New System Cooling Plans

[Avid6eek]

I've had this idea for a while, but I've just decided to give it a try:

I'm going to hook my PC up to the water supply in my house. To do this I'm going to have two hoses come up into my office through the floor from the basement. One is going to be the fresh water feed, and the other the drain.

------------------------
Pros:

1. My water is "free." Water meters are not a common practice where I live. The fee for water is included in your house city taxes. Since my taxes are going up this year, I'm going to use all the water I want. F$#k the man.

2. Stable incoming water temperatures. All of our water mains are at least 8ft below the ground, which gives them a relative stable cool temperature. The water comes in at around 65F this time of the year, and cools to around 50F during the coldest part of the year. This will give my system sub-ambient water temps all year round.

3. Cooler office. The main source of heat in my system is the CPU and graphics card. This heat will exit my house through a drain in my basement and will not be put into the surrounding air. This will reduce any costs associated with air conditioning my office during the summer, thus saving me money. To those who may complain that I'm wasting water, it is being offset by a lower carbon footprint. And how do you waste water anyways? Water is coming into my house, and the same amount is leaving. :p

Cons:

1. Condensation. Cold water lines sweat this time of the year since it is so humid. I'm going to have to find a way to deal with that.

2. My desktop will not be mobile since it was require a cold water hookup. My desktop never moves, so this isn't really an issue for me.

3. Leaks! A leak in a typical water cooling loop may result in you spilling a gallon of water. With an infinite supply of water, if a leak develops when I'm not around, things could get messy.

4. Pressure. Incoming water pressure is much greater than that produced by a 12v pump. I will have two valves in place to reduce the pressure of the incoming water supply, but accidents happen. I'm not sure what PSI tygon tube is rater for. I should probably look that up.
------------------------

In addition to the new cooling setup, I'm going to remove the heat spreader from my i7. It's not such an easy task since it is soldered on, but I'm confident I can still get it removed. This alone may lower my processor temps by 10C. My Swiftech Apogee GTZ is also going to be replaced by a more efficient block that can stand up to the higher water pressures. The water block restriction should be enough to reduce the water pressure in the remainder of the system to acceptable levels.

The project is already underway as of yesterday. I did some mods to an Antec 900 case for cable management and got it painted. I'll post some pics as soon as I have them. I probably won't have this whole project finished for a couple weekends. Work and classes keep me very busy during the week.

-Avid

[Comixion]

YOu left out 1 pro and 1 con

Pro: AK will be jealous

Con: He will not approve

[Nataku]

Yay! Someone is doing something cool and extreme again!

[Avid6eek]

I don't think AK will be jealous. While I'll probabably have cooler summer temps, his winter temps once he gets his water cooling setup will be much lower than mine.

[jdrom17]

I'm fairly sure I've heard of similar plans elsewhere and the poster got a bunch of bad comments from people complaining about water wastage.

I'd say put it shut-off valves before it goes into your PC, then when you're away you can just cut the water (unless your PC has to run 24/7).

As for your tubing concerns, what would make this really pro is if you did all copper lines to everything :thumb: Of course, upgrading anything would be a bytch but it would look amazing if you did it well and kept the copper clean.

[Avid6eek]

Here are some pics of the project starting to move along:

Antec 900 with the interior painted red:

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER01.jpg

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER02.jpg

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER03.jpg

Closer shot of the G.Skill Falcons. They fit nicely side by side in a 5.25 bay:

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER04.jpg

I've decided not to remove the IHS on my 920. Tuition is keeping me pretty broke lately and I can't afford to brick a $300 cpu at the moment.

[jdrom17]

So what happened to your TJ-07?

[Avid6eek]

So what happened to your TJ-07?I still have it. I'm slowly removing components from that, cleaning them, and installing them in the Antec. The TJ-07 will just get stored in my attic until I get bored with the Antec case. :)

[jdrom17]

I still have it. I'm slowly removing components from that, cleaning them, and installing them in the Antec. The TJ-07 will just get stored in my attic until I get bored with the Antec case. :)
Rather odd switch, going from a high-end aluminum case to a cheap steel one :fighty:

[Avid6eek]

I find it fun to mod cases and make them a bit more personal. It's a bit hard to start the dremel up next to a $330 case. In my opinion, the Antec 900 has better airflow. While it isn't as pretty, it will get the job done for me just as well, if not better than the TJ-07 will. Desk space is also of a premium, and the Antec has a smaller footprint.

