Got a D-Tek customs radiator today

redleader · 07-24-2001, 12:33 AM

I was a little worried before talking to some people around here who recommended the cooler. But all round I'm thrilled with it:

D-Tek kicks ass! I called them up and they knew offhand the resistance on the junctions in their coolant temp probes (10kohms, just what my homemade console required). I was pleasantly surprised. Not to mention they shipped the same day I ordered and replied to emails promptly. They also asked if I wanted painted or just the tanks painted.

My order was placed on thursday and arrived on the following Monday (today). My order with Dangerden was placed a week ago today and still has not arrived.

The heatercore is very high quality. Some people speculated that it was a "solder core" type radiator. It is not. A grand total of 19 cells of the 980 on the unit have solder on them, all at the very top where a fan wouldn't mount anyway. The unit comes with 1/2 inch stock and is the cheapest costing of its class. Easily cheaper then all the cubes, the Black Ice and of course the real BigMama. Not to mention that presumably beats all of these stock (the BigMama with 1/2 would be identical, most likly). Though its also much bigger then the Ice and cubes and harder to mount.

Painting is very nicly done. I asked for unpainted core, but they sent me a painted core anyway

However honestly it doesn't make a difference. So little paint is used on the actual core, I'd say maybe %5 is actually covered. The coat is also very thin. When I picked it up expecting to see an unpainted core, my reaction was "WTF, the outer cells are Al but the inner are Cu?". The I noticed it was finely painted.

Complaints:

I got a painted core. Also the UPS tracking number didn't work.

Conclusion:

This guys want to be good and have a solid radiator. I wish I had a BigMama to compare to, but honestly I can't see how the BigMama is worth the extra $12 for the 1/2inch version compared to the DTek.

EX2C · 07-24-2001, 01:00 AM

I also ordered a Dtek (2nd one)without the core painted and it looks as it was, but it was just the color of the fins (email verified) they only painted the tanks and the sides. I thought the core was painted too, but turns out it isn't after comparing it to my other one which is an actual silver on the core. I ran a comparison against my painted Dtek, and didn't see one diff in temps.. actually the painted had a lower idle temp. So thumbs up either way, for the customer service and the product. Now time to start on my second computer

gonad · 07-24-2001, 05:31 AM

Danny at D-Tek bent over backwards helping me get started with my first watercooled system. I ordered a 2nd Cooler Core rad and some other stuff for another system without hesitation.

GoNaD
Sometimes I feel like a nut...

BrianW · 07-24-2001, 10:15 AM

url?

redleader · 07-24-2001, 11:40 AM

http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/

Amy · 07-25-2001, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by redleader:
http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/

RedLeader:
Sounds like all your parts are coming in.

Please Post your results and your observations. Don't forget to post Ambient room temperatures.

I live on the coast but no air in my PC room - gets to 38C during the dog days of summer.

Cheers Amy

-

www.amycroft.com

BrianW · 07-25-2001, 01:08 AM

Quick question.

Is there any straight line through the fins? I have some thin threaded nylon rods I was planning on using to mount a Black Ice radiator. If one could use these on this rad i would consider getting it instead.

Also of the two, Black ice and those heater core types, which requires more fan power to move air through it?

redleader · 07-25-2001, 02:28 AM

Amy:

Yup. Got the last of my parts today

I'm frickin dying to set it up. But I don't have time to mod my case until I get back from CA (looking at a college) this weekend. I have the setup all hooked up on the table and I'm starting some bench testing with water to make sure everything holds and my pump doesn't die in the morning before I goto work.

Anyway, I was amzed how large some of these parts are(n't), The Maze2 was tiny, while the Eheim 1250 was a monster. Its going to be a tight, tight fit. But If I remove my lower drive cage I can fit it in my midtower.

I'll post pics and temps as soon as its done. I already got my coolant probe finished my 5.25 drive bay temp console (monitors 5 probes + coolant temps). So I should have so good data for you all.

Badly: All teh cells are straight through, but they are tiny. Theres 980 total, so you would need a really small screw to fit though. I doubt it would hold enough weigth to work. I'm using twist ties and wire instead. Epozy on the end of the bolts might work too.

The BigMama is the better cooler, but its only so because its nearly twice the size of the Black Ice. As for fan power, I'm hopeing a 120mm Panaflo will be overkill for either, I want this thing quiet. But I don't know for sure, yet. The Blackice is very easy to mount. I didn't get it simply because I didn't want to spend nearly 2x as much as the Dtek.

