Feedback on this setup please....

Goon · 07-08-2004, 05:43 PM

Ladies and Gents...

Would appreciate any feedback on the following components you would be kind enough to provide. I've decided to approach water cooling and this is what I've come up with.

1. A Koolance Exos-Al external water cooler.
I decided on an external pump, reservoir and monitor etc. because it leaves more space inside the case and reduces the risk of an internal leak. This model has been getting great reviews and matches my Lanboy alluminum case. I have noticed though that it hardly gets a mention on this forum.

2. A Swiftech MCW6000-P CPU cooler

3. A Swiftech MCW50 GPU cooler

I was initially thinking of setting this up in a sequential block cooling style, but have noticed many people seem to prefer a parallel feed setup. Thoughts on the pro's and con's of this would also be gratefully received.

Reasons for switching to water are that I'm having some heat problems with my graphics card but would also like to perform some mild overclocking in the future.

Thanks all.

G.

bigben2k · 07-08-2004, 06:00 PM

What's your video card?

Goon · 07-08-2004, 06:12 PM

Its an Asus v9280-s.

http://usa.asus.com/products/vga/v9280s/overview.htm

Basically a GeForce Ti4200 thats overclocked straight from the factory. Its fine except during summer when the warmer air just can't cool it enough. I think my case could do with a blow hole but I think water cooling would be far more efficient and quieter!

bigben2k · 07-08-2004, 07:23 PM

Agreed. So it's the GPU that's running warm? Not the RAM?

I don't see anything wrong with what you propose. Of course I prefer the old fashion heatercore solution, because it's really a top performer, but everyone's DIY skills vary:

Goon · 07-08-2004, 08:25 PM

Actually I'm not sure which part of the video card is overheating. I do notice a general hot air buildup in the top of the case, so if I remove the hot air generated by the GPU and CPU heatsinks I'm sure everything thats left will be a lot cooler.

Thanks for the feedback Big Ben!

What about the serial vs parallel tubing setup? Parallel logically sounds like the better idea (both blocks receive the coolest water), but because the water blocks are different designs I thought that I may get uneven water pressure at the tubing split. Thus creating slow throughput for one of the blocks. Could this be a problem?

bigben2k · 07-08-2004, 09:31 PM

The "coolest water in" thing is a myth. The actual difference is a fraction of a degree, in most cases.

Serial will most likely give you better performance.

AngryAlpaca · 07-08-2004, 09:44 PM

I don't think that the Koolance will get you the performance you are looking for. 0.25GPM and and ok radiator isn't exactly high performance... I think you should reconsider.

Goon · 07-09-2004, 11:47 AM

Could you recommend a better alternative AngryAlpaca? (That is an external solution?)

I'm not worried about really high performance, just as long as I'm getting value for money. The list I came up with will cost me about CDN$415, plus postage on the blocks.

bigben2k · 07-09-2004, 02:02 PM

What's your DIY skill level?

Goon · 07-09-2004, 05:30 PM

Hmmm.

Tough question. I'm a senior systems engineer, so am comfortable with the technical side of computer hardware. But the idea of plumbing in a water tank for the house would scare me to be honest. LOL

I have done some mild case modding, and would certainly consider customising my case to fit a system. However, I do attend LAN parties so an additional requirement is that the system is easily moved from A to B.

HAL-9000 · 07-09-2004, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goon

Hmmm.

Tough question. I'm a senior systems engineer, so am comfortable with the technical side of computer hardware. But the idea of plumbing in a water tank for the house would scare me to be honest. LOL

I have done some mild case modding, and would certainly consider customising my case to fit a system. However, I do attend LAN parties so an additional requirement is that the system is easily moved from A to B.

If you just need more powerful plumbing for already pretty good blocks, get a Swiftech 22600-B kit. Its got the radiator, pump, tubing, etc. in kit form, and no block. Heck, you could probably keep your EXOS around too and just have two radaitor/pump systems.

But AngryAlpaca's right, for those kind of waterjackets your current pump/rad system just isn't going to get you what the jackets can do. What you have in your setup is kind of analogous to bolting a 60mm x 10mm fan on a big Thermalright heatsink...its just not enough fluid movement to keep up with the sink.

