How do you know which waterblocks to choose

Gepetto

Gepetto

Gepetto

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There seems to be a dramatic difference in flow resistance through certain waterblocks, although there doesn't seem to be a huge difference in achieved temperatures. I'm mainly talking about the top selling 3-4 waterblocks in this instance.

My question is this. How can you put together a WC system with any confidence, if you cannot find someone who has already done exactly the same thing in a system beforehand, and therefore has the relevant experience?

This situation isn't helped by several factors......identical chips with varying temperatures for instance, varying cases, loop lengths changing as layouts vary (even in the same case) and now I've discovered that not all 500 lph pumps are the same, once you discover the head capability!! No rude comments please! :D

Whilst I've received some brilliant advice from here, and some excellent pointers, is the only real answer trial and error? If so, this could get ridiculously pricey.
 
The only real concern is to attempt to match the block to the pump and rad. If you start from a particular block because of looks or price, check its performance characteristics. Is it best when flow is high or low? Then match the pump and rad to the block.

Spec up a system, do some research, post the shopping list on here and we'll try to help you.
 
There are three general route to take in water cooling and these all relate to 'why' your doing it. With air cooling as good as it is now days imho it has limited mainstream 'usefullness' (not to be confused with appeal - I want and I need are quite different)

Near silent opperation with high end hardware. (low heat cpu/gpus can be air cooled)
Pump: Smaller & quiet (usually submerged in Res)
Blocks: Low restriction (so flowrate stays high)
Rads - large surface (passive or low restriction 120.3 with low rmp fans)

Low temp at high OC
Pump: Powerful in both flow and head
Blocks: impinged / full cover
Rad: 120.4 or duel loop systems

Bling (because I want too)
Pump: The best with LED top
Block: shinny
Rad: The biggest I can fit in my case

In all loops, ther only rules are Res before pump, and match size pump to loop (or blocks to pump) - what mike say above
 
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Most of the cpu blocks from reputable manufacturers perform within a few degrees of each other. Knowing the flow restriction of the block you may, or may not, wish to compensate by selecting one of the lower restriction rads or by using a more powerful pump, or two pumps, or...

Oh the possibilities :D At the end of the day what exactly are you trying to achieve ? I see Shadow has beaten me to this :p

So many choices :D At the end of the day how much difference will any of them make ? A good block mount vs a bad block mount is good for +/-5C. Rad air on: not just room ambient, but are you pulling through the case? Are you near a room heater or an open window? Have you recently lost the cat? Are all good for another +/- 5C (and then some).

So much variation :D Which brings up the knotty problem of how are the temperatures being measured ? CPU sensors, mb sensors, bios temperatures are useful for determining the change in temperature but over the years have proven themselves to be woefully inadequate at telling exactly what the actual temperature is, rendering comparison an often pointless exercise.

Advice: Buy reputable parts, good reviews don't hurt, but don't necessarily help. Buy things you like the look, the sound, the feel of. Buy what you can afford, there is little point paying over the odds when a cheaper part will work almost as well, sometimes better. Don't be swayed into believing everything the reviewers say, especially with regards to the bling or fad or buzz-word technologies. At the end of the day your loop will work and will probably be within a few degrees of mine, if it's not we can always blame the temperature sensors.

Amyway, I've just taken delivery of some stupidly expensive 45 degree bitspower bling and the latest buzz in cpu blocks - the Heatkiller rev3.0, should be good for, a totally unnecessary, 2C :D:D:D. Now where the hell is the cat....
 
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MikeTimbers said:
The only real concern is to attempt to match the block to the pump and rad. If you start from a particular block because of looks or price, check its performance characteristics. Is it best when flow is high or low? Then match the pump and rad to the block.

Spec up a system, do some research, post the shopping list on here and we'll try to help you.
Click to expand...

Ahh, thanks Mike, I hadn't really thought about it as starting from the block, more as a put together a complete loop, so to speak. As Shadowscotland has outlined I would be keen on a near silent system to cool an overclocked Q6600. I've bought the case, a V2000, after seeing the reviews and pics, so I know I have the space. I want to stay internal.

What I'd like to do is have the XSPC 750lph Dual Res/Pump for quiet, but I really want to cool CPU, GPU, and NB on a single loop, so that might be unrealistic. I have a 120.2 rad already and I will also put in a 120.1. I believe they have low resistance to flow. I would select blocks based on flow resistance (to ease flow as much as possible), so the Swiftech ones look good.

