CoolIT Epic 180 info

[Zarathustra[H]]

Well, my FT02 came with the old fans, but I put in three AP-181s at my own expense before they came standard. How can the Epic 180 exhaust through the rearmost fan? I thought you weren't going to do that yourself. I know I can flip the fan over, but would'nt that create an air deadzone? Thanks very much.

What I meant was that the radiator at the bottom and then duct it so it gets sucked out the back (or the top). That way it gets fresh (cold) air and you can still vent it out without getting your video card(s) hot.

 

[Riddleofsteel]

Duct it? Like some kind of tube? My case will be cramped as it is. Unless I am misunderstanding you.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Duct it? Like some kind of tube? My case will be cramped as it is. Unless I am misunderstanding you.

Don't need to necessarily use a tube. Just something to funnel it and stop it from entering the other side of the case.

I haven't quite figured out what I am going to use yet, but I feel the results will be great when I'm done

 

[Riddleofsteel]

Hmm. I'm very interested to see what you use. I don't know how I'd get a duct of any size past my video card and cables.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Hmm. I'm very interested to see what you use. I don't know how I'd get a duct of any size past my video card and cables.

Right now I'm thinking some sort of flexible but firm plastic. Not sure how to seal it around the edges (or if it is even necessary for the benefit, or of blocking most of it is enough, so it gets sucked out the top)

I plan on experimenting.

 

[PnkPwrRngr]

Right now I'm thinking some sort of flexible but firm plastic. Not sure how to seal it around the edges (or if it is even necessary for the benefit, or of blocking most of it is enough, so it gets sucked out the top)

I plan on experimenting.

I don't think sealing it is necessary. With the AP181 blowing upward, the air will be in a constant motion upwards. You want to be looking more at directing the air, and not so much completely sealing off half of the case.

 

[Riddleofsteel]

So having the rear-most AP181 blowing cooler air UP through the rad is fine?

 

[PnkPwrRngr]

So having the rear-most AP181 blowing cooler air UP through the rad is fine?

Sure... It has be better than the alternative of reversing the direction of the fan and completely screwing with the general airflow of the case.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Interesting thought:

Assuming each of these have the same thickness, find design and fin density, here is the difference in swept area of each of these radiator designs:

Single 120mm: 14400 mm^2
Single 140mm: 19600 mm^2
Dual 120mm: 28800 mm^2
Single 180mm: 32400 mm^2

It's starting to make sense why it performs so well

Since this does not take thickness and design into account, I wonder if the main gear cooler is also thicker, and if it has a different fin design or density.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Sure... It has be better than the alternative of reversing the direction of the fan and completely screwing with the general airflow of the case.

I don't see why it would be a problem at all. In fact, that should be the best possible orientation for any cooler, as air naturally wants to rise when it gets hot. You're blowing it in the direction it already wants to go, which should make the whole system work better.

 

[8du8]

Interesting thought:

Assuming each of these have the same thickness, find design and fin density, here is the difference in swept area of each of these radiator designs:

Single 120mm: 14400 mm^2
Single 140mm: 19600 mm^2
Dual 120mm: 28800 mm^2
Single 180mm: 32400 mm^2

It's starting to make sense why it performs so well

Since this does not take thickness and design into account, I wonder if the main gear cooler is also thicker, and if it has a different fin design or density.

Good info. This makes me all the more interested in this cooler. If only it was a bit cheaper.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Alright,

Unexpectedly, the MainGear EPIC 180 / CoolIT Eco II 180 arrived today

So, on to the obligatory pics:

This thing is bigger than the pictures make it appear.

The fin arrangement looks pretty typical from what I have seen on other radiators like this. Due to its size there's just A LOT more of them.

It comes with pre-applied paste, just like previous sealed coolers I've seen. I'm undecided whether to use as is, or get some of my own (like the Shin Etsu everyone talks about) to make sure I have the best paste possible.

As you can see it comes with this offset bracket. At first I though this might just make it fit in the case without modding it, but it turns out that's not going to be the case. The bracket is riveted to the radiator housing, so I would have to (carefully) drill out the rivets to get it off if I need to.

