Water block for a DFI NF4 chipset?

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Xylo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 5, 2005
Messages
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The computer I've been working on putting together has been temporarily assembled spread out on a table for a little while now...I was about to attach all the WC'ing stuff and put it in the case, when the chipset fan has started dying. Really loud noise, grinding, bleh...

I figure since the rest is going to be water-cooled, rather than replace the fan, I'd WC it too....but I'm having some issues/questions...I've only looked at a few blocks products that will fit under my PCIe card for my DFI NF4 motherboard so far, but:

1) Most appear to be foreign...I need this fairly quickly, but can't pay a fortune for postage...anyone know any that are readily available in the U.S.? (I'd like to install it at the same time I'm installing everything else, obviously.)

2) Most appear to not support 1/2", which the rest of my loop is. There appear to maybe be a couple that support 1/2" w/ adapters but are really just squeezing it down a lot (bad pressure drop then?).... Anyone know of any that are definitely 1/2"...

3) I can't find any comparative stats on the ones I've seen...so no idea as to their quality? Anyone know of any that definitely cool well?

Any help would be most appreciated!
 
Set the board jumpers to "SLI enable" and install the vid card in PCI-e slot #2.
This will unshroud the chipset and a DD Maze block will fit just fine.
 
sprocket said:
Set the board jumpers to "SLI enable" and install the vid card in PCI-e slot #2.
This will unshroud the chipset and a DD Maze block will fit just fine.
Click to expand...

It's true that this will/should work...but if someone has their card in the top slot or is running SLI there isn't a lot for non-foreign chipset blocks that fit the DFI nF4 Lanparty boards as far as I know...and beyond that, not much of anything for 1/2" ID...so give the bottom slot a try and hopefully it works for ya.
 
That will only give you 8x PCI-e. You can go top slot and still do a chipset cooler if you get the new AquaComputer SLI cooler. I'll get a link up ina sec. It's what I'm oredering for my Xmas rebuild.

Here ya go: http://www.sharkacomputers.com/aqcotwprosli.html

Edit: Just saw 1/2" up top... I think you're only option is to drop it down a slot

hehe that's why I'm getting rid of my 3/8 setup and going all AC :D
 
typhoon43 said:
Edit: Just saw 1/2" up top... I think you're only option is to drop it down a slot

hehe that's why I'm getting rid of my 3/8 setup and going all AC :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, was just gonna bring that up...good that you saw it. :)

When I can start working on (and actually buy) my PC-6077 I'm going all AC...only real option for what I wanna do and for the look I want.
 
typhoon43 said:
That will only give you 8x PCI-e. You can go top slot and still do a chipset cooler if you get the new AquaComputer SLI cooler. I'll get a link up ina sec. It's what I'm oredering for my Xmas rebuild.

Here ya go: http://www.sharkacomputers.com/aqcotwprosli.html

Edit: Just saw 1/2" up top... I think you're only option is to drop it down a slot

hehe that's why I'm getting rid of my 3/8 setup and going all AC :D
Click to expand...

Or you could keep your 3/8" and give you AC some more performance ;)


There is a NF4 SLI block that supports 1/2". I dont remember the link, but do a forum search for the EK NF4 block, there should be a thread on it a page or so back.
 
Erasmus354 said:
Or you could keep your 3/8" and give you AC some more performance ;)
Click to expand...

h2O cooling performance isn't always as tied to tubing diameter as you'd think...and personally, the black "Aquatubes" AC uses are going to/would look kicka$$ in my future case I've got planned.
 
Yeah, but he's saying just get 3/8" barbs for the AC stuff. I know Sharka sells them.
 
cornelious0_0 said:
h2O cooling performance isn't always as tied to tubing diameter as you'd think...and personally, the black "Aquatubes" AC uses are going to/would look kicka$$ in my future case I've got planned.
Click to expand...

It is still a law of physics that larger tubes provide less resistance, less resistance in turn begets more flow, more flow results in better performance. You cant get around it, no matter how many 90 degree elbows you put on it ;) What might be the case, is that the gains are too small to notice.

And yes, I was just saying that AC gear easily supports 3/8" tubing without a problem.
 
Erasmus354 said:
It is still a law of physics that larger tubes provide less resistance, less resistance in turn begets more flow, more flow results in better performance. You cant get around it, no matter how many 90 degree elbows you put on it ;) What might be the case, is that the gains are too small to notice.

And yes, I was just saying that AC gear easily supports 3/8" tubing without a problem.
Click to expand...