Again, the BigMama is HUGE. Cut out a 7*6 inch piece of paper and see if it will fit in your case. Then remember its 2inches deep plus the fan. I had to get creative to get mine to fit.

bdunosk · 07-25-2001, 07:43 AM

Sounds cool - I'm planning on getting one, but I'm not at "home" (at parents' house) so I didn't want it shipped. Problem is, my friend here is the one with the dremel... so I want to cut my case but don't know what kind of hole I need. Anyone have that info?

Thanks in advance!

redleader · 07-25-2001, 11:02 AM

7*6 inch rectangle if you can fit it. Mines just going to be a 120mm fan hole because thats all I have room for.

Amy · 07-30-2001, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian:
Sounds cool - I'm planning on getting one, but I'm not at "home" (at parents' house) so I didn't want it shipped. Problem is, my friend here is the one with the dremel... so I want to cut my case but don't know what kind of hole I need. Anyone have that info?

Thanks in advance!

Hi: A guy on OC.AU mentioned that for a 120MM fan he uses a CD as a template. As always measure twice - cut once as Dennis from DGD suggested.
Cheers Amy

-

BrianW · 07-31-2001, 02:23 AM

Buy a 4.5" holesaw at your hardware store. the best investment for modding. Makes a perfect hole everytime. Especially w/ a drill press. No press? Just make sure to press down evenly.

07-24-2001, 12:33 AM	#1
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	Got a D-Tek customs radiator today I was a little worried before talking to some people around here who recommended the cooler. But all round I'm thrilled with it: D-Tek kicks ass! I called them up and they knew offhand the resistance on the junctions in their coolant temp probes (10kohms, just what my homemade console required). I was pleasantly surprised. Not to mention they shipped the same day I ordered and replied to emails promptly. They also asked if I wanted painted or just the tanks painted. My order was placed on thursday and arrived on the following Monday (today). My order with Dangerden was placed a week ago today and still has not arrived. The heatercore is very high quality. Some people speculated that it was a "solder core" type radiator. It is not. A grand total of 19 cells of the 980 on the unit have solder on them, all at the very top where a fan wouldn't mount anyway. The unit comes with 1/2 inch stock and is the cheapest costing of its class. Easily cheaper then all the cubes, the Black Ice and of course the real BigMama. Not to mention that presumably beats all of these stock (the BigMama with 1/2 would be identical, most likly). Though its also much bigger then the Ice and cubes and harder to mount. Painting is very nicly done. I asked for unpainted core, but they sent me a painted core anyway However honestly it doesn't make a difference. So little paint is used on the actual core, I'd say maybe %5 is actually covered. The coat is also very thin. When I picked it up expecting to see an unpainted core, my reaction was "WTF, the outer cells are Al but the inner are Cu?". The I noticed it was finely painted. Complaints: I got a painted core. Also the UPS tracking number didn't work. Conclusion: This guys want to be good and have a solid radiator. I wish I had a BigMama to compare to, but honestly I can't see how the BigMama is worth the extra $12 for the 1/2inch version compared to the DTek.

07-24-2001, 01:00 AM	#2
EX2C Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 9	I also ordered a Dtek (2nd one)without the core painted and it looks as it was, but it was just the color of the fins (email verified) they only painted the tanks and the sides. I thought the core was painted too, but turns out it isn't after comparing it to my other one which is an actual silver on the core. I ran a comparison against my painted Dtek, and didn't see one diff in temps.. actually the painted had a lower idle temp. So thumbs up either way, for the customer service and the product. Now time to start on my second computer __________________ T-Bird 1.3 @ 1.6GHZ Epox 8K7A 256 MB Crucial DDR @168 FSB Cheetah X-15 Flowmaster H2O

07-24-2001, 10:15 AM	#4
BrianW Cooling Savant Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Desert City in California Posts: 631	url? __________________ Water Cooled Inwin Q500 (Dual Rads: Rad1 = DTEK Pro Core \| Rad2 = Blick Ice Estreme, Hydor L30, Dangerden Maze2, Bay Res Typhoon Reservoir, 1/2 " DD Tygon Thick Wall Hose). Flow: Res, Pump, CPU watervlock, Y into both rads, both rads into res independently. Athlon XP 1800+ (@ 1731 - 150mhz fsb.), on a Asus A7N266-c, and a Radeon 9000 *waiting for RMA'd Saphire 9800 ultra from Newegg)

