Watercooling noob needs advice on first-time setup!

Richdog · 01-24-2004, 10:01 AM

Right, i've edited this because my stuff is just about all ordered and I know what i'm getting now which is...

Swiftech MCP600 Rev. 2

Cascade CPU block

Maze 3 9000/9700 GPU block

Thermochill 120.3

15 ft Thermochill Clearflex 60 tubing

Swiftech HydrX coolant.

6x Evercool 120mm 80CFM fans

2x Microcool chipsink cooling kits

Arctic Silver 5

Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive

I got the GPU block cheap and i'm not too sure about how it performs, I heard the Maze 3 9000/9700 is a bit of a flowkiller. I'm trying to avoid getting a block with anodized alumiuium on it so if anyone has any good suggestions i'd like to hear it.

Any other tips for getting the most out of the cascade and the rest of the set-up wouls also be appreciated.

guandi · 01-24-2004, 11:33 AM

Not really a complete answer, but just my 0.02 about block finishes...

About 1.5 years ago now, i bought an asetek waterchill kit, and even tho the base of the cpu block was quite shiney.. it was not smooth, it had been machined lapped and actually had quite large grooves in it. i was getting about 35'c cpu with 20'c air, and when i mesured the temp of the water in the system, i realised it was only 1-2'C above room temp (2x200cfm push/pull fans ), so i decided i had to do somthing.

i lapped the waterblock with 1000 grit to start with, but that didnt touch the grooves, so i moved right down to 400 and then went up in 100's to 1200, than i used some Brasso metal polish (i recomend this and Nev-R-Dull for finishing blocks, brilliant results) and when done and remountec with stock "white goo" thermal paste, i got down to 31'c!!!, with Arctive Silver 3 i got it to 26, and now its in my brothers system (on a hotter CPU, in a warmer room (apprx 25'C) with Arctic Silver 5 the CPU never gets above 30, i know this without mesuring temps as i have a little alarm set to go off when it gets that warm

.

Anyway, what i am saying is, the block's finish when it comes of the line is of no concern, as you can easily get it up to a mirror finish with a little work.

I have just bought a DD RBX and i am quite pleased with it so far as quality and ease of installation go, but i am yet to put water through it. i do have an Eheim 1260 spare atm (its actually for sale, i havnt even opened the box) and i am gettign an Eheim 1250 during the week and my PSU should arrive soon so i will get some info up.

Richdog · 01-26-2004, 09:30 AM

Cheers for the reply mate. I've almost decided on getting the PolarFLO but the RBX is sooo tempting, I just don't know if I can be arsed with the hassle of lapping it!

Any other suggestions from anyone?

superart · 01-26-2004, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richdog

Cheers for the reply mate. I've almost decided on getting the PolarFLO but the RBX is sooo tempting, I just don't know if I can be arsed with the hassle of lapping it!

Any other suggestions from anyone?

Lapping really isnt all that hard. I'de say the hardest part of lapping is finding 2000 grit sand paper.

killernoodle · 01-26-2004, 09:34 AM

You dont HAVE to lap it, you can sometimes ruin it. Also, it is much more important to lap a P4 CPU than it is an AXP because it has a lot more surface area that has to contact flat.

Richdog · 01-26-2004, 09:36 AM

Hmm interesting. I#d heard that lapping can sometimes be detrimental. Is there anywhere where you could realistically pay to get it machine lapped do you think?

Gooserider · 01-31-2004, 12:27 AM

I would avoid any block that mixes Al and Cu, such as Polarflo, Swiftech, Inovatech, etc. I've heard good things about the WW or the RBX.

I have also heard that it really isn't necessary when lapping to go above about 600 grit. The theory is that if you get it smother, there is no room left for the TIM but there isn't a great deal of increase in the contact %age. You should have no trouble getting that level of lapping done with a peice of glass and some wet/dry sandpaper using the procedures described elsewhere on the board.

Gooserider

Richdog · 01-31-2004, 04:37 AM

Heh, managed to get a cascade now so i'll see how smooth that is when it arrives. I heard you're not really supposed to lap the cascade though.

I've bought 3 pumps too, an Eheim 1260, an MCP600 Rev 2 and a Danner Mag 3, so i'll ty them out and see which is best for me. I presume the Swifty of th MAG 3 but i'm not sure...

Richdog · 02-01-2004, 11:41 AM

Changed my top post as i've ordered all the stuff now.

I've also added a new PSU, which is the Global WIN SAF520 and it looks seriously bad-ass to say the least. Here's a linky to product page and a review:

sidewindercomputers.com
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/glsasa1.html

Review @ systemcooling.com
http://www.systemcooling.com/modules...ticle&sid=1328

For my NB i'm definately not watercooling it, i'm going with a Swiftech MCX159-A Chipset cooler for AMD, as I read that they are wasilky as good as any watercooling NB block. I also replaced the 6cfm fan with an 8cfm one. Link here also:

Product page:
http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159.asp

Review @ ClubOC.com
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/revie...iftech/mcx159/

So I should be ready to rumble soon. As it says in the first post, i'm still open to suggestion about GPU block, as I want one to compliment the cascade.

