OK choose my H2O setup

[pHaestus]

I am trying to get a final configuration for my water cooling setup. A few things are non-negotiable as I already have them:

• Lian Li PC70 case
• Eheim 1250 pump
• DD Maze2 wb

And I NEED the lower HDD cage and the other drive bays as well. Anyway, here are the two possible configurations:

a) radiator = leviathon + 2 120mm fans:



The good: Ownage performance from a big ass heatercore; good flow rates
The bad: radiator isn't in optimum place and would likely have issues with air getting trapped.


b) radiator = Black Ice or BI Extreme



The good: Shouldn't have issues with air in rad; much more compact setup with no visible mods to outside of case

The bad: BI Extreme is nearly $100; performance prolly worse than big heatercore; flowrates will be lower as well.

So as far as I can tell there is no clear winner; do you guys have a preference and/or any suggestions?

[Nem]

I'm not an expert but i've been boning up on comparisons on the various sites so when i have the cash i will be making well informed purchases.

The BI extreme seems to outperform most other radiators including some beastly sized ones. HOWEVER, i have not seen a comparison of the Leviathon.

As an example the manufacturer rates the BI extreme (aprox 5.5" x 5.5") at 3134 btu/hr, while the much larger dual 120 fan BI II (aprox 6"x 10") at only 2800 btu/hr.

Maybe my conclusions so far are incorrect but it is looking like as in many things in life size isn't the determining factor as to which is best. Heh, heh.

[BrianW]

Heres a quote....

Nem....


Maybe my conclusions so far are incorrect but it is looking like as in many things in life size isn't the determining factor as to which is best. Heh, heh.


Well at least you were right about one thing. J/k

Actualy size does matter as the Black Ice Estrema is like 4 times thicker than the OG Black Ice and the longer counterpart of the same design (Black Ice II). The BI Extreme seems to be a modded heater core, as is the Leviathon, only dif is that the latter is much larger. No radiator or heater core will ever beat out a larger one of the same design.

Neways, just my thoughts.

Have a good New Year.....

[Kevin]

I'm into quiet computers and the fact is that the BI Extreme needs a lot of airflow through it. Two mid-range 120mm fans on the leviathon could provide a much quieter computing experience. So I'd go w/ the Leviathon... but it really is all just preference.
-Kev

[Pinkster]

i think unless ure gonna be using a big arse pelt or something them both those rads could cool your pc fine. however the leviathan is cheaper and will offer as good but probably even better cooling performance than a BI xtreme and definately better than a BI 1. just gotta make sure with the leviathan cause on that diagram u got 2 120mm fans blowing air out of the case that you have enough fans putting air into the case.

i really think that if u got the space in the case for a leviathan and u got the 45$ to spend (eg dont wanna go the the local wreckers and get a heatercore for 10$) then they r really the best u can get

what kinda fans r u planning on using? r u looking for low noise or high airflow fans? (i would try to go for as low noise fans as possible (panaflow l1a's or jmc 25mm thick) unless u wanna overclock that xtra bit or wanna use a pelt

[LiquidCool]

I know I'm biased and all but...

They are all really heater core type radiators, all the B-Ice series, the big-momma, and mine. I am classifying them by design EG: they have many long thing runners going from one end to the other with fins soldered in between and each end has a tank.

The only things that are going to matter are the materials used(copper or aluminum) and the density of the fins and water passages.

The BI models are no different. They just had the capital to invest in getting their own particular design made. I'm not bashing on them at all it's a very good product, if I had the capital I would do the same thing, but it's still a heater core(albeit much prettier

[pHaestus]

That is a good point about the fans Kevin. I have a feeling though that the BI Extreme would work reasonably well with something like a Panaflo M1A on it. I have also been looking into whether AC fans can be found that would generate more static pressure at lower noise. But yea the big advantage of the huge heatercore is that it can probably handle the heat load it will see (130=150W or so) with silent undervolted fans. The BI Extreme I couldn't say that about.

What are your thoughts about air in the rad though? I would hope that having the reservoir just as high as the rad would solve that problem but I am not so sure...

[pHaestus]

I already have the heatercore (an AutoZone special)



And the fans lying on it right now are Panaflo M1As. The fans will prolly be on a rheostat. I bought a sheet of steel at Lowe's for the shroud and for a new backplate to the case but I haven't gotten around to making them yet.

[Butcher]

Originally posted by pHaestus
That is a good point about the fans Kevin. I have a feeling though that the BI Extreme would work reasonably well with something like a Panaflo M1A on it. I have also been looking into whether AC fans can be found that would generate more static pressure at lower noise.

Tried using a 172mm fan at low speed? They have MUCH better backpressure handling that 120mms.

[Nem]

BrianW, the BI 1&2 is .98" thick and the BIx is 1.69" which is 75% thicker not 4x. (i'm getting the dimensions from this site http://www.hwlabs.com/products/blackicextreme.htm
) Of course the Xtreme has 1/2" tubing and the other two have 3/8" which is prolly the main reason for the improvement. Anyone got a link to the leviathon specs??? Want to check it out but can't seem to find it.

In diagram A the airflow looks like it will be blocked by the wider Leviathon but in diagram B it looks like he has all the room needed for a thicker radiator.

Also, i would apreciate any links to good comparison reviews.

[Butcher]

www.liquidcool.org for the lev.

[Rack]

I like a). Given the option, I would try to max out the flowrate, and get a rad that can cope with quick water (a heatercore). You
should be able to bleed out most of the air from the loop, if not, run the loop with the case on its back, that should get most of the rest. I'm assuming all the lines and fittings are 1/2 inch ID, including the output on the pump (the barb might be too small for 1/2 inch tubing, I have 3/8 silicone on mine.). Then I would get a rad with a low pressure drop (heatcore, again).
The final touch would be to get 2 190cfm deltas for the rad.

[Brad]

pH, why not move the psu to over the cpu, where the 2x 80mm fans are.

then you can put a whole pile of rads at the top

[pHaestus]

OK thanks for the input guys. I guess the general consensus is that air in the rad won't be something I can't deak with. I guess I will go with the leviathon style radiator then and save myself some $$$. I have to decide how to mkae the top fan exhaust holes look pro now though....

[Hedgren]

if you have 2-3 5.25" places over you can put your PSU there and just get a cord-outlet in the back. Also ive seen som mods that mods a PSU into a housing for a CD-ROM. With moving your PSU you should be able to have the Levithan in the back above the motherboard.

[BrianW]

Nev....

The BI 1 and BI Extreme both have shrouds. The Rad part of the BI 1 is very thin compared to the thickness of the tanks/shroud. The extreme on t he other hand has the radiator coming right next to the shroud. So it is actually much thivker than the first design.

[Brad]

pH, have you tried my idea yet?

you'll have the psu over the cpu, and lose 1x 80mm fan spot, but then everything above the mobo is free

[Nem]

Hmmm, so are you saying the measurements listed don't include the shroud? or both are about 1 3/4" thick including shroud?

Either way though the Leviathon looks like it'll have blocked airflow by the ps.