Help choosing pump

Joined
Aug 18, 2016
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28
Hi. can you guys help me choose between these pwm ddc pumps? I plan to use the pump in an Ncase M1 case

EK-DDC 3.2 PWM (12V PWM pump) by EK Waterblocks (Black color)
Alphacool Laing DDC-Pumpe 12V DDC-1T Plus PWM by Alphacool (Black color)

My loop would only be a cpu block, gpu block, 240mm nemesis gts rad and a reservoir.

Also, there is very little space at the bottom of the case and I was wondering if I can do without using a heatsink on the pump since I will run the pump at low rpms only.

I've seen ncase builds using ddc pumps with custom tops but without heatsinks. I'm thinking I can sacrifice the custom top so I can use a heatsink. What do you guys think? custom top but no heatsink or stock top but with a heatsink

Thanks
 
Both of those are the exact same pump, manufactured by Laing. Since I am biased against EK and rather like Alphacool stuff, I would recommend the Alphacool. However, I would also recommend considering the D5 pump.
 
^
I'd choose a d5 too if there's space in the case. So what's your opinion on my second question regarding the use/not using a heatsink? thanks
 
The stock top generally has more restriction than the custom top, and it would be safer to run the DDC pumps without a heatsink when there is more restriction in the loop. DDC pumps burn up when there is too little restriction and it spins too fast.
 
So just use the stock top since it has more restriction?

What if I turn down rpm down to like 25-30% via pwm, is it safe then to use a non restrictive custom top and lose the heatsink too?
 
Buy a D5. It is generally a quieter and longer living thant the ddc. D5 is watercooled and is usually better for low restriction loops. Looking at all the info i found online AFTER I bought my ddc I would not run it without the heatsink.
Also, ek vs alphacool on those pumps probably does not matter becayse, as previously mentioned, they are the same pump made by laing just rebadged.
 
Then try running it at lower speeds, but for peace of mind i'd get the heatsink. I bought one from EK and it's really well made + comes with some anti-vibration feet.
 
You will probably be fine, but run the heatsink if you can.
 
I think I have a 48mm clearance under an ek gpu block and the bottom of the case.

I'm waiting for performance-pcs to reply to my email regarding the total height of a phobya top and DDC pump. If there is still space for a heatsink, I'd surely use one
 
Worst case, you could put some TIM between the pump and the case. Would work better if the pump has a metal case, but even with a plastic case it'll help a little.
 
One of my favorite pumps is the Alphacool 310, because it runs with max. 3100rpm for a silent operation and has enough power for every "normal" loop !

Alphacool Laing DDC310 - Complete Edition - black/acetal

and if you want the pwm pump: they´re selling it for just ~45 bucks now


Laing DDC-Pumpe 12V DDC-1T PWM - Special Edition

hey bundy thanks for the reply. I would just like to get your opinion on running a ddc pump I posted up top without a heatsink but on 25-30% rpm via pwm. I can't afford to use a heatsink because of lack of space
 
OK, then go for the pwm version. The flowrate would be high enough in this "small" loop, even with 30% power
 
hey bundy thanks for the reply. I would just like to get your opinion on running a ddc pump I posted up top without a heatsink but on 25-30% rpm via pwm. I can't afford to use a heatsink because of lack of space

Too easy... get the DDC310 add an integrated res/top, a small one like the Bitspower Mini Tank. The 310's body is actually a cast heatsink.

Alphacool Laing DDC310 - Single Edition - Silver by Alphacool (Silver color)

plus this

Search results for: 'bitspower mini'

equals this
yNaJup5l.jpg
 
This is not my photo but this is the clearance situation under a gpu block in the ncase m1 case. approx 47-48mm clearance under the card.


nSUGD4B.png
 
Ive had a handful of D5s in my day and they were all quiet and low-pitched. the one DDC I've owned was so loud and shrill, I could hear it from down the hallway. if you're going for quiet , the D5 is your ONLY choice .
 
Hope this might help you out..

Measured with an IR thermometer from my own system:
DDC 3.2 WITH heatsink

rpm temp
1300 29
2300 31
3300 33
4300 36
4500 37

Vibration is an issue above 3000rpm - I can't really hear it but I can feel it through my desk.
 
Wow- that 310 is a nice looking DDC. Anyone know what the decouple is that they are talking about?
 
Wow- that 310 is a nice looking DDC. Anyone know what the decouple is that they are talking about?

The 310 comes with little rubber feet that not only screws into the heatsink case, but the feet are threaded themselves so you can mount using those threads. It comes with mounting hardware so once mounted and screwed in it is decoupled from the case, ie. the pumps vibrations do not transfer to the case.
 
Ah- very cool! I think I know what will (someday) replace the pump that came with me EK kit (EK DCP v1.0). I know the top matters on DDC's back in the day, are they still all over the place on efficiency?
 
Ah- very cool! I think I know what will (someday) replace the pump that came with me EK kit (EK DCP v1.0). I know the top matters on DDC's back in the day, are they still all over the place on efficiency?

I think at this point everyone has copied everyone that was at the top so differences are probably small at this point. Having said that, there hasn't been much new testing of tops for years now.
 
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