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View Full Version : which blocks are easy to upgrade to TEC units later one?


sandman
11-01-2003, 06:54 PM
I'm not going TEC right away, but I most likely will, so what blocks are easy to mount a TEC to.
water_cooler 20
11-01-2003, 07:34 PM
for the cpu u could go with a maze3-1 or 4-1 then just take the cold plate off and run it normaly for the GPU get the gpu maze 4-1 and do the same
antipop
11-02-2003, 01:28 AM
Originally posted by sandman
I'm not going TEC right away, but I most likely will, so what blocks are easy to mount a TEC to. Swiftech! It's the easiest to use with TEC's
\/icious
11-02-2003, 06:36 AM
i second the swifty blocks
mdzcpa
11-02-2003, 07:46 AM
Definitely Swiftech blocks. Swiftech sells pelt upgrade kits that are pretty much plug n play when the time comes.
sandman
11-02-2003, 08:47 AM
Alright then, MCW-500 here I come.
KnightElite
11-02-2003, 09:03 AM
Except, if you have an AMD, then do not get an MCW-5000, get an MCW462-UH, as the MCW5000 does not work for TECs on an AMD platform (mounts to socket rather than motherboard holes).
mdzcpa
11-02-2003, 09:16 AM
Good point Knight....glad you got back here quick to clear that up. I've been on Intel stuff the last few months and forgot about that.

I will say, though, if you are going AMD, don't be shy about the MCW462-UH vs the MCW5000. I actually prefer the MCW462-UH over the MCW5000 due to better die pressure that can be had using the 4 hole mounting system versus the socket mounting of the MCW5000 in AMD applications.
sandman
11-02-2003, 09:29 AM
hmmm....now that you say that, I might just go with the Maze 3.
mdzcpa
11-02-2003, 10:35 AM
Originally posted by sandman
hmmm....now that you say that, I might just go with the Maze 3.

Why do you say that?

I've been down the DD Maze 3 + Pelt path before, and there is no comparison to Swiftech in the "ease of use" category. Both will produce good results, but the Swiftech is much easier to use. The Swifty TEC upgrade kit includes the coldplate, 226w TEC, new moutning hardware (to compensate for the thickness of the block plus coldplate), and all the nice custom cut and fit neoprene.

Rigging the Maze 3 was a major pain in the ass comparatively.

As I said, I wouldn't shy away from the MCW462-UH at all. It can be mounted on both AMD four hole and P4 applications easily.

Just food for thought.
sandman
11-02-2003, 10:40 AM
hmm....how much harder was it to mount?

was it just because of all the different layers and how to condestation proof them?
mdzcpa
11-02-2003, 11:42 AM
2 issues:

First, I didn't like the "hold down" mechanism at all for AMD applications. Much like the Swifty MCW5000 non pelt block, the Maxe 3 + pelt attaches to the board via the socket A tabs.

You can see what I mean here:DD Maze3 Pelt Link (http://www.dangerden.com/mall/blocks/maze3.asp) .

As you can see by the pics, the block is attached by the socket A tabs....very bad if you want to get a lot of pressure between the coldpate and the CPU die. Tooo tight...and *snap* goes the socket tabs. Another problem is that the unit itself is a lot of weight to be supported by the socket A tabs when sitting upright in a case. This is the very reason that Swiftech does not even offer the MCW5000 in TEC form for AMD applications....it's just too heavy for the socket to support.

Second issue is the neoprene insulation. As you can tell by the DD pic, you have a lot of nooks and crannies around the DD coldplate to cover up. Compare that to the Swifty pic :

http://www.swiftnets.com/assets/images/products/mcw462/MCW462-UHT.jpg

Anyway, the bottom line is that I really don't like either the MCW5000 or the MAZE 3 or 4 for AMD applications due to the socket mounting. They went this way becuase the 4 holes have been disappaering from some AMD boards as they are no longer required. For AMD applications, if you have the four holes, the MCW462-UH IS the way to go.

