Watercooling Questions

[nrp]

I have been thinking about setting up watercooling in my comp for a while, and have finally started to seriously look at parts. So far I have been impressed with dangerdens products and have pieced together the following setup.

Copper TDX Block for Intel 478 Processors w/ 1/2" OD High Flow Chrome Fittings
Acetal Version MAZE4GPU w/ 1/2" OD High Flow Chrome Fittings
Danger Den DD12V-D4 Pump w/ 1/2" OD Fittings
Black Ice Micro Radiator w/ 1/2" OD Fittings
Danger Den Single 5 1/4" Bay Reservoir w/ 1/2" OD Fittings
Danger Den UV Tubing
Plastic Snap Tubing Clamps
FluidXP+

First off, do I have everything I need and are there any major problems with any of the above products. More specifically, will I screw myself by having small radiator, is there any reason to have a larger reservoir, and will the plastic clamps be sufficient? Also, are elbows necessary or will I be able to run the tubing without them? Just so you know, this will be setup in a Lian Li PC-6070A with a Pentium 4 3.2 GHz Prescott core and a Radeon 9800 pro. Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[hondAS2ooo170]

Originally posted by: nrp
I have been thinking about setting up watercooling in my comp for a while, and have finally started to seriously look at parts. So far I have been impressed with dangerdens products and have pieced together the following setup.

Copper TDX Block for Intel 478 Processors w/ 1/2" OD High Flow Chrome Fittings
Acetal Version MAZE4GPU w/ 1/2" OD High Flow Chrome Fittings
Danger Den DD12V-D4 Pump w/ 1/2" OD Fittings
Black Ice Micro Radiator w/ 1/2" OD Fittings
Danger Den Single 5 1/4" Bay Reservoir w/ 1/2" OD Fittings
Danger Den UV Tubing
Plastic Snap Tubing Clamps
FluidXP+

First off, do I have everything I need and are there any major problems with any of the above products. More specifically, will I screw myself by having small radiator, is there any reason to have a larger reservoir, and will the plastic clamps be sufficient? Also, are elbows necessary or will I be able to run the tubing without them? Just so you know, this will be setup in a Lian Li PC-6070A with a Pentium 4 3.2 GHz Prescott core and a Radeon 9800 pro. Thanks for any help you can offer.

u have everything but for cooling i ono maybe the 1 radiator isnt gonna cool enough

 

[HardWarrior]

You need a bigger rad, like a BIX or BIP, a single BIM just won't cut it. Nylon clamps don't work nearly as well as the metal ones you can get at Home Depot, and this is ESPECIALLY true with those slick DD barbs. Stay away from elbows if you can, high-quality tubing will make the turns you need it to, within reason. A large res is less likely to suck air\foam, get a dual res if possible. There you go.

 

[nrp]

Thanks HardWarrior, that is exactly the info I was looking for. Do you know if there is anywhere I can get metal clamps online as it is difficult for me to get to any hardware stores? Also, do you have any suggestions for internal mounting of a larger radiator if I only have one 80mm rear exaust? I would prefer to do as little cutting of the case as possible. An external mount would be ok, as long as it was attatched to the case in some manner. Anyway, thanks for your help.

 

[HardWarrior]

You can find some here. As far as mounting, you can either have a blowhole (or two) cut for you, or you can do it yourself. Since I measure and cut like a girl I went with the former. You can also try something like this if you want to avoid cutting. Pay close attention to the barbs on this baby, make sure they fit your tubing. And you're welcome!

 

[nrp]

That is exactly the type of thing I was looking for HardWarrior, thanks. Can't wait to start putting this together.

 

[HardWarrior]

Good luck, dude! Post your progress if you get a chance.

 

[HeaterCore]

What case are you using? That makes a ton of difference. Fitting a dual heater core in my CM Stacker was no big deal, but I had to dremel a Sonata to death before figuring out I needed a bigger case. If you're using a case with multiple 80mm fan mounts, you could just as well use two Black Ice Micros. Also, keep in mind that the heater cores are cheaper because they're ugly, not because they they don't perform -- they actually provide just about the best heat dissipation you can get for their size.

-HC-

 

[HardWarrior]

I've yet to see ONE review that says heatercore's are anything but a cheaper solution than a rad. Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in everyone using just what they want to use. However, repeatedly saying that heatercores are inherently superior, with zero proof, doesn't make it so.

