Help me pick out a new Liquid Cooling system

[dcdave78]

I currently have a i7 920 running at 4.2 GHZ and a Freezone elite. Can you recommend me something that would improve my current cooling I have a coolmaster 922 case. Thinking of a triple rad set up. Thoughts?

[Drdeath]

Heatkiller 3.0
Apogee Xt
or EK Supreme

for Waterblock


Thermalchill PA 120.3 Rad

Liang MCP655 Pump

[Skyguy]

You could be adventurous and run the Elite through a triple rad. They won't "cancel out" each other, but what will happen is the triple rad will lower the load temperatures and the TECs on the Elite will help the temps recover (lower) much faster.

I've done it. Quite cool really, pardon the pun.

[Deton]

Before I give you my two cents and before you start doing the mod like Skyguy mentioned;

What is your best coolant temperature now?

What is your budget?

Can you 922 fit a triple rad internally or at least external?

[dcdave78]

This is a intriguing idea. I would love to do it but I would be scared ripping apart a factory sealed unit.Is it hard??? What parts would I need?? Ever since I had a leak in my system once (believe it or not only killed the motherboard ) I have been alittle scared or maybe I should say I have a new found respect for watercooling. Hence probably the reason I went with the Freezone elite in the first place. It's too bad some forum members don't live close to assist me with something like this beacuse I would love to try this.

2nd question if I went with a mod like this would it be good to also add a resivor to the loop?

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[dcdave78]

Hi Deton! Nice to hear from you again. I was hoping to get your advice : ) I don't know if you remember but you helped me get my overclock stable with the great guide you started. Thanks again.

My temperature in my house is always 20-21. Please note the TEC power and fan power are 100 percent.

Current idle temps are 36C on the CPU
Coolant 24.5 C

Load 85C-94C are common
Coolant 38C-40C


Under full load the temps can get quite high. I have 1.35 on the CPU voltage and this can overpower the Elite quickly. I think looking at my case again a triple rad wouldn't work but I think 2 double rads would easily fit in my case. Mount 1 to the side panel internally and mount one internally to the top of the case. I know this would be extreme and overkill but what would you recommend if that was the way I went?

Thanks again Deton for you time and help with this.

Dave

[dcdave78]

Sorry budget I would like to keep it under 400 but with 2 twin rad's it may not be possible. I would like to get it right more than anything. These load temps are too high and need to be addressed.

[Skyguy]

I just noticed you're a Guelph guy?!! LOL, I went to the U of Goo. Good times. Still lecture and teach there part-time actually. Small world, eh?

[Drdeath]

Sorry budget I would like to keep it under 400 but with 2 twin rad's it may not be possible. I would like to get it right more than anything. These load temps are too high and need to be addressed.

You do not need 2 rads. I run the 930 w/ 5870. Idle 40 and load 75 w/ 1.375 v. At 1.44v, I load temp at 85. A trip 120mm will be perfect. I ran 2 x 4890' s with the 930 with same temps.

[Deton]

1) The Elite can't handle overclocked i7 beyond 3.8Ghz with HT on.

2) As you can see the TEC running at 100% and the average coolant delta temperature is 20°C (load) to ambient, this double if you compare to traditional water cooling.

3) It's good that you have $400 budget, either way you can go full traditional H20 setup or mod the Elite like Skyguy suggested. By adding the radiator after the CPU and before the Elite, it will help dissipate the heat off coolant, it brings the coolant temperature down to around 5°C delta to ambient. I'm talking about load temp here.

The advantage of this mod is the TEC won't have to run at 100% at all time, you will have a little peace and quiet from the fan.

The other cons and consideration is flow restriction after you add on the radiator and a reservoir. The Elite's pump is a slow flow pump, it's work best for TEC waterchilled system but high flow pump is a must for conventional water cooling system. Basicly they work against each other; if the coolant flow too high then it doesn't have enough time to chill and if the flow is too low then it's not enough turbulence in the radiator for it to dissipate the heat.

Therefore, you need to fiddle with the pump or replace it with another pump, perhaps the MCR350 but I would go with the MCP655 becuase it has adjustable speed so you can control the flow rate.

With this kind of mod would cost you around $150-$180; pump is $80-$100 and rad is $50. This is all depend where you shop, order from PerformancePCS or FrozonCPU or NCIX?

4) IMO, no matter what you do it will cost you at least $100 for the modification then you might just go with full conventional water cooling. Because you can get the XSPC Rasa kits from $139 to $150. However, you still can do hand pick the part build if you like with your budget.

[dcdave78]

Nice you still live in the Guelph area then I take it?

[Deton]

Nice you still live in the Guelph area then I take it?

He's not.

[Skyguy]

GTA now. I do miss my old stompin grounds down in Wellington County though LOL.

[dcdave78]

So Deton 1 120mm dual rad system can deliever 700watts of heating dissipation right? My current cooler can dissipate 250 Watts so is it worth it getting two twin rads 1400 Watts of cooling or is there a point where the block simply won't be able to carry away as much heat as the rest of the cooling set up is capable of? Is there anybody on the forum that has a set up similar to what I am talking about?

Sorry about all the questions.

[dcdave78]

Thinking of getting the XSPC Rasa kits with the a extra XSPC RX240 Dual 120mm Radiator
I'm sure this is overkill but will leave room to expand later if needed.

[Skyguy]

No worries, we're happy to help!

I have the Rasa kit with a 360mm rad on my gaming rig. I'm quite pleased with it, excellent price for what you get.