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Yet another "Rate My Setup" Thread

E

Epicenter

Gawd
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
556
After very much deliberation and shopping around I think I have decided on the parts I'd like to use. The ones I have purchased are below, followed by ones I am considering .. my question is to what you think of this setup, what kind of temperatures to expect, and if I have any glaring flaws.

PURCHASED:
- (2) Black Ice Micro 80mm Radiators
- Swiftech 12v Pump
- D-Tek Spir@l CPU waterblock
- Swiftech MCW50 VGA Waterblock w/ 6800 Adapter
- 5.25" Bay Reservoir

PLANNING TO PURCHASE IN ADDITION:
- (2) 80mm 'Cube' Copper Radiators OR (1) Black Ice XTreme or Copper 'Cube' 120mm Radiator
- Tank-o-Matic Reservoir (replacing 5.25" BayRes)
- Swiftech Chipset Block
- 1/2" Tubing
- Generous supply of good wire ties for clamping

PARTS TO COOL:
- Mobile Athlon XP Barton 2400+ (35W version)
- eVGA GeForce 6800 (regular, non-GT, non-Ultra)
- nForce 2 Motherboard Chipset

Here is where I face a dilemma, I do not know whether to buy 2 more 80mm radiators for the back of the case-- or 1 120mm. Both will fit one type of case, but the other (which I much prefer due to its 3 windows, cleaner design, more subdued appearance and convenience of system assembly within it) .. will only support 2 80mms back there.

I also face the dilemma of whether I should have the 2 rads blow in, and the other 2 blow out .. or if they should ALL blow in then rely on the top 80mm blowhole and 2 PSU fans to handle exhaust. I figure a little positive pressure is not a bad thing. I fear that if the heat exits the water and enters the air in the front of the case, it will Re-Enter the water in the back radiators if it's allowed to run through the fins.

I am intending to do some relatively major overclocking. Hence the mobile CPU for its lower heat output and unlocked multiplier. I am not ruling out installing a 'RadBox', but they are so ugly and mechanically-unstable looking I would prefer to avoid it. I will not do any case modding. I'm OK with drilling a couple holes but not cutting out new fan openings or anything to that effect.

For good measure I'd heatsink the Tankomatic's aluminum end caps to radiate off a bit of heat while the water's hanging out in there. Never hurts. ;)

What do you think?
 
That water block isn't very good. Make sure you get the 1/2" ID adapters for the Swiftech blocks because they are needed if you're not going with 1/2" OD tube.
 
Do what you can to use a 120mm rad. I haven't had personal experience with the 80mm's but everything I've read about them is negative. I'm sure one 120 will be better than 2 80's.

The CPU block is not as imortant as using a better rad, but a higher performance yet affordable alternative would be the swiftech 6000 series.

Also avoid the Tank-O-Matic its fittings choke down to 1/4" not good. I can't find it now but the swiftech site used to specifcally mention to not use this res with their pump because the restriction will damage the pump. I know they look pretty but unless they changed the design they are a no-no with high flow systems.

One last thing to consider is I would definately reccomend some clearflex tubing instead of regular vinyl, it seems like it costs alot but the extra flexibility is well worth it IMO.

All that being said your system as you mentioned it will work, its just a matter of how well.

Good luck and welcome to Waterworld! :cool:
 
I'm actually thinking I'll go with AquaComputer's version of this Reservoir except with proper 1/2" barbs. Everything will be 1/2", I'm adapting the 80mm rads to that.

Is the waterblock really bad? I can buy another but I would prefer not to given that I got all the stuff in my first list for $160 (yay ebay.) I'd like to not negate the savings. ;)
 
No the block shouldn't be that bad I'd guess maybe 2-3c worse. <-- this is off the top of my head but I know the swiftech is measureably better.

I'd still be warey of that res. I havent seen it but I think all the aquacomputer stuff is small diameter like the Innovatek. It doesn't matter if you use the proper adaptors, if it still chokes down to 1/4" inside I wouldn't trust it with that pump. More than one person has burned up a pump that way. They do however work fine with lower flow pumps.

I have thought about trying to research a high performance low flow system but most of the Innovators in that arena are from Europe and importing high performing blocks and components isn't easy or cheap.
 
What about the radiator question? That's probably more pertinent. In particular the size to use and the direction for it to push air. I worry having it draw warm case air would hurt performance overall ... I'm also worried the rads in the front and in back would be juggling the heat and not getting it out of the water if I mounted it with heat LEAVING water and entering air in the front .. then leaving air and ENTERING water at the back.

I could put a very high CFM fan in the top blowhole .. raise and lower its speed at the same time as the radiator fans with a microproc-controlled baybus device.
 
Yes you are right in being concerned about your air flow, unfortunately the best advice I can offer is try it out. Yes ideally the rads should all have access to the coolest air, but you might find having air flow in the front and out the back give better performance than in both sides and out the top. Its probably best to try it out and see what works best for you instead of having someone tell you to do it a certain way.

That res still looks like a low flow part. On the other hand it does look nice and is half the price of the old Innovatek part. If you do get it I would try your setup with and without it to see what works best.
 
Ballpark figure. What kind of temps should I expect with this setup using the 80mms? A 120?
 
Can't really say seeing as I don't have any experience with mobile XP's or 80mm rads but I would imagine the 120mm rad might give you 3-4c better temps than the 2 80mm's.

perhaps low 40's for temps <---WAG
 
a 120 mm rad has more surface area than two 80mm rads. i hope that helps.
 
Someone in #HardOCP was telling me that if I use more than 1 radiator I must have 2 pumps or the flowrate will be horrific. I think he's full of it though .. can't think of the last time I saw 2 pumps in any box.
 
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