07-25-2001, 01:08 AM	#7
BrianW Cooling Savant Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Desert City in California Posts: 631	Quick question. Is there any straight line through the fins? I have some thin threaded nylon rods I was planning on using to mount a Black Ice radiator. If one could use these on this rad i would consider getting it instead. Also of the two, Black ice and those heater core types, which requires more fan power to move air through it? __________________ Water Cooled Inwin Q500 (Dual Rads: Rad1 = DTEK Pro Core \| Rad2 = Blick Ice Estreme, Hydor L30, Dangerden Maze2, Bay Res Typhoon Reservoir, 1/2 " DD Tygon Thick Wall Hose). Flow: Res, Pump, CPU watervlock, Y into both rads, both rads into res independently. Athlon XP 1800+ (@ 1731 - 150mhz fsb.), on a Asus A7N266-c, and a Radeon 9000 *waiting for RMA'd Saphire 9800 ultra from Newegg)

07-31-2001, 02:23 AM	#12
BrianW Cooling Savant Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Desert City in California Posts: 631	Buy a 4.5" holesaw at your hardware store. the best investment for modding. Makes a perfect hole everytime. Especially w/ a drill press. No press? Just make sure to press down evenly. __________________ Water Cooled Inwin Q500 (Dual Rads: Rad1 = DTEK Pro Core \| Rad2 = Blick Ice Estreme, Hydor L30, Dangerden Maze2, Bay Res Typhoon Reservoir, 1/2 " DD Tygon Thick Wall Hose). Flow: Res, Pump, CPU watervlock, Y into both rads, both rads into res independently. Athlon XP 1800+ (@ 1731 - 150mhz fsb.), on a Asus A7N266-c, and a Radeon 9000 *waiting for RMA'd Saphire 9800 ultra from Newegg)

07-24-2001, 05:31 AM	#3
gonad Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: PA Posts: 9	Danny at D-Tek bent over backwards helping me get started with my first watercooled system. I ordered a 2nd Cooler Core rad and some other stuff for another system without hesitation. GoNaD Sometimes I feel like a nut...

07-24-2001, 11:40 AM	#5
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	http://dtekcustoms.safeshopper.com/

07-25-2001, 02:28 AM	#8
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	Amy: Yup. Got the last of my parts today I'm frickin dying to set it up. But I don't have time to mod my case until I get back from CA (looking at a college) this weekend. I have the setup all hooked up on the table and I'm starting some bench testing with water to make sure everything holds and my pump doesn't die in the morning before I goto work. Anyway, I was amzed how large some of these parts are(n't), The Maze2 was tiny, while the Eheim 1250 was a monster. Its going to be a tight, tight fit. But If I remove my lower drive cage I can fit it in my midtower. I'll post pics and temps as soon as its done. I already got my coolant probe finished my 5.25 drive bay temp console (monitors 5 probes + coolant temps). So I should have so good data for you all. Badly: All teh cells are straight through, but they are tiny. Theres 980 total, so you would need a really small screw to fit though. I doubt it would hold enough weigth to work. I'm using twist ties and wire instead. Epozy on the end of the bolts might work too. The BigMama is the better cooler, but its only so because its nearly twice the size of the Black Ice. As for fan power, I'm hopeing a 120mm Panaflo will be overkill for either, I want this thing quiet. But I don't know for sure, yet. The Blackice is very easy to mount. I didn't get it simply because I didn't want to spend nearly 2x as much as the Dtek. Again, the BigMama is HUGE. Cut out a 7*6 inch piece of paper and see if it will fit in your case. Then remember its 2inches deep plus the fan. I had to get creative to get mine to fit.

07-25-2001, 07:43 AM	#9
bdunosk Cooling Neophyte Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 93	Sounds cool - I'm planning on getting one, but I'm not at "home" (at parents' house) so I didn't want it shipped. Problem is, my friend here is the one with the dremel... so I want to cut my case but don't know what kind of hole I need. Anyone have that info? Thanks in advance!

07-25-2001, 11:02 AM	#10
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	7*6 inch rectangle if you can fit it. Mines just going to be a 120mm fan hole because thats all I have room for.

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