[jdrom17]

I find it fun to mod cases and make them a bit more personal. It's a bit hard to start the dremel up next to a $330 case. In my opinion, the Antec 900 has better airflow. While it isn't as pretty, it will get the job done for me just as well, if not better than the TJ-07 will. Desk space is also of a premium, and the Antec has a smaller footprint.
Fair enough, I've had my days with the 900 too. It was definitely a good learning experience and a fairly versatile case. I moved to my current aluminum FT01-BW a while back though.

I hated drilling the fillport and tubing holes in my FT01, brand new case and I had to drill holes in it. Sadly I should of measured a few extra times before drilling that fillport since it renders my top bay useless for a DVD-RW.

I really wish they made something in between mid-tower and full-tower. I don't need a menacing case but at times a mid-tower feels cramped.

Anyways, hurry up and get this project going :p

[phill9800]

So what will this gain you? A better overclock or something??

[Avid6eek]

So what will this gain you? A better overclock or something??lower temps may result in slightly better overclocking. The main gains are having cooler temps in my office, and it will be much quieter.

[phill9800]

What sort of rad/setup will you be using? Something bigger? I'm wondering if its worth having a rad at all if your just having a straight through feed?

[Avid6eek]

What sort of rad/setup will you be using? Something bigger? I'm wondering if its worth having a rad at all if your just having a straight through feed?There is no rad...the water runs through my system then goes down the drain. No reusing...just a steady cold supply.

[phill9800]

Umm... What about rust and things like that? Will there be any problems with that?

[Avid6eek]

You mean rust coming out of the water line? No, that won't be an issue. I do have a filter that would even pretty small rust particles. They are on all the faucets in my house, but I've never had anything get caught in them.

[Avid6eek]

I've completed the installation of the water lines going to my desk...

Water inlet and outlet:

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER05.jpg

Feeds coming up into my office:

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER06.jpg

Slowing installing components in my case as I have the time:

http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/waterCOOLER07.jpg

Looks like I need to adjust the contrast settings on my camera...all the red's tend to blend together.

[jdrom17]

Looks like I need to adjust the contrast settings on my camera...all the red's tend to blend together.
If you removed the stickers on the PSU, it would be very difficult to know it was even there :p

[phill9800]

I look forward to the before and after shots :)

With regards to the rust issue, I was thinking copper and whatever else you've got in your loop, but if its not an issue, ideal :)

[Avid6eek]

Well...I had hoped to get some results up today, but the system isn't booting. There is also the smell of something burning next to my CPU socket. I have a feeling my Rampage II may have bit the dust in the transfer. I will be sending this one out to Asus tomorrow. In the mean time I have a second one on the way and it should be here this week.

I had considered getting an EVGA Classified as a second board, but NewEgg had an open box RIIE for $230. That's a hell of alot better than paying $400-$450 for a new board. For $230 it probably won't come with any accessories, but I already have them...I just need the board.

[Nataku]

Avid lets see pictures of this nice house you bought. :thumb:

[Comixion]

Avid lets see pictures of this nice house you bought. :thumb:

Yea, pics or you don't live there. And what is that., a dog ass?

[Avid6eek]

Yea, pics or you don't live there. And what is that., a dog ass?
LOL...I live there...you can see pics that offer some small details.

And yes...that does appear to be my dog's ass in that picture.

[Comixion]

He must be trustworthy for you to have it all on the floor. I have to work on mine on the table or our dog will grab parts and run off and chew 'em up into a mangled mess.

[3DGuy]

LOL...I live there...you can see pics that offer some small details.

And yes...that does appear to be my dog's ass in that picture.

That has to be the greatest reply ever...........

[phill9800]

Well...I had hoped to get some results up today, but the system isn't booting. There is also the smell of something burning next to my CPU socket. I have a feeling my Rampage II may have bit the dust in the transfer. I will be sending this one out to Asus tomorrow. In the mean time I have a second one on the way and it should be here this week.

