Water cooling solution options

techead

techead

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hi guys

ive been looking at installing a water cooling solution into my case. I have the original gigabyte aurora full tower, so I dont think space is going to be a problem :D

regarding what solution to use is proving to be a problem though. Im looking for a solution where I can cool both my CPU and VGA in one shot! It seems to be possible, but many options only cater for CPU which I think is DAFT!

Reason Im doing this is quite simple. My room is really small, and has like ZERO airflow and it gets so hot when I use my PC... and I use it a lot :D Im running an Intel E8200 and ATI 4870.

I move my PC around quite a bit, so the Zalman fanless cooling solutions arent going to cut it... they HUGE and have to carry them all over. Im looking for something that could be internal, or something that can clip on the back of my case, like ..

http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/gigabyteWCdec06/index.php

I think this might be my best option, but Im not sure. Anyone able to offer me some advice? Would I be able to hook up both VGA & CPU with this one above?? I think so!! :eek:

thanks guys, any help is much appreciated
 
Yeah, unfortunately proper watercooling componants aren't readily available in RSA. Most people have to settle for Thermaltake, Gigabyte and Zalman. The GigaByte would be the best choice for you.

If only a supplier would start bringing in Sidewinder, Swiftech, Danger Den, D-Tek, Enzotech and Thermalchill. :(
 
thanks guys

ok ive been reading a number of reviews on this galaxy 2 solution, and nearly all of them say its a good solution, not great, but not bad either. they also say the same thing... that the radiator fan is a noisy bastard! :D

Would it be possible to replace the fan or something with a bit of modding? I got a toolkit :eek:

Im in cape town so I can source this from Rectron, you probably all know them. Its gonna cost R1840 for the galaxy 2 kit, R175 for extra coolant (which apparently I WILL need...) and R518 for the Blue Eye VGA Waterblock. so thats almost R2900!! :eek:

Looks like this is gonna be my best option though :confused:
 
Yeah I guess.... but it would just be easier in the long run......

What it really boils down to is........ I'm lazy. :p Altho it's not like there's a whole lot of effort in buying online. :o
 
HTC_guy said:
R175 for extra coolant (which apparently I WILL need...)
Click to expand...

Always a good idea to have extra coolant, but man that's a ripoff if I've ever seen one.

Rather just get some distilled water, mix with some anti-freeze and add a little alge killer which you can get from a petstore. Best coolant you can get.

I managed to get some SwiffTech additive that you just add with distilled water. Stuff is awesome. Been running the same coolant for almost a year now..... still good. :)
 
Ya i bought anti freeze for like 20 bucks and put it in my system.

Works a trick, they actually say water works the best and all these coolants do not actually lower the temps :)

Yar how is the adsl looking there scartie boi? :p any work from hellcom
 
killadoob said:
Yup check with rectorn before you go ahead and do all this, you could also look at another system hey.

http://www.prophecy.co.za/cm-aquagate-max-p-27309.html, that is also decent i have heard.
Click to expand...

thanks for this

I did see this solution on the frontosa price list, but saw it didnt have a VGA option but now Im seeing that most of these solutions are expandable. Im gonna go and have a look at some reviews on this one, coz in my view this LOOKS like a far superior product. Im gonna take a look..

going into a meeting now... Ill be back :cool:
 
killadoob said:
Ya i bought anti freeze for like 20 bucks and put it in my system.

Works a trick, they actually say water works the best and all these coolants do not actually lower the temps :)

Yar how is the adsl looking there scartie boi? :p any work from hellcom
Click to expand...

No joy yet. But I've got something promising on the horizon. At least COD WAW is playable with a 140ping. :rolleyes:

killadoob said:
Yup check with rectorn before you go ahead and do all this, you could also look at another system hey.

http://www.prophecy.co.za/cm-aquagate-max-p-27309.html, that is also decent i have heard.
Click to expand...

This might be a better option for you. Bigger rad = better cooling. As long as you've got the space for the setup that is.
 
ok been doing some more reading... :D

Looks like the Coolermaster is going to be the best option. The only really down sides is the CPU cooling block is a piece of crap, and the fans are noisy.