Any other advice appreciated as always...

Richdog.

pauldenton · 02-01-2004, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richdog

Changed my top post as i've ordered all the stuff now.

I've also added a new PSU, which is the Global WIN SAF520 and it looks seriously bad-ass to say the least. Here's a linky to product page and a review:

sidewindercomputers.com
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/glsasa1.html

Review @ systemcooling.com
http://www.systemcooling.com/modules...ticle&sid=1328

For my NB i'm definately not watercooling it, i'm going with a Swiftech MCX159-A Chipset cooler for AMD, as I read that they are wasilky as good as any watercooling NB block. I also replaced the 6cfm fan with an 8cfm one. Link here also:

Product page:
http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159.asp

Review @ ClubOC.com
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/revie...iftech/mcx159/

So I should be ready to rumble soon. As it says in the first post, i'm still open to suggestion about GPU block, as I want one to compliment the cascade.

Any other advice appreciated as always...

Richdog.

Silverprop Fusion has a brass top (if you want to stay away from anodised ally)... and would give your blocks an aussie theme...
http://www.criticool.com/2videoblocks.html

01-24-2004, 10:01 AM	#1
Richdog Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 23	Watercooling noob needs advice on first-time setup! Right, i've edited this because my stuff is just about all ordered and I know what i'm getting now which is... Swiftech MCP600 Rev. 2 Cascade CPU block Maze 3 9000/9700 GPU block Thermochill 120.3 15 ft Thermochill Clearflex 60 tubing Swiftech HydrX coolant. 6x Evercool 120mm 80CFM fans 2x Microcool chipsink cooling kits Arctic Silver 5 Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive I got the GPU block cheap and i'm not too sure about how it performs, I heard the Maze 3 9000/9700 is a bit of a flowkiller. I'm trying to avoid getting a block with anodized alumiuium on it so if anyone has any good suggestions i'd like to hear it. Any other tips for getting the most out of the cascade and the rest of the set-up wouls also be appreciated. __________________ The hardest thing to do is argue with someone who is undoubtedly wrong, yet wholly convinced that they are right... - Richdog ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M-2500+ @ 11235 @ 1.9v DFI Ultra B 1GB Corsair v1.1 w. BH-5 Sapphire 9800PRO w. Samsung 2.8ns Cascade, Maze 9700 GPU block, Thermochill 120.3, Swiftech MCP600 Rev.2, 6x Evercool 80CFM fans (push/pull), 1/2 ID Clearflex60.* Arctic Silver 5 GlobalWIN SAF520 Last edited by Richdog; 02-01-2004 at 11:18 AM. Reason: Kit settled on.

01-24-2004, 11:33 AM	#2
guandi Cooling Savant Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: UK Posts: 174	Not really a complete answer, but just my 0.02 about block finishes... About 1.5 years ago now, i bought an asetek waterchill kit, and even tho the base of the cpu block was quite shiney.. it was not smooth, it had been machined lapped and actually had quite large grooves in it. i was getting about 35'c cpu with 20'c air, and when i mesured the temp of the water in the system, i realised it was only 1-2'C above room temp (2x200cfm push/pull fans ), so i decided i had to do somthing. i lapped the waterblock with 1000 grit to start with, but that didnt touch the grooves, so i moved right down to 400 and then went up in 100's to 1200, than i used some Brasso metal polish (i recomend this and Nev-R-Dull for finishing blocks, brilliant results) and when done and remountec with stock "white goo" thermal paste, i got down to 31'c!!!, with Arctive Silver 3 i got it to 26, and now its in my brothers system (on a hotter CPU, in a warmer room (apprx 25'C) with Arctic Silver 5 the CPU never gets above 30, i know this without mesuring temps as i have a little alarm set to go off when it gets that warm . Anyway, what i am saying is, the block's finish when it comes of the line is of no concern, as you can easily get it up to a mirror finish with a little work. I have just bought a DD RBX and i am quite pleased with it so far as quality and ease of installation go, but i am yet to put water through it. i do have an Eheim 1260 spare atm (its actually for sale, i havnt even opened the box) and i am gettign an Eheim 1250 during the week and my PSU should arrive soon so i will get some info up. __________________ A8N-SLI Deluxe FX55@3ghz 2x TwinX1024-3200XL 2x BFG6800Ultra Audigy2 ZS + Gigaworks S750 2x120gb/4x80gb lots of water/copper/pumpy goodness.

