I think Cathar is cheating us all by posting pictures of defective parts!
I think we don't have a clear picture of the base because he just didn't get a bad one in the entire batch...
Less so on topic...
You almost have to read all the forums Cathar posts to to understand it all.
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Originally Posted by Cathar@OCauForums
Oh, I'm not explaining it [the function/theory].
I will say though that at the root fluid mechanics level, the way Storm and the Cascade do their job are almost total chalk and cheese, despite superficially looking somewhat similar.
This is why I gave warnings not to get too fussed over the internals appearing much different, and that people might be somewhat disappointed with the mystery.
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You can look at two spent .22cal slugs and say they look almost the same, same tech used, but its what you don't see that makes one shoot much farther/faster than the other. I can't personally say much about the funtion of the storm either, but my mind can picture the way the water flows inside fairly well. I also can't defend the machine quality, but AFAIK, the G3 was the "$30" waterblock, the G4 was the best bang for the buck, and the G5 the silver "almost too hard to machine" model. It'd make sense that the non-sensitive parts like camfers on mounting holes that you'll never see weren't given much attention. For the other 'defects', the verticle axis doesn't matter nearly as much as the horizontal axis for the top. Cathar also mentions that the top pictured had other flaws in it, my guess is he's considering it a dud, but still fit for backup duty.
Another thing is that the Cascade XS/XXX and alike are dead, not to be used as contention points when arguing about the storm - Cathar has said repeatedly the storm has gone in a different direction than the Cascade XS/XXX. I also want to point out that you might get more overall friction from more tubes, but at the same pressure, you get more overall flow (think of it as a cookie cutter, how much dough will either design get in the tubes after pressing into the dough). I understand that you get more overall friction, and combat it with more jets, which need smaller holes to keep up velocity...essentially the "chicken and the egg" scenerio. Basicly, Cathar is saying the Cascade & Cascade XS/XXX share little in common with the Storm other than looks with each other. Tests done to confirm changes to the Cascade design won't really do much to explain the Storm from what I'm hearing.
As for the Euro microstructure blocks, the main problem with them is just what you mentioned - low flow; not internally, externally. IMO it'll take [the majority of] Europeans a long time to convert to the mindset of extracting every extra bit of flow from the system where they can. [I just don't get it - our cities may be different densities, but our PC cases are have exactly the same space inside :shrug: Why not use it all and go 1/2" ID?] They also have a hefty pressure drop as well, meaning you can't interpret an incomplete graph of lower flowrates to cover the highflow region. It'll also be hard to compair the two designs, since you surely won't find a review testing both on 3/8" and 1/2" ID systems & representive flows for both. Each were designed around a particular flowrate - micro's low-moderate flowrates, storm/inpingement(sp?) for moderate-high flowrates. Another thought is how will the Storm be moddified by the reviewers this time? The last major review with the cascade featured what Cathar said to be a user-modified block, changed in such to negatively impact performance. Little River WB's aren't made to have their bases simply perpindicular to the sides... One possitive thing I will say about microstructure blocks - they are much cheaper to create and maintain than the Cascade/Storm blocks are. That alone may ensure their future dominance.
*Note: not a rant on Euro trends, I just can remember way back when watercooled systems, with the exception for the WB internals, looked just like most Euro setups do - 3/8" tubing, small pumps, and condenser-style rads. Again, not a rant, just trying for "sensefull interhuman communication". I'm also unprepared to 'put my money where my mouth is' to verify what I say, but in the same sense, very,
very few others are able to either.
*I'll admit BalefireX came off a bit strong, but I think the last half that he said summed it up well, though.
*One other last bit regarding your insults against the forum population, I find it fitting for someone with a negative statement against another contry's leader. I dislike him too, but there's being funny and then there's being rude. Say what you want though.