I had considered getting an EVGA Classified as a second board, but NewEgg had an open box RIIE for $230. That's a hell of alot better than paying $400-$450 for a new board. For $230 it probably won't come with any accessories, but I already have them...I just need the board.

I hope it gets sorted for you Avid :D

[Avid6eek]

I've got the replacement board here and everything is booting like it should. My temps are much lower now but it doesn't seem like it will do much for my max overclock. When you get your EVGA board up and running I would like to see what you can do with your BCLK frequencies.

[Avid6eek]

Well...the new motherboard works fine...but I can see why it is an open box. Someone returned it because it doesn't overclock worth a damn....I can't get a stable BCLK above 210Mhz...and even that is pushing it.

I've also decided that manufacturer's are taking away from the fun of overclocking. Overclocking used to allow you to buy cheap components and get high end speed. Well...you have to shell out at least $300 for a 920, and as high as $400+ for a nice overclocking board. From now on I think I'm just going to buy a cheap board ($200) from Asus, DFI, or Gigabyte and just buy a higher end processor. It will get me to the same point, w/o having to worry about how well the board overclocks.

[jdrom17]

Well...the new motherboard works fine...but I can see why it is an open box. Someone returned it because it doesn't overclock worth a damn....I can't get a stable BCLK above 210Mhz...and even that is pushing it.

I've also decided that manufacturer's are taking away from the fun of overclocking. Overclocking used to allow you to buy cheap components and get high end speed. Well...you have to shell out at least $300 for a 920, and as high as $400+ for a nice overclocking board. From now on I think I'm just going to buy a cheap board ($200) from Asus, DFI, or Gigabyte and just buy a higher end processor. It will get me to the same point, w/o having to worry about how well the board overclocks.
I think only Intel has taken the fun out of it.

AMD however still seems to fair decently with cheap boards and cheap Phenom IIs (X2 550 and X3 720). Especially if you're lucky enough to unlock core(s) as well.

[Avid6eek]

AMD however still seems to fair decently with cheap boards and cheap Phenom IIs (X2 550 and X3 720). Especially if you're lucky enough to unlock core(s) as well.AMD's market share isn't on the rise, so they are still too expensive for the performance offered. The last CPU round up I read made AMD look absolutely horrible.

[phill9800]

I've got the replacement board here and everything is booting like it should. My temps are much lower now but it doesn't seem like it will do much for my max overclock. When you get your EVGA board up and running I would like to see what you can do with your BCLK frequencies.

Well so far Avid under water cooling, this is what has been managed with the board and my D0 CPU thus far :)

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=615200

I think maybe with a bit more tweaking, we might get more, but its going under the phase soon :)

[jdrom17]

AMD's market share isn't on the rise, so they are still too expensive for the performance offered. The last CPU round up I read made AMD look absolutely horrible.
I think Phenom IIs offer far more performance for the price than Core 2s. Though AMD has nothing to compete with i7s.

And lets face it, AMD will never, ever have a huge market share. Typical users only know Intel. In their glory days of Athlon 64s, they had like what? Less than 20%?

[Avid6eek]

Yes...AMD had trouble getting their products into the market because of the stranglehold that Intel had at the time. Now that AMD has competative graphics, processors, and chipsets all they need to do is offer some decent performance and they will gain traction pretty quickly.

[Skorp]

The Phenom II and Core 2 are in a war of one-upmanship with each other. Value at a given time is better determined by an astrology chart.

Now, what's this about new cooling...

...

This is... blasphemy. This is madness!

[Avid6eek]

Now, what's this about new cooling...If I hadn't lost the charger to my camera, I'd post some pics for you. I think I left it in a hotel room on my last trip.

The cooling is working good, and most importantly it's quiet! I can't hear my PC which is a nice change. My PC was never loud, but there was always the humming noise in the background. NOw there is nothing.

With 1.45v going through my i7 and it running at 4.4Ghz I have an idle temps around 28C, and load temps around 57C. Condensation is a bit of a problem on our more humid days (about 6 days a week this time of year), but that should slowly start to go away as we head towards fall.