 

[MisterChief]

Water Cooling--->Expensive, Overrated
Air Cooling--->Safe, Cheap, Abundant, Works Fine

 

[nrp]

As I posted above HeaterCore, I am using a Lian Li PC-6070A. Info Here I think I will stick with a radiator instead of using a heatercore mainly because this is my first watercooling setup. As far as using two Micros, would I have the loop go pump->cpu->rad1->gpu->rad2->pump or what? I was thinking I would just use a BIP and mount it externally using one of those radboxes, but using two smaller radiators is tempting... And MisterChief, if my question had asked for extremely biased personal opinions on water cooling in any way, you're post might have been relevant. As it stands now, I already decided I want to water cool and nothing you say is going to change that. Thanks to those of you who have posted relevant and productive replies.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: MisterChief
Water Cooling--->Expensive, Overrated
Air Cooling--->Safe, Cheap, Abundant, Works Fine

MisterChief----->Pedantic, know-nothing

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: nrp
As far as using two Micros, would I have the loop go pump->cpu->rad1->gpu->rad2->pump or what?

This sounds interesting. You might try pump->both 80mm rads in paralell->CPU->GPU->pump. This would ship the highest Delta-T possible to your rads, thereby increasing their efficiency. Also, this configuration would pump just-cooled water to your blocks.

And MisterChief, if my question had asked for extremely biased personal opinions on water cooling in any way, you're post might have been relevant. As it stands now, I already decided I want to water cool and nothing you say is going to change that.

:laugh: This sort of BS seems to be his sole contribution to the forum. If he pulled this stuff at some place like overclockers he'd be banned in a second.

 

[nrp]

The only concern I have with setting up the radiators in parallel is that the setup of my case would require me to place one radiator in the rear and one radiator in the front. Would going pump->rad1->rad2->cpu->gpu->pump still be efficient and effective if the water had to travel to the back of the case, the front of the case, and then to my components? If that would work well, I think I will definitely go with it, otherwise I may use the radbox.

 

[HardWarrior]

All in all, I think the radbox would be easier in your situation. Two 80's in series, positioned so far apart is going to require a lot of extra tubing, which can decrease flow.

 

[MisterChief]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: nrp
As far as using two Micros, would I have the loop go pump->cpu->rad1->gpu->rad2->pump or what?

This sounds interesting. You might try pump->both 80mm rads in paralell->CPU->GPU->pump. This would ship the highest Delta-T possible to your rads, thereby increasing their efficiency. Also, this configuration would pump just-cooled water to your blocks.

And MisterChief, if my question had asked for extremely biased personal opinions on water cooling in any way, you're post might have been relevant. As it stands now, I already decided I want to water cool and nothing you say is going to change that.

:laugh: This sort of BS seems to be his sole contribution to the forum. If he pulled this stuff at some place like overclockers he'd be banned in a second.

Yeah, sorry...Gotta get that post count up somehow...

Obviously, I've never used water cooling before. It hasn't struck me as an economic method to cool a PC. I've always used air cooling, so I guess I'll leave the water-cooling threads to the experts. That OK? And sorry for the past BS ranting

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: MisterChief

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: nrp
As far as using two Micros, would I have the loop go pump->cpu->rad1->gpu->rad2->pump or what?

This sounds interesting. You might try pump->both 80mm rads in paralell->CPU->GPU->pump. This would ship the highest Delta-T possible to your rads, thereby increasing their efficiency. Also, this configuration would pump just-cooled water to your blocks.

And MisterChief, if my question had asked for extremely biased personal opinions on water cooling in any way, you're post might have been relevant. As it stands now, I already decided I want to water cool and nothing you say is going to change that.

:laugh: This sort of BS seems to be his sole contribution to the forum. If he pulled this stuff at some place like overclockers he'd be banned in a second.

Yeah, sorry...Gotta get that post count up somehow...

:laugh: Okay then!



(you could try adding something beneficial to the proceedings...)

 

[MisterChief]

[/quote]

:laugh: Okay then!



(you could try adding something beneficial to the proceedings...)

[/quote]

Just FYI, I've edited the original post. I felt the need to explain my behaivior

 

[HardWarrior]

Understood MC. Something to think about though: Does everything have to be economical? Can't something's be done just for the fun and challenge of it? That's what PC's are about for lots of people, just plain fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. Right?

Also, you don't have to run from WC threads. Hang out, ask questions.

 

[MisterChief]

I'm learnin now!

Well, I do like challenges, but the thought of water cruising through my system is unnerving, to say the least. What are the chances of a leak?

I do understand that pure H2O does not conduct electricity. Does the water in a water cooling system have to go through a purifirer system or what? A link to a thread for WC nOObs or a site would be appreciated!

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: MisterChief
I'm learnin now!

