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View Full Version : What can I say? It's a start....


Bones
07-11-2009, 09:31 PM
I don't have any real "Shots" of what I have but I can show you guys what I've been working on recently.

Pics below are of my WC'ing build in it's initial stages.

Since it's a work in progress with improvements to come, it's not complete by any means. I have been using it for benching and the like with some decent results up until now and of course I've had my share of close calls, including hosing one of my videocards thanks to a small leak from the CPU block.

I have plans to do a more permanent setup later with some refinements and yes, the mess will be more organized than it is in these pics. It may be ugly :shock: but it works and that's the most important part for now. Have plans to relocate the system within a new case/enclosure since what's picured is an older case and was available for this testing.

You''ll notice my res setup is up higher than the rest of the system and that's because I wanted the waterpressure to help bleed the system and definitely get coolant to and through the pumps (MCP 655 Vario pumps) without having to risk any damage to these from starting them dry. Shutoff valves are on each res so I can isolate them as needed for whatever reason I may have to. I also have drain valves (Not pictured) for each at the lowest point for ease of maintenance to the system.

Right now temps under load rarely exceed 31C for most any reason except for heavy benching but even then they are within tolerance. I've yet to add a block to the GPU's but will get to that eventually.
The pics show my 754 DFI NF4X Infinity and my DFI LP UT NF4 Expert systems setup with the system using a OCZ Hydroflow CPU block and a Swiftech MCW30 chipset cooler. The pic with the extra rad is of the Expert board and that was something I was previously experimenting with to see how well it would work. The rad itself is a triple unit mounted up high and away from the system.

Not the best looking setup but it does the job I need it to - For now anyway.

Neuromancer
07-11-2009, 10:06 PM
Not bad.

Do not think this a site that prizes beauty over functionality so do not worry about aesthetics here. M$PC shots (unless its an extreme cooling rig) are not going to get you high regards lol (only saying this because you seem, well, almost embarrassed in your presentation)

(For tight (not ghetto) modern rigs...Supes and Nip.. there shit is tight and great for benching not a simple combo and still nothing your going to see on headlines somewhere, except for snappies on a hwbot record ;) )


What pump you running? Modern systems a single BIX rad is loud and not effective (stuff throws too much heat) New pump might not be necessary except as a backup ;)

And

What is that on your res? Looks like epson ink jet stickers on it lol

Get a loose fan coling your VGA and dunno about the case, since it looks like 2 different ones (notice HDD cages... on is 90 degrees which is a newer sata feature (4-5 years) other is old schoold and you removed the hdd cage and put a single drive in the 3.5" external)

Bones
07-12-2009, 05:13 AM
Running a pair of MCP655 Vario units, one for each side of the system as shown. One of the cases ( 754 DFI Infinity) is in fact a really old unit that's nearly 10 yrs old now and perfect for this testing. The other is a Sunbeam Transformer full tower case I got earlier to improve my cooling on air before I started planning to do a H2O build. The stickers on the res units are what was on them when I got these from Wal-Mart of all places to buy stuff for this useage. These are portable drinking water containers I modified for this purpose and each one is a 2 gal capacity container.
The shot with these res containers has the triple rad sitting almost flat on the shelving at the top-left of the pic. All three fan slots are being used with 120mm units, the single rad was an experiment along with the triple I was trying out. As for the rad sitting almost flat, I had a reason for doing that and the tilt still allows for air to bleedout easily as testing has shown.

As for the mess, I'm not really "Embarrased" by the looks of it. Just letting you guys know I do take pride in my work and simply throwing things together and letting that be the end of it isn't how I do things. I don't mind the mess for testing and just trying things out to come up with a workable configuration. Plans are in the works to change alot of this around and to neaten things a bit when I get the time and opportunity to do so along with planned improvements. Working on my VGA cooling is something I already have a plan to do sometime soon, just need to get the particulars sorted out.

