the correct order for doing the watercooling installation? What testing should I do? -
As I had a built in res/pump (as you can see in my thread) my order is pump/res > rad > cpu block. IMO its best to get one built in unless you plan on installing a rad with a drain point. Its upto you really.
How tight do the fittings need to be? Finger tight? or tightened with tools? -
the barbs onto the actual units i.e onto the CPU block were tightened with a tool just so it properly compresses the o-ring.
How much liquid am I likely to need? -
Liquid wise, I used an all in one Non Conductive Coolant i.e
http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1857
Cheers.