what specs should I look for in a pump?

zachjowi · 05-16-2005, 09:36 PM

I was wondering if I could buy a cheap pump such as one of thee for pumping water to my water block and back to the radiator and resivor.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45305

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45303

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46205

zachjowi · 05-16-2005, 10:43 PM

any help would be nice
thanks

HammerSandwich · 05-17-2005, 12:03 AM

Try reading this.

BTW, a pump thread might get more response in a different forum...

zachjowi · 05-17-2005, 07:01 AM

mod please move this to a different area.

Brians256 · 05-17-2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachjowi

mod please move this to a different area.

Thread moved.

Brians256 · 05-17-2005, 11:36 AM

OK. Here are some reasons why you might not like those pumps.

Background: The watercooling scene started out using aquarium pumps, so we know it can be done. However, we moved away from them for reasons. The computer cooling pumps are more expensive because people really do think they are worth more.

1) Noise.
The aquarium pumps are not as quiet per unit of power as the specialized pumps. The MPC350/DDC (Swiftech or Dangerden availability) pumps are MUCH more powerful than either of your suggested examples and the aquarium pumps probably aren't much quieter.

2) Reliability.
Do you know WHY those pumps are cheap? Think about it. It probably costs 10x what the manufacturing cost is. The Laing pumps have a great ability to just not break, and that's a great thing when you are mixing water and electricity.

3) Performance.
The pump design of those aquarium pumps is not intended to push water hard through obstructions, and that is what is needed for heat transfer. Those pumps are designed to work with low impedance tubing, and they won't push much water through a waterblock and radiator. Your temps will suffer.

4) Convenience. Aquarium pumps use 110VAC in US and 220VAC in most other countries. Running an extra 110VAC line inside your computer is just more work, and it means a relay to get things synchronized with your computer power, or depending upon you to turn the pump on BEFORE you turn your computer on. A mistake here means your computer is toast. Read about the horror stories. How much is your computer worth? How much is your time worth for the extra installation steps?

HOWEVER.... will it work? Probably. It will probably work about as good as a standard HSF, depending upon your radiator. Why spend the all the money on watercooling to get something you can't rely upon and doesn't give you temps any better than good aircooling?

If you have some extra money lying around and just want to try it, please do! Then, let us know. This is especially if you can give comparative data between those pumps and something more conventional.

05-16-2005, 09:36 PM	#1
zachjowi Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2005 Location: US Posts: 123	what specs should I look for in a pump? I was wondering if I could buy a cheap pump such as one of thee for pumping water to my water block and back to the radiator and resivor. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45305 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45303 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46205

05-17-2005, 12:03 AM	#3
HammerSandwich Cooling Savant Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 15143 Posts: 358	Try reading this. BTW, a pump thread might get more response in a different forum... __________________ www.procooling.com: It's true we are often a bunch of assholes

05-16-2005, 10:43 PM	#2
zachjowi Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2005 Location: US Posts: 123	any help would be nice thanks

05-17-2005, 07:01 AM	#4
zachjowi Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2005 Location: US Posts: 123	mod please move this to a different area.

05-17-2005, 11:36 AM	#6
Brians256 Pro/Staff Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 1,439	OK. Here are some reasons why you might not like those pumps. Background: The watercooling scene started out using aquarium pumps, so we know it can be done. However, we moved away from them for reasons. The computer cooling pumps are more expensive because people really do think they are worth more. 1) Noise. The aquarium pumps are not as quiet per unit of power as the specialized pumps. The MPC350/DDC (Swiftech or Dangerden availability) pumps are MUCH more powerful than either of your suggested examples and the aquarium pumps probably aren't much quieter. 2) Reliability. Do you know WHY those pumps are cheap? Think about it. It probably costs 10x what the manufacturing cost is. The Laing pumps have a great ability to just not break, and that's a great thing when you are mixing water and electricity. 3) Performance. The pump design of those aquarium pumps is not intended to push water hard through obstructions, and that is what is needed for heat transfer. Those pumps are designed to work with low impedance tubing, and they won't push much water through a waterblock and radiator. Your temps will suffer. 4) Convenience. Aquarium pumps use 110VAC in US and 220VAC in most other countries. Running an extra 110VAC line inside your computer is just more work, and it means a relay to get things synchronized with your computer power, or depending upon you to turn the pump on BEFORE you turn your computer on. A mistake here means your computer is toast. Read about the horror stories. How much is your computer worth? How much is your time worth for the extra installation steps? HOWEVER.... will it work? Probably. It will probably work about as good as a standard HSF, depending upon your radiator. Why spend the all the money on watercooling to get something you can't rely upon and doesn't give you temps any better than good aircooling? If you have some extra money lying around and just want to try it, please do! Then, let us know. This is especially if you can give comparative data between those pumps and something more conventional.

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