AngryAlpaca · 07-09-2004, 05:55 PM

$415?! OMFG. Make a custom enclosure is what I'd advise you to do... It's pretty simple to work with acrylic and I'd imagine that you can paint. This will allow you to use high end pumps, radiators and fans as much as you want.

bigben2k · 07-09-2004, 06:13 PM

That's $415 cad, which is... 314.93 USD according to todays exchange rate.

AngryAlpaca · 07-09-2004, 07:22 PM

It works slightly differently when buying this sort of stuff. $315 worth of US stuff is much more than $415 if you're buying in Canada, and similarly from the US if there are duties. If you were to buy $315 worth of stuff it would cost more than $415 here if that makes sense.

Blackeagle · 07-09-2004, 10:06 PM

I'll throw in my .02 here.

Go down to the local NAPA store and order a heater core from a car or pick up that meets the size requirements of the enclosure you want, will cost anywhere from $18 - $60.00 depending on the core size you go with, few cores cost more than $60.

Second get a good high head water pump, Swiftech has a very good one in thier 600 series pump, which also runs off 12v from your PSU. Some other very good ones can be had from a host of aquarium pump suppliers. Just remember to get one with at least 160 gph and 8ft+ of head, and more is better.

As AngryAlpaca points out it isn't at all hard to build a exterior case for your water cooling gear. While he suggest acrylic, which is good and easy to work with, wood also is easy to work with and is also a natural noise reducing material, not to mention more people are used to working with it. But such a case really just boils down to a filtered air intake, enough space to mount the pump and then the rad along with a outlet for the air flow. Pretty simple......think in terms of a square tube with a filter and intake fans at one end, pump and rad inside, then a set of fans at the outlet (these are optional, not required). You also need to have a couple holes for water lines to go out, and return in.

Then spend the balance on the best water blocks you can get......CPU, GPU .....and that's all I'd suggest for a first effort. Everything else can be cooled at very low noise levels with air.

AngryAlpaca · 07-09-2004, 10:33 PM

I tried wood, I prefer acrylic. I was thinking of the radiator being flat, rather than standing so it takes up much less space. Sort of like a Koolance, I guess.

Goon · 07-10-2004, 10:48 AM

I see what you mean about the Swiftech 22501P kit, looks like a sweet deal. Plus I can get it from BC for CDN$200.

Thanks for the ideas folks, I'll do some more research with them in mind and see what I come up with!

07-08-2004, 05:43 PM	#1
Goon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 6	Feedback on this setup please.... Ladies and Gents... Would appreciate any feedback on the following components you would be kind enough to provide. I've decided to approach water cooling and this is what I've come up with. 1. A Koolance Exos-Al external water cooler. I decided on an external pump, reservoir and monitor etc. because it leaves more space inside the case and reduces the risk of an internal leak. This model has been getting great reviews and matches my Lanboy alluminum case. I have noticed though that it hardly gets a mention on this forum. 2. A Swiftech MCW6000-P CPU cooler 3. A Swiftech MCW50 GPU cooler I was initially thinking of setting this up in a sequential block cooling style, but have noticed many people seem to prefer a parallel feed setup. Thoughts on the pro's and con's of this would also be gratefully received. Reasons for switching to water are that I'm having some heat problems with my graphics card but would also like to perform some mild overclocking in the future. Thanks all. G. Last edited by Goon; 07-08-2004 at 05:55 PM.

07-08-2004, 06:00 PM	#2
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	What's your video card? __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

07-08-2004, 09:31 PM	#6
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	The "coolest water in" thing is a myth. The actual difference is a fraction of a degree, in most cases. Serial will most likely give you better performance. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

07-09-2004, 02:02 PM	#9
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	What's your DIY skill level? __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

07-09-2004, 06:13 PM	#13
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	That's $415 cad, which is... 314.93 USD according to todays exchange rate. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

07-08-2004, 06:12 PM	#3
Goon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 6	Its an Asus v9280-s. http://usa.asus.com/products/vga/v9280s/overview.htm Basically a GeForce Ti4200 thats overclocked straight from the factory. Its fine except during summer when the warmer air just can't cool it enough. I think my case could do with a blow hole but I think water cooling would be far more efficient and quieter!

