Water Cooling Setup

[thehstrybean]

After my failed Poseidon liquid cooler, I decided to build my own system for my Antec Aria...I ordered (and today recieved) a Danger Den Athlon 64 TDX 3/8" water block, Swiftech 80mm Radiator, fan filter, and tomorrow I should get my Danger Den DDC-12V Pump, Fillport, and elbow connectors....Since my case is so small, I'm wondering how to lay all of this out...1) How should I run the tubing? (I'm thinkin pump to cpu to radiator to pump, with the "T" port run into the pump...A guide I found on the 'net said it should go another way...How should I run the hoses?) 2) Is it ok if the radiator is on it's side (so the in/out's are on their sides?) Thanks much!!

 

[akira34]

With the Aria, I think you'll be better off mounting the radiator to the outside of the case. Drill the side of the case, run the tubing through the holes, and mount it so that it's orientated the normal way. I'm not sure where you'll be able to cram the pump inside the case, but that should be interesting too. I'd also make sure that the fan is moving air over the radiator to the outside of the case. This will probably involve cutting a large hole in the side panel too.

 

[thehstrybean]

I think I can mount the rad inside, but it would involve it being turned on it's side so that each pipe misses the card reader...It'll work (I think), but will a sideways rad affect performence? The pump is really small...Can I mount it so the in and out are pointed up?

 

[thehstrybean]

Anybody know what the smallest rad is I can find, but still have it do a good job?

 

[Idleuser]

the black ice micro is small, also known as the smaller version of swiftech mcr80. You can mount the radiator ont he side it doesnt matter. I would place the pump in the floppy bay and run it as. PUMP-> (get a 3 way split barb)->Tline->cpu->radiator->pump again.

 

[akira34]

There is no floppy bay in the Aria.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: akira34
There is no floppy bay in the Aria.

Is there a second CD drive bay?

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: akira34
There is no floppy bay in the Aria.

Is there a second CD drive bay?

Nope....I can mount the pump on the left front side (if you're looking at the case, the left side....)

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: Idleuser
PUMP-> (get a 3 way split barb)->Tline->cpu->radiator->pump again.

The guide I found said PUMP->Rad->CPU->("T" splitter with port running up to top of the case)->PUMP....Which one?

 

[akira34]

I'd put the radiator after the CPU block. I believe that there's an illustration on the danger den website that shows you the optimal way to run a rig. You also might want to consider putting a res outside the case (attached to the side or back) instead of the T splitter. That way, you have extra fluid on hand for when it starts to get low. It would also make it easier to 'top off' your tank and make sure you never run too low.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: Idleuser
PUMP-> (get a 3 way split barb)->Tline->cpu->radiator->pump again.

The guide I found said PUMP->Rad->CPU->("T" splitter with port running up to top of the case)->PUMP....Which one?

Don't sweat component placement too much. There's a .5c difference between common configurations. I run pump->CPU->GPU\VRAM->Rad->Rad->Res->pump. I get 3-4c above ambient idle and about 6c under load, which isn't bad. One thing though, and you might not like this. Your single 80mm rad may not dissipate enough heat due to its small surface area. I would suggest using 2 decent RPM fans in push-pull. And monitor how hot it becomes under load. 230Kcals per hour, depending of course on the type of CPU, doesn't give you much overhead.

 

[thehstrybean]

OK, I'm ready to start leak-testing all of my stuff today...I know I shoul add distilled water, but what else do I need to add? Will antifreeze work?

 

[thehstrybean]

Well, I just got done wasting 6 hours of my life...I had my rad hooked up, and it leaks at the bottom...Am I doing something wrong here? I think it's a bad rad...what's the smallest heater core I can go with?

 

[thehstrybean]

I just thought about it, and could my having the cap off of the t-filler have anything to do with radiator leakage? A loss in pressure, maybe?

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
I just thought about it, and could my having the cap off of the t-filler have anything to do with radiator leakage? A loss in pressure, maybe?

That should have nothing to do with your leak. Where is the leak coming from precisely?

 

[thehstrybean]

It was coming from the sides of the radiator...I fixed it!! Finally!! After 7 hours!! The system wasn't pressurized because the cap wasn't on the T-filler...now it runs smooth...Question, though: I have one fan (for the moment)...How should I mount it? Push or pull?

 

[HardWarrior]

Man, that's weird! Pull is better with one fan.

 

[thehstrybean]

I finally got it in my case...could I have gotten a bad radiator?

 

[HardWarrior]

It's possible. Still leaking?

 

[thehstrybean]

Yep..I emailed FrozenCPU to see if they knew anything...

 

[stardust]

Yikes, try to get a refund, and look into a heatercore at your local car shop or dangerden.com. Your safest bet is to place the rad outside of your case.

 

[thehstrybean]

I want a refund or an exchange for the Danger Den 80mm Micro Rad...What's the smallest heater core out there?

 

[thehstrybean]

Woa...just got the email back from Frozen CPU...the guys there are AWESOME!!! He said that if it wasn't leaking around the tubing (which it isn't), then he would get another one out to me ASAP...I highly recommend these guys...

 

[stardust]

What cpu do you have? a small 80mm rad is not recommended for modern CPU's..

 

[thehstrybean]

I have an Athlon 64 2800+...The guy just emailed me back and said they could only exchange for the same item, so I'm getting another Swiftec!!! w00t!!