Older System Cooling

[picasso71]

Hey guys, somewhat new to the forum, first time post.
First of here is my system specs: (built this rig 5 years ago, few updates along the way).

• 
  ■ Gigabyte GA-EX58-EXTREME mobo
  ■ Core I7 920 Socket 1366
  ■ Radeon 5870
  ■ 12 DDR3 tri channel - Patriot Sector 7 12GB PC12800 1600MHz
  ■ Samsung 840 SDD 250 Main Drive

My tower is a Thermaltake Armor+ w/Big Water LCS
It includes the liquid cooling system, which I use to cool my CPU and chipset. If anyone remembers, gigabyte included the waterblock on the mobo.

My problem is somewhat twofold. If I my cpu at all, the fluid seems to "evaporate" quickly, with mild overclocks (i normally used gigabytes overclocking software bundled with the board). By quickly, I mean about once a month, it would need approximately 100cc's top off, with VERY MILD overclocks. I currently just run stock speed. At any higher clocks the "evaporation/degradation" increased. I also wasn't of appropriate temperatures for the

I've been told my problem is that I need another radiator since I'm cooling both the motherboard and the cpu. If that is the problem, what would be a recommended radiator? Where would I fit it?

Is my LCS any good? Should I consider a whole new cooling solution?

Also, I use thermaltakes coolant, (its what came with the system). Over time it goes from its bright green to a brown-tinted green. Is this normal? Should I use different coolant?

 

[Luiz Gustavo]

if you overclock using software, so probably Vcore is on auto.
Every motherboard (even Gigabyte ones) subestimate the CPU overclocking ability, and raise the Vcore too much

to explain i have an Gbyte Mobo and an E7500 CPU, running the easytune and overclocking with that, i can reach only 3250 MHz (2930 MHz stock) as the Vcore jumps to 1.364V (1.285V stock), the system cant handle more volt and heat. Overclocking with the Bios i can reach 3663 MHz with 1.325V, but is lil unstable and hot, so i use 3500 MHz with 1.31V. running on air cooler i get pretty good temperatures


try to overclock in Bios, is smuch better the software

 

[picasso71]

I thank you for the input, but i am more concerned with my cooling setup and qestion therein than my overclocking methods at this point. I would like to address that issue first.

if you overclock using software, so probably Vcore is on auto.
Every motherboard (even Gigabyte ones) subestimate the CPU overclocking ability, and raise the Vcore too much

to explain i have an Gbyte Mobo and an E7500 CPU, running the easytune and overclocking with that, i can reach only 3250 MHz (2930 MHz stock) as the Vcore jumps to 1.364V (1.285V stock), the system cant handle more volt and heat. Overclocking with the Bios i can reach 3663 MHz with 1.325V, but is lil unstable and hot, so i use 3500 MHz with 1.31V. running on air cooler i get pretty good temperatures


try to overclock in Bios, is smuch better the software

 

[toolmaker_03]

I would say that yes the radiator is too small for your unit at a single 120mm radiator it would be fine for a non O/C CPU loop alone, but even that would be pushing the limits of the cooling abilities of that system. you could fit a 240mm radiator in the bottom or a 360mm off the back of the case. it is up to you but a larger radiator added to the loop would help a lot.

Or you could build a complete custom loop that in the long run will give you better performance.

 

[picasso71]

I would say that yes the radiator is too small for your unit at a single 120mm radiator it would be fine for a non O/C CPU loop alone, but even that would be pushing the limits of the cooling abilities of that system. you could fit a 240mm radiator in the bottom or a 360mm off the back of the case. it is up to you but a larger radiator added to the loop would help a lot.

Or you could build a complete custom loop that in the long run will give you better performance.

And what would a suitable custom setup cost (something that would last...but nothing over the top)?

Also, does anyone know if this Thermaltake Coolant is any good. As I said, it goes from the neon green to a almost brownish green over time.

Also, I've been out of the watercooling scene pretty much sense I built this rig. Any good brands to stick with? In particular i would probably start with just a bottom radiator, eventually moving to a whole new rig with water cooling some time down a long ways down the road.
Im currently also running 3/8 ID x 1/2 OD but would like to switch to the larger on the radiator (setting up for a piece by piece upgrade on water cooling). Do they make adapters to do this? Or would it just make more sense to stay with what I have currently

 

[toolmaker_03]

personally I have never liked the all in one systems, but yes you could simply add a second radiator to the current system and slowly replace the all in one hardware piece by piece I have 3/8ID 1/2OD tubing on my system now but plan to upgrade to 3/8ID 5/8OD tubing some day.

 

[picasso71]

personally I have never liked the all in one systems, but yes you could simply add a second radiator to the current system and slowly replace the all in one hardware piece by piece I have 3/8ID 1/2OD tubing on my system now but plan to upgrade to 3/8ID 5/8OD tubing some day.

So, again, am I able to use a radiator with larger fittings, (I would like to go 1/2x3/4 for flow rate) and find adapters to make it fit with 3/8x1/2? Or is it all or nothing?

 

[toolmaker_03]

with tubing, yes, I would replace all of it at one time for what ever size you are look at, with the fittings to match. As far as adapters to go from the tubing size that you have now, to a larger tubing size, yes, they make them.

 

[rubix_1011]

If you have to continually add water, you have a leak. This isn't an issue of your CPU boiling water off...water is just getting out of the loop...this is very bad.

Thermaltake liquid cooling is some of the worst out there.

 

[picasso71]

If you have to continually add water, you have a leak. This isn't an issue of your CPU boiling water off...water is just getting out of the loop...this is very bad.

Thermaltake liquid cooling is some of the worst out there.

Over the 4+ years I've had the system, I've continually checked for leaks, especially once I noticed disappearing fluid. There isn't a leak to be found, and I would imagine by now it would have shown some buildup somewhere or a finally a short or something.

I just flushed out the fluid today with regular car antifreeze (50/50 cheap stuff with just the glyco/water and "proprietary anti corrosive additives" in there) and am going to see how that goes.

So now I think I'm just going to look into adding a radiator. For ease I'll keep the hosing the same. Can anyone point me in the right direction for a solid radiator, or brands to stick with? There are so man out there and I don't begin to know where to start.

Ive been browsing frozencpu and swifttech.

I'm hoping to fit at least a 240mm in the bottom, and it may even squeeze larger in there, but Ill have to update after the 4th as to capabilities there