"First of all I would like to comment on the dependence of the Aquagate Max results on the performance of the radiator fans. If we compare identical SilverStone fans with different rotation speeds, we will see that when the rotation speed of both fans increases from ~1100RPM to ~2630RPM, the CPU cooling efficiency improves by 4ºC. I have to admit that this difference is not really impressive considering how dramatic the acoustic difference is between these two operational modes. At the same time we can’t really tell how efficient the original Cooler Master fans are at the same quiet ~1100RPM rotation speed, but at the maximum and loud ~2400RPM the ensured only 2ºC improvement compared with the SilverStone quiet mode."

I guess I can just get some decent Zalman fans no problem...

Next is the CPU block

"Now comes the most interesting part: replacing the default water block of Cooler Master Aquagate Max with Zalman ZM-WB5. If we compare these water blocks in identical conditions (i.e. with identical pair of radiator fans), then Zalman solution will show 6-7ºC better results. Not bad, I guess. Moreover, Zalman ZM-WB5 is not one of the best water blocks out there, although it is totally worth the $30 you will have to pay for it.

Note that it was the third-party water block that allowed Aquagate Max to outperform a super-cooler from ZEROtherm in both: quiet mode and at maximum fan rotation speed. Unfortunately, Cooler Master liquid cooling system is as efficient as the air cooler only when its default fans rotate at their maximum speed., while the super air-cooler had its fan running at moderate ~1360RPM."

One option is to actually replace it with a Zalman ZM-WB5, which is what they did here. I can source this no problem, though will cost about R500 :eek:

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=181

Main advantage of this case is that everything is INSIDE the case. Im trying to find out if this monster can actually fit inside my case. Im waiting to hear from Frontosa... :confused:

Thoughts?

:D
 
Your looking for only internal system right?

Internal systems are not the best because they are space limited so either one would do fine i think. Remember one thing about water cooling, lets say its a 30degree day there is no way your air cooler will cool as well as either of those 2 systems, sure if its like 15 degrees maybe the air cooler might have a shot but high air temp water is the clear winner.
 
There are many factors that significantly affect liquid cooling performance:
* rad size and placement (internal rads dump therms into a hot box so Delta T is smaller); always blow cooler air through rad, ie don't suck hot air over rad
* rad design - louvre-fin with full-width top & bottom collectors is better than folded pipe
* CPU waterblock design & material - high-impingement designs generally require greater pressure (not a function of tube diameter but rather pump design)
* Pump and liquid flow-rate must match block and rad design - forcing more liquid through a block (eg with bigger pump) might well reduce cooling efficiency
* maintaining liquid pressure is generally more important than flow rate - proved repeatedly by wc experts like Bill Adams.

My server runs a Koolance Exos Al. It's been chugging away 24x7 for years and years, with a coolant top-up every 6-8 months or so. The gold-plated Koolance CPU-330 block looks as good as new. Also liquid cooled is Northbridge and two hard drives.
 
killadoob said:
Your looking for only internal system right?

Internal systems are not the best because they are space limited so either one would do fine i think. Remember one thing about water cooling, lets say its a 30degree day there is no way your air cooler will cool as well as either of those 2 systems, sure if its like 15 degrees maybe the air cooler might have a shot but high air temp water is the clear winner.
Click to expand...

morning guys

yeah im looking for an internal system only :) Reason is, I take my PC around quite a lot playing games, so I dont wanna have to carry a huge external rad. Thats fair right?

Well I have decided what I want. Im going with the Coolermaster Auqagate Max, but I'll toss the cpu block in the bin(anyone want it?) and gonna replace it with the Zalman ZM-WB5 which I ordered loose. This is gonna cost me a fortune lol :eek:

anyways, thanks for the help. Once I have the kit Ill be back to chat about placement of the rad. Oh yes and I confirmed that this cooling solution will fit in my case no probs. I guess the placement of the rad is quite important, just dont know where im gonna put it :confused:

chat soon
 
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