I did splurge on an EVGA X58 Classified board...it doesn't offer anything more than my RIIE did. While the board can work wonders for dedicated overclockers, in the real world it is no better than any other high end X58 board. By that I mean, the base clock is limited to less than 215Mhz when you are using 12GB of RAM and have all of the features of the processor turned on. I don't really care about benching with 3GB of memory and everything disabled...that isn't how I play games, so that performance really means nothing to me.

[Skorp]

If I hadn't lost the charger to my camera, I'd post some pics for you. I think I left it in a hotel room on my last trip.

The cooling is working good, and most importantly it's quiet! I can't hear my PC which is a nice change. My PC was never loud, but there was always the humming noise in the background. NOw there is nothing.

With 1.45v going through my i7 and it running at 4.4Ghz I have an idle temps around 28C, and load temps around 57C. Condensation is a bit of a problem on our more humid days (about 6 days a week this time of year), but that should slowly start to go away as we head towards fall.

I did splurge on an EVGA X58 Classified board...it doesn't offer anything more than my RIIE did. While the board can work wonders for dedicated overclockers, in the real world it is no better than any other high end X58 board. By that I mean, the base clock is limited to less than 215Mhz when you are using 12GB of RAM and have all of the features of the processor turned on. I don't really care about benching with 3GB of memory and everything disabled...that isn't how I play games, so that performance really means nothing to me.

Good man. I never understood people who disable SpeedStep, VT and all the rest, run Windows XP without an antivirus (or disable it) with a stupidly small amount of RAM just to get a few extra MHz and FPS. You put together a monster computer, use it!

It's a bit like ***** pumps, I suppose. If you use one, you clearly aren't getting any. Even if they work, you may make it drop off.

[Avid6eek]

You put together a monster computer, use it!I am...it's even faster now that it has a second 4870x2! :eek:

[jdrom17]

Good to hear you got it all setup, though it would be much better with pictures :p

[Comixion]

Good to hear you got it all setup, though it would be much better with pictures :p

Yep, you know da http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/Comixion/emoticons/rulezsmall.gif

[3DGuy]

I am...it's even faster now that it has a second 4870x2! :eek:

Has the Crossfire X made much of a difference in frame rates?

[Skorp]

I am...it's even faster now that it has a second 4870x2! :eek:

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5347/captainhastings.jpg

[Avid6eek]

Pics will be posted as soon as I have the ability to do so...in the mean time...here is a bit-o-proof:

http://www.davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/3DMark03_150k.png

[jdrom17]

Pfft, clearly 'shopped :p What about 3DMark06?

And you're cell doesn't have a camera? I know it'll be shyt quality but it'll suffice until you buy a proper one.

[Avid6eek]

Here are some others:

3DMark Vantage: P25415 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=1278642)
3DMark06 - 30,579 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=11586978)
3DMark05 - 38,850 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=4947556)

Can't fake a futuremark link :p

[jdrom17]

I think you need to do a bit more clocking and hit 100FPS in the 1st and 2nd tests of 3DMark06 :D

Why does your '05 score lack a CPU score? Though your total score is a nice 38x faster than my GMA X3100 in my laptop :skel:

[Avid6eek]

Why does your '05 score lack a CPU score?Because you don't have to run the CPU test to get your 3DMark score...just the gaming tests.

Has the Crossfire X made much of a difference in frame rates? I haven't done any actual gaming on it yet. I just reinstalled Windows and am getting things setup the way I like them. I'll be back to gaming in no time and will be able to give you an answer for that.

[phill9800]

Nice scores Avid :D

The only problem I see is that your not gonna notice too to much of a difference in the games side of things, since you're only gaming at 1920 x 1200 :( I'd get yourself that 30" monitor and break out 2560 x 1600 and then try running your games ;)

I suppose I had better get some scores for my new setup at some point, but I'm just practising with my E8600 and my Asus RE at the moment... So far 610 FSB seems to be fairly easy :)

[Avid6eek]

Yes...gaming at the highest available settings would now be available to me on a larger monitor...to bad I don't have the $1+k to go buy it...well I do, but there are other things I'd rather buy right now than a larger monitor.

