I wanted to post and thank all of you experienced folks for your posts that have helped me so much.
Also, since most of you seem to use expensive equipment and pumps, I thought it might be useful to post some results using the 6002-A with a low volume, low head 120 gph LG $19.00 submersible fountain pump from Lowe's.
Some more information here. I hope it is ok to post a link. I just didn't want to type all that again.
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=275
Now I do realize that 54-55c is too hot, but I thought it was meaningful that an affordable mass produced block and a pitifully little pump like this could allow stability at this wattage when using a VCore bios setting 2.125 volts. SiSoft shows 205 watts. I'm told that number may not be accurate, but it might at least serve as a comparison number.
When the bios voltage is reduced to 2.05, which still shows [184] watts in SiSoft, I can comfortable run 2821 MHz in 25-26c ambient and hold =< 50c under load. For under a hundred buck investment plus some sweat equity, I'm a real happy guy.
The block did seem a little finicky to me about seating. It just did not seem to want to tolerate
any sidewards pressure from the hoses, even when it seemed only slight. I guess that makes perfect sense, but it was aggravating to get a solid seat. In fairness, I was using that darn stiff 3/4 OD re-enforced tubing with some 90's to bring it down and out the back of my case to my external radiator box. When I changed to the light flexible 5/8 OD cheap stuff I had no more problems.
I did break the rules a little and used two matched spacers, ~ 1/16 - 3/32 in., under the springs to allow a little more pressure on the CPU. It seemed to make a fair difference, but I have no measured quantifiable data to back that up. I have learned from reading here how you guys are about that subject
Also, hopefully I will not get chewed out about the shims from a lurking old curmudgeon Swiftech guy.
Thanks again to all for the informative posts and this excellent resource, and thanks also to Swiftech for making a high performance block like the 6002-A affordable.
Current daily -
ABit NF7-S Rev 2 | Mobile XP 2600 @2821 MHz (13*217) VCore @2.06 volt (bios) | Chipset Vdd @ 1.70 volt |(2) 256 meg PC3500 HYP_X (11-2-2-2 VDim 2.9 v Dual Channel @ 434 MHz) | DIY Water cooled - Swiftech 6002-A block, Fedco 2-342 rad < O'Reilley Auto part # 399090 < $20.00