Help with WC temps (i7)

V-Spec · 28 Jan 2009 at 16:05

Hi,

I've recently finished putting the WC stuff into my rig. Specs are:

i7 920
P6T Deluxe.
Gskill 1600Mhz
2x 260GTX's (SLI)

WC kit is,

Case (TJ07)
CPU Block - Swiftech GTZ
Pump - D5
Rad - Quad 480 xchanger
Res - Swiftech micro res
GFX - 2x EK Acetel blocks.
1/2" tubing all round.

Started working on overclocking, and my load temps are really high, I'm running with my blk at 180, which gives 3600Mhz, currently Idling at 67, 67, 66,66. I have just lapped my chip which seems to have improved the difference in temp between cores, however at this clock my full load temp is 90 degrees :eek:

I don't think its a problem with the flow in the loop, or the rig being able to dissipate the heat, as the very millisecond I press go in Prime, it shoots straight up to 90 degrees and stays there not even giving the loop a chance to get rid of the heat. It doesn't get any higher, its not like the temp is slowly getting worse as stuff heats up...

So far its running default voltages, the only thing i've altered is the BLK but i'm not mega sure on overclocking i7's so a little help or advice would certainly come in handy.

My Chip is lapped to almost mirror finish, Block is a perfect mirror finish. I've mounted the block with a small line of AS5 as detailed on their application instructions for Quad core CPUs.

The loop contains deionised water and some corrosion blocker.

Cheers

spitzoid · 28 Jan 2009 at 16:18

As a novice, I would say the Water Block is not connected with the CPU as well as it could be.

PunkRoadkill · 28 Jan 2009 at 16:50

yeah, I'd say you need to take the CPU block off and look at the spread of thermal paste for a start

Nick1881 · 28 Jan 2009 at 17:01

Something is very wrong, mine is idle at 31 C and load is under 50 C.

I don't have any graphics cards in the loop though. 120.3 rad, i7 @ 3.7Ghz with Turbo and HT on.

simbady · 28 Jan 2009 at 17:05

Yeah check the contact between your CPU and cooling block also make sure you use a goood quality paste.

V-Spec · 28 Jan 2009 at 17:13

Cheers guys,

I've checked and re-checked the paste 3 times. I'm using arctic silver 5, i've tried the thin line of compound across the CPU, i've tried a small rice sized dot.. Currently idling at 50 degrees, clocked down to 3.4Ghz... Its defintley making contact with the chip and the block is screwed on as hard as it'll go..

ambient temp is around 28 degrees...

lankymorley · 28 Jan 2009 at 17:38

I'm personally not a huge fan of the line method recommended by Arctic, I feel it leaves a little too much compound on the chip, I prefer the grains of rice and spread with credit card method. Also, have arctic released a guide for the line method on i7 yet? Core 2 Quad may have a very different core layout to i7 chips, so the i7 orientation for the line may not run along the cores.

Gunda · 28 Jan 2009 at 19:17

the CPU waterblock has flow in and flow out holes make sure your water is entering the correct hole.

WJA96 · 28 Jan 2009 at 19:28

V-Spec said:
ambient temp is around 28 degrees...

That's VERY warm indeed. The coolest you'll see the system temperature will be several degrees higher, but even so, to be loading in the '90's is crazy.

I think you either have an airlock in the CPU cooler or the radiator. The radiator has a bleed screw - have you used it?

What orientation do you have the CPU cooler in? It should be mounted in such a way that the Swiftech logo is the right way up, and the inlet should be next to the Swiftech logo. If it's hooked up any other way, you will get poor performance.

Can you hear any gurgling noises at all? Are there any visible bubbles in the tubing?

Sorry for all the questions, but trying to diagnose something like this is quite hard when you can't see or hear the system.

V-Spec · 28 Jan 2009 at 19:44

WJA96 said:
.

I think you either have an airlock in the CPU cooler or the radiator. The radiator has a bleed screw - have you used it?

I have bled the radiator and rotated the system whilst filling, flow is very good. If I bleed the rad now water comes straight out, there appears to be very little or no air in the system.

WJA96 said:
What orientation do you have the CPU cooler in? It should be mounted in such a way that the Swiftech logo is the right way up, and the inlet should be next to the Swiftech logo. If it's hooked up any other way, you will get poor performance.

Ok, this *could* be a possibility..

I've followed the instructions to the letter, the inlet is the one with the small circular indentation next to the logo (as per the instructions) HOWEVER.. In the instructions it told me to mount the block with the logo going the same way as the CPU socket lever, which I have done, this means that looking at it now mounted in the case - the logo is sideways on (you have to tilt your head 90 degrees to the left to read it) because the socket lever runs vertically downward when its in the case,, I'll post a picture if you like.

<Edit>

I've just looked at my old 775 motherboard - P5W64 (the instructions for the GTZ would apply to this socket) and the lever is on a totally different side.. So it would appear you are right - I have it mounted wrong.. i'll move it around and mount it as though the writing is the right way up!

WJA96 said:
Can you hear any gurgling noises at all? Are there any visible bubbles in the tubing?

Nope the system is very quiet, the pump got very noisey when I was filling it due to trapped bubbles, but after a while and rotating the case + bleeding it got quieter and quieter and the flow got stronger and stronger.. when there is air being pushed around it is very very noisey,

WJA96 said:
Sorry for all the questions, but trying to diagnose something like this is quite hard when you can't see or hear the system.

Much appreciated!

Bradley8988 · 28 Jan 2009 at 19:55

Has temps got any better?

gary996 · 28 Jan 2009 at 20:09

come on v-spec tell us how its going

V-Spec · 28 Jan 2009 at 20:11

WJA96 said:
<snip>

You sir, are a genius!

Moving the GTZ round 90 degrees has knocked 20 degrees off the temp, my full load @ 3.4Ghz is now 55,57,59,59 in a very warm room, (before it was closer to 75-80, at this clock speed)

Can't believe that was it, I assumed that the socket lever on a 1366 mobo was the same as 775 and hence followed the instructions for a 775 - should really have double checked this..

Thanks ever so much, if I could buy you a pint I would do!

WJA96 · 28 Jan 2009 at 20:19

V-Spec said:
You sir, are a genius!

Nah - I'm just someone that hooked their D-Tek FuZion up upside down with the inlet and outlets reversed and found out that was wrong the hard way. :rolleyes:

Nick1881 · 28 Jan 2009 at 20:27

Can't believe it made that much difference. I know mine is mounted the right way but I'm gonna double check the flow direction lol

V-Spec · 28 Jan 2009 at 20:42

hmm, gone straight up to 4.02Ghz now, idling at 50-55ish, prime giving 76-84 degrees. Still got most of the stuff enabled, (HT etc) I've read its worth disabling them to bring your temp down a bit, is this correct?

spitzoid · 29 Jan 2009 at 00:23

HT is one of the features that makes the i7 the great chip it is. I say keep it enabled. It will knock a few degrees off your temps if you disable it, but as you are not trying to set any O/C records I would keep it enabled for the performance benefits it gives.

What voltages are you running? Maybe try knocking a few points of those to bring the temps down? Or turn your central heating down in your house.

Sayso · 29 Jan 2009 at 06:43

WJA96 said:
Nah - I'm just someone that hooked their D-Tek FuZion up upside down with the inlet and outlets reversed and found out that was wrong the hard way.

Inlet is the centre isnt it ??

WJA96 · 29 Jan 2009 at 07:16

Sayso said:
Inlet is the centre isnt it ??

They are very close together, but yes, the entry is the one nearest the centre of the block and they recommend that the exit is at the highest point so that no air can be trapped in the chamber.