I swapped the X58 Classified out and the Rampage II Extreme is back in. I'm going to do some more playing around with that board today and make the decision on which one to keep. Right now I'm leaning towards the RIIE but I'll know for sure by the end of today.

[phill9800]

Well I think you'll find the Classified the better board but it all depends on what your uses will be. If its just to work then either I'm sure will be fine. But if its for tweakablity or overclockability, then I know which one I would choose without even thinking :)

[Avid6eek]

Well I think you'll find the Classified the better board but it all depends on what your uses will be. If its just to work then either I'm sure will be fine. But if its for tweakablity or overclockability, then I know which one I would choose without even thinking :)The Classified is great for extreme overclocking, but that is where its advantages end. For daily use with a normal amount of memory and all system features enabled, both boards overclock to the same levels so it really makes no difference. Both boards have their own advantages. The Classified has a nicer NB cooler, Windows installs much faster, and generally feels a bit more stable at the edge. The Asus board posts faster while providing more information and Windows boots faster. With two graphics cards I can no longer use my x-Fi Fatality. The Asus board has an x-Fi daughter card, while the EVGA uses extreme crappy realtek integrated audio. I'd have to purchase a new sound card if I were to stick with the EVGA board.

If your goal with your hardware is to get insane frequencies and post record benchmarks, EVGA all the way. If you are more concerned with daily use, and doing some actual gaming, the EVGA board has no advantages. Without any advantages, the cost isn't justified. You'd be just as well off with the $299 EVGA X58 SLI board. Even the RIIE is overpriced, but not nearly as so as the Classified in my case, since I would have to add the cost of a new sound card.

[phill9800]

You should know me Avid, I'd be going nuts for the higher speeds for benching!! :)

But I can agree with you that for 24.7 useage, you'd notice no change or difference with either board. I guess its a bit like any high end board compared to a middle or low end board. If your wanting a ok overclock and just to run it 24.7 at those settings, then there's so little point in going for anything else. It'll save you a boat load of cash and you wont be tempted to tweak with it too much :)

But for me I wouldnt not want the best for what I'm now using a PC for. Benching takes up a lot of time for me and whilst I love doing it, I also want a board I can knock back to 24.7 settings and basically run all day long playing COD 4 and all the other great games I have here :)
The i7 will primarly a setup for gaming on. The E8600 setup I have here will be more so for benching with, but in turn, it'll be fantastic for gaming on should I want to :)

With a custom built case that's going to be built around my i7 to get it working to how I want and not how some manufactor wants, I think it'll be something a bit special :)

[Avid6eek]

I've got a bit of gaming in with the new configuration. I've only played CoD Modern Warfare and Supreme Commander. In CoD, the performance has always been great (100+FPS) so I never paid attention to what they were before adding the second card. In SupCom my minimum frame rate was around 30FPS if I really tried to get it down there...the game is scaling almost perfectly as I cannot get much lower than 60FPS. In an RTS game, anything above 30FPS looks perfectly smooth.

[3DGuy]

I've got a bit of gaming in with the new configuration. I've only played CoD Modern Warfare and Supreme Commander. In CoD, the performance has always been great (100+FPS) so I never paid attention to what they were before adding the second card. In SupCom my minimum frame rate was around 30FPS if I really tried to get it down there...the game is scaling almost perfectly as I cannot get much lower than 60FPS. In an RTS game, anything above 30FPS looks perfectly smooth.

Thats a very nice result on supreme commander there avid. Nice to see it's scaled so well!

Ever tried Command and Conquer 3? and maybe a few other games (racing, FPS, Strategy, etc different genre, to maybe just run the benchmarks and get an idea on scaling.

What games do you have? Would be very nice to see a test before and after to see how good the scaling is. COD has always seemed to be high frame rates. They optimised the game quite well there. So all in all pleased with the Seccond card? Just got to wait now for that 30" to really push the cards :)

[phill9800]

I was gonna say my 8800 Ultra seems to have a new lease of life with the E8600 I have... At stock settings in the training bit I was hitting 60fps at 2560 x 1600.. Tried it with an overclock on the E8600 and it nearly doubled the frame rates!! No overclock on the GPU mind...