Can you run two reservoirs in one loop? I am really keen on the passive XSPC reservoir in blue, with an exhaust fan above. If you could put in two reservoirs, would you have to align the water levels?

This is going to be a project, with aesthetics being almost as important as efficiency, i.e. 3.8Ghz will not be necessary. Absolute performance is of less appeal than creating a complete package.
 
... temperatures suffer when the cat decides its new warm snuggle place is right next to your rad.

XSPC passive reservoir: Aluminium. Don't forget corrosion inhibitors
 
ecat said:
... temperatures suffer when the cat decides its new warm snuggle place is right next to your rad.

XSPC passive reservoir: Aluminium. Don't forget corrosion inhibitors
Click to expand...

Ahhh. No cat. Ever. Can't stand the things! Got a baby though, does he count? :eek:

Thanks for the heads up on the aluminium! :cool:
 
CPU, GPU, and NB on a single loop is fine - I have CPU/GPU/NB/HHD & PSU on mine :D

Just use low restriction blocks: (some of these are hard to find)
XSPC edge / fusion V1 (stock) / DD MC-TDX for CPU
DD Maze 4/5, Silverprop, MCW60 for GPU
DD Maze4, specific EK block, MCW30 for NB

And the Passive res inside the case is somewhat pointless - as your putting the heat back inside
(could use the compartmentation maybe..) They do look good but corrosion inhibitors are a must with mixed metals.

Sell the 120.2 and get a 120.3 - two rads = more restriction (a few more post and you'll have access to MM - the members market)
 
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shadowscotland said:
CPU, GPU, and NB on a single loop is fine - I have CPU/GPU/NB/HHD & PSU on mine :D

Just use low restriction blocks: (some of these are hard to find)
XSPC edge / fusion V1 (stock) / DD MC-TDX for CPU
DD Maze 4/5, Silverprop, MCW60 for GPU
DD Maze4, specific EK block, MCW30 for NB
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll start looking at the above. :cool:

PSU as well? How's that done? I'll start looking though.
 
shadowscotland said:
Just use low restriction blocks: (some of these are hard to find)
XSPC edge / fusion V1 (stock) / DD MC-TDX for CPU
DD Maze 4/5, Silverprop, MCW60 for GPU
DD Maze4, specific EK block, MCW30 for NB

And the Passive res inside the case is somewhat pointless - as your putting the heat back inside.

Sell the 120.2 and get a 120.3 - two rads = more restriction.
Click to expand...

Right, been looking at the Swiftech blocks (that XSPC Edge is nice too). The Apogee GTZ seems highly rated, while the MCW60 does have a full cover heatsink for the GTX280 so that's worth considering, but I prefer the looks of the MCW-NBMAX over the MCW30 for the northbridge. I'll need to see if it will fit on my P5Q P45.

I see what you're saying re the passive res, so that may have to go. It just looks so bloomin' good! I would have gone vertical behind the 5.25 bays, and put in a 120mm exhaust right above it.

I'd like to keep one of the HD cages in the bottom of the case, so I went for the 120.2 there, after removing one cage, and (if necessary) a 120.1 at the rear. I've had a good look at the V2000 build with the 120.3 in the base and that's the way I'll go if I can't make the two rads work.

Will the XSPC 750lph pump/res suffice for all of this?
 
The Apogee GTZ is an excelent block with a powerful pump or just in it's own loop with a less powerful one. But a XSPC with 3 blocks and two rad will be hotter that air cooling.

Full cover block are major flow killer - use with powerfull pumps only
MCW-NBMAX will not fit on a P5Q (same board as me btw) and you don't need to watercool this - a zalman flower or NB tower will do the job even with a major OC.

Gepetto said:
Will the XSPC 750lph pump/res suffice for all of this?
Click to expand...

Two low restriction blocks and a rad will be fine BUT as you mentioned a GTX what's the CPU? if it's i7 to go with that GTX280 you'll not acheive a quiet system with out major kit, if not duel loops.

If it's a gaming rig, use a wolfdale, if it's not lose the GTX.

Lets start again:
purpose of PC -
Budget -
Extras - 'would like a quiet pc'
 
shadowscotland said:
The Apogee GTZ is an excellent block with a powerful pump or just in it's own loop with a less powerful one. But a XSPC with 3 blocks and two rad will be hotter that air cooling.

