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Water cooling

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Oh yeah, forgot about D-tek, whose White Water performance almost surpassed Dangerden's.

How well does it work? Saves me almost 30 bucks alone there, looks like I have some review reading to do 😛

2 inches thick, that things a beast.

Also, where do you guys place the radiator in you cases? On an intake fan? Exhaust fan in the back? Attached to a 120mm blowhole on the top of your case?

EDIT: Read the second post from the top. Viable? Weird thing is I can't find any other reviews, am I searching for the right thing? D-tek pro-120...
 
Originally posted by: Mrvile
Oh yeah, forgot about D-tek, whose White Water performance almost surpassed Dangerden's.

How well does it work? Saves me almost 30 bucks alone there, looks like I have some review reading to do 😛

2 inches thick, that things a beast.

[...]

EDIT: Read the second post from the top. Viable? Weird thing is I can't find any other reviews, am I searching for the right thing? D-tek pro-120...
Click to expand...
Uh-oh...here we go again. 😉 Let's just say they should be in the same ballpark. If you do get the D-Tek, get the core/shroud model; you're going to need a shroud anyway.

Also, where do you guys place the radiator in you cases? On an intake fan? Exhaust fan in the back? Attached to a 120mm blowhole on the top of your case?
Click to expand...

I've actually got mine laying on the floor of my case, but only because the Stacker has a gigantic intake hole there. Here's a shot; I've since removed the grille and run weatherstripping around the core. Ghetto, but effective.

What case are you using?

-HC-
 
Here's a review of the D-Tek Pro Core.

That reviewer uses a Via Aqua 1300 pump, which can be had for like $25. I'd be careful about that, though. The last place you want to skimp is on a pump's reliability, and I've heard mixed reviews on the Via Aqua. Anyone have any experience with one?

-HC-
 
Wow, pretty. And the pink solution is very...pink.

Yeah I read a review at G3D or whatever that site is, looks like it works really well. I'm definately gonna get it. But you mention the shroud model (and so does the guy from pcper), I only see two models, non-painted and painted. Where can I find the shroud model?

I use a Lian-Li V1000 case with a 120mm blowhole cut in the top. I don't think I'd be able to fit the thing on the top blowhole, because its size would interfere with my case-to-motherboard plugs (USB, IEEE1394 or whatever, AUDIO, etc.) so I'm probably gonna put it on the exhaust. Which works out nicely, because since (because since?) the V1000 places the CPU near the bottom of the case, I'll have no water above the CPU, meaning 400 dollar 6800GT will stay safe and dry in the event of a leak.

Anywho, here's the list so far:

Dangerden TDX (or Maze4, anyone?)
D-Tek Pro-120
Hydor35
HDPETFDISOJ resevoir thing (the 18 dollar polyeurothane one)

UV GREEN TUBING!!

AS5

Still confused about 1/2 inch vs 3/8 inch, waiting for Cyclo to post his ever so godly flowrate equations to compare the two.

EDIT: Oh wait, I found their shroud, it's under "SHROUDS"...for like 10 bucks...You know what's funny, their unpainted + shroud combo is more expensive than if you bought them seperately.

And the guy in the review had to force his shroud onto the radiator using a screwdriver. Is this kosher?
 
Ahh! I was reading through some crap when I discovered that the installation of the L35 isn't as easy as I though it was. You need to actually cut the AC cord on it, fit it into a PCI card that then plugs into a seperate outlet. No fun.

Is the Hydor series the best pumps on the market, or will a DC pump work just as well? I know the DC pumps are more expensive (Dangerden's are about 75 dollars) but it saves me a lot of trouble, and I'll have a lower chance of breaking something.

Thanks!

PS - What's the difference between how a 2-port CPU block works, and how a 3-port CPU block works? I mean, since the 3-port one will eventually Y off into one tube, the pull pressure on the water is still the same, only the water velocity would be lower since it has a wider "traveling" volume. How would this effect the performance, and which are usually better?
 
The need for a relay is a problem you're going to have with any AC pump, though it's not necessarily a problem. I just leave my Eheim 1250 on 24/7. No, Hydors aren't the best on the market though they're perfectly acceptable. I've heard very good things about DD's new DC pump. Not the best flow rating, but tremendous head pressure.

The main advantage of a three-port block is that it allows the main column of water to hit the hottest part of the block head-on rather than running from one side to the other. The TDX block achieves virtually the same effect through clever design. Just check the reviews of various blocks to make your choice.

-HC-
 
Originally posted by: Mrvile
EDIT: PS - Cyclo, what do you teach?
Click to expand...
I'm working on a PhD in chemical engineering. Most, if not all, of what I'm doing for research is materials-related moreso than what most would think of as 'chemicals' - basically trying to fabricate biological tissue replacements from chemicals. Let's just say I've taken a lot of fluid dynamics and heat transfer courses, as well as doing some design in these areas. Admittedly, nothing related to computers, though the fundamentals will still hold regardless of the application.

If you want my advice regarding the tubing and pump, there are tradeoffs to be made. If you use a smaller tubing, you'll get higher velocities and, therefore, higher rates of heat transfer resulting in lower overall temperatures. How much? Well, that depends. 😉 The tradeoff is that you'll have a larger pressure drop, since there is more drag in the system, meaning you'll have to have a more powerful pump to keep the volumetric flowrate constant. Likewise, if you go with the larger tubing, you can go with a less powerful pump. As always, the answer is: it just depends.
 
Ok thanks, I'm probably just gonna get the DD DC pump.

And Cyclo, my mom has a PhD in chemical engineering she got from Stanford 🙂

Also, I probably won't get a three port block because there's a higher risk of something leaking, and the main point of this is easy success.
 
Originally posted by: Mrvile
Ok thanks, I'm probably just gonna get the DD DC pump.