During the game its a bit to much for it at 2560 x 1600, so I'd had to turn it down to 1920 x 1200 which is still over the 60fps most of the time, but I might add a bit more to the setup by overclocking the GPU :)

Cant wait to start using my GTX 295 :) Already have some upgrades in mind!! :p

[Avid6eek]

Yes...overall very pleased with the second card. My next upgrade will have to be a monitor as that is what is holding me back right now...imagine that...limited by your 1920x1200 monitor! :p

AMD's new DX11 GPU's will be launched within the next 2 months, so my setup, as well as phill's is to be very quickly outdated. That always seems to be the way things go.

[phill9800]

Well Avid the only real problem of having the monitor limit it actually helps you spending more on graphics cards because of the sheer size of the 2560 x 1600 res that the big ones use!! :p Shame really!

I aint sure what I'm gonna be doing with the GTX 295... I might keep it for a little while but things are bound to change no doubt ;)

There's always going to be better, just like there's always someone going to be faster or better than you :) Its just the way it goes....

[Avid6eek]

Some updated pics:

Hardware mounted on a banchetto 101. Makes swapping hardware much easier:
http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/WaterEx01.jpg

Water lines feeding the system:
http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/WaterEx02.jpg

My dog in my office...sticking his tongue out!
http://davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/WaterEx03.jpg

[phill9800]

Looks good Avid :)

[Avid6eek]

Thanks phill. This morning I installed my repacement motherboard from Asus and it looks like it will correct the 210Mhz BCK limit (4.2Ghz/4.4Ghz-turbo) I was experiencing. I arbitrarily set it to 220Mhz BCK when I installed the board and without any testing that was stable enough to install Windows. I don't know if it is perfectly stable, or the board may even be able to go higher. I'll have some more info in the coming days.

[phill9800]

Looks like a beast of a system Avid :)

I'm back to the board with my Q6600 and 8800 Ultra at the moment. I'm not upgrading at all since I've hardly used the PC since my break up.. I think its for the best :)

[Comixion]

Dam I like your chair. Looks comfy. Buying me a new this weekend thats costing well over $100 :(

And where do you have the other 2 rear Z-5500 speakers mounted?
Anyways, nice setup. And nice dog.

[Avid6eek]

I'm not upgrading at all since I've hardly used the PC since my break up.. I think its for the best :)My last breakup did the same thing to me...in the end you'll come back to your PC roots...it's something you love too much! :)

Dam I like your chair. Looks comfy. Buying me a new this weekend thats costing well over $100 :(

And where do you have the other 2 rear Z-5500 speakers mounted?
Anyways, nice setup.The chair is new...got it on sale for $220. Not exactly an amount I want to spend, but a comfy chair that lasts for years is worth it.

The two rear speakers aren't mounted yet. They will be shortly. I'm just finishing getting the setup together.

[jdrom17]

Very nice setup :thumb:

Though the 2 fans there don't look very nice :p

[Avid6eek]

Very nice setup :thumb:

Though the 2 fans there don't look very nice :pWell...for the amount of heat that system would generate, I think I can deal with only two 92mm fans.

Clock speeds are showing some decent promise, but it is taking a while to figure out which voltages are causing my problems. I miss the good old days of CPU voltage, northbridge voltage, and memory voltage being the only thing you could adjust.

The fastest clocks I can run SuperPi at around around 4.7Ghz. 3DMark manages very well at around 4.62Ghz. If I had to choose a speed to run 24/7 with perfect stability, it would probably be around 4.5Ghz. The latest round of tests running now may show that I can actually run things a bit faster. Once I get a 100% stable 24/7 speed, I'll post benchmarks at those frequencies.

My load temps at 4.6Ghz are 60-70C depending on the task. For an i7 with 1.5v, that's not too bad.

[jdrom17]

Well...for the amount of heat that system would generate, I think I can deal with only two 92mm fans.

Pfft, should get a snazzy fullcover block for your motherboard :D

Do the fans even really do much?

[Comixion]

200+ for a dam chair?

