Considering a Water cooling setup

[ScottFern]

My rig is listed in my sig. I am using a Zalman AlCu 7000 HSF. My idle CPU temp is 30-33C and my load temp is 45C according to ASUS Probe. My 6800GT is at 57C idle and around 77C under load.

I don't know why I am so paranoid about my setup, but I keep asking myself do I need watercooling?

I am only OCing 2.8->3.3 but to be honest I have no clue if that is even good or if my temps are satisfactory?

 

[akira34]

Your [processor] temps are fine... No need to go liquid unless you want to get something quieter. If your 6800GT is using stock cooling, consider getting the Arctic Cooling rev. 5 (for nVidia) for it. I did, and see temps in the low 40's at idle, high 50's to border 60's at load. Easily a 10C improvement.

 

[ScottFern]

Yeah, the cheaper and more reasonable route would be to just apply some AS5 to my CPU and GPU.

How hard is it to take the fan apart and put it back together on the 6800GT?

I just wasn't sure if the AS5 did anything? I am also paranoid I am getting inaccurate data from ASUS probe.

The main reason I asked was because I had a niec OC on my CPU and a decent OC on my GPU and HL2 crashed and reset my computer when I changed the resolution.

 

[akira34]

It's not that difficult to do the 6800GT conversion. Just make sure you have the small screwdrivers you'll need to get the old heatsink off... You'll want to clean up the old thermal compound off the card, install the new (per instructions) and then assemble the new cooler onto the card. I read before I did mine that you want to use the old bracing bracket that goes behind the card, on the new cooler. Getting that to fit over the screws was probably the hardest part of the entire assembly process...

 

[ScottFern]

Well, I have the Arctic Cooling Rev 5 and AS5 in my newegg basket for $42 shipped to my house!

 

[ScottFern]

Did you use AS5 when your put the VGA cooler on?

 

[akira34]

I used the thermal compound that's included with the AC rev. 5... works really well.

 

[iamtrout]

Aye, your setup looks perfectly fine. At this point go with watercooling if you want the experience.

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
Well, I have the Arctic Cooling Rev 5 and AS5 in my newegg basket for $42 shipped to my house!

I hope together these can satisfy my cooling needs! VGA Cooler + AS5 should be pretty nice, not to mention lower the ambient temperature in my case!

10C difference would be well worth it.

 

[akira34]

Unless you're planning on using the AS5 for other stuff, don't bother... Just use the compound that's included with the VGA cooler. It comes in the syringe type dispenser, to make it easier. They give you more than enough to use on the GPU as well as the memory, so you don't have to worry there. In fact, they give you enough to do two coolers...

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: akira34
Unless you're planning on using the AS5 for other stuff, don't bother... Just use the compound that's included with the VGA cooler. It comes in the syringe type dispenser, to make it easier. They give you more than enough to use on the GPU as well as the memory, so you don't have to worry there. In fact, they give you enough to do two coolers...

I would think the AS5 would help the VGA Cooler stay cooler than with the grease they give you?

 

[stevty2889]

Are you using a northwood(512k cache) or a Prescott(1mb cache). Canterwood is the 875 chipset, not a pentium 4. In any case, your temps are definatly good. My 2.8 prescott @ 3.5ghz idles at 45c and gets up to 60c under load, so you have nothing to worry about with temps like that.

 

[Mrvile]

Wow how do you get those CPU temps? I use an XP-90 with a Panaflo fan on my Winchester 3500+ but I still get like around 40 temps idle.

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: ScottFern

Originally posted by: akira34
Unless you're planning on using the AS5 for other stuff, don't bother... Just use the compound that's included with the VGA cooler. It comes in the syringe type dispenser, to make it easier. They give you more than enough to use on the GPU as well as the memory, so you don't have to worry there. In fact, they give you enough to do two coolers...

I would think the AS5 would help the VGA Cooler stay cooler than with the grease they give you?

I used the stuff that came with the cooler on mine... I've also found that sometimes you're better off using what comes with a product than thinking to 'upgrade' to something else. I know the stuff that ships with the AC items works well... If you want to try out the AS5, go ahead. But don't be upset if your temps are the same as mine, or worse.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
My rig is listed in my sig. I am using a Zalman AlCu 7000 HSF. My idle CPU temp is 30-33C and my load temp is 45C according to ASUS Probe. My 6800GT is at 57C idle and around 77C under load.

I don't know why I am so paranoid about my setup, but I keep asking myself do I need watercooling?

I am only OCing 2.8->3.3 but to be honest I have no clue if that is even good or if my temps are satisfactory?

Well, look at it this way, if you want to go water and have the money, you don't need anyone to justify it for you. Water-cooled FRU's are more stable and last longer. Water is a more efficient means of thermal management compared to forced-air, hands down. A tailored water-cooler can help you achieve higher overclocks. These benefits, however, come at the price of expense, complexity and, if you don't do your homework, danger. There it is, in a nutshell. :thumbsup:

 

[xSnowblindx]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Wow how do you get those CPU temps? I use an XP-90 with a Panaflo fan on my Winchester 3500+ but I still get like around 40 temps idle.

ScottFern is talking about an Intel, which run cooler than AMDs.

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
Are you using a northwood(512k cache) or a Prescott(1mb cache). Canterwood is the 875 chipset, not a pentium 4. In any case, your temps are definatly good. My 2.8 prescott @ 3.5ghz idles at 45c and gets up to 60c under load, so you have nothing to worry about with temps like that.

Corrected, and yes my temps are very reasonable because of the P4s which run significantly cooler than a A64.

 

[stevennoland]

If you do plan to water-cool, DO NOT get a Hydor pump. I had two leak on me. Plus, they require 120 volt ac. F that! Get the new 12 volt DC pumps. They ROCK!

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: stevennoland
If you do plan to water-cool, DO NOT get a Hydor pump. I had two leak on me. Plus, they require 120 volt ac. F that! Get the new 12 volt DC pumps. They ROCK!

Yup! :thumbsup:

 

[pplapeu]

my water cooling rig is two days old....I dropped 20C with a 103w Prescott....I ran it for hours doing DV programs that run 75% to 90% on one hyperthread on and off....i say the average temperature is 49C under load.....start up day two was 35C.....hour after hour

after a few hours I found the water temp was 78F and the fan blew 74C air....I have 5/6th of a gallon heat sink

this thing is home made....i run a 120v pump and 120v fan

formula:
1. radiators
2. pump-----up to 5GPM
3. reservoir - glue PVC drain pipes together, big as you want
4. fan to suck off radiators in a closed plenum box
5. water block...i got a used Rev. 3 innovatek (6mm tubing is at McMaster-Carr) all you frekin; want for under a buck a foot....the 3/8" tube is at the store

 

[ScottFern]

OK, im a little pissed, my idle temps are still at 56C and my load temps is at 73C....what gives? I used AS5 and everything?

Let me know what you all think?