This is what the case looks like. I plan on putting it in the front (right on this pic) to avoid dumping hot CPU air all over the video card. (I have a second EAH6970 coming soon!)

This picture illustrates the fit problem in the RV03 case. The motherboard bracket comes down too far, and the fan is offset back too far. I'm thinking it should be pretty easy to trim off the bottom of the motherboard bracket (after all, there is no point for it to exist after the motherboard ends, right? )

MainGear says the bracket has been tested to fit in RV01 cases though.

So this pic shows how it just doesn't fit in because of the motherboard bracket. There looks like there is plenty of space behind the bracket for the thing to fit once it is trimmed down to size though.


And that's about as much as I will be able to get done until the weekend. This weekends project will definitely be to trim back the motherboard backing plate, install the beast, and compare temps to my currently installed H50.

Wish me luck

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Alright, this auto-embedding flash crap the hardforums do these days is really starting to get on my nerves...

I think I figured out how to get rid of the embedding, but if it doesn't work or you want to see the full sizes try this link directly to the set.

 

[Riddleofsteel]

Haha, I emailed Maingear and asked if they had any recommendations on how to use the Epic 180 in my FT02 and they wrote back and basically just said "Try it and see". Awesome.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Haha, I emailed Maingear and asked if they had any recommendations on how to use the Epic 180 in my FT02 and they wrote back and basically just said "Try it and see". Awesome.

That's probably because the originally only intended to sell it in their own systems so they didn't test it on other cases, and don't know what it might fit in.

They then gave in to pressure to sell it individually. I get the impression mine is the first or one of the first separate 180's to go out to anyone. They'll probably get more info over time.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

Oh, I can't wait to see your results. Which fan(s) are you using on that H50?

 

[FaRKle0079]

Test it with the stock thermal paste please. After that then you can switch to see if there's really a tangible difference.

 

[Wildace]

did it come with AM3 brackets or just the intel ones?

i like the red/black but i dont think its going to be worth 2x the price of me getting an H100 and i dont know if i want ot deal with mounting issues with my case im sure i could mount it with was modding but meh if im going to get into modding the case for the 180 to fit i might aswell go all out and custom loop it...

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

did it come with AM3 brackets or just the intel ones?

i like the red/black but i dont think its going to be worth 2x the price of me getting an H100 and i dont know if i want ot deal with mounting issues with my case im sure i could mount it with was modding but meh if im going to get into modding the case for the 180 to fit i might aswell go all out and custom loop it...

The sales guy asked me which bracket I wanted and included that one.

Since they originally intended to only ship these with their custom built systems, I think they are making up a lot of this as they go right now, but once everything matures, I feel like they likely will have a standard bracket offering.

Any extra parts you need - however - like brackets and stuff, I believe can just be gotten as spare parts from CoolIT.

 

[8du8]

After seeing pics of this thing I dont think it would fit in the FT02 without at least some modding. Probably would have to remove the trays that the 180mm fans sit on at the very least, which isnt a huge deal. But the fans in the FT02 are recessed slightly behind the motherboard tray, not as much as what it looks like the RV03 is like but enough that with that bracket riveted to the rad I could see it causing problems.

If I had the money to blow I would probably buy this to try it out but I dont think I can swing it right now.

 

[PnkPwrRngr]

@Zara. Would you mind posting a few pics of the cooler with one of the AP181s mounted on it, or just sitting on top. I feel like it would give me a better idea of how big it is, and if it will fit in the FT02

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Sure. I can do that.

I'll try to take that pic after work today

 

[Betauser]

Nice pics Zara.. also if you can post what did you use to mod the mobo bracket since I have the same case and I'm thinking of buying one of this if the mod I need isnt complicated. Ty in advance.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Nice pics Zara..

Thank you Photography is one of my hobbies, so I have picked up a thing or two over the years. (insert shameful self-promoting photo link to some of my favorite pictures )

I don't have as much time for it as I used o though. (and having computer building projects isn't helping )

also if you can post what did you use to mod the mobo bracket since I have the same case and I'm thinking of buying one of this if the mod I need isnt complicated. Ty in advance.

