? about reservoir and filling the lines

[ScissorClaw]

I'm setting up a water cooling rig with a Maze3 on the CPU and another WB on the NB. I have a bay-res all ready to be used, but now I'm trying to decide if I really need it, or want it. Sure, it will look cool when I hook up the UV cathode and have the UV red-dye flowing, but is it REALLY neccesary?
Also, if I do not go with a reservoir, how would I fill the system. I have the the pump on the inside and then the input and output tubes go out the back through a couple of holes I dremeled to a BlackIce Xtreme II rad. I'm new to this, so I was wondering if I can just slide a t-connector in somewhere by the rad to fill up the lines. The rad, without the reservoir, is the highest piece of equipment in the loop, so I figure the xtra can be bled out at the t-conector also? is this correct thinking?

 

[Blain]

Keep the res. With water cooling... the more the better.

 

[ScissorClaw]

That's what I thought. However, I have been getting conflicting opinions from other folks from other forums. I think I am definelty going to keep it. Besides the bling bling effect, it's solid thinking that the more the better. Thanks.

 

[Blain]

I had a water cooling setup with a good pump, good radiator and good water block. Without a reservoir my temps just weren't any cooler than with air cooling. I didn't have enough water volume to deal with the heat being pumped out by the CPU.
I have my doubts about dinky reservoirs inside cases also. The best solution would be a large capacity external reservoir.

 

[ScissorClaw]

I have actually decided to rework the whole layout. I am probably going to use a 10 G fish tank that I have laying around that is in good shap. I'll also drop my Hydor L30 in there and let it do it's thing. I still haven't decided if I am going to leave the bay-res in there for added visual effect.

On a related question, when I am really pushing and overcvlocking the new rig, is it feasible to throw some ice into the fish tank to bring the temps down a little. I know that there will be a problem with condensation, but it there a specific temperatur where the condensation starts? Is it a couple of degrees below ambient? Does ambient humidity play a role here? Is it even worth it?

 

[Blain]

I think condensation begins when the water temp. is dropped below the dew point.
Think what happens to a glass of ice water.

The extra few MHz. you Might get from cooling the water with ice, is minimal. Set your rig up for maximum stability first, maximum performance second.
It's just not worth fight instability for a few MHz.

 

[Yourself]

I never heard more water in your system equals better temps. I have personally run a T-Line system and a reservoir system and the temps were exactly the same. A reservoir makes it easier to fill and bleed...that's about it and that's why I use one Here is a pic of my setup....


Self

 

[GAZZA]

As Yourself pointed out that is the only reason you would really use one, after a certain period of time no matter how much water you have it's all going to equalize temp wise with time ! more water will just mean it'll take longer is all.
Yourself , nice simple cooling setup you dood ! and nice res btw !
Do you have problems topping the res up/bleeding the air out, seeing as it is lower than your cpu wb ?

 

[ScissorClaw]

Nice setup yourself. How do you keep the HDD cool where you have them? Is there a fan hiding in there?

 

[Yourself]

Originally posted by: GAZZA
As Yourself pointed out that is the only reason you would really use one, after a certain period of time no matter how much water you have it's all going to equalize temp wise with time ! more water will just mean it'll take longer is all.
Yourself , nice simple cooling setup you dood ! and nice res btw !
Do you have problems topping the res up/bleeding the air out, seeing as it is lower than your cpu wb ?

nope...it just takes a little longer to bleed. There is enough gap between the inlet and outlet to help keep the bubbles from going back into the loop.

@Scissor

There is a fan holder inside the drive cage....


Self

 

[Saurk]

What really matters is the temperature equilibrium established in your water setup via heat transfer: heat in (CPU, pump, etc) = heat out (radiator or heater core + fans)

It really shouldn't matter how much "reserve" water you have in the system, except in the short term. With additional volume, the water will just take longer to heat up. There might be minor exceptions to this, since the reservior provides larger surface area for surrounding air to cool, but this should be small in comparison to the effect of the radiator in an efficient setup.

That said, if you have a REALLY big reservoir, it will act as a large heat sink, and you might not see the temps rise much just because you don't leave your computer on long enough to heat up all that H2O. Or, maybe you could leave that big 'ol reservoir open, and use evaporative cooling? Just make sure you remember to keep filling the reservoir...