Extra bits for WC Loop

sir-les-mp

sir-les-mp

sir-les-mp

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Ok im currently running a Zalman Reserator V1 to cool my aging Amd X2 4400+ 939 socket. Now with it coming slowly into summer and the temps slowly rising current idle temps around 32c.
I knew when i bought the cooling system from MM that it would not drastically lower my CPU temps but it would lower the amout of noise my system makes, which it has done.
So ive decided to add a 120.1 rad to the loop and make use of the rear case fan that is already running to help reduce my temps whilst still enjoying the silence i currently have.

To this end i have put together a shopping list and am just looking for a couple of opinions as to the merit of its current content.

basket-1.jpg


I know the Thermochill PA120.1 rad would be better but my budget cant quite strech that far at present.
I also know that a fully active internal system would be a lot better but im not ready to go the full custom internal WC system yet but slowly working towards it.
 
Hi Sir-Les-MP
Firstly there nothing wrong with that temp in a passive setup. I can't speak from experance with that specific cpu.
So unless 32c is 10c more that a stock cooler would do it isn't high.
Also idle temps are less important with watercooling (especially passive) - whats your load temp, after 30mins?

Secondly if you adding anything to a Reserator loop (especially a Res1 loop) it must be low restriction and I think PA's are best with the new XSPC rads a close second.
You may find, that adding another rad increases temps due to reduced flow.

Buy better do you mean cooler - 100% stable and silent if what a Reserator is designed for. Surely that all that's need, but if lower temps are your goal, then just get a ZM-RF1 or point as desk fan at it :D
 
On full load temps are 52-54 c which is a few degrees of the max the CPU should be at its should not be above 55c max so its cutting it bit close.

You mention Zalmans ZM-RF1 from the reviews ive read on it does not reduce temps by that much a degree or two at best.

Yes the idea is to reduce temps but without compromising on the silence of the system.
As it is supposed to be possible to add a NB block and a GPU block to this system im hoping by just adding in a small rad to help with temps without restricting the flow to much.
At present its only the CPU being cooled at the moment
 
I don't think I've ever seen a CPU with a max of 55 degrees - 67 sounds more likely (also note that there's a difference between the core and chip max temps, so it's probably about 70deg)

Edit: especially older sockets and cpu's - 65nm runs hotter than 45 in most cases
 
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If you're getting load temps of 55 dgrees, put the £50 in your back burner and have a night on the town instead ;)

You're more than likely closer to 70, which in itself isn't a terrible thing... and i wouldn't bust a gut to add another radiator for that. You're probably better off putting the £50 into a piggy bank and saving up for the upgrade you so desperately await ;)
 
Pretty sure the reserator pump will not be able to cope with the restriction of another radiator.
 
As for max temp im going by details shown in Coretemp although AMD rate the max temp of my CPU to be 65c
This is also where im reading the cuirrent temps from as well.
As for the reserator pump with the Rad side of things i dont for see any flow restrictions
as all thats on it at present is the CPU block and the reserator is basically a 3ft high hollow aluminium tube.
 
Had a mixed metal loop for two years now - without issue - you just need to know how to combat corrosion, and only use quality parts in the right ratio's.

But your point is valid gurusan. Especially as a copper rad has a lot of surface area which will....

Removing link as it's a really bad idea to use a copper rad with a secondhand aluminum Res1 or Res2.
 
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Well if the aluminum is anodized and you use anticorrosion additives the problem can be taken care of...but after seeing wja96's swiftech block I'd rather just avoid potential problems. It's up to you.
 
WJA96 block was an extreme example and not directly applicable.

Firstly the copper base and Aluminum top were in direct contact.
and the proportional areas of his loop was almost all copper and just the aluminum top.

As I said above the ratio of copper to aluminum is very important. one or two copper block in an large passive aluminum system is OK with anticorrosion additives - large aluminum ratio 20:1. One aluminum block in a copper system 1:20 - not good.
 
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the Zalman stuff that comes with the res is good - failing that standard antifreeze or Audi G11/G12/G12+ coolant (G12 is aimed at aluminum rads) mixed with distilled water with a drop or two of nuke.

But don't use a 120.1 with the Zalman - that would be around 3:1 ratio Al:Cu not ideal
 
MikeTimbers said:
So you want to put a passive rad in the way of warm air? Have you thought this through?
Click to expand...

Surley it will be the same as having the 120.1 rad mounted at the back with that are you not justy forcing warm air through the fins.
the idea would be to have air moving past the fins on the passive rad to help it remove the heat.
 
More efficent to have an active rad attached to an intake fan.
And passive rads are affected by ambient temp more that active ones so as mike said it's not ideal.

What block are you using btw? If it's one of the older Zalman ones, changing that will make your loop more efficient
 
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