Watercooling Digital PWM on DFI NF680i LT...

[virtualrain]

So, the temps on the Digital PWM temps are getting so high they are causing issues on the DFI NF680i LT... the stock passive heat-sink is not enough to tame the temps.

Here's a pic of the board if you are interested in seeing what I'm referring to...

http://www.iamxtreme.net/andre/DFI-680iLT/14.JPG

When I get my new rig fully stable, the plan is to have a dedicated loop for the CPU, and another loop for everything else (including the PWM).

No one currently makes a WB that will fit this exactly (about 50mm wide and 60mm hole-to-hole).

What I'm thinking of doing is buying one of these generic Alphacool mosfet coolers (65mm long) and then adding some mounting ears to each end. Since it's length exceeds the hole-to-hole distance of the stock cooler, I'll use the inboard mounting hole and the ATX retention hole near the edge of the board instead. :confused:

http://www.alphacool.de/images/product_images/info_images/12273_1.jpg

Link (http://www.alphacool.de/product_info.php/products_id/482/cPath/5_18_287/mosfet-coolers/mb-heattrap-regcooler-universal-g1-4:.html)


Any thoughts? Any alternate ideas?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

is it the copper sink on the board?

if so i would say you best bet is that mosfet cooler with a custom mount... but does thermalright have some coolers that would fit that?

edit: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=197&products_id=21655

like that? maybe a better solution IMO wcing that tiny component may not be the best option. possibly a tiny 40mm/60mm fan zipped to it?


http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51&products_id=3890

[virtualrain]

is it the copper sink on the board?

if so i would say you best bet is that mosfet cooler with a custom mount... but does thermalright have some coolers that would fit that?

edit: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=197&products_id=21655

like that? maybe a better solution IMO wcing that tiny component may not be the best option. possibly a tiny 40mm/60mm fan zipped to it?


http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51&products_id=3890

Yes... it's the copper HS in the pic. No fans allowed! :)

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

ok..... then I got nothin' ;)

[MrToad]

I haven't seen this board yet, is the encapsulation organic or ceramic?

If the encapsulation is ceramic w/c-ing them might not be a good idea.

If you use enough torque to keep the block steady, you risk crushing the ones on the outside while leaving the middle one with no contact whatsoever.

If you don't use enough torque the tubing will make it tip, making bad contact and risking chipping the edges.

The ceramic ones are very very brittle.

[virtualrain]

I haven't seen this board yet, is the encapsulation organic or ceramic?

If the encapsulation is ceramic w/c-ing them might not be a good idea.

If you use enough torque to keep the block steady, you risk crushing the ones on the outside while leaving the middle one with no contact whatsoever.

If you don't use enough torque the tubing will make it tip, making bad contact and risking chipping the edges.

The ceramic ones are very very brittle.

Thanks, next chance I get I'll take the HS off and have a look.

[MetalZone]

Like snipe dogg says, I'd suggest a Thermalright HR-09
if you really want to watercool, a seperate loop would be better like u mentioned...
just noticed, the NB has those hooks again? ugh. MCW30 is out.

[septim]

why is mcw30 out? is there a problem with it using hooks?

[Pete]

No problem using hooks at all. Get a DD block on there, they don't move. It looks perfect to use my Sliver RBX that i have made into a NB block on the NB there.

Non of these mosfet coolers for the GFX fit at all?

What about modding the current one into a water block?

Could box it up or soler and a bit of copper pipe on the top, side's and have it running water over the top of it

[MetalZone]

why is mcw30 out? is there a problem with it using hooks?

as pete says... the DD block does a much better job at hooks. the MCW30's hooks are too weak. the tubing torque severly effects the contact.

[ZoFo]

as pete says... the DD block does a much better job at hooks. the MCW30's hooks are too weak. the tubing torque severly effects the contact.

I have an Intel MB that uses hooks for both the Nbridge and Sbridge chipsets and the MCW30 will work on both. I used a DD Maze4 block on my Nbridge because it does have a better system for mounting with hooks but the MCW30 comes with two seperate spring bars for use on these hooks - the Nbridge fit fine but when mounting my MCW30 on my Sbridge the spring bars that came with it were to long - I thought I was going to have to glue it on the chipset then I tried the spring bar that held down the origional heat sink on this chipset and it worked great - just had to bend it a little since the MCW30 base is higher then the heatsink base.

[rbd89]

OT: Pete, how is the 7-loop project coming along?
ON: Where did you get that board, I have yet to see it for sale. Also I would agree with sniipedog that the hr-09 may be a better idea than wc-ing the mosfets, just seems like less of a hassel.

[p8ntslinger676]

there were some of them on newegg last i checked, and i would go with the thermalright hs btw.

[ranker]

Check the compatibility before you buy. I bought 2 sets from Petras and none will fit either of my mosfets for my EVGA 680i boards.

