Watercooling question

wudsta · 16 Aug 2006 at 14:45

I've recently installed a Swiftech Premium H20 kit and an additional Swiftech GPU block. When I installed it I stupidly routed the tubing so that the water passes through my GPU before my CPU... I did try to get the tubing off again to switch it round but I couldn't for the life of me get it off so I just left it.

My CPU is currently idling around 34 degrees and it goes up to around 45 degrees under load. My GPU (X1800XT) is idling at 44 degrees and is about 60 degrees under load.

I have 2 questions;

1.) Would changing it round so the water passed through the CPU first significantly improve CPU temps? or would it not make that much of a difference

2.) Do these temps seem reasonable? I thought they seemed a little high, but I put that down to the fact its only a 120.1 rad.

Oh, the CPU is over clocked to 3ghz, but I'm using stock voltage - significant voltage increases were causing the temps to go to high (53 degrees under load :eek:

)

Cob · 16 Aug 2006 at 14:53

1. I think putting the cpu first is the general advice. You should be able to get the tubes off by heating them with a hairdryer.

2. It seems a little hot. My Opty 146 idles at 27c @2.95Ghz at 1.475v (room temp is about 23c). And that's with a basic XSPC set-up.

Tooks · 16 Aug 2006 at 14:54

I'd leave it as it is, as I don't think it will make much difference to your temps going through the GPU first.

Check out this link...

http://www.overclockers.com/articles1088/

What were the temps like in YOUR system before you watercooled it? That's the only reliable comparison you can make.

Looking at your numbers though, nothing would concern me there.

wudsta · 16 Aug 2006 at 15:22

Before my W\C I was idling around 36 and load was getting up to around 48-50. But that was with a 3500+ at stock, I upgraded to a 4000+ along with the cooling and its running a reasonable overclock.

I may have a go at reapplying the thermal paste. I got some arctic ceramique with the kit, but I used AS5 instead - would this make a difference?

Tooks · 16 Aug 2006 at 15:27

So, what you seem to be saying, is that you've got a faster chip, overclocked and it's still cooler than your old CPU at stock?!

That's fine then?!

You could try the re-seating, but unless you really mucked up last time, I don't think it's going to help much.

Don't forget your ambient temps when comparing to your previous setup.

wudsta · 16 Aug 2006 at 15:46

Yeah I suppose... lol - I guess I just expected something more extreme than that.

By ambient temperature I guess you mean case temperature?

Tooks · 16 Aug 2006 at 15:54

Well, sort of, but really that the colder the room, the colder the case temp as the air going in is already cool. But yes, that's the gist!

pegasus1 · 16 Aug 2006 at 16:58

The order in which you cool the components makes no difference to how efficiantly the system works, all that matters is the the Res outlet goes straight to the Pump inlet.
My Swiftech kit goes Res>pump>Gpu>Cpu>Rad Res. Cpu temps are no different to that when i only WCed the Cpu.

Cheekykid · 17 Aug 2006 at 22:24

Any idea where can I find extra tube for the swiftech system?
I have an old system and am planning to fit the swiftech just to see how it works and get some experience since it will be my first time. Afterwards when my new pc come i'll be more experienced since i'll have the water cooling tested once. Is what am planning to do a good idea?

Creidiki · 17 Aug 2006 at 22:35

bad mount on the GPU there, temps should be pretty much identical to your CPU.

no_1_dave · 17 Aug 2006 at 22:42

If I ever go w/c i'd do:

CPU - Res - pump - gfx - Rad

I plan to at some point. I want a NB block too though but will only have a 120.1 rad. I dont wanna dremmel my Eclipse for a .2 or .3 rad. Unless anyone has any better suggestions for a rad? :confused:

Hades · 17 Aug 2006 at 23:22

no_1_dave said:
If I ever go w/c i'd do:

CPU - Res - pump - gfx - Rad

I plan to at some point. I want a NB block too though but will only have a 120.1 rad. I dont wanna dremmel my Eclipse for a .2 or .3 rad. Unless anyone has any better suggestions for a rad?

Something like the Swiftech H20 Apex has an external 120.2 rad

no_1_dave · 18 Aug 2006 at 00:05

But it would either drop down & block my GFX card port or go too high & block my psu

Creidiki · 18 Aug 2006 at 00:08

Nah, the swiftech radboxes give you like 2-3" depending on how you mount them, plenty of space.

Hades · 18 Aug 2006 at 00:25

Although you'll need to cut a pair of holes to feed the tubing of course.

Creidiki · 18 Aug 2006 at 00:33

7/16 will go through a PCI slot.

no_1_dave · 18 Aug 2006 at 00:36

Creidiki said:
Nah, the swiftech radboxes give you like 2-3" depending on how you mount them, plenty of space.

So my DVI -> VGA adaptor on my gfx card will fit under it along with my ps/2 -> USB adaptor for my mouse (ps/2 is so much more responsive then usb)?
Are the fans quiet?

Creidiki · 18 Aug 2006 at 01:04

Must be a problem with your mobo, ive got a wireless mouse on USB and there's no response time.

As for the fans, I'd only use Yate Loons on em anyway.

Cheekykid · 18 Aug 2006 at 01:21

Cheekykid said:
Any idea where can I find extra tube for the swiftech system?
I have an old system and am planning to fit the swiftech just to see how it works and get some experience since it will be my first time. Afterwards when my new pc come i'll be more experienced since i'll have the water cooling tested once. Is what am planning to do a good idea?

^^^^^

Hades · 18 Aug 2006 at 01:34

Hmm, bit of a problem there. The Overclockers forum rules don't let anyone mention competitors. Anyone selling the tubing is likely to be a competitor. Bu what you're after is a more specialist watercooling shop and Google should help out there.