Me-oh-my...backsliding

[clocker]

My name is clocker and I'm a cooling junkie.

There, I said it.

Since this summer, Sprocket and I have been muddling along with semi-antiquated hardware shoehorned into an ancient Gateway case.
Aircooled.

Well, my platform isn't changing (yet) but around Christmas I moved back into the Silverstone TJ07 case and started upgrading the HSF.

Went through three units- two Zalmans and a SilenX.
They all worked acceptably, with the nod going to the Zalmans because they were quieter but aircooling just doesn't engage my inner hardware freak.
It's just too simple.

Tonight I stopped into Microcenter (needed some DVDs) and started browsing their BYOPC (Build Your Own PC) section.
Microcenter actually carries a somewhat reasonable selection of non-crap watercooling gear- some DangerDen and Swiftech stuff along with the dreadful Thermaltake junk.
Oh oh.
Just back away, boy.

The.Flesh.Is.Weak.

I folded.

Starting tomorrow I'll document my downfall.

[Broken]

Good luck to you.
I'm really finding that water cooling is going out of style lately.

Most of the new processors will over-clock like made on just air.
It's really about how many cores can be squeezed onto a die and how efficient they are instead of a gigahertz. We've been stuck at the 3GHz barrier since about '99, almost ten years! Even today there's not a stock processor that runs at 4GHz.

[HyperNode]

My name is clocker and I'm a cooling junkie.

O RLY? I have ATX systems running both on AC/WC when it comes to cooling.

The lowest ACed temp system I am running here has 2x120mm fans mounted on side panel to intake air. While 2x80mm fans mounted on back case to out take air, 1x80mm on the HD bay, 1x80mm CPU fan, 2x80mm PSU fan, 2x43mm vents in PCI ext slot outing air. With this I get 31C cpu temp on full load, 29C sys temp, depending on the HD that is being used I get 27C running or 22C idle, but his system sounds like a jet engine.

Now here comes WCed sealed glass case system. With just 2x80mm PSU fan and 1x80mm fan mounted on HD bay. Using the pumps case on ram, cpu, single baseOS hd, with built in exs on the raditor for circulation air insied the sealed case. I get 4-8C cpu temp depending on the scaled cpu speed based on min, nml, max load avg. The case temp is 17C thanks to exs favor, while the base OS is 14C but all other hds is between 20-22C.

PS: I am not a cooling junkie nor I waste my time playing games but I have some very adv systems just at home as mini-cluster. Also I am in FL so my weather plays overall key role.

[Detale]

OOO clocker YOU DO LOVE ME!!. I love these!

[S!X]

What's "Microcenter"

[HyperNode]

We've been stuck at the 3GHz barrier since about '99, almost ten years! Even today there's not a stock processor that runs at 4GHz.

Who is we? you ONLY speak for yourself as a home consumer. Now you have been stuck at that CR but does not mean anyone else is limited to that CR. If you want to run at faster CR you can pick Intel based CPUs or you can pick IBM/Sun based cpus as you must have the MONEY to buy it to run over 4+ghz at its native CR without OCing. Now I am taking you NEVER heard about IBM's P arct based cpus like P5/P6? They can easily hit over 6ghz with no problem.

PS: Far as 4ghz goes for home users you can always buy Intels Q6660 and up line cpu's and OC it as you will have no problem hiting 4ghz. For price wise and for home user that is well over enough.

[clocker]

Good luck to you.
I'm really finding that water cooling is going out of style lately.

Most of the new processors will over-clock like made on just air.

My previous WC attempts have never really been about overclocking anyway.
I'm more interested in creating a thermally stable case environment and keeping things quiet.
And I like configuring the hardware.

My name is clocker and I'm a cooling junkie.

O RLY? I have ATX systems running both on AC/WC when it comes to cooling.

The lowest ACed temp system I am running here has 2x120mm fans mounted on side panel to intake air. While 2x80mm fans mounted on back case to out take air, 1x80mm on the HD bay, 1x80mm CPU fan, 2x80mm PSU fan, 2x43mm vents in PCI ext slot outing air. With this I get 31C cpu temp on full load, 29C sys temp, depending on the HD that is being used I get 27C running or 22C idle, but his system sounds like a jet engine.

