i7 Watercooled Temperatures...Underwhelming

[Scionix]

Hey guys, I just moved my rig into a Silverstone Raven Rv02 and changed my reservoir, and I think my temps are a tad too high. At 4Ghz, my i7 920 is using 1.25v core and idles at 40 degrees. P95 test gets it up to 60. I feel like it should be about ten degrees cooler. Am I wrong? Do I need to reseat the block?

Old reservoir: http://www.koolertek.com/computer-p...ing-DDC-Fits-Swiftech-MCP350-355-225p2234.htm

New: http://www.koolertek.com/computer-p...-Laing-DDC-Fits-Swiftech-350-355-225p2240.htm

Pump: Swiftech 355

Radiator: XSPC 360mm triple radiator

CPU Block: Heatkiller 3.0

 

[borisvodofsky]

Hey guys, I just moved my rig into a Silverstone Raven Rv02 and changed my reservoir, and I think my temps are a tad too high. At 4Ghz, my i7 920 is using 1.25v core and idles at 40 degrees. P95 test gets it up to 60. I feel like it should be about ten degrees cooler. Am I wrong? Do I need to reseat the block?

Old reservoir: http://www.koolertek.com/computer-p...ing-DDC-Fits-Swiftech-MCP350-355-225p2234.htm

New: http://www.koolertek.com/computer-p...-Laing-DDC-Fits-Swiftech-350-355-225p2240.htm

Pump: Swiftech 355

Radiator: XSPC 360mm triple radiator

CPU Block: Heatkiller 3.0

LOL,, get a real japanese pump.

 

[Scionix]

LOL,, get a real japanese pump.

Seeing as the reservoir only fits two models, that's not an option.

 

[BD231]

P95 @ 60c full load with a 4ghz i7 and you think you should be doing better??

Temps on the i7's are outrageous. Just do a search in this CPU form for i7 temps and you'll see load temps well above 70c with idle temps a @ 46 to 50c on lesser overclocks.

You're doing fine.

 

[Scionix]

P95 @ 60c full load with a 4ghz i7 and you think you should be doing better??

Temps on the i7's are outrageous. Just do a search in this CPU form for i7 temps and you'll see load temps well above 70c with idle temps a @ 46 to 50c on lesser overclocks.

You're doing fine.

Ah, ok, sorry. I just saw some people on other forums with high end air coolers idling around 35C and I got suspicious. Thanks for taking the time to respond with an actual answer!

 

[Kenmitch]

Hyper-threading enbled?

Static overclock....As in constant 4ghz?

Temps don't seem to bad. Idle maybe a little high....Load looks ok

 

[3DVagabond]

Where did you mount your rad with that case?

 

[Scionix]

Where did you mount your rad with that case?

At the bottom. The case comes with 3 big-ole 180mm fans with radiator mounting brackets, but any sort of radiator would have to be 30mm or thinner to make way for 10.5" cards (my GTX 295 included). So, I took out the fans and replaced them with the radiator and 3 120mm fans. Granted, this isn't ideal for air performance in the case, but I'm not too worried, as I haven't OC'd the 295 and am planning on getting a waterblock for it soon. Be forewarned, the 3 fans at the bottom are not going to line up perfectly with the mesh, so you may have to "widen" a few of the holes.

It looks like this: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241981

However, my radiator is thicker, so just imagine that but without the filter/standoffs.

Hyper-threading enbled?

Static overclock....As in constant 4ghz?

Temps don't seem to bad. Idle maybe a little high....Load looks ok

HT is enabled and the OC is static, yes.

 

[3DVagabond]

I assume you have the fans blowing into the case, drawing cool air from outside? That's probably best with the setup you have. Would raise the ambient temp in the case a bit for the other components, but I can't think of a better way to do it.

I never thought of using that case with serious liquid cooling. It's a real good case and there are some good deals on it right now.

Edit: Just dawned on me. Is the only thing in the loop the CPU? I'd expect it to run cooler too with that size rad. I would guess that something is restricting the water flow?

 

[Scionix]

I assume you have the fans blowing into the case, drawing cool air from outside? That's probably best with the setup you have. Would raise the ambient temp in the case a bit for the other components, but I can't think of a better way to do it.

I never thought of using that case with serious liquid cooling. It's a real good case and there are some good deals on it right now.

Edit: Just dawned on me. Is the only thing in the loop the CPU? I'd expect it to run cooler too with that size rad. I would guess that something is restricting the water flow?

The CPU is indeed the only thing in the loop. I think I might change out some of the fittings tomorrow, as I put a one 90 degree and one 45 degree barb in the loop in the process of moving cases. I think I'll switch back to all straight barbs and see how I do.

Also, the fans pull air as you described. They suck air from the bottom of the case (has about an inch of space with the feet on) and blow it up through the radiator. I could add 2 120mm fans on top of the radiator if I really wanted to (for pulling), but it would probably look weird having only 2/3 fans up top (because of the GPU). And if you care, I switched from a coolermaster HAF 932, and I prefer the raven. The only complaints I have are:

a.) Only space for 3 hard drives and 1 SSD (although you could probably do more SSD's by modding the HD cage). This doesn't really matter to me, as I only use one HD anyway, but it's worth considering, and

b.) no toolless extraction for the HD cage itself.

I basically switched cases because I'm moving to Texas for college, and I needed a full tower that could fit my 360mm rad but had a better form factor for a cramped dorm desk. The raven is big, but the rectangle shape makes it look smaller and makes it a lot more attractive on top of a desk.

