My Bathtub Water Cooling System Project for Audio System

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jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
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I think he wants to make it a visual centerpiece for whatever it is he's trying to prove. And there's no case. Open air.
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
7,326
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Prior to my first post in this thread, I looked at those on Newegg, but none of them seemed to list the X1950XTX. Maybe I missed it though.

I've noticed companies like AC don't always have updated or complete listing for cards that are supported. Or they'll list cards with a certain mounting type (screw hole positioning) but not older/newer cards with the same mounting type. This, of course, does not count variations in cards that might prevent installation (ex: 3rd party card with non-reference board layout).
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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Pick up the phone and call places. They can tell you if they will get it shipped same day or not. You're looking to pay a huge percentage of your item's cost for next day delivery. Do you have Amazon Prime? if so, just get it there. Even if it's $20 more, you know you'll get it in 2 days and the shipping costs are covered.
I have already ordered the CPU block from the same vendor. I sent him an email and whined about not shipping the item on time. He says he had some personal family matter which explained of the delayed shipping. He shipped out my waterblock immediately and I will be receiving it TODAY. YAY.

I will be posting my assembly of my waterblock for the famous ATi Radeon X1950xtx video card in a few.

So you're going to pump methanol through your system? Isn't methanol a bit, ummm, flammable? And aren't you pumping it through an electronic computer, where a leak could cause a spark?
Of course it is. It's flammable at certain temperatures, but was mixed with water so it wasn't so much of an issue other than really bad smell.

As I said before, I won't be using methanol for this watercooling as I'm not going phase-change. It will be either lightly chilled or at ambient, with a bathtub reservoir holding 50 gallons of tap water. ;)


cheez
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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I think he wants to make it a visual centerpiece for whatever it is he's trying to prove. And there's no case. Open air.
You kind of nailed it, but with extreme effectiveness of my watercooling.

I want to show my unique visual appearance with watercooling my audio system. I call it "Long Distance Open Loop Wattacoolin". Think of it as art... ;)

You will crap your pants once I post video of the finished project either today or tomorrow. You can count on it.


Pics of my assembled waterblock for graphics card coming shortly..
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
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Heatsink REMOVED.


48ie.jpg

As you can see the RAMsinks are remain attached. The ramsinks have screws on them on the backside separate from the stock GPU heatsink and casing.
ialn.jpg


jlcu.jpg


8pki.jpg




Damn I'm good.


cheez
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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4zr.JPG


6le.JPG


7am1.jpg


8y83.jpg


clsd.jpg


y9t7.jpg


4z1h.jpg



Graphics wattablock install complete.


Waiting to receive CPU waterblock TODAY. It's scheduled to be delivered today.


Excited yet? C'mon tell me... SHAKIN' :D


I'm gonna pickup the rest (barb fittings, water tubing, clamps, etc) today on my way home.

My MaxiJet watta-pump has already been tested and is operational. I just need to put thangs together TODAY. I will take video of it too so you can see ACTION...


cheez
 
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jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
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Wonder if you need an extra fan for the video card. The heat sink that's still on there is no longer actively cooled. But you're just doing video decoding, so it's a relatively light load compared to 3d gaming.

Well, if you start getting graphic artifacts, make sure you add a fan.
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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Cool beans.

Thanks for keeping us updated.
Thanks I will. :)

Wonder if you need an extra fan for the video card. The heat sink that's still on there is no longer actively cooled. But you're just doing video decoding, so it's a relatively light load compared to 3d gaming.

Well, if you start getting graphic artifacts, make sure you add a fan.
Yeah mostly I will be listening to music and browsing internet. Oh wait, I just had internet service dropped cause I'm broke. :\

80% music listening, 20% video playback

I won't be gaming at all. :)

CPU waterblock has been delivered. Getting off work and pickup 4 x 20ft water tubing, barb fittings, and hose clamps on the way home!


cheez
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
20,894
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what heat exchanger did you intend to use?

and you got 80 feet of tubing for a maxijet?

This already doesnt look very good.. :\
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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I think there's a connection here.
What connection? Want to elaborate on that?


what heat exchanger did you intend to use?
There is no radiator. The bathtub will act as a large reservoir, for now that is...

and you got 80 feet of tubing for a maxijet?
I wanted to get 80 feet of tubing but I'm broke so I asked the guy to cut the tubing to 70ft. I'm broke really bad man as I spent all on power cables. :\

This already doesnt look very good..
I too wasn't sure if my little Maxijet would push water good enough for such long tubing. One-way distance from block to reservoir turned out to be 38 feet! I only had 35 ft on the tubing. :( So I grabbed my old tubing from the storage and connected to it as an extension, so it is long enough now.


cheez
 
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cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
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Guys, I've got the watercooling system hooked up. Took some pics along the way but didn't have time to take video as I got it finished at 11 PM. Ate dinner after that, take poo and go to bed. Video will come hopefully today.