Now here comes WCed sealed glass case system. With just 2x80mm PSU fan and 1x80mm fan mounted on HD bay. Using the pumps case on ram, cpu, single baseOS hd, with built in exs on the raditor for circulation air insied the sealed case. I get 4-8C cpu temp depending on the scaled cpu speed based on min, nml, max load avg. The case temp is 17C thanks to exs favor, while the base OS is 14C but all other hds is between 20-22C.

PS: I am not a cooling junkie nor I waste my time playing games but I have some very adv systems just at home as mini-cluster. Also I am in FL so my weather plays overall key role.

Pics are required.
I have no idea what "exs favor" is but I'd love to see how a case is kept at 62 degrees.

What's "Microcenter"

It's a big box computer store.
Think CompUSA that doesn't suck.
You could actually build a very nice PC from parts off the shelf and they aren't a year behind Newegg.
Obviously, no B&M is going to be as cutting edge as an etailer but they try.
The staff is fairly knowledgeable as well.
Surprisingly, some of their prices undercut the internet also.

So, on to the hardware.
This next item is actually the main reason for the project.
A waterpump/CPU block combo...




Based on the Swiftech Apogee waterblock and the Laing DDC pump- both of which I've used successfully in previous builds- this new "Apogee Drive" integrates the two into a compact multi-platform unit.

This is the main building block of the Swiftech WC kits and allows for a very simple, clean install- just the Drive and a radiator.
Although generally well reviewed as a kit, the weak spot has been the rather small radiators they use.
Fortunately, I am not so constrained.

The SS case will easily accommodate a triple rad and it just so happens that I have an almost brand new Hardware Labs 320 sitting around...


Fannage will be provided by three Scythe S-Flex SSF21E low-noise fans...


Now, the Swiftech kit's radiator incorporates a fill port but the rad I have does not, so I either have to run a t-line or a reservoir in this loop.
I have this rez...


...and shall mock it up for the initial test fit and see how it fits.

Since the barbs on the Apogee Drive are fixed, I'll have to see how it lays out when installed and go from there.

Although I have chipset and GPU blocks as well, neither will be used in the interest of keeping this simple.
The radiator was previously installed in the TJ, so that's ready to install...about the only fabbing I have to do is mounting the reservoir- assuming I decide to use it.

Should be operational by the end of the day.

[HyperNode]

Pics are required.
I have no idea what "exs favor" is but I'd love to see how a case is kept at 62 degrees.

My bad idk why I typed "favor" but post to be vapor (duh should always poof read). But sys running with case temp of 16-17C/60-62F is nothing as you can easily do it, cpu temp is what matters (even if you dont OC). Now if you really worried about cooling you should seal your case and circulate the air inside but don't intake/outake it as you would normally do. Keep in mind the cpu temp will always depend on the load avg, now I am scaling my cpu so I have 3 setting for min/nml/max running depending on the task.

PS: Well here are some photo below taken with OptiCam 1M+ (sorry not up to the standards when it comes to photography) hope this will do beacuse no way in hell will I ever shutdown this working system and then open the case to take some photo. You cant really see the temp on the panel as this cam is old but ill try to take photo later and see what happens and post back.

[clocker]

So you run a phase change setup?
Still not exactly clear what "vapor" is...

Anyways, Sprocket is up and running again.
Pretty simple once I got the install sequence down.

Seemed easier (and more prudent) to remove the motherboard for the block install.


This actually saved my ass as the original location of the exit hose clamp barrel would have damaged a capacitor and I'd never have noticed if I was just looking straight down on the board.
Being able to sight across the board made the contact apparent before I began tightening things down.
Bullet #1 evaded.

Next came mounting the reservoir and redoing the placement of the PSU and the fan controller.


Finally, the radiator was slid into place and the tubing connected.


Now the loop was first filled with water and a visual exam for leaks.
Then, using an old AT power supply, the pump was primed and the loop bled of air.
Then the rez was topped off, the system sealed and a test run of 2 hours was started...I went to lunch.

With no nasty surprises awaiting me, I finished neatening up the wiring and was ready to hook 'er up.


The noisiest thing in the case now is the vid card.
Rather annoying, it is.

Initial temps seem to be about 10c lower.

[Detale]

I'm sure you will devise way to water cool that too