 

[Sylvanas]

When I watercooled my i7 d0, I was getting slightly higher load temps than what you reported- perhaps it was due to my unruly airflow and lack of a backplate but anyways, I would not be dissapointed with your results. Things to improve your temps are:

1. Mounting - is the block making proper contact with the CPU? Remounting may be a good way to test this (clean and reapply TIM) and see if you get any better. Also- don't be like me, always use a backplate.
2. Thermal paste- here is a good example of how thermal paste spreads. Make sure you provide enough to cover the center of the die but also don't go overboard as excesses can be a hindrance to cooling potential.
3. Ambient temps and fan setup. Static pressure is important for rads, you may see small improvements with a push/pull configuration aswell.

 

[Elganja]

what are the ambient temperatures? fluid temperature?

 

[Gillbot]

Ah, ok, sorry. I just saw some people on other forums with high end air coolers idling around 35C and I got suspicious. Thanks for taking the time to respond with an actual answer!

Always take numbers from the internet with a grain of salt. My i7 965 idles at a mere 18c but it's not fair to assume everyone can get there since I keep my PC in the basement where the ambient is around 60f. Furthermore, idle temps are useless and you should concentrate on load temps. If it runs under the thermal limits and operates correctly, why sweat a few degrees here or there?

 

[Markfw]

My 920 runs 60c full load on air, but its only at 3.7. I think your temps are in the range.

The only better advice, would be to post in cases and cooling, the mod there (aigomorla) is god on watercooling, as in he knows everything. Whatever HE says on the topic, you can take to the bank.

 

[nyker96]

This temp depends on program you load it up with. I think if you try LinX and get 60 under water is not bad at all, most air setup is like 75-85C linx full load. You should be about 10C cooler than best air cooler on same exact case, setup etc. But I wonder what is the rest of your set up I mean how many radiators you got, is your gcard in the loop etc. anyways, it might just be in the ball park, can you try out linx and report back?

 

[Scionix]

This temp depends on program you load it up with. I think if you try LinX and get 60 under water is not bad at all, most air setup is like 75-85C linx full load. You should be about 10C cooler than best air cooler on same exact case, setup etc. But I wonder what is the rest of your set up I mean how many radiators you got, is your gcard in the loop etc. anyways, it might just be in the ball park, can you try out linx and report back?

Will do.

 

[aigomorla]

At 4Ghz, my i7 920 is using 1.25v core and idles at 40 degrees. P95 test gets it up to 60. I feel like it should be about ten degrees cooler. Am I wrong? Do I need to reseat the block?

First off, your less likely to find help on water in this section, because its a cpu section, not a cooling section.

Water belongs in my section, the case and cooling section.
And your flipping out on excellent temps.

You need to keep note, ambients will always be different from one person to another, so never take values on another person as set.
For all you know he could be benching his computer outside in the snow. Or in ruby's case, a bucket full of ice water. :rofl:

LOL,, get a real japanese pump.

excuse me i hope this is sarcasm.
because laing, yes that pump is made by laing is an industrial company that is known for pumps.
And the 355 is a pretty good pump. Its not an Iwaki RD-30, but it still a great pump.
http://lainginc.itt.com/LG-pump-DDC-Series.asp

BTW i own an RD-30 and about 10+ DDC's 355, and had up to 4 D5's at one point in time.
And this Japanese man pump is just too big in some settings:

P95 @ 60c full load with a 4ghz i7 and you think you should be doing better??

Temps on the i7's are outrageous. Just do a search in this CPU form for i7 temps and you'll see load temps well above 70c with idle temps a @ 46 to 50c on lesser overclocks.

You're doing fine.

I think the OP wants Phase now....

 

[extra]

A lot depends on your ambients. Mine runs fairly hot too. Ambients around 75f. 4.2 or 4.4ghz (depends on ambients lol). Idles around 31-36c (depends on ambients) load between 58c and 68c (again, depends on the ambients). However mine is at 1.4 vcore lol.

 

[Scionix]

Thanks for the reply Aigomorla. I guess I just had some unrealistic expectations! By the way, to the poster asking me to use linpack, I used the xeon64 test (sorry if this isn't a good one to use, I'm unfamiliar with linpack), and the hottest it got me was 57 degrees. P95 gets me to 60 degrees max. Also, my ambient temperature is 72 degrees F.

Thanks for all the help, posters!

 

[borisvodofsky]

My 920 runs 60c full load on air, but its only at 3.7. I think your temps are in the range.

The only better advice, would be to post in cases and cooling, the mod there (aigomorla) is god on watercooling, as in he knows everything. Whatever HE says on the topic, you can take to the bank.

Honestly I think Case = FAIL.. Unless you have a Cat or siblings.

No Case, Less fans, Less power, Less heat, No dead zones, Less noise (assuming you water the gpu as well)

and if your hearing is sensitive to PC ringing, then get a longer cable and MOVE the case further away from you.. or put a piece of cardboard between the direct line to your pc.

 

[BD231]

I think the OP wants Phase now....

 

[Rubycon]

WC is overrated.

I think the OP wants Phase now....

 

[flexcore]

When I watercooled my i7 d0, I was getting slightly higher load temps than what you reported- perhaps it was due to my unruly airflow and lack of a backplate but anyways, I would not be dissapointed with your results. Things to improve your temps are:

1. Mounting - is the block making proper contact with the CPU? Remounting may be a good way to test this (clean and reapply TIM) and see if you get any better. Also- don't be like me, always use a backplate.
2. Thermal paste- here is a good example of how thermal paste spreads. Make sure you provide enough to cover the center of the die but also don't go overboard as excesses can be a hindrance to cooling potential.
3. Ambient temps and fan setup. Static pressure is important for rads, you may see small improvements with a push/pull configuration aswell.

What happened to 'just a couple grains of rice' amount of compond? Seems like to much compond, i never used that much.