A Watercooling Test

[clocker]

The great debate raging in watercooling circles these days concerns the relative advantage of "high-flow" (typified by DangerDen, Swiftech, et al, using 1/2" ID tubing) vs. "low-flow" or "small bore" (exemplified by Aqua Computer, using 6-8mm tubing).

I have been partial to the big-bore equipment (primarily due to price and availability issues) and have been much pleased with the performance achieved.
There is no denying however that plumbing 3/4" tubing can be a challenge due to bend radius constraints and avoidance of 90deg. fittings (a definite no-no for high flow performance, yet a total non-issue for the low flow camp).

I've decided to perform a homebrew, totally non-scientific experiment on Sprocket to get some first hand experience with the merits of the two approaches.

Arriving Wednesday is a box of 3/8" ID Tygon tubing, a selection of 3/8" barbs and a MCP355 pump. I also have a modded top cover for the pump which allows for better inlet positioning and (supposedly) increased flow.

Stage 1 of the test will consist of replacing the 1/2" barbs on the CPU/GPU blocks and radiator with 3/8" versions and running with the high output MCP655 pump already installed.
Stage 2 will replace the pump with the smaller, less powerful, native 3/8" 355 unit ( which is the rev.2, 18w model, BTW).
Stage 3 will replace the pump cover with the modded version and also introduce 90deg fittings wherever they will simplify/streamline tube routing.
Stages 2 and 3 may be combined depending on difficulty of installation/amount of modding necessary...

I do not have (nor am I interested in obtaining) the proper test equipment to elevate this beyond simple anecdotal evidence, so my results will be scientifically debatable, however I don't see why they wouldn't be an acceptable indication of the differences between the two approaches.

As always, I'll keep you posted.

[Seedler]

Eagerly anticipate those results.

[ApacNTS]

oh nice another experiment. i also want to see those results. with all your research im sure you save us all thousands

[fkdup74]

Christ.....another experiment.....and I still haven't mustered up the energy
to go purchase/assemble/post results of my TJ07,
which has been the plan for, what, a month or so?

How in the world do you do it?

[ApacNTS]

Christ.....another experiment.....and I still haven't mustered up the energy
to go purchase/assemble/post results of my TJ07,
which has been the plan for, what, a month or so?

How in the world do you do it?

heh, hey if you makes you feel better it took me close to a year to build my experiment, aka a decent computer. so one month is nothing, id equate it to thoughtful planning

[clocker]

I'm still waiting on that TJ07 buiild as I might be interested in that case for later.
Get busy please.

My interest in smaller bore loops is tied to the Apple G5 case build.
Physically, the case is just not capable of supporting a large bore system and before I drop a bunch of cash on parts I'd like to get a feel for how they might perform.

[fkdup74]

Christ.....another experiment.....and I still haven't mustered up the energy
to go purchase/assemble/post results of my TJ07,
which has been the plan for, what, a month or so?

How in the world do you do it?

heh, hey if you makes you feel better it took me close to a year to build my experiment, aka a decent computer. so one month is nothing, id equate it to thoughtful planning

Yeah, but this is just a case, not a whole PC.
(Well, not entirely true....I do want to get another mobo w/PCI-E and a GFX card.)
But I'm kind of not liking the gfx card options atm...
The only ones that seem worthy of consideration are the 7800-7900 or x1800-x1900 flavors,
and that means putting up some big bucks.

And I still need to decide on wether I want a water loop or air cooling.
I did buy some class air cooling from clocker, but I still have the gpu to think about.
The Zalman gpu cooler isn't living up to my expectations.
May have to go water for the gpu, and if I do...why not the cpu as well?
I just don't really know atm.

[clocker]

The Zalman gpu cooler isn't living up to my expectations.
May have to go water for the gpu, and if I do...why not the cpu as well?

Because your CPU may not significantly benefit from watercooling and a GPU-only loop would be smaller (thus, cheaper).

[fkdup74]

The Zalman gpu cooler isn't living up to my expectations.
May have to go water for the gpu, and if I do...why not the cpu as well?

Because your CPU may not significantly benefit from watercooling and a GPU-only loop would be smaller (thus, cheaper).

Why do you always have to make such a good freakin' point?

It's probably true. I have a Venice, and it runs pretty cool. Damn.
You're running me out of excuses ffs.

[Duffman]

god damn clocker, god damn.