Hi a quick question regarding the Bitspower monoblock for the X99E-ITX/ac. What fittings / threads are there on the top of the CPU and VRM/Chipset blocks? Are these push-in/Barb type that compress down when the Combining top-plate is screwed in place? Or are they threaded - if so, what size of fitting?
I am considering this MB but already have the Heatkiller IV block with ILM adapter, so I am looking at the VRM & Chipset block as a separate part, and all destined to go into a nCase M1. I know this would mean buying the Bitspower unit complete, but has anyone tested the performance of the Bitspower CPU block vs the Heatkiller IV?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Mike
Hi Mike, the Bitspower monoblock is assembled with push fittings. The CPU block is just standard Bitspower and the VRM/Chipset block again is just a plain simple two piece block. They each have two IG1/4" ports. The monoblock is supplied with 4 fittings exactly like the bottom half of d-plug mini fittings. They thread into the CPU and motherboard block and have bosses with external o-rings sticking up. The monoblock presses over the top, there are no threads in the bottom side of the monoblock just clean counterbores to push over the fittings.
I don't know how the Bitspower block compares to the Heatkiller IV but there is nothing preventing you from using the Bitspower VRM/Chipset block along with the Heatkiller. There isn't any branding on it either so it won't really look out of place, it's just a nice simple block.
Apart from having pretty dumb PWM fan control I can't fault the motherboard at all, even the overclocking is great, good layout particularly with the M.2 and memory parallel to the PCI. I'd definitely recommend that, it does feel like a quality product.
Thanks JR. That really helps - I'd not seen the channels that lined up as I as looking for something that matched the shape of inlet and outlet. The model helps there. What are you using to model in out of interest? I've just started having a play with SketchUp to help get a better idea of layout but it would be interesting to know what the proven software is!
It sounds like the pump seal is a complete non-issue given your benchmark results...but on a purely academic basis; could you (if it had proved necessary) use either gasket paper or liquid gasket (LS-X even) as it shouldn't give the pressure problems but should hopefully seal it and still be dismantleable. I've had cause to use it spot or two of LS-X and it doesn't seem to cause contamination issues and was removable from threads years later. Just a thought should it ever be necessary.
I use Solidworks, I could probably draw more complex things than we can cut, it exports nicely, the renders are reasonably good and it's just quite a complete logical package. Oh, for this loop the pump is still way too effective, it operates fine. It could be sealed with something for sure although I wouldn't as it would be very noticeable, even a little grease or oil really changes how the surface of the frosted looks.
This isn't the only way we can/have made pump tops, it was just an effective way to integrate it into this part being two 10mm layers rather than 15+5mm like MATE. If you wanted a custom dual DDC top, I wouldn't personally recommend doing it this way especially if you can work with much thicker acrylic. Bitspowers dual DDC top has a bridge inlaid between the two pumps, that actually seems like a great way to do it. Just figure out where the pumps need to be, i'm quite happy with our semi-spiral volute.
JR
