Hard Drive Water Blocks

[Justintoxicated]

Well My Stacker is pretty full but I have 2 drive bays where I could possibly install something. I currently have 2 Hard Drives Raptor 150 and WD400 GB and the raptor does seemt o get a bit hot at time according to MBM and S.M.A.R.T.

Right now the drive cage is sitting at the botom of my PC with the radiator in the front pushing air in though the rad and then over the drives. (drive cage right behind the radiator).

I was thinking about getting something like the DD block, which would relocate the drives but It would be nice if I could fit 3 HD's and run the tubing myself rather than waste a drive slot like the DD setup.

looking for someone who has experience with the DD block? Anyone know of a HD block that takes up 2, 5.25 drive bays and hols 3 HD's?

Am I completly wasting my timeand money ? I don't even have a NB block for my DFI expert...

 

[indokyne]

if you read reviews of different hard drive water blocks you'll find out a few things...

a.) the actual need for HD watercooling is questionable.

b.) though not definitive, it is said that the hottest part of the drive is the bottom - not the sides.
some of the most impressive cooling numbers come from blocks that cool the bottom of the drive using thermal pads and cooling blocks attached to the bottom of the HD (i.e. the Asetek, the Koolance, and the Alphacool bottom-mount blocks - do a google on reviews of these blocks).

c.) BUT - a lot of HD block offerings cool the drive from the side (like your for mentioned DD) which isn't as effective in terms of temp drop / delta.

d.) more popular 'namebrand' solutions (like coolermaster and thermaltake) offer bottom mount cooling but max out with 1/4" inner diameter tubing (ID) which can restrict waterflow in your loop.

hope this helps some...

 

[Justintoxicated]

Well Cooling from the bottom isn't really an option. Plus my HD's have a vent on the bottom that the drive says not to block so I thnk thats right now.

What else is there available that will mount 3 HD's in 2, 5.25" bays and provide sufficient cooling?

 

[Arcygenical]

There's a product called the... ummm... 3 in 2 5.25" bay or something... I'll see if I can find it.

 

[indokyne]

Well Cooling from the bottom isn't really an option. Plus my HD's have a vent on the bottom that the drive says not to block so I thnk thats right now.

What else is there available that will mount 3 HD's in 2, 5.25" bays and provide sufficient cooling?

cooler master makes one, lian-li makes one and there's a coupla generics for general use too.

the coolermaster and lianli's come with fans for the brackets.

 

[sprocket]

cooler master makes one, lian-li makes one and there's a coupla generics for general use too.

I've used both the LL and the CM drive bays and of the two, the CM is by far the best (and, oddly enough, the least expensive).
The Lian-li is an impressive example of origami but it's complexity does not make for a sturdier or better fitting part. In fact, it's flimsy and does not fit well in anything but a LL case.

 

[Thor]

Well Cooling from the bottom isn't really an option. Plus my HD's have a vent on the bottom that the drive says not to block so I thnk thats right now.

What else is there available that will mount 3 HD's in 2, 5.25" bays and provide sufficient cooling?

the vent is so when the drive heats up the air has a place to go when it expands so it dosent blow out the gaskets, keep it cool and it becomes a null point (and besides, thats nothing a strategically placed straw wouldnt fix ) now that said, the question becaumes - would adding a 10k rpm drive to the loop hurt the loop more than it would help the drive? would the loop running +100°f water already be able to keep the drive cool enought to justify not haveing a 120mm fan blowing on it? and that i dont know.

i have always water to WC the drives my self but its cost prohibitive for me right now

and as for the 1/4" inlets on the drive blocks if you run 3 of them parallel you would have very close to 1/2 flow out the other end you would just have to setup a regulation system to keep the flow going throught them all at the same rate (search the forums for: parellel hex, i helped him with a few ideas, and we came up with a pretty good idea for control).

thore

 

[Arcygenical]

Yeah, that's my thinking with tubing too... With identical parts you can double up (in parallel) to double the flow rate. Which is how I think Evga recommends running their new WC quad SLI setup... In parallel!


The heat dump from one of those drives will be substantial into your loop. That cooler master bay cooler (the one I couldn't name earlier) will do a fantastic job, and will cost a HELL of a lot less than watercooling. If you HAVE to WC, I say make the block yourself... Just solder some 1/2" copper tubing onto the side of a copper plate, and bolt 3 HD's to it... Do the same for the other side, and you're all good.

 

[RazeTek]

If you are curious about the HDD block from alphacool, check out the following http://www.razetek.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_46&products_id=91

http://www.razetek.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_46&products_id=90


The top one is really really nice. It looks even better in person

Just thought I would show ya ; )

 

[Justintoxicated]

I already have the stacker HD Cage, the problem is that it is too big and right now it is sitting on the bottom of my case behind the radiator (like I said). Just wanted to clean things up. I'm not getting how the alphacool blocks get good enough contact can someone who has one comment?

I think 2 of those in parallel would fit in the remaining two drive bays.

I have the option to run them in parallel in the loop I have, or make a second loop for the HD's and maybe the northbridge or second video card, as well.

 

[RazeTek]

They have this gel/liquid contact pad matched to the copper plate (these type of blocks consistantly get better temps than the normal solid copper ones since they make a much better seal)


There are tons of reviews, check the link. If you need help PM me.