Any-who, this is the one I'm getting....maybe. Going with light microfiber. Been using leather forever.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8306754&st=chair&type=product&id=1174091945036
Sorry for the http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/Comixion/emoticons/ThreadHijack.gif

[Avid6eek]

Pfft, should get a snazzy fullcover block for your motherboardMotherboard blocks don't do anything and given their high price, aren't worth it.

Do the fans even really do much?They cool the northbridge and mosfets surrounding the CPU socket.

My 24/7 speed with be just over 4.6Ghz

http://www.davidjturnbull.com/Pictures/4616.png

[jdrom17]

Motherboard blocks don't do anything and given their high price, aren't worth it.
But they look hawt ;)

They cool the northbridge and mosfets surrounding the CPU socket.
I figured as much, but they seem to have a fair bit of distance from them, so I was pondering how effective it really is.

My 24/7 speed with be just over 4.6Ghz
And well that's nothing to complain about :D

[BAM!]

i totally missed this thread until i spot it on Stats's front page.

i didn't read the whole thread, but has anyone asked the question, did you budget in your monthly water bill? if so how much is it for running this new setup. reason i ask is because in California, our water is very expensive and short supply in comparison to other states that have plenty.

so?

[jdrom17]

i totally missed this thread until i spot it on Stats's front page.

i didn't read the whole thread, but has anyone asked the question, did you budget in your monthly water bill? if so how much is it for running this new setup. reason i ask is because in California, our water is very expensive and short supply in comparison to other states that have plenty.

so?
If you read the full thread, you'd know that Avid doesn't pay for water.

[Avid6eek]

Here in New York, at least where I live, water isn't metered. The cost of water is covered in your property taxes.

I didn't noticed it was posted on the front page of the site. I'm at 4.61Ghz now...they listed 4Ghz. :p

[Devils00Champs]

Here in New York, at least where I live, water isn't metered. The cost of water is covered in your property taxes.

Lucky, down in NYC it is metered, so no constant water running for us. I like your set up, looks quite intriguing.

[AKHandyman]

Now I feel like the kid that missed the whole summer camp out ... :(

That's what I get for being too busy with my own stuff. I am jealous of your water set-up Avid. I like it and that the benchtop. Great set-up! That is what I have considered with mine as it does make it easier for hardware R & R.

Just a quick question Avid, are you still using the water? It's Jan 2010 and I was wondering what your incoming temps are for your water supply.

I have so far been out of the loop ... my, my, my ... :(

[phill9800]

I havent seen Avid posting for a little while but it looked a good setup, bit expensive but I'm sure it works!!
With testing my i7 today, my friend said it was idling at 7c!! :p It was amusing to say the least!! And that said, that was running at 4.6Ghz too....

[Avid6eek]

It's Jan 2010 and I was wondering what your incoming temps are for your water supply.Incoming water supply is currently at 53F. It's still very early in the winter season, so I'm sure temps will continue to decline.

I havent seen Avid posting for a little while but it looked a good setup, bit expensive but I'm sure it works!!The tubing and plumming fixtures are cheaper than a radiator and pump, so no, it isn't an expensive setup. The only drawbacks are condensation from June through September.

[phill9800]

I was meaning the useage of water is expensive!! :p

Condensation through June to September, how is that Avid?

[Avid6eek]

I was meaning the useage of water is expensive!! :p

Condensation through June to September, how is that Avid?The water temp rises to the upper 50's, but the dewpoint (temp at which water condenses) rises to to low 70's around here. Our summer weather is pretty humid.

[phill9800]

Ouch :( Why not use a rad?? I thought you had all this stuff already!!

What sort of temps do you manage to get with the direct water supply?

[AKHandyman]

The only drawbacks are condensation from June through September. Have you thought of wrapping the plastic tubing with a soft gauze or cloth? I wondered if condensation crept up in my set-up that was going to be my fix. However, we never get much humidity in Tok. It's more dry than wet during the summer.

[phill9800]

Have you guys considered using chillers or making something that would do the same?

[Avid6eek]

My CPU is idling around 21c at 4.6Ghz. An overclocked i7 and 4 GPU's puts a lot of heat into the water cooling loop. Even with 2 x 480mm rads, I wouldn't be able to get the water back down to ambient. Without the rads and pump the system uses less electricity, and doesn't have any fans making noise.