Sure.

I haven't done it yet, so I can't give any details (this is a project for the weekend) but my plan is pretty much to do the following:

After taking all electrical components out of the case (to avoid getting conductive metal dust on them) I'm going to cut (with a metal saw, and possibly with the help of metal shears, or even a dremel, not sure yet) along the dotted red lines.

The only risk here is that the backplate will become too floppy if no longer secured by the sides (in blue), but I think it is thick enough, and significantly secured where I am not cutting that this will not be a problem.

Then I'm planning on vacuuming all the metal dust out of the case, so it doesn't cause me any problems in the future, and putting everything in place.

Depending on how ambitious I feel, I may touch up the exposed metal surfaces with some black automotive touch-up paint before putting everything back together again, but I'm not sure if this is really necessary.

Depending on how it fits, I may also drill out the rivets to the bracket on the EPIC 180 and just mount the radiator directly to the fan. Without the offset bracket (if it fits without it) the air ought to flow through it better.

In order to make sure no air escapes in the crack between the radiator and the fan, I plan on sealing it with some black electrical tape. This should force all air through the radiator.

My ultimate plan is to set it up in a push pull configuration, and to that end I have ordered an extra fan (Silverstone FM181) to suck air in from below. Then I'll mount the existing AP on top to force the hot air upward.

I chose the FM181 as it has a slightly higher max RPM and CFM than the AP, and the AP - as I understand it - benefits from being able to project air further, and this isn't a concern when forcing air through a radiator, so I'd rather have the better max CFM.

When done I'm expecting the airflow bottom to top to be:

Outside air from bottom of case -------> Silverstone FM181 ---(sealed w. black tape)---> Radiator ----(sealed w. black tape)---> Air Penetrator Fan --------> Case Interior ---------> top 120mm exhaust fan ------> outside of case.

I do plan on putting some sort of barrier along the back of the video card down between the two fans on the bottom to try to keep the hot CPU air away from the video cards. This I haven't thought through as well yet, but I'll get to it eventually (and will likely test before and after to see if it made a difference )

I can't imagine this being compIicated at all, but if it is I will find out soon enough. I will update you guys with any issues I had in doing this, and with performance numbers as soon as I can.

edit:

Oh, and I forgot to mention. I also have a CPU header PWM splitter. So I plan on controlling all three fans on the CPU side (two 180mm, one 120mm) based off of the CPU header so I can use the "intelligent fan control" feature in the bios. I have found this works better than any current fan controller out there. I imagine it being completely silent when not under load, and then coming to life when heavily loaded (like in Prime 95)

This is what I am currently doing with my H50 and it works very well. I have the settings set such that the minimum fan speed is 12.5%, and the target temp is 50C.

 

[PnkPwrRngr]

Oh wow, I am stoked about this project. I really want to see what this cooler can do in an optimal cooling set up.

 

[Mungojerrie]

my god, That is a nice setup.... Them fans!

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Oh, I can't wait to see your results. Which fan(s) are you using on that H50?

I just realized I missed answering this one.

For the H50 I am using the fan that came with the H50 (pushing cold air in from the outside and through the radiator) plus a 120mm scythe slipstream 1300rpm fan pulling the air from the other side.

 

[Riddleofsteel]

I am looking forward to seeing your results, but I'm not a very confident modder and since I don't own those tools, I am pretty sure this is where my interest in buying an Epic 180 ends.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

I am looking forward to seeing your results, but I'm not a very confident modder and since I don't own those tools, I am pretty sure this is where my interest in buying an Epic 180 ends.

A set of metal shears (my term, I guess they are actually called metal snips) run for about $20 at Lowes/Home Depot, and are not bad to have around in case you ever feel the need to cut sheet metal. This will probably not be needed for this job.

A mini hacksaw should cost $5-$10 and is probably all that really is needed for this job. Again, something that may not be a bad idea to have around anyway.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

my god, That is a nice setup.... Them fans!

