radiators

[clownbaby]

I'm thinking of upgrading to a water cooling system, and going over what parts to use. What is better, one of the radiators sold for watercooling, or a good ole copper heater core? I would bet a proper sized heater core with a few fans on it would probibly outshine the aftermarket radiators, but that's just a guess. I don't have any experience. I'd appreciate any input from someone who's messed with this before.

Also, are there any good water pumps to be had at the local hardware store, or perhaps an aquarium store. It doesn't seem right to buy all this crap from a watercooling reseller. Seems I could build this for much less by picking up the parts separately. Is there anything wrong with using good old durable black rubber hose? I've read a ton of how-tos and haven't found any really good DIY oriented people.

 

[sportsfanboy]

I was thinking about using a radiator from a 2 stoke dirtbike but got lazy.

I think as long as the hose your using can handle high heat than you should be fine.

I also think building a custom water setup can be cheaper with better cool potential.

 

[Houndsteeth]

Heater cores are the tried-and-true DIY watercooling radiators. Just be aware that unless you buy a heater core that already has a custom shroud you can purchase as well, you might end up having to design a means to secure the heater core inside your case. You would also be well served setting up the heater core with fan shrouds and using fans set up in a push/pull config. Also, you will have to do some custom soldering work if the inlet/outlet of the heater core is a size larger than your tubing. Heater cores do a very good job, but a lot of your custom-built double pass watercooling radiators are light years ahead of them with regards to cooling efficiency, not to mention that they are already sized appropriately for DC computer case fans (both 80mm and 120mm).

As far as using an industrial pump, you certainly can. Just be aware that not all pumps are made the same. I can assure you that the majority of the purpose-built watercooling pumps have at least a mean time between failure (MTBF) of no less than 50,000 hours, but I cannot promise the same of the various aquarium, pond or sump pumps out there. Also, be sure you don't buy too much or too little flow rate. Too much or too little flow will affect your ability to cool effectively. As is the same with the heater core, you might have to do some custom work to match your tubing size. If there was any component I would recommend buying custom-built, it would most certainly be the pump.

As far as using "good old durable black rubber hose", I recommend against it. Clear PVC tubing isn't very expensive, and the benefit of being able to observe the fluid flowing in your loop far outweighs any savings you might get from using black rubber tubing. On top of that, rubber does break down in some fluid environments. So, I recommend you buy 7/16" ID clear PVC tubing (Tygon still makes the best stuff), use 1/2" barbs and fittings, and call it a good day.

Also, use distilled water and not tap water. If you can get triple distilled, that's even better. There are several aftermarket dielectric additives you can use in your fluid, but at the very least, use Water Wetter and some alcohol to ensure that you can retard any biotic growth in your loop (or plan on changing your fluid at least every three months). I personally use Fluid XP (not cheap), as it is non-toxic and in 18 months of use I have yet to do anything to the fluid in my cooling loop other than refill for osmotic fluid loss from the PVC tubing.

 

[clownbaby]

thanks for the info houndsteeth. I suppose I'll go with a purpose built radiator. I'll probably get one sized for 2x12cm fans. Do you recommend a push-pull config for this as well?

I'm looking to dissipate a lot of heat. I've got a q6600 that I'm pretty sure will run 4.0ghz, but @ 1.6v. I'm guessing that's well north of 200watts to dissipate. I'd also like to leave room for expansion. I'm going to upgrade from an 8800gt to something better when prices settle down, and would like to loop in a vga block as well. I guess what I'm asking is, is a single radiator enough, or should I plan for dual rads?

thanks again
matt

 

[rubix_1011]

I have a q6600 on water at 4.0. I am running a 2x120 rad and a oil cooler from Summit racing that is 1/2 ID size, all copper. I am running DangerDen 12v pump, DD TDX CPU block, DD NB block, Swifteck MCW60 GPU and 2 custom made reservoirs.

VID 1.2250
CPU 1.375v
8x500 FSB
RAM 2.0v
5-5-5-15 DDR2-1066

Go for at least a triple rad or a 2x120 and a second 1x120 or even a quad like this http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5...l_XTREME_Quad_480_Radiator.html?tl=g30c95s667.

Good fans will get you far...

 

[clownbaby]

holy crap, 4.0ghz@ 1.375v, that's awesome. I guess dual rads is the only way to go. My q6600 is gonna be pumpin out a lot more heat than yours.

thanks

 

[rubix_1011]

I got lucky and got a pretty good VID. Most of the ones out now are higher, it seems. Dual rads would be ideal (2x120 and a 1x120 or even 2- 2x120's) or a single triple...even that quad rad I posted above, if you don't mind mounting to the side of your case. They make a 9x120 similar to that quad rad...little outrageous if you ask me...