Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Need quick help, water rig underperforming

Camelot One · 10-09-2002, 05:06 PM

First off, I am new to water cooling. I've been playing around with it for a couple weeks. I started out with:
Rio 180 (120gph@1ft.) 3/8" OD barbs
HWBlaze CPU block w/ 1/2" OD barbs from BeCooling
Generic 120mm radiator with 3/8" OD barbs from BeCooling
Mechatronics 120mm 153cfm
Folgers coffee can reservoir
3/8" ID tubing

I was getting pretty poor results. My AMD 2100+ running at stock speed was at 45C under load, System temp of 29C, water in the can at 29C, room temp at 28C. The water output going back to the can was VERY low. So I figured the problem was a combination of the block being rather cheap, and the pump was too weak. Also, the HWBlaze clip was only tall enough to put the block on the CPU, and I wanted the option to run a peltier. So I did some replacing, and ended up with this:

VIA Aqua 306 (526gph@1ft) 5/8 OD outlet, with 1/2" OD adapter
Maze 2 with 1/2" OD barbs
same 152cfm fan
87 Chevette heater core 3/4" inlet, 5/8 outlet
same reservoir
same tubing (3/8")

My temps are better, droped CPU to about 41C under load. But, I think the improvement is all the block, because the flow return to the reservoir is no higher than it was with the Rio 180. It could be the pump is to blame, its an adjustable flow model. (didn't realize that when I bought it) The system is also still running on 3/8" ID tubing, which I THINK I will replace. The pump sits outside the PC, right now the tubes are just running out an open PCI slot. But the 1/2" won't go through, so I am going to drill holes to put in 1/2" OD barbs. My question is, since the 1/2" barbs going in and out of the system, and the barbs on the block are really 3/8" inner diameter, will I see any improvement going with a larger tube?

Now on to the second part. My chipset water block, copper cold plate, and 85W peltier are due in tomorrow, but I am not sure how to run the lines. Should I go pump - NB - CPU - Radiator - Pump, or should I split the pump to each block, and combine at the radiator? Jumping from NB to CPU would be the easiest, since I already have all the hardware I need. But would their be an improvement in spliting the line? Bare in mind, I am not going for super cooling here, I just want to get the CPU a little below ambient under load. (cooler would be better, but not required)

Any thoughts or advice would be helpful. I still have a lot to learn.

10-09-2002, 05:06 PM	#1
Camelot One Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 6	Need quick help, water rig underperforming First off, I am new to water cooling. I've been playing around with it for a couple weeks. I started out with: Rio 180 (120gph@1ft.) 3/8" OD barbs HWBlaze CPU block w/ 1/2" OD barbs from BeCooling Generic 120mm radiator with 3/8" OD barbs from BeCooling Mechatronics 120mm 153cfm Folgers coffee can reservoir 3/8" ID tubing I was getting pretty poor results. My AMD 2100+ running at stock speed was at 45C under load, System temp of 29C, water in the can at 29C, room temp at 28C. The water output going back to the can was VERY low. So I figured the problem was a combination of the block being rather cheap, and the pump was too weak. Also, the HWBlaze clip was only tall enough to put the block on the CPU, and I wanted the option to run a peltier. So I did some replacing, and ended up with this: VIA Aqua 306 (526gph@1ft) 5/8 OD outlet, with 1/2" OD adapter Maze 2 with 1/2" OD barbs same 152cfm fan 87 Chevette heater core 3/4" inlet, 5/8 outlet same reservoir same tubing (3/8") My temps are better, droped CPU to about 41C under load. But, I think the improvement is all the block, because the flow return to the reservoir is no higher than it was with the Rio 180. It could be the pump is to blame, its an adjustable flow model. (didn't realize that when I bought it) The system is also still running on 3/8" ID tubing, which I THINK I will replace. The pump sits outside the PC, right now the tubes are just running out an open PCI slot. But the 1/2" won't go through, so I am going to drill holes to put in 1/2" OD barbs. My question is, since the 1/2" barbs going in and out of the system, and the barbs on the block are really 3/8" inner diameter, will I see any improvement going with a larger tube? Now on to the second part. My chipset water block, copper cold plate, and 85W peltier are due in tomorrow, but I am not sure how to run the lines. Should I go pump - NB - CPU - Radiator - Pump, or should I split the pump to each block, and combine at the radiator? Jumping from NB to CPU would be the easiest, since I already have all the hardware I need. But would their be an improvement in spliting the line? Bare in mind, I am not going for super cooling here, I just want to get the CPU a little below ambient under load. (cooler would be better, but not required) Any thoughts or advice would be helpful. I still have a lot to learn.