Here are the pics for CPU block and other parts.


49h2.jpg


9obp.jpg


ub3h.jpg


35rm.jpg


5s68.jpg


t27n.jpg


xw6d.jpg


njap.jpg





cheez
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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Some update guys, girls,

This is my second day of running my audio rig with bathtub-cooled wattacoolin'. I have more good news than bad news.

Good news and accomplishments: With cool water in bathtub with some 50 gallons of water, it is keeping my CPU temp at 28C. My video card GPU is also running cooler (didn't check the temp yet). RAMsinks are hot to the touch, but not any hotter than when it was running with stock air cooler.

No leaks anywhere in the cooling system, not even a single drop. The system is silent, I mean really silent, EXCEPT for the power supply that's making some fan noise.

No graphical issues. Video card is working fine so far. I will let you know if anything comes up.

After 11 hours of use, I checked the temperature of the water in the bathtub and is almost just as cold as it was before. I would have thought that it would get warmed up quickly but that wasn't the case. I will use the thermometer to check temperature on this later.


I was able to bring the Vcore down to 1.1V for the CPU. Previously it was running at 1.3V with stock air cooler. That's as low as it'll go on the motherboard BIOS. No stability issues so far. Motherboard chipset (NB & SB) voltages are also set to the lowest.

Anyone know a way to lower the voltage of the video card using software? I could use that help for my Radeon x1950xtx.


Bad news: The water pump in the bathtub is vibrating. I placed a sponge underneath to reduce vibration. I can still hear it. Since my master bed is attached right next to this bathroom I hear the noise and affected me sleeping. :\ I need a mod for this.



Sorry I was going to take video yesterday but forgot to bring my camera with me. I will surely take video. Video will tell you everything....


cheez
 
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cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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My bathtub water cooled audio system video is up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sra1vo3lMLo&feature=youtu.be


Have fun guys.


My system has been running for a day straight and checked my water in the bathtub when I got home from work. It was still cool to the touch. This is pretty good! I won't need a fan to cool the water in the bathtub.

The only downside is the humidity in my bathroom. That's a lot of water to be sitting there for so long.

Now I just gotta figure out how to keep the water pump from touching the bathtub which is causing vibration.


cheez
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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How long are you going to leave it set up like that?
Not sure yet... I know for certain that it's for temporary.... The guests can still take poo in the bathroom where the waterpump is located. The door can still be closed so... :D

Eventually I may have to move over to deep freezer for reservoir. Set it to mildest temperature and only turn it on when I use it otherwise my waterblocks will get icy cold and run into frost and condensation. Or heck... might as well apply the insulation padding around the blocks and tubing. :\ Not sure if I'm gonna benefit in any sound with subzero cpu temps. That's going to be an interesting venture. The Vcore is already set to the lowest setting where I can't go any further already. This is day 3 since the system has been running non-stop. The bathtub water is still cool to the touch. Really don't need to worry about cooling that thing. :cool: More good news, after viewing plenty of videos the RAMsinks on the video card was warm to the touch! I sure didn't expect that to happen. The GPU temperature shows 33C according to ATi Control Center.

Here is the video version 2 in case if the first one is blocked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v7Yc1r9MfU&feature=youtu.be


My guests have arrived. Later guys. :D



UPDATE: I sure enjoyed the event. The guests faces were like :eek::eek: when they went to the bathroom to go take piss ha ha ha ha ha ha.:D I showed the rest of my setup and sound and video. They once again :eek::eek: We had a good spaghetti lunch, special recipe. ;)


cheez
 
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Agent11

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
3,535
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I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about the plumes of poo particles contaminating my reservoir and loop. :eek:
 

darckhart

Senior member
Jul 6, 2004
517
2
81
this was certainly the most entertaining thread i've seen in a while. read it all the way. great job cheez. with enough water, it'll take forever to warm up. this is what i still exploit with my original reserator. and completely silent to boot!
 

Slufa111

Senior member
Oct 13, 2002
813
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0
Why are you so set on using a bathtub for a videocard? I read your thread and can't seem to find that answer, maybe I missed it. However, won't pressure of the system be in question here as this will be an open loop? Length of tubing will also be in question which will cause water to run further but not get enough heat exchange?

Your intentions were good however don't take offense. I am going to be completely honest here, this is tacky and very unrealistic. Get a Rad and Res and attach it to the top of the inside of that cabinet. For the money you spent on that 70ft of tubing you could have a equivalent cooling system compared to tubing running throughout the house, down the hall, and into the bathroom. Really?
 
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cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
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I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about the plumes of poo particles contaminating my reservoir and loop. :eek:
I found a couple of dead baby spiders floating on the bathtub water. I picked them up with my fingers. I also collected a few stands of my pussy cat hair. She tried to tap the water with her paws. I told her to stop.

