Watercooling Guru's Help! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

theburner · 06-28-2004, 04:16 PM

I am debating buying a watercooling kit. Any suggestions? I have to admit the thought of a leak scares the crap out of me.

Otherwise, I am running;
IC7-Max3
P3 3.4 Northwood HT
1GB Matched Pair Corsair XMS 3200
2x 120GB Samsung 7200 SATA Raid 0 Boot Disk
2x 120GB Samsung 7200 SATA Raid 1 Data Disks
1x 120GB IDE 7200 Maxtor
3x Opticals
550 MHz Sparkle

I want to permanently overclock my system to something 3.6 and above. When I attempted a 210 FSB, my temps hit 62C Under load. Backed it off, now 45c and 58c under load.

Let me know your experiences with water cooling..

Redjake · 06-28-2004, 05:16 PM

I would try to find ANY combination of badass heatsinks and CPU fans before going water cooling. 62C isn't entirely bad, either. It's getting hot, but not too hot. A nice heatsink and CPU fan would probably get that down to around 55 C or so, which is perfectly plausible. Get some Arctic Silver thermal paste.

I can't really recommend water cooling. Your hardware is too nice, and it's not worth it. Get a nice airflow going in your case, ANYTHING but water cooling. I understand that water cooling is pretty safe with proper installation, but it's just not worth it for me. I wouldn't do it.

theburner · 06-28-2004, 06:16 PM

RedJake

Yeah, I have to admit hooking water up is a scary proposition. Likewise, taking the whole system apart to install an SP-94 with Vantac fan is daunting also. There is just too much potential for this system to be OC'd to stick with the stock Intel set.

The way I figure it, by the time I remove the motherboard and install the SP-94, I can do a first class water install.

Redjake · 06-28-2004, 06:29 PM

well, if you have the money to throw around if the water cooling springs a leak, go for it! but if I had that same setup, I would have it police-taped off when it comes to liquid.

and I understand there is a lot of potential to OC, so why not get a heatsink and fan like I suggested?

OC to your heart's desire. a lot of tests show that there are heatsinks and fans out there that can match water cooling's temperatures. it will be louder, but safer!

JStrider · 06-28-2004, 07:08 PM

well i got a dangerden kit...

maze 3 waterblock... 1 80mm radiator... their little resevoir and an ehiem pump...

i wanted to go completely internal so you wouldnt be able to tell it was watercooled without taking the side panel off...

their resevoir cracked and filled the bottom of my case with water... so i built another and strapped it to the back...

if i had to do it again i would go with bigger or multiple radiators... and a bigger resevoir to start out with...

my temperatures a little better then when i was using aircooling... and its a lot quieter...

yakimushi · 06-28-2004, 08:21 PM

I've done it back when I was OCing AMD TBirds, those hot little fuckers...

I used a Maze 3 with acrylic top and 1/2" barbs, a Via Aqua 1300 pump with 1/2" barbs, and a Ford ZX-2 heatercore which has 5/8" barbs. I ran everything in line so I didn't need a reservoir.

Everything was hooked up with 1/2" ID ClearFlex50 tubing. Its basically the same stuff as Tygon at half the price.

When running the system I actually knocked my computer (all 45lbs of it, steel full tower) off my desk and cracked the pump, got water all over the place. My computer hummed along like nothing had happened because I was using straight distilled water. I got lucky...

Eventually I just switched to a big ass heatsink and a cooler processor. Moving the computer around with the water gear in it made me nervous. Plus, the heatercore was pretty damn big and I didn't have the space for it. On top of that I was having problems with the aluminum heatercore and the copper water block reacting with each other. If I do go back to water, I'll be getting an aluminum block.

Oh, and if you do go water, make sure the block mounts through the motherboard, the weight of the block and hoses can easily rip off a socket if your computer is dropped or knocked.

One more thing... research everything!!! Read, read, then read some more before you make a decision. This will save you money and headache.

theburner · 06-29-2004, 05:29 AM

I am at a crossroads. I am fearful of the addition of water to that system without a doubt. I do want to clear up some of the miles of Fan Cables I have to keep that beast cool.

Basically I have to decide whether I want to:

a) Take all of the components out, drill bigger air holes front, side, back and top (and get better quality aluminum fans), install an SP-94 with Vantec Tornado.... I have to be very careful what sink I install, I have the IC7-Max3 with that huge ass OATES cooling pipe that limits the size of the sink I can install. I already have a Swiftech NB system, which while nice is HUGE.
b) Rip out all of the fans, install some watercooling and be done with it.

The water cooling option sounds easier, but has a higher risk factor. The total rip-apart of my system is a daunting task, but once completed will net me a VERY efficient system.

I hate to say it, but Intel's higher end chips now run hotter than blazes. I really hate to see what is going to happen when they get up to the 4.0Ghz and higher. What will cooling be then? Blocks of ice you have to replace hourly? It is getting rediculous. I currently have 8 fans in that box and can still get up over 60c under load. Granted it is the stock Intel Sink and fan, but GEEZ..

yakimushi · 06-29-2004, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by theburner
Granted it is the stock Intel Sink and fan, but GEEZ..

Oooooook.

You just solved your problem right there. You NEED a new heatsink. I'd highly suggest something from Zalman or Thermalright. If its big and copper it should do the trick. Alpha's are pretty decent too if you're on more of a budget.

Alpha PAL8942 - $29.99
Thermalright SP-94 - $39.99
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu - $38.99

(all prices www.svc.com)

soccerchamp76 · 06-30-2004, 11:47 AM

http://thermaltake.com/coolers/combo...24tower112.htm

This copper heatpipe cooler supports the LGA775 Prescott up to 3.6GHz with overclocking support. You also have the ability to add 2 fans to both sides of the copper fins. That should solve your problem.