They are pretty effective at the same time as they are pretty quiet

 

[FearTheCow]

I am eagerly awaiting the fruits of your labor.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

I am eagerly awaiting the fruits of your labor.

So am I

I just hope I can do testing this weekend. This will depend on two things.

1.) My fan arriving today (fingers crossed) otherwise it will come on Monday.

2.) Heat. The excessive heat outside from our current heat wave is really challenging the abilities of my AC unit. Even at full blast 24/7 the temp just isn't getting low enough for my standard room temperature testing (72F)

Right now its only 9:30am, and the heat index is already at 99F (Actual temp is only 85, but humidity is off the charts, leading to the high heat index). Temps later today are forecast to hit 101F, but at that point the humidity will be lower, with a heat index of "only" 110.

This may not seem that bad to some of you from down south but we just aren't used to or prepared for it up here. Central air conditioning is relatively rare and considered a luxury item. Most people have small window AC units. A good chunk of people have no AC at all.

Anyway, worst case for both receiving the fan and getting weather my little AC that could can handle is Monday for test results.

I plan on modding the case this weekend either way, so if the fan doesn't arrive today, I can just plop it in when it does.

 

[Mungojerrie]

So am I

I just hope I can do testing this weekend. This will depend on two things.

1.) My fan arriving today (fingers crossed) otherwise it will come on Monday.

2.) Heat. The excessive heat outside from our current heat wave is really challenging the abilities of my AC unit. Even at full blast 24/7 the temp just isn't getting low enough for my standard room temperature testing (72F)

Right now its only 9:30am, and the heat index is already at 99F (Actual temp is only 85, but humidity is off the charts, leading to the high heat index). Temps later today are forecast to hit 101F, but at that point the humidity will be lower, with a heat index of "only" 110.

This may not seem that bad to some of you from down south but we just aren't used to or prepared for it up here. Central air conditioning is relatively rare and considered a luxury item. Most people have small window AC units. A good chunk of people have no AC at all.

Anyway, worst case for both receiving the fan and getting weather my little AC that could can handle is Monday for test results.

I plan on modding the case this weekend either way, so if the fan doesn't arrive today, I can just plop it in when it does.

I think it's kind of funny that while most the country is experiencing a brutal heat wave, my hometown (which is usually brutally hot, We have seen temperatures of 117 and over 100 is a daily occurrence) has been having the most mellow summer I have ever seen.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

I think it's kind of funny that while most the country is experiencing a brutal heat wave, my hometown (which is usually brutally hot, We have seen temperatures of 117 and over 100 is a daily occurrence) has been having the most mellow summer I have ever seen.

Interesting. What state are you located in?

Here in Boston we get scoffed at when we complain about the heat a lot as our temperature readings are not as high as some other places, but what people don't seem to realize is that the humidity intensifies the sensation of heat quite a bit, and Boston is a surprisingly humid place.

Last I checked this morning the humidity was 88% RH. it's like living in a freaking jungle sometimes (it makes me wonder how I keep from going under)...

 

[Mungojerrie]

Interesting. What state are you located in?

I don't envy your humidity. I'm in CA, a few hours north of Sacramento. We have very low humidity but some brutal heat most of the time.

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Judging by the tracking number, my fan arrived today

Hopefully I'll have results up for you guys this weekend!

 

[Riddleofsteel]

I'm still torn on this. I want a better all-in-one unit, my H60 isn't cutting it in this weather.

 

[PnkPwrRngr]

I'm still torn on this. I want a better all-in-one unit, my H60 isn't cutting it in this weather.

LOL, I just put on my "summertime overclock" per instructions from the wife... She said my rig was giving off to much heat and to "turn that that thing down!"

Sig updated

 

[E^vol]

LOL, I just put on my "summertime overclock" per instructions from the wife... She said my rig was giving off to much heat and to "turn that that thing down!"

Sig updated

Classic....

 

[Zarathustra[H]]

Temporary setback.

Maingear sent me the wrong mounting hardware. (looks to be some sort of Intel mount)

I have emailed them and will let you know how things go.

--Matt