I understand where you're coming from, and I know that AC works just fine with 3/8" tubing...but personally, I still prefer the look of the thinner black tubing that they use. Set up the system with a/the proper pump and the right rad and the amount of resistance in the line CAN be made up for more often then not. I used to go heavily for 1/2" ID myself...'cus I loved the look...but the thinner black tubing AC uses (can't remember the measurements) are way too eye appealing for me...especially given that the interior/exterior of my Lian-Li are going to be given a high gloss/clear coat paint job at a local autobody shop when the time comes. :D
 
sprocket said:
Set the board jumpers to "SLI enable" and install the vid card in PCI-e slot #2.
This will unshroud the chipset and a DD Maze block will fit just fine.
Click to expand...
typhoon43 said:
That will only give you 8x PCI-e.
Click to expand...
True, but the performance hit is minimal, if any.
It's certainly the easiest way to use a native 1/2" block that I've found.
 
sprocket said:
True, but the performance hit is minimal, if any.
It's certainly the easiest way to use a native 1/2" block that I've found.
Click to expand...

Most of today's cards have a LOT of overhead with the available bandwidth of a PCI-E 16x slot...I doubt there'd be much of a performance hit moving the card down to the second slot and setting it to 8x, and if it lets you use the chipset block/cooler you want, then all the power to ya. :)
 
"Set the board jumpers to "SLI enable" and install the vid card in PCI-e slot #2.
This will unshroud the chipset and a DD Maze block will fit just fine."

Thanks sprocket, Im gonna try this at home tonight.

I was wondering about water cooling the chipset on my AN8-SLI, ie nothing fits under the PCI-e card !
 
Ordered the AC SLI cooler w/ 3/8 barbs yesterday. I'll be sure to post my impressions when it comes in.
 
typhoon43 said:
Ordered the AC SLI cooler w/ 3/8 barbs yesterday. I'll be sure to post my impressions when it comes in.
Click to expand...

Oops... you are going to find that it's be quite difficult (i reckon almost impossible) to get those to fit.

Aquacomputer SLI chipset block is made with 8/6mm push fit connectors in mind... even 10/8mm push fit connectors won't fit.

Looking at mine, I reckon you can fit the barbs on, but then you won't be able to fit the tubing on... especially with any sort of fastenings.

Should gone for an EK one or an Alphacool one as I know they would fit. Aquacomputer however... may (definitely imo) will cause a problem.
 
J-Pepper said:
Oops... you are going to find that it's be quite difficult (i reckon almost impossible) to get those to fit.

Aquacomputer SLI chipset block is made with 8/6mm push fit connectors in mind... even 10/8mm push fit connectors won't fit.

Looking at mine, I reckon you can fit the barbs on, but then you won't be able to fit the tubing on... especially with any sort of fastenings.

Should gone for an EK one or an Alphacool one as I know they would fit. Aquacomputer however... may (definitely imo) will cause a problem.
Click to expand...

*cringe*

That's not what I wanted to hear....ah well, at least we'll get to SEE the blocks. :p
 
Well we'll see. It shipped today from Sharka. Hopefully my 7800GTX will shoehorn in there with it. I WANT that damn northbridge cooled. The stock setup is HORRIBLE, and reached almost 70c in my current rig. I'd also be quite peeved if Sharka was selling 3/8" fittings as an option if it wasn't a viable setup. They KNOW what this chipset cooler is for: A DFI Lanparty SLI-DR with a 6800/7800 series vid card...

It's going to work.. I know it.. ;)
 
typhoon43 said:
Well we'll see. It shipped today from Sharka. Hopefully my 7800GTX will shoehorn in there with it. I WANT that damn northbridge cooled. The stock setup is HORRIBLE, and reached almost 70c in my current rig. I'd also be quite peeved if Sharka was selling 3/8" fittings as an option if it wasn't a viable setup. They KNOW what this chipset cooler is for: A DFI Lanparty SLI-DR with a 6800/7800 series vid card...

It's going to work.. I know it.. ;)
Click to expand...

I believe I can fly! ;)

Oh wait, maybe it's that white powder that's talking...
 
J-Pepper said:
I believe I can fly! ;)

Oh wait, maybe it's that white powder that's talking...
Click to expand...

Haha, good stuff man.

Hopefully things work out, I wanna see this all up and running asap. :D
 
cornelious0_0 said:
Haha, good stuff man.

Hopefully things work out, I wanna see this all up and running asap. :D
Click to expand...


