ASetek Vapochill XEII - whats it like?

[b.cummins]

Considering getting this case. I'm interested in CPU overclock, so I thought any kind of system like water that does chipset etc is not needed by myself.

I have a few concerns.
Someone told me if the cpu was the only component being cooled, I would need some grease to prevent damage from condensation. How true is this? Frankly I don't wanna grease up my whole motherboard.

My current system build

A8N32 Sli, AMD X2 4800+ , rest unimportant lol
Does the X2 4800+ have the "cold bug" or any other issues?
What kinda voltage will I need?
Will there be any issues with my mobo since it uses stack cool and heatpipe for the chipset - Will the chiller cool this too?

I'm going for a solid 3ghZ overclock - at 250MHZ FSB with a 12x multiplier on the cpu which is the highest on the 4800+ obv. I'm getting the high frequency ram to cope with it.

I really need help, I want a vapochill I think, I want to know if the case has any issues, and if this condensation thing is worth worrying, or if it is as simple as set everything up, plug the cpu with the condensor.. Good to go?

 

[b.cummins]

its easy enough, I'd get the Vapochill LS though if i was you.

The XEII will do a good job but the LS looks nicer and will do better .

The XEII may struggle a bit with the heatload from the X2.

3ghz is a pretty hefty clock.

You only need to put grease in the socket to avoid pin rot. neoprene takes care of the rest. It only cools the CPU yes, nothing else.


Tom

neoprene? The folks on the asetek forum seem to think that the cpu is fine at 3ghz in their testing, guess its early days tho. I heard the vapochill XE II acts like a giant refrigerator and cooled everything around it?

 

[b.cummins]

the xe11 uses the same compressor as the ls so should give the same results, plus its an all in one solution in that you have it mounted in its own case. it will be more than able to cool what ever you throw at it to sub zero temps.
dont worry about condensation as the vapo head clamshell is very good and has little heaters in it to fend off any moisture. as long as you insulate well then there is no problem with condensation.

cool
thats the kind of answer i was hoping for. Would you suggest foam or just sealing it well? Im sure its true there are competitors out there arguably better, and the LS may well be good, But I just think the all in one solution is the way to go for me, i'm not heavily/at all into case modding.

 

[b.cummins]

you get everything required to do a good job of sealing out moisture with the case..............but if you want to save about £200 you could let me build one for you.

Go on! I'm intrigued!

 

[b.cummins]

Lol aye that is really something quite special, most people wouldnt even know where to begin without some kind of engineering degree...
But that besides.. I'm a little deterred from the vapochill. The case is meant to have a terrible layout and the cpu will rust if its not set up correctly, also hearing u should cover the entire mobo with neoprene, well i'm whollly deterred.

At the moment it looks like i'll be sticking with my original game plan, and that is to get a watercooled rig up and running. I was hoping to base it around the antec p180, however the reviews seem to all point out there is no room for a watercooling system, so now im drawn towards the silverstone TJ07, and an asetek cpu cooling kit with a triple radiator.. Anyone think that'd make a good set up?