Full cover block are major flow killer - use with powerfull pumps only
MCW-NBMAX will not fit on a P5Q (same board as me btw) and you don't need to watercool this - a zalman flower or NB tower will do the job even with a major OC.

Righto. If I stick with the XSPC Res/Pump it'll have to be two blocks then, with the Zalman flower. (the MCW60 is only a chip block with the cover plate being passive as far as I can see).

Two low restriction blocks and a rad will be fine BUT as you mentioned a GTX what's the CPU? If it's i7 to go with that GTX280 you'll not acheive a quiet system with out major kit, if not dual loops.

Not an i7, but it is a Q6600, which, I believe, run hot.

If it's a gaming rig, use a wolfdale, if it's not lose the GTX.

Lets start again:
purpose of PC -
Budget -
Extras - 'would like a quiet pc'
Click to expand...

Points taken, let's look at the purpose.

It's a home PC/gaming rig primarily. Crysis, Farcry 2, C&C, Halo, etc. Maybe shifting to a Dual Core would be an idea.

Budget is around £200, but it's to be a project, so, if more is necessary, it will simply take longer to achieve. I'll keep reading, accumulate the parts, and then build it.

Reason. I love the gadgets/hardware basically. I like the idea of watercooling, it's unusual, and I would like a quiet PC. Yes, I could probably achieve the same temps with air, but it wouldn't have the attraction, or provide the challenge. Aesthetics will be important too.
 
don't do two reservoirs, totally pointless.

I have an Q6600 at a relatively unambitious 3.2GHz and a single 120.1 Black Ice Extreme (so ancient technology by today's standards) keeps it around mid-50s - no gpu just the quad - so I wouldn't agree they run hot.

Take it one step at a time. Get the XSPC res/pump if that's what you like, use a GTZ but get the extra fittings for i7 as well, don't go near the GTX, use a 120.2 and leave the rest til you've done this.

Once you're sure you're really liking this, do the rest.
 
MikeTimbers said:
Once you're sure you're really liking this, do the rest.
Click to expand...

Mike, you've got it all wrong! :p One must charge in regardless, damn the consequences, grasp the nettle (actually, sod that, it's far too itchy), seize the moment etc. etc. :D

Seriously though, the challenge will be to get it right (and looking good) so starting small, as you've suggested, is definitely the right way to do it. I'm now leaning towards a GPU block (with ramsinks), and a GTZ, through my 120.2 and an XSPC passive res. Powered either by a Laing D5 or DDC 1+ Ultra 18W. The Ultra would be preferred due to the size.


Whaddaya think?
 
What do I think ?
I think we know nothing until we take the first step :D

The Ultra with custom top is fine. Personally I don't find it that much easier to place than the D5 but I do find it a lot more forgiving of small amounts of trapped air which can cause the D5 to emit a very annoying high pitched whine.

Here's some blocks you may not have come across including the Heatkiller rev3.0 I'm currently using - a slight improvement on the Fuzion V2 imo. iirc the GTZ comes close to the EK Supreme but I think you'll find better performance comparisons in other places. Still the pictures are nice :)

http://translate.google.com/transla....forumdeluxx.de/forum/showthread.php?t=549569
 
ecat said:
Here's some blocks you may not have come across including the Heatkiller rev3.0 I'm currently using - a slight improvement on the Fuzion V2 imo. iirc the GTZ comes close to the EK Supreme but I think you'll find better performance comparisons in other places. Still the pictures are nice :)

http://translate.google.com/transla....forumdeluxx.de/forum/showthread.php?t=549569
Click to expand...


Harrumph! :D You just did have to post that didn't you!! :D

Some of those are works of art. More reading to do! :cool:
 
<chuckle>

The Ybris is beautiful, gold, black, acrylic, silver, it doesn't matter... drool.

The Luna is a looker too, very Stargate, but if my information is correct the blue rim light flashes on and off which could be annoying
.
 
ecat said:
The Ybris is beautiful, gold, black, acrylic, silver, it doesn't matter... drool.

The Luna is a looker too, very Stargate, but if my information is correct the blue rim light flashes on and off which could be annoying
Click to expand...

That HK 3.0 scores very highly, though it's not as good looking as some of the others. I really like the looks of the Yellowstone too, which scores well.

Thanks for the link. :cool:
 
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