If you go Intel, the MCW5000 +TEC is the best, IMOHO, becuse it is again hassle free.

Hope this helps.
sandman
11-02-2003, 12:25 PM
I though the maze 3 used the four mounting holes?

Because you can get atop with the four AMD mounting holes, but they also sell the socket adapter. Or that's how I understood it.

I could get the Maze3-1 for $35 though, and the swifttech costs quite a bit more.
KnightElite
11-02-2003, 01:52 PM
The maze 3 used to use the four mounting holes, I had one of the old ones that did (before I fried it). I agree with mdzcpa 100%, the MCW462-UHT is WAY easier to setup than a maze 3 solution. The pre-cut insulation makes things very easy.
Hardass
11-02-2003, 02:00 PM
I totally agree so swiftech! The easiest and best setup I ever used.
sandman
11-02-2003, 02:58 PM
Hmmm....I found the MCW462 for 49.99, but the pelt setup is another 30 on top of that.

I'm buying the Maze 3-1 off a guy on o/c forums, and it has the four AMD mounting holes, so would it still be really hard?
mdzcpa
11-02-2003, 03:06 PM
Well, you've heard the opinions from hands on users. It's up to you.
sandman
11-02-2003, 03:10 PM
Alright, point taken. Sorry for so many questions.

I think I'll go with the Maze 3, I need to save some money. Thanks.

I hope it isn't too bad once I get around to the pelts.
Jabo
11-03-2003, 03:20 AM
GIve us some feed back when you done :)
antipop
11-03-2003, 03:35 AM
If you go with the maze3 then choose one with a coppe top, I don't trust clear top with pelt
sandman
11-03-2003, 06:46 AM
Originally posted by antipop
If you go with the maze3 then choose one with a coppe top, I don't trust clear top with pelt

yep, that's what I did. Why don't you trust it with a pelt?
KnightElite
11-03-2003, 09:04 AM
Because of this:
http://homepage.usask.ca/~kdh349/compare3.jpg
antipop
11-03-2003, 10:43 AM
Originally posted by sandman
yep, that's what I did. Why don't you trust it with a pelt? I was about to tell you to ask KE but he replied before me
KE is not the only one to have had trouble with clear top (a lot of cracking and leakage due to too much pressure or temp difference, ...)
sandman
11-03-2003, 01:59 PM
Originally posted by antipop
I was about to tell you to ask KE but he replied before me
KE is not the only one to have had trouble with clear top (a lot of cracking and leakage due to too much pressure or temp difference, ...)

ouch, glad mine's copper top.

KE, I can't see the pic, or whatever is supposed to be there.
Nookie420
11-03-2003, 06:10 PM
if u wanna do a pelt setup go with Swiftech, they get better temps with peltiers anyway.
KnightElite
11-03-2003, 06:51 PM
Here it is, in attachment form.
sandman
11-03-2003, 07:52 PM
OMFG, would an 80watt pelt do this? The gpu block I was going to buy has a plexi top.

What made it get all brown? What block was that?
KnightElite
11-03-2003, 08:07 PM
That was a Maze 3-1, with acrylic top. It got all brown like that when I left the TEC on, and the fans off.... not good in the long run. That particular incident destroyed my vidcard (block fell on it, and it was hot enough to desolder some components), motherboard (water/melted plastic), block, and the TEC. So, use a relay....
sandman
11-04-2003, 01:42 PM
jesus I geuss so.....I'm gonna geuss that chip died?
KnightElite
11-04-2003, 03:41 PM
Actually, it worked. But then I took it to work to test in a different board, and it died in transit :/.
sandman
11-04-2003, 04:07 PM
that sucks.......but damn that pic amazes me.
sandman
11-14-2003, 01:59 PM
I got my maze 3-1 today, it's really nice, I'm waiting for my motherboard back from ABIT (god are they slow), and then I'll just need another psu, and a pelt.

But, until I get my psu and pelt, I'll just be using it like a regualr block.

This thing looks so cool.