01-26-2004, 09:30 AM	#3
Richdog Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 23	Cheers for the reply mate. I've almost decided on getting the PolarFLO but the RBX is sooo tempting, I just don't know if I can be arsed with the hassle of lapping it! Any other suggestions from anyone? __________________ The hardest thing to do is argue with someone who is undoubtedly wrong, yet wholly convinced that they are right... - Richdog ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M-2500+ @ 11235 @ 1.9v DFI Ultra B 1GB Corsair v1.1 w. BH-5 Sapphire 9800PRO w. Samsung 2.8ns Cascade, Maze 9700 GPU block, Thermochill 120.3, Swiftech MCP600 Rev.2, 6x Evercool 80CFM fans (push/pull), 1/2 ID Clearflex60.* Arctic Silver 5 GlobalWIN SAF520

01-26-2004, 09:34 AM	#5
killernoodle Thermophile Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,014	You dont HAVE to lap it, you can sometimes ruin it. Also, it is much more important to lap a P4 CPU than it is an AXP because it has a lot more surface area that has to contact flat. __________________ I have a nice computer.

01-26-2004, 09:36 AM	#6
Richdog Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 23	Hmm interesting. I#d heard that lapping can sometimes be detrimental. Is there anywhere where you could realistically pay to get it machine lapped do you think? __________________ The hardest thing to do is argue with someone who is undoubtedly wrong, yet wholly convinced that they are right... - Richdog ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M-2500+ @ 11235 @ 1.9v DFI Ultra B 1GB Corsair v1.1 w. BH-5 Sapphire 9800PRO w. Samsung 2.8ns Cascade, Maze 9700 GPU block, Thermochill 120.3, Swiftech MCP600 Rev.2, 6x Evercool 80CFM fans (push/pull), 1/2 ID Clearflex60.* Arctic Silver 5 GlobalWIN SAF520

01-31-2004, 12:27 AM	#7
Gooserider Cooling Savant Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Billerica, MA, USA Posts: 451	I would avoid any block that mixes Al and Cu, such as Polarflo, Swiftech, Inovatech, etc. I've heard good things about the WW or the RBX. I have also heard that it really isn't necessary when lapping to go above about 600 grit. The theory is that if you get it smother, there is no room left for the TIM but there isn't a great deal of increase in the contact %age. You should have no trouble getting that level of lapping done with a peice of glass and some wet/dry sandpaper using the procedures described elsewhere on the board. Gooserider __________________ Designing system, will have Tyan S2468UGN Dual Athlon MOBO, SCSI HDDS, other goodies. Will run LINUX only. Want to have silent running, minimal fans, and water cooled. Probably not OC'c

01-31-2004, 04:37 AM	#8
Richdog Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 23	Heh, managed to get a cascade now so i'll see how smooth that is when it arrives. I heard you're not really supposed to lap the cascade though. I've bought 3 pumps too, an Eheim 1260, an MCP600 Rev 2 and a Danner Mag 3, so i'll ty them out and see which is best for me. I presume the Swifty of th MAG 3 but i'm not sure... __________________ The hardest thing to do is argue with someone who is undoubtedly wrong, yet wholly convinced that they are right... - Richdog ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M-2500+ @ 11235 @ 1.9v DFI Ultra B 1GB Corsair v1.1 w. BH-5 Sapphire 9800PRO w. Samsung 2.8ns Cascade, Maze 9700 GPU block, Thermochill 120.3, Swiftech MCP600 Rev.2, 6x Evercool 80CFM fans (push/pull), 1/2 ID Clearflex60.* Arctic Silver 5 GlobalWIN SAF520

02-01-2004, 11:41 AM	#9
Richdog Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 23	Changed my top post as i've ordered all the stuff now. I've also added a new PSU, which is the Global WIN SAF520 and it looks seriously bad-ass to say the least. Here's a linky to product page and a review: sidewindercomputers.com http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/glsasa1.html Review @ systemcooling.com http://www.systemcooling.com/modules...ticle&sid=1328 For my NB i'm definately not watercooling it, i'm going with a Swiftech MCX159-A Chipset cooler for AMD, as I read that they are wasilky as good as any watercooling NB block. I also replaced the 6cfm fan with an 8cfm one. Link here also: Product page: http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159.asp Review @ ClubOC.com http://www.cluboverclocker.com/revie...iftech/mcx159/ So I should be ready to rumble soon. As it says in the first post, i'm still open to suggestion about GPU block, as I want one to compliment the cascade. Any other advice appreciated as always... Richdog. __________________ The hardest thing to do is argue with someone who is undoubtedly wrong, yet wholly convinced that they are right... - Richdog ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M-2500+ @ 11235 @ 1.9v DFI Ultra B 1GB Corsair v1.1 w. BH-5 Sapphire 9800PRO w. Samsung 2.8ns Cascade, Maze 9700 GPU block, Thermochill 120.3, Swiftech MCP600 Rev.2, 6x Evercool 80CFM fans (push/pull), 1/2 ID Clearflex60.* Arctic Silver 5 GlobalWIN SAF520

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