Well, I do like challenges, but the thought of water cruising through my system is unnerving, to say the least. What are the chances of a leak?

I do understand that pure H2O does not conduct electricity. Does the water in a water cooling system have to go through a purifirer system or what? A link to a thread for WC nOObs or a site would be appreciated!

Leaks are a risk ONLY if you don't secure your barbs, and that isn't hard to do at all. It's also a good idea to wet-run (test) your loop for several hours prior to installing it. I put a towel next to the sink, assemble the parts and let it run.

Coolant, for SMART people, is based on distilled water that's been UV treated. I say "based" because it's good practice to add a biocidal agent and something to buffer the Ph of the coolant (should be around 7) and act as an anti-corrosive.

This will get you started. Sign up and ask questions if you're so inclined. It's a friendly place, mostly.

 

[MisterChief]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: MisterChief
I'm learnin now!

Well, I do like challenges, but the thought of water cruising through my system is unnerving, to say the least. What are the chances of a leak?

I do understand that pure H2O does not conduct electricity. Does the water in a water cooling system have to go through a purifirer system or what? A link to a thread for WC nOObs or a site would be appreciated!

Leaks are a risk ONLY if you don't secure your barbs, and that isn't hard to do at all. It's also a good idea to wet-run (test) your loop for several hours prior to installing it. I put a towel next to the sink, assemble the parts and let it run.

Coolant, for SMART people, is based on distilled water that's been UV treated. I say "based" because it's good practice to add a biocidal agent and something to buffer the Ph of the coolant (should be around 7) and act as an anti-corrosive.

This will get you started. Sign up and ask questions if you're so inclined. It's a friendly place, mostly.

Very nice. Thank you for your patience!

 

[HardWarrior]

No problem. MC. :thumbsup:

 

[HeaterCore]

Absolutely, Intel-fab-quality-pure water might not conduct electricity, but anything you're going to get will conduct pretty damned well. A leak is a disaster, and WILL mess up your system. But the same could be said for attaching a standard HSF carelessly. Simply put, if you do it right, you're fine.

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
I've yet to see ONE review that says heatercore's are anything but a cheaper solution than a rad. Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in everyone using just what they want to use. However, repeatedly saying that heatercores are inherently superior, with zero proof, doesn't make it so.

Don't have any personal proof. I just built my system with a Danger Den dual heater core (ready to install, no modding required) because it was $35 instead of $100 for a BlackIce Ex II, and because everywhere I'd looked the reviewers have said that decent heater cores are at least on a par with watercooling rads. Made sense to me because they tend to be much thicker, meaning much greater surface area and hence better dissipation potential (although that also makes them more difficult to mount, o/c).

-HC-

 

[HardWarrior]

Then supply a link to one of these reviews. I know more than a few people who've tried to find one, and would love to see it. Every time you bring up YOUR OPINION about the efficacy of a heatercore over a rad you ALWAYS mention cost. Flash! Not everyone sees a $30 premium for something that they want as being prohibitive. Flat-tube, dual-pass, designed-for-the computer-environment rads are simply better. BTW, "thicker" means nothing, the RIGHT thickness is what counts. Remember, the goal here is to dissipate heat generated by a computer, not heat the interior of a car. Here, this is how it's done:

2-pass Double-row Low Pressure Drop Radiator specifically developed for PC watercooling based on the new high-performance Black Ice Xtreme design.

More than DOUBLE the performance at the compact Black Ice Prime form factor: rated for 790KCal per hour (3134BTU per hour).

120 mm x 32 mm (4.72 inch x 1.25 inch) Double-row Copper core consisting of flat tubes for maximum heat conductivity.

High-density louvered copper fin configuration for enhanced heat dissipation.

Built-in plenum chamber for increased performance and noise reduction.
Self-tapping and case mounting holes for easy installation of 120mm fans.

Now with 12.5 mm (1/2 inch) High-Flow inlet/outlet barbed hose connectors. *Available in 9.5 mm (3/8 inch). Compatible with 9/16 thread O-ring fittings.

Compact 153 x 133 x 45mm (5.9 x 5 x 1.69 inch) dimensions allows it to fit inside most mid-tower cases.

Designed to meet the performance demands of hardcore PC watercooling enthusiasts.

Do the math. A BIX dissipates well over 6,000,000 watts per hour with a 60cfm fan whistling though it. How does a core compare? And just for the record, a BIX costs $65 (which is more than a match for that single 120mm HC you're clutching like a life-preserver), not $100. Also, are you REALLY the person to judge the difference between the two products considering that you actually call yourself "Heatercore?"