[erwinz]

mm.. maybe the thermalright HR09 can suppice.. :)

[virtualrain]

Hey thanks guys. I'm going to try the water block I mentioned in the OP, but apparently the mosfets are very fragile so I'll need to carefully shim it to avoid any damage from tube torque.

As for the NB, I've got one of these on order (originally intended for 975 boards). It comes with hook retainers. The eyelets may not line up exactly but if they are too far off, I can easily make a new mounting plate with eyelets in the right spot.

http://www.alphacool.de/images/product_images/popup_images/4010_0.jpg

I'm using their similar looking block on the SB.

I'm going to all this trouble so that all the blocks have a nice nickel finish to match the Apogee GTX.

[Pete]

[QUOTE=rbd89;2203720]OT: Pete, how is the 7-loop project coming along?[QUOTE]

Slow, just done a list of my case mods, gonna cost me £470 for mods on case alone!

I've also just gone back to work after 5 months off! Fact i just got in from being at work, exhuasted

[erwinz]

goodluck mate.. :) take pictures when you finish your setup.. :D

[Borgod]

My DFI 680i is on order and I'll be putting my QX6700 in it aswell.

After my PWM heatsink dramas with the Abit QuadGT, I am going to leave the standard heatsink alone.

However I plan to stick a Thermalright HR09 ontop of the T of the PWM Cooler with thermal tape and hope it sticks, if it doesnt ill put a bit of superglue on the corners.
Once the HR09 is firmly attached to the top of the copper PWM heatsink I'll mount a 70mm on it if it fits.

I know there is not a lot of surface area for the heat to be transferred to the HR09, but its better than nothing.

I'm water cooling the CPU aswell, so the fan should fit.

I'll have it done in a few days.

[doghouse]

Hmm, if quads become more common in the future a more practical solution has to be found, or newer quads with less draw will eliminate this problem. Either way Im subscribed.

[[XC] Kayin]

Thought about the MIPS stuff? I believe there's a block for that...

[virtualrain]

Kayin;2204648']Thought about the MIPS stuff? I believe there's a block for that...

Looked... didn't find anything... someone earlier in this thread said they are working on one though.

[Pete]

MIPS don't make it, they just sell it as there own. Half assed bloody Germans

http://www.sixdesign.de/ He makes it!

[ranker]

MIPS don't make it, they just sell it as there own. Half assed bloody Germans

http://www.sixdesign.de/ He makes it!

This is why I love traveling to Europe every summer. It amuses me to no end to see different countries bust each others chops... especially during Soccer matches. Good lord. The last cruise I was on, the Brits and the Italians almost killed each other on the main deck with a 30+ fight breaking out that ended up with 8 people being thrown into the pool.

/threadjack done.

[virtualrain]

New idea... given the delicate nature of the mosfets under the stock heatsink, I'm going to buy this small 35mm generic mosfet cooler instead...

http://www.alphacool.de/images/product_images/info_images/12333_1.jpg

Link (http://www.alphacool.de/product_info.php/products_id/526/cPath/5_18_287/mosfet-coolers/mb-heattrapregcooler-universal-short:.html)

I'll just cut the fins out of the middle of the stock cooler and either screw it from the ends through the remaining fins and/or use some Artic Silver adhesive to attach the waterblock to the base of the stock cooler. This way, the stock cooler retention mechanism is kept in tact and hopefully less risk of damage to the underlying components.

I'll have to find some paint to paint what's left of the stock heat sink so it matches the nickel finish of the water block as closely as possible.

Thoughts?

[Levish]

Could always have someone on here machine you up a block that has the facilities.

Then use screws + springs for mounting hardware that would come with most waterblocks and don't crank down on them.

[YugenM]

New idea... given the delicate nature of the mosfets under the stock heatsink, I'm going to buy this small 35mm generic mosfet cooler instead...

http://www.alphacool.de/images/product_images/info_images/12333_1.jpg

Link (http://www.alphacool.de/product_info.php/products_id/526/cPath/5_18_287/mosfet-coolers/mb-heattrapregcooler-universal-short:.html)

I'll just cut the fins out of the middle of the stock cooler and either screw it from the ends through the remaining fins and/or use some Artic Silver adhesive to attach the waterblock to the base of the stock cooler. This way, the stock cooler retention mechanism is kept in tact and hopefully less risk of damage to the underlying components.

I'll have to find some paint to paint what's left of the stock heat sink so it matches the nickel finish of the water block as closely as possible.

Thoughts?

the longer one you mentioned earlier is already on its way here :shrug:

[virtualrain]

the longer one you mentioned earlier is already on its way here :shrug:

Yeah, if I go with this, I'll order it with the other block I need directly from Alphacool. Don't worry... I hope that stuff we ordered is finally on its way!

[Borgod]

Any progress with getting some blocks from MIPS?

I'm thinking of contacting them (and sixdesign) to see how it will go

[Grinch]

as pete says... the DD block does a much better job at hooks. the MCW30's hooks are too weak. the tubing torque severly effects the contact.


which dd block?