07-08-2004, 08:25 PM	#5
Goon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 6	Actually I'm not sure which part of the video card is overheating. I do notice a general hot air buildup in the top of the case, so if I remove the hot air generated by the GPU and CPU heatsinks I'm sure everything thats left will be a lot cooler. Thanks for the feedback Big Ben! What about the serial vs parallel tubing setup? Parallel logically sounds like the better idea (both blocks receive the coolest water), but because the water blocks are different designs I thought that I may get uneven water pressure at the tubing split. Thus creating slow throughput for one of the blocks. Could this be a problem?

07-08-2004, 09:44 PM	#7
AngryAlpaca Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 631	I don't think that the Koolance will get you the performance you are looking for. 0.25GPM and and ok radiator isn't exactly high performance... I think you should reconsider.

07-09-2004, 11:47 AM	#8
Goon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 6	Could you recommend a better alternative AngryAlpaca? (That is an external solution?) I'm not worried about really high performance, just as long as I'm getting value for money. The list I came up with will cost me about CDN$415, plus postage on the blocks.

07-09-2004, 05:30 PM	#10
Goon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 6	Hmmm. Tough question. I'm a senior systems engineer, so am comfortable with the technical side of computer hardware. But the idea of plumbing in a water tank for the house would scare me to be honest. LOL I have done some mild case modding, and would certainly consider customising my case to fit a system. However, I do attend LAN parties so an additional requirement is that the system is easily moved from A to B.

07-09-2004, 05:55 PM	#12
AngryAlpaca Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 631	$415?! OMFG. Make a custom enclosure is what I'd advise you to do... It's pretty simple to work with acrylic and I'd imagine that you can paint. This will allow you to use high end pumps, radiators and fans as much as you want.

07-09-2004, 07:22 PM	#14
AngryAlpaca Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 631	It works slightly differently when buying this sort of stuff. $315 worth of US stuff is much more than $415 if you're buying in Canada, and similarly from the US if there are duties. If you were to buy $315 worth of stuff it would cost more than $415 here if that makes sense.

07-09-2004, 10:06 PM	#15
Blackeagle Thermophile Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: U.S.A = Michigan Posts: 1,243	I'll throw in my .02 here. Go down to the local NAPA store and order a heater core from a car or pick up that meets the size requirements of the enclosure you want, will cost anywhere from $18 - $60.00 depending on the core size you go with, few cores cost more than $60. Second get a good high head water pump, Swiftech has a very good one in thier 600 series pump, which also runs off 12v from your PSU. Some other very good ones can be had from a host of aquarium pump suppliers. Just remember to get one with at least 160 gph and 8ft+ of head, and more is better. As AngryAlpaca points out it isn't at all hard to build a exterior case for your water cooling gear. While he suggest acrylic, which is good and easy to work with, wood also is easy to work with and is also a natural noise reducing material, not to mention more people are used to working with it. But such a case really just boils down to a filtered air intake, enough space to mount the pump and then the rad along with a outlet for the air flow. Pretty simple......think in terms of a square tube with a filter and intake fans at one end, pump and rad inside, then a set of fans at the outlet (these are optional, not required). You also need to have a couple holes for water lines to go out, and return in. Then spend the balance on the best water blocks you can get......CPU, GPU .....and that's all I'd suggest for a first effort. Everything else can be cooled at very low noise levels with air.

07-09-2004, 10:33 PM	#16
AngryAlpaca Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 631	I tried wood, I prefer acrylic. I was thinking of the radiator being flat, rather than standing so it takes up much less space. Sort of like a Koolance, I guess.

07-10-2004, 10:48 AM	#17
Goon Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 6	I see what you mean about the Swiftech 22501P kit, looks like a sweet deal. Plus I can get it from BC for CDN$200. Thanks for the ideas folks, I'll do some more research with them in mind and see what I come up with!

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