Yes the bathtub reservoir is temporary. I wanted to see how well it does on the cooling for my CPU and GPU. It is very effective.

this was certainly the most entertaining thread i've seen in a while. read it all the way. great job cheez. with enough water, it'll take forever to warm up. this is what i still exploit with my original reserator. and completely silent to boot!
Thanks darckhart.:) System has been running for several days non-stop and the water is still cool. The water in the bathtub is cooling itself it's amazing. I have my air conditioner in the house set to 78F, which is my normal setting.

Why are you so set on using a bathtub for a videocard? I read your thread and can't seem to find that answer, maybe I missed it.
Yes I said it before. It's for best video quality and to keep my configuration for video unchanged. It's set perfectly and works best with my hardware.

won't pressure of the system be in question here as this will be an open loop? Length of tubing will also be in question which will cause water to run further but not get enough heat exchange?
No pressure issues. That little MaxiJet pump is doing fine. I am amazed that it is able to push water through 78 feet of the entire loop. I wanted to see for myself and it certainly works. The water flow isn't as fast as I hoped but it still pushes and keeps my CPU and GPU temps by nearly by one half. That is impressive.

Your intentions were good however don't take offense. I am going to be completely honest here, this is tacky and very unrealistic.
It may be unrealistic for many, but not for a few artists like myself. I consider myself an artist, not a computer nerd. I was a computer nerd when I was young... I don't want to be nerd now.;)

Get a Rad and Res and attach it to the top of the inside of that cabinet. For the money you spent on that 70ft of tubing you could have a equivalent cooling system compared to tubing running throughout the house, down the hall, and into the bathroom. Really?
That will make water get warm / hot and will be noisy due to fans cooling the rad. It won't be effective for cooling power. I have done all sorts of closed and open loop cooling in the past. I have used various types of radiators too. Running the loop throughout the house, down the hall, and into the bathroom is cool. As you can see, a few members like the idea and find it cool and unique. ;)

Don't need a Rad for long distance open loop cooling nor any other open look cooling as long as the reservoir is able to sustain good low temps. Radiator is crucially needed for closed loop systems but not for "all" open loop systems. It really depends on the design of your setup.


Guys, like I said, this is my temporary setup. It will not stay like this forever as the water in the bathtub is collecting dust, dead baby spiders, hair, etc on top.

I have two different ways I can go from here:

a). Add a large radiator in the bathroom or in washer & dryer room, mount the fans on it, install a closed reservoir about the size of water bucket. I will need a more powerful pump for this, and need to increase the rate of water flow.

b). Buy a deep freezer and place it in the washer & dryer room. Fill 40 gallons of water. Turn it on only when using the PC, with mildest temp setting.


Either way I go the cost will be about the same. But the option B will be more powerful in cooling. The washer and dryer room is a little bit closer to the living room so the loop will also be a little shorter.


cheez
 
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badb0y

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2010
4,015
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bazqF.gif

You are not an artist, you are a dumbass. Everything you want to do could be done without 70 ft. of pipe and using a bathtub as a reservoir.

Also you keep saying that there's a difference in video quality going from a X1950XTX to a new card, do you have any objective data or is this another one of your broscience claims?


Personal attacks are not permitted. -Admin DrPizza
 
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felang

Senior member
Feb 17, 2007
594
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UPDATE: I sure enjoyed the event. The guests faces were like :eek::eek: when they went to the bathroom to go take piss ha ha ha ha ha ha.:D I showed the rest of my setup and sound and video. They once again :eek::eek: We had a good spaghetti lunch, special recipe. ;)

cheez

Are you sure you didn´t mistake their awe for them just feeling sorry for you and your unnecessarily complicated and generally unhygienic and disgusting project? Seriously, having a tube taking bathtub water across your house is just weird. I bet girls love that sort of thing!!!
 

cheez

Golden Member
Nov 19, 2010
1,722
69
91
Are you sure you didn´t mistake their awe for them just feeling sorry for you and your unnecessarily complicated and generally unhygienic and disgusting project? Seriously, having a tube taking bathtub water across your house is just weird. I bet girls love that sort of thing!!!
They are my parents.

And it's not complicated. This is actually simple. Since my deep freezer open loop cooling worked many years ago, I had a feeling this bathtub project will work too, for temporarily I mean.

I am broke really bad. Don't have the money to buy a freezer. Can someone loan one to me? My internet has been disconnected since yesterday. I might ask my mom and dad to see if they can buy one for me.


cheez
 
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Agent11

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
3,535
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If you are into metal work at all, or know someone who is maybe do a large sculpture to serve as a passive radiator. I would suggest copper, but it would be a lot less expensive (and lighter) to do something really large with aluminium. . . Although each material has it's advantages and disadvantages.

Perhaps even have it be a water feature as well, if it wet a large surface area it could allow for a bit of a better ambient delta because of phase change, although then you would need to monitor for adding water or plumb it to refill itself.
 
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