And Cyclo, my mom has a PhD in chemical engineering she got from Stanford 🙂

Also, I probably won't get a three port block because there's a higher risk of something leaking, and the main point of this is easy success.
Click to expand...
Well, what are you doing asking this online then? Go ask her - she can tell you more than you'd ever want to know. 😛
 
lol, she is about -18% computer literate, she probably has no idea what a heater core is, much less what a CPU looks like, so no 🙂

Cheese, a heatercore is basically just a set of water pipes with fins. If I wanted to mount it to the case, attach a fan to it, or anything, I would have to bend fins, insert threaded rods, do things that pretty much might break the thing. The D-Tek Pro-120 is about 45 bucks with the shroud (which is necessary to attach a fan), and the Black Ice Pro is 50 bucks. The BIP is smaller (able to fit my case better), has all the fixings required to attach whatever you want, and basically makes my life easier. Sure, it ain't a heatercore, but I'll sacrifce what, a degree? for easier installation and compatibility.

Anywho, I read a few reviews (heh, like 12?) for the TDX, and most said that in order to get the best temps, you need to install the extra nozzle sprayers. One review said that getting them plus the screwdriver required can cost up to an extra 10 dollars (which probably would, factoring in the damn s/h), and they said getting a Swiftech MCW6000 or 6002 would be a more economical choice, being about 20 dollars cheaper and getting close to the same temps.

So I guess right now I've got:

Swiftech MCW6002
Black Ice Pro
DD12V-D4 pump
HDPE reservoir
1/2 tubing, distilled warter, AS5

The DD12V-D4 is a bit pricey at 75 bucks, does anyone know of any cheaper DC pumps? The D4 does have high water pressure, but the reviews say that if I want 1/2in I would get better performance using a lower pressure pump.
 
Wait (sorry that I keep double posting) I did some research about DC vs AC pumps, and AMDMB says that AC is generally more reliable (and takes some of the power load off of your PSU), not to mention cheaper. Do you guys who run Eheims and whatnot do you just plug it directly into a socket, or do you relay them? Well, then again, I wouldn't be able to find a hole big enough in my case to fit the AC wall plug through...
 
So anywho, here's a bump for meself with a refresh of my list:

MCW6002
Black Ice Pro
L35 or Mag3 pump (switching back to AC here, and I read in some forums somewhere that everyone loves the Mag 3, even though it's really a pond pump 🙂)
HDPE
1/2 tubing, distilled warter, AS5
 
AC pumps tend to give off a lot of heat, add heat to the coolant and generate a fair amount of EMI. This isn't to say that they can't be used, only that there are some things to consider when using them in a PC environment.
 
I read into it a while back, a review compared the EMI given off of the L35 and an Eheim 1250, and as long as you keep it about two feet away from the monitor you should be fine. As far as heat added to the water is concerned, most people said you don't have to worry about it unless you have a pump with insane head pressure.

Hardwarrior what do you use as a pump, and again, how do you get power to it (via relay or direct)?
 
An early D4 12v, connected to my PSU. It's a great little pump. If you go with an LXX pump, see if you can hunt up iamtrout. He has some experience with preping them, I think.
 
The thing about DC pumps is that they're so expensive! If I could find a good one for under 60 bucks I'd get it, but the cheapest is like 75.
 
And in the case of the D4, you get what you pay for. Think about it, your pump is the heart of your water-cooler. Why not spend a few extra bucks and feel good about the purchase? 😉
 
Yeah I read a review of the D4, looks great. Flow rate looks nice, although it's rated at (according to the graph at DD's site) 370gph at 0 feet. At 3 feet, it runs about 300 gph, and at 5 feet it goes down to about 230. Is this good or bad? I don't know much about flow rates to pump head ratios, but it looks like it goes down somewhat quickly. In about 3 feet (normal length of CPU water cooling head I would imagine) its flow rate goes down a quarter. But I guess that would make max head 12 feet and that would be normal...

BAH!

Here's my list:

Swiftech MCW6002-64 - $45.00
http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw6002.asp

Black Ice Pro - $42.00
http://www.cooltechnica.com/Merchant2/m...=BIPro-CustomBarbs-BLK&Category_Code=R

HDPE - $17.95
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=51&cat=27&page=1

Danger Den DD12V-D4 - $74.99
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=36&cat=23&page=1

10? UV Green - $9.90
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=57&cat=7&page=1

AS5 - $7.29
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=72&cat=52&page=1


Which adds up to about 197 bucks, and with shipping I'd be well over my budget, but I guess I'd have a decent WC system so what the hell eh.

Now, anyone ever shop from cooltechnica, and how are they? I trust DD and Swiftech's direct venders (because they're direct). The lifetime Reseller Rating is about 9 so I guess they'd be good.

Everything is firmed up, I'm gonna do a bit more research in different water blocks and whatnot, maybe in a week or so I'll order.

Thanks for all the help guys! Especially you Hardwarrior and Cyclowizard, extra thanks!
 
Well, it works pretty well for me, and I have a strange touch when it comes to plumbing. 😀 You selection looks VERY good. Well done. Don't forget your clamps, SS worm drives are the best. You can get those at Home Depot or some such. Have you settled on your coolant mix?

My pleasure, and I hope you enjoy WCing as much as I do. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks guys. Cyclo, when you're 15 and you don't have to worry about paying for anything, you have all the money in the world 🙂

Hardwarrior I'm just gonna use distilled water (no dyes, I already have green tubing). Anyone know where I can pick up some biocide locally?
 
Originally posted by: Mrvile
Thanks guys. Cyclo, when you're 15 and you don't have to worry about paying for anything, you have all the money in the world 🙂
Click to expand...

:laugh:

I've heard that Fry's carries some WC stuff.

 
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