Me too, but it look slike it might be a while. I bought a 7800GTXOC off the FS/FT forums and it just left yesterday via UPS GROUND... ugggh.. :( I don't want to gut my system, put the chipset cooler in, fill my system, and then have to trun around and do it again when my vid card gets here..
 
typhoon43 said:
Me too, but it look slike it might be a while. I bought a 7800GTXOC off the FS/FT forums and it just left yesterday via UPS GROUND... ugggh.. :( I don't want to gut my system, put the chipset cooler in, fill my system, and then have to trun around and do it again when my vid card gets here..
Click to expand...

Arg, I feel your pain. :(
 
sprocket said:
True, but the performance hit is minimal, if any.
It's certainly the easiest way to use a native 1/2" block that I've found.
Click to expand...


Hmm...can anyone confirm this?...just how much is the drop down to 8x PCI-e going to be?
 
typhoon43 said:
Me too, but it look slike it might be a while. I bought a 7800GTXOC off the FS/FT forums and it just left yesterday via UPS GROUND... ugggh.. :( I don't want to gut my system, put the chipset cooler in, fill my system, and then have to trun around and do it again when my vid card gets here..
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the reason I still haven't put this together...I was JUST about to, when the chipset fan died...so...sigh...
 
Erasmus354 said:
Or you could keep your 3/8" and give you AC some more performance ;)


There is a NF4 SLI block that supports 1/2". I dont remember the link, but do a forum search for the EK NF4 block, there should be a thread on it a page or so back.
Click to expand...


Hmm...this one?
http://www.cerkovnik.si/nf4.htm

I haven't run that page through a translator yet though...and not sure how easy it will be to get in the U.S....
 
Looks like that funky EK NF4 thing above or this alphacool NexXxos are my choices...

http://www.alphacool.de/xt/product_info.php?products_id=3546&cPath=5_18_21

And having never heard of the prior company, and having heard decent things about the later, I guess I'd opt w/ the Alphacool...

However:
1) Can't find any real/comparative performance info. on various other sites, due to the Alphacool being German...anyone know of any?

2) I'd be screwing 1/2" barbs into it...is that going to still kill my flow do to the G1/4" barbs?...I still am a bit hazy on threading stuff...the barb would be narrowing down to fit in anyway...

3) How would the performance compare to a more standard chipset cooler, like the DD Maze4?

4) There is the possibility of moving the card and sing a Maze4...but I have no idea how the difference in performance would be overall...or the prices (seem roughly about the same)...


Any recommendations would be most appreciated... :)
 
Using the Alphacool block would not be a great idea in a large bore system because the bore through the block itself is so tiny it would essentially kill the flow rate. The EK block, which I believe is less restrictive, is much better suited for your system.
 
Erasmus354 said:
Or you could keep your 3/8" and give you AC some more performance ;)
Click to expand...
Show me the data that shows 3/8" give more performance than 6mm on AC blocks...... My testing shows otherwise.

Then again you don't even water cool..... :rolleyes:
 
3/8" with the same pump won't, but a higher flow rate will give you better performance. That's a fact. Look at the Delta T curves on ANY tested waterblock.
 
Xylo said:
Hmm...this one?
http://www.cerkovnik.si/nf4.htm

I haven't run that page through a translator yet though...and not sure how easy it will be to get in the U.S....
Click to expand...

I managed to buy one used here in the states. If you check around in the FS forums (here and elsewhere), one might pop up. I actually think the guy who makes the EK blocks posts at extremesystems.org link
 
boof said:
Using the Alphacool block would not be a great idea in a large bore system because the bore through the block itself is so tiny it would essentially kill the flow rate. The EK block, which I believe is less restrictive, is much better suited for your system.
Click to expand...

???
 
Xylo said:
Hmm...can anyone confirm this?...just how much is the drop down to 8x PCI-e going to be?
Click to expand...

I myself moved my 6800gt to the lower slot to use a maze4 chipset cooler, but before I did I ran 3dmark05 and scored exactly the same on the 16x bus as I did on the 8x bus. Not sure if there would have been a better benchmark to use, so I'm just throwin it out there. Also not sure if there would be a larger performance hit for a newer card like a 7800 series.
 
MonoDestro said:
I myself moved my 6800gt to the lower slot to use a maze4 chipset cooler, but before I did I ran 3dmark05 and scored exactly the same on the 16x bus as I did on the 8x bus. Not sure if there would have been a better benchmark to use, so I'm just throwin it out there. Also not sure if there would be a larger performance hit for a newer card like a 7800 series.
Click to expand...
This is exactly the same result I got using Aquamark03.
No difference at all between the two PCI-e slots.
 
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