Watercooling Performance/Leaks

Alex40k

Alex40k

Alex40k

Associate
Joined
25 Aug 2004
Posts
228
Location
London
Hello, I recently installed about 5 days ago the following spec into my rig:

CPU - Swiftech Apogee
GPU - Dangerden Maze4
Thermochill PA120.2 with two Nexus fans at 12v
Dangerden D5 Pump

However I am concerned about the performance, as i am hitting anything upto 46 degrees on the CPU when gaming from an idle of about 35 degrees. The GPU never goes above 40, i have tried reseating the Apogee but this didnt make any difference. I have also just run my hand under the bottom inlet of the cpu block, to find a small bit of water clinging onto it. Could this be a source of the performance deficit, and can anything be done to stop the leak, i have tightened it up but this has only reduced it slightly, maybe a possible RMA? Also am i expecting too much cooling capacity from what i have bought?

My Spec:

3500+ Newcastle
x800xt

Both running at stock for now

Thank you

Alex
 
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I've got a Thermalchill Bigwater kit (with only a single 120 rad) cooling my 4200+ and 2 7800GT's and my temps are about the same as yours, so something doesn't seem right somewhere!
 
Alex40k said:
So do you think a RMA is in order? Is the apogee a rubbish block, or have I installed it wrong? I should be expecting better temps right?
Click to expand...

You need to check the installation of the barbs into the block and tubes to the barbs also. I have just installed a Swiftech kit in my rig. I used PTFE tape around all the threaded portion of the barbs and tightened them down as per the intructions. I have no leaks.

The Apogee is a good block, there are better but its only worth a degree or two. Are you sure that it has good contact with the CPU? What thermal interface are you using?

My temps are 32-34 idle and 40-42 load on both CPU and GPU.

Have you ensured that you have no trapped air in the system?

Is the coolant clear or full of air?

I found that I had to reduce the flow for the air to come out of the coolant.

Good luck. Its worth it in the end.
 
Alex40k said:
Hello, I recently installed about 5 days ago the following spec into my rig:

CPU - Swiftech Apogee
GPU - Dangerden Maze4
Thermochill PA120.2 with two Nexus fans at 12v
Dangerden D5 Pump

However I am concerned about the performance, as i am hitting anything upto 46 degrees on the CPU when gaming from an idle of about 35 degrees. The GPU never goes above 40, i have tried reseating the Apogee but this didnt make any difference. I have also just run my hand under the bottom inlet of the cpu block, to find a small bit of water clinging onto it. Could this be a source of the performance deficit, and can anything be done to stop the leak, i have tightened it up but this has only reduced it slightly, maybe a possible RMA? Also am i expecting too much cooling capacity from what i have bought?

My Spec:

3500+ Newcastle
x800xt

Both running at stock for now

Thank you

Alex
Click to expand...

i use the same kit as you pretty much, mine idles at 40 and loads at 52 as reported by windows. when tested with an actual temp probe its idle at around 32 and load of around 38-39. dont trust temp monitoring on your mobo often its wrong. mine is a msi neo2 platinum.
 
Not only is the temperature monitoring next to useless, let's assume for a moment that it's accurate.

If the air going through your radiator is the same as your system temperature, your Delta-T (temperature above ambient) is 11C. A Newcastle at stock when at full load is 89W. 11/89 = 0.12 C/W.

SYstem-Cooling's review showed that for a 3700+ at stock, the Delta-T was around 5C but that was without a gpu in the loop.

So - bottom line - your temps are not wildly out of line with what properly monitored test rigs show; some options:

1) place a 7v 80mm fan directing air over the socket and surrounding power regulators - mobos are very bad at understanding that they are being water-cooled.

2) stop worrying about it ;)
 
Just to add to Mike's post - I recently found an AMD white paper containing details of the thermistor used in the CPU (s754). It actually says not to use it as an actual measurement and says it's accurate to +/- 7'C.
 
Ok thanks a lot for your input guys, I tested the apogee for about 20 hours and the leak seems to have stopped. I will probably stick some ptfe tape on just incase. I am sure there is no air in the system and the block seems to have a good contact. If the temperature probes are as inaccurate as +-7 then I guess i wont worry too much about it.
 
Interestingly enough, i just blew on the apogee heatsink for about 10 seconds and the temperature reading dropped by 8 degrees :p

I conclude that the MB temperature probe is rubbish.
 
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