06-28-2004, 04:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
theburner Canadian Beer Ambassador Location: Cumming, GA	Watercooling Guru's Help! I am debating buying a watercooling kit. Any suggestions? I have to admit the thought of a leak scares the crap out of me. Otherwise, I am running; IC7-Max3 P3 3.4 Northwood HT 1GB Matched Pair Corsair XMS 3200 2x 120GB Samsung 7200 SATA Raid 0 Boot Disk 2x 120GB Samsung 7200 SATA Raid 1 Data Disks 1x 120GB IDE 7200 Maxtor 3x Opticals 550 MHz Sparkle I want to permanently overclock my system to something 3.6 and above. When I attempted a 210 FSB, my temps hit 62C Under load. Backed it off, now 45c and 58c under load. Let me know your experiences with water cooling.. __________________ Take Off Eh!

06-28-2004, 05:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	I would try to find ANY combination of badass heatsinks and CPU fans before going water cooling. 62C isn't entirely bad, either. It's getting hot, but not too hot. A nice heatsink and CPU fan would probably get that down to around 55 C or so, which is perfectly plausible. Get some Arctic Silver thermal paste. I can't really recommend water cooling. Your hardware is too nice, and it's not worth it. Get a nice airflow going in your case, ANYTHING but water cooling. I understand that water cooling is pretty safe with proper installation, but it's just not worth it for me. I wouldn't do it. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

06-28-2004, 06:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
theburner Canadian Beer Ambassador Location: Cumming, GA	RedJake Yeah, I have to admit hooking water up is a scary proposition. Likewise, taking the whole system apart to install an SP-94 with Vantac fan is daunting also. There is just too much potential for this system to be OC'd to stick with the stock Intel set. The way I figure it, by the time I remove the motherboard and install the SP-94, I can do a first class water install. __________________ Take Off Eh!

06-28-2004, 06:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	well, if you have the money to throw around if the water cooling springs a leak, go for it! but if I had that same setup, I would have it police-taped off when it comes to liquid. and I understand there is a lot of potential to OC, so why not get a heatsink and fan like I suggested? OC to your heart's desire. a lot of tests show that there are heatsinks and fans out there that can match water cooling's temperatures. it will be louder, but safer! __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

06-28-2004, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	well i got a dangerden kit... maze 3 waterblock... 1 80mm radiator... their little resevoir and an ehiem pump... i wanted to go completely internal so you wouldnt be able to tell it was watercooled without taking the side panel off... their resevoir cracked and filled the bottom of my case with water... so i built another and strapped it to the back... if i had to do it again i would go with bigger or multiple radiators... and a bigger resevoir to start out with... my temperatures a little better then when i was using aircooling... and its a lot quieter... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

06-28-2004, 08:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
yakimushi Addict	I've done it back when I was OCing AMD TBirds, those hot little fuckers... I used a Maze 3 with acrylic top and 1/2" barbs, a Via Aqua 1300 pump with 1/2" barbs, and a Ford ZX-2 heatercore which has 5/8" barbs. I ran everything in line so I didn't need a reservoir. Everything was hooked up with 1/2" ID ClearFlex50 tubing. Its basically the same stuff as Tygon at half the price. When running the system I actually knocked my computer (all 45lbs of it, steel full tower) off my desk and cracked the pump, got water all over the place. My computer hummed along like nothing had happened because I was using straight distilled water. I got lucky... Eventually I just switched to a big ass heatsink and a cooler processor. Moving the computer around with the water gear in it made me nervous. Plus, the heatercore was pretty damn big and I didn't have the space for it. On top of that I was having problems with the aluminum heatercore and the copper water block reacting with each other. If I do go back to water, I'll be getting an aluminum block. Oh, and if you do go water, make sure the block mounts through the motherboard, the weight of the block and hoses can easily rip off a socket if your computer is dropped or knocked. One more thing... research everything!!! Read, read, then read some more before you make a decision. This will save you money and headache.

06-29-2004, 05:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
theburner Canadian Beer Ambassador Location: Cumming, GA	I am at a crossroads. I am fearful of the addition of water to that system without a doubt. I do want to clear up some of the miles of Fan Cables I have to keep that beast cool. Basically I have to decide whether I want to: a) Take all of the components out, drill bigger air holes front, side, back and top (and get better quality aluminum fans), install an SP-94 with Vantec Tornado.... I have to be very careful what sink I install, I have the IC7-Max3 with that huge ass OATES cooling pipe that limits the size of the sink I can install. I already have a Swiftech NB system, which while nice is HUGE. b) Rip out all of the fans, install some watercooling and be done with it. The water cooling option sounds easier, but has a higher risk factor. The total rip-apart of my system is a daunting task, but once completed will net me a VERY efficient system. I hate to say it, but Intel's higher end chips now run hotter than blazes. I really hate to see what is going to happen when they get up to the 4.0Ghz and higher. What will cooling be then? Blocks of ice you have to replace hourly? It is getting rediculous. I currently have 8 fans in that box and can still get up over 60c under load. Granted it is the stock Intel Sink and fan, but GEEZ.. __________________ Take Off Eh!

06-30-2004, 11:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	http://thermaltake.com/coolers/combo...24tower112.htm This copper heatpipe cooler supports the LGA775 Prescott up to 3.6GHz with overclocking support. You also have the ability to add 2 fans to both sides of the copper fins. That should solve your problem. __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.