I know it's never going to make for a "Cyber-Centerfold" :blink: piece of hardware but my main goal as you stated should be for function, not looks. Learned that lesson years ago on the street by putting my $$ under the hood instead of on the paintjob.

U know what I mean by that... :thumbsup:

Kal-EL
07-12-2009, 05:49 AM
I did the pretty thing, now its all about performance for me. I try to throw in a little flare when possible but this addiction to overclocking has overwhelmed my sense of reasonable behavior.

So when it comes to Performance vs Pretty, Performance rules everytime :D

Thats some great load temps you're getting. Can you drop the specs and overclock percentage on us?

Bones
07-12-2009, 06:17 AM
I did the pretty thing, now its all about performance for me. I try to throw in a little flare when possible but this addiction to overclocking has overwhelmed my sense of reasonable behavior.

So when it comes to Performance vs Pretty, Performance rules everytime :D

Thats some great load temps you're getting. Can you drop the specs and overclock percentage on us?

The temps you see are at stock clocks and voltages. Took the pic while checking things out and not wanting to push it until I was satisfied it was ready to bench.
Right now I have the 754 hooked up and probrably the hottest running chip I have to test with in (3400+ Newcastle). I'm sure once I crank the voltage up, temps will do the same esp since it's Summertime and ambient temps here aren't exactly cool - AC working overtime to keep things livable here. :blush:

I really need to do some cooling system stress testing anyway and post up what I see.

joeyw3704
10-19-2009, 01:34 PM
I'll bench on a cardboard box. If it gives me higher scores. :)-

Kal-EL
10-19-2009, 01:41 PM
I'll bench on a cardboard box. If it gives me higher scores. :)-

Only if you were a foil hat and chant "Under the Influence" "Over the EDGE!" :morpheus:

Neuromancer
10-19-2009, 03:55 PM
I think the magic blue dust Gnomes are supposed to chant the second part of that :)


REreading this bones... wow. 2 655s with speed control (I assume that is what vario means) on a single BIX 120 rad. DAMN.

I had a BIP 120 rad I picked up my first time a 655 w speed controller and a apoggee GT block
performed about on par with my stock AMD air heatisnk with the lock down switch unleashed lol

I was nonplussed to say the least. Finally have a beasty that needs watercooling for 24/7 use... o im taking the plunge again and despite my reservations also using a BI rad... although it is a 120.4

Bones
10-20-2009, 07:07 PM
I think the magic blue dust Gnomes are supposed to chant the second part of that :)


REreading this bones... wow. 2 655s with speed control (I assume that is what vario means) on a single BIX 120 rad. DAMN.

I had a BIP 120 rad I picked up my first time a 655 w speed controller and a apoggee GT block
performed about on par with my stock AMD air heatisnk with the lock down switch unleashed lol

I was nonplussed to say the least. Finally have a beasty that needs watercooling for 24/7 use... o im taking the plunge again and despite my reservations also using a BI rad... although it is a 120.4

Only one of the 655's is on the triple BIX rad. It's a completely seperate two-part system and there would be no benefit by having a pair of these on the same rad.
I've taken one out of service since the other was being used for an experiment (Single BIX rad) and it didn't pan out as I had thought. No biggie though, you know I'm still working on it here.

Neuromancer
10-20-2009, 08:03 PM
Sweet :) I do not know a lot about water cooling yet. Hopefully I never do LOL I can't afford to add something else that I am going to be flipping out (reselling) and upgrading all the time :)

Bones
10-21-2009, 08:10 PM
Sweet :) I do not know a lot about water cooling yet. Hopefully I never do LOL I can't afford to add something else that I am going to be flipping out (reselling) and upgrading all the time :)

I understand where you are coming from.
You need the $$'s to keep going as I already know - Only difference is I tend to hold onto my stuff instead of selling it and reuse it as I'm able to.

Afterburner
10-21-2009, 08:22 PM
I like it =]