[Avid6eek]

Have you thought of wrapping the plastic tubing with a soft gauze or cloth? I wondered if condensation crept up in my set-up that was going to be my fix. However, we never get much humidity in Tok. It's more dry than wet during the summer.Water condensation on the tubbing isn't much of an issue...It condenses 10x faster on the copper waterblocks. I made it though this summer w/o having too many issues. On hot/humid days I just air condition the room to get the moisture out of the air.

Have you guys considered using chillers or making something that would do the same?Between electricity and noise, it's not worth it to use a chiller. I'd still have to deal with the same condensation issues.

[phill9800]

Wow.. With my friend using my hardware and setup today with the sheer cold weather we are having, at 4.6Ghz it was idling at 7c :p
I think its sometimes down to being clocked to high really, 4.6Ghz seems to be hard to get stable with everything on with normal ambient temps, I'm talking 20C ambient. Maybe with a lower ambient it would be easier to get, but even then with the extra volts, wear and tear, would you notice a 200Mhz drop?

I know my i7 manages 4.4Ghz with 1.3vcore (ish) but with water cooling, it wasnt very stable with 1.5vcore, yet it will manage 5Ghz+ under phase cooling with just 1.41vcore. I think with lower ambients, it'll be much easier, but my mates wife has the heating on :p Which never helps!!

[AKHandyman]

Very ingenious my friend. I had thought the same thing with my new construction. However, I suppose it's out of the question now. We have changed our floor plans and construction for the Computer Cabin is now on hold.

We may not even get anything done this year except for paying off bills and getting the existing house ready for sale ... :(

[phill9800]

Between electricity and noise, it's not worth it to use a chiller. I'd still have to deal with the same condensation issues.

Depends where you put it in the system. I did see some video's and pics of a guy that had built it in the system, but not with using a TEC cooler on the CPU but in the actual loop just before the rad, which I thought was great. Again limited by ambient temps tho..

[phill9800]

Very ingenious my friend. I had thought the same thing with my new construction. However, I suppose it's out of the question now. We have changed our floor plans and construction for the Computer Cabin is now on hold.

We may not even get anything done this year except for paying off bills and getting the existing house ready for sale ... :(

I'm sorry to hear this Jeff, I really hope things pick up soon for you mate :)
But I'll do my best to keep you wanting ;)

[AKHandyman]

As I know you will Phill. I have so much on the burner now, it really does seem impossible for me to spend any amount of time tinkering with my love of computers. But that's life here in Alaska. My father-in-law passed away last Saturday (1/02/2010). He had cancer and his last days were not so good. That took a lot out my wife and myself. In addition, I am still in the midst of remodeling our existing house so we can sell it next year and then finish our new construction. Whew ... :(

[phill9800]

Mate I'm always here for ya :)

Drop me an email anytime and we'll natter about things till the cow's come home if it helps :)
Besides, some of my new toys might help you think of some good things rather than bad :)

[Qbical]

very nice work avid and that case looks great.

[Avid6eek]

would you notice a 200Mhz drop?Not at all. After around 4.2-4.4Ghz, the i7 doesn't scale as well as it does coming up through the 3.X Ghz speeds. Unless you are looking at specific benchmark numbers, I think I'd be hard pressed to see a real difference between 3.6Ghz and 4.6Ghz.

[phill9800]

Well for me I think 4.4Ghz is going to be plenty :) I cant see the point in pushing for another 200Mhz for so much extra voltage, etc on it.. I just think it would be better to get a faster CPU or something if that was the case :) I hear the 950 is good as its 23x multi not a 21x or something, I dont see how that makes it worth 50% more in cost mind...

[Qbical]

As I know you will Phill. I have so much on the burner now, it really does seem impossible for me to spend any amount of time tinkering with my love of computers. But that's life here in Alaska. My father-in-law passed away last Saturday (1/02/2010). He had cancer and his last days were not so good. That took a lot out my wife and myself. In addition, I am still in the midst of remodeling our existing house so we can sell it next year and then finish our new construction. Whew ... :(

sorry to hear about your losses, i didnt even see this before.