PA120.2 upgrade... suggestions...

[dnottis]

I'm cooling a Q6600 G0 3.825 @ 1.44v. Idle is low, load is about 64, 64, 60, 60 in Realtemp after 11 hours. Also have a MP-01 on an overclocked HD4870 (850 core) 33-39c.

I've been using a PA120.2 but feel the need for some more surface area with the hopes of keeping things cooler. What is the consensus on the PA120.3 vs the PA 120.2 ... do you guys think the temps will be lower, or just faster back to low temps once idle? The fans I'm using are on a fan controller - running 50CFM most the time, 100% is 90CFM but they are too loud so I keep them just under annoying.

I have the bottom of a v2000 to work with so I could go with a MCR320 or even a 480 rad. The PA120.3 is the king though which is why I figured I'd just move from a PA120.2 to the PA120.3 but I want your opinions on if it's really even needed.

Let me know...

[twwen2]

You are probably stressing the 120.2 with both the quadcore and the OC'ed 4870, so IMO you will definately see a decrease in load temps by moving to a 120.3.

The other option would be to have two rads down there, but i'm not exactly sure of the layout options in your particular case.

[sirheck]

Hmm.
I am thinking of taking my pa120.3 out and putting my st220 in.
I can fit my st220 inside my case (CM690) but not the pa120.3.

I run a Q66 and sinlge 88gtx plus the NB all in the loop.

I ran both the st220 and pa120.3 on my AMD 5000+ and 88gtx
and seen zero difference in cooling.

This Q66 puts out more heat than the dualie AMD 5000 of
course.

But i am going to do this for the up coming fall/winter and
route an intake from outside to the radiator and an exhaust
back out my window.

IDK, i will post pics of all this shistuff as the cooler weather
approaches.

I did this last year on air cooling and got to single digits
at idle and mid-teens under load.

[dnottis]

You are probably stressing the 120.2 with both the quadcore and the OC'ed 4870, so IMO you will definately see a decrease in load temps by moving to a 120.3.

The other option would be to have two rads down there, but i'm not exactly sure of the layout options in your particular case.

I have to pull the PSU bracket out still...

http://3dxtreme.net/other/ontap/New%20Loop%20II/V2000%20Redone/Complete/IMG_4736.JPG

[twwen2]

Hmm. I'd put a 120.3 down below, then if you need more an MCR220 in the roof like disrupt did.

[Xphobe]

I have noticed something with your rig, do you have the side panel on during this testing? From what it looks like to me, is you have no exhaust fans for the lower section of your case, in which your rad fans not only have to pull the air in, but they also have to try pushing all the air out as well.....
Just for curiosity, why dont you try installing an exhaust fan on the bottom section just to see if it helps.

[nikhsub1]

More rad will definitely help. How much is anyone's guess though. The most helpful thing would be your water/air deltaT. Do you happen to know what that is?

[dnottis]

I have noticed something with your rig, do you have the side panel on during this testing? From what it looks like to me, is you have no exhaust fans for the lower section of your case, in which your rad fans not only have to pull the air in, but they also have to try pushing all the air out as well.....
Just for curiosity, why dont you try installing an exhaust fan on the bottom section just to see if it helps.

I push the hot air out the bottom, found this to work better than pulling off the rad with an exhaust. The air coming off the rad while priming gets pretty warm. When I used a pull it just brought all that hot air into the case. I have the 5.25" 120MM drive bay up top with intake and have 2x120s velcrod in to push the air out the back of the upper chamber, they arent in the picture.

This is an older pic, but you get the idea..

http://3dxtreme.net/other/ontap/New%20Loop%20II/IMG_4500.jpg

[dnottis]

what about something like this -

XSPC RS360 BLACK - High Performance Copper Fin Radiator

http://jab-tech.com/XSPC-RS360-BLACK-High-Performance-Copper-Fin-Radiator-pr-4204.html

Martin did a review, performed well. Worth it over my PA120.2 - or should I just go PA120.3?

[Bail_w]

whats the vid on your q6600?

[leo_bsb]

Just buy a MCR320 and install it on the bottom.
Now take the PA120.2 and place in on top.
Run both rads in the same loop and you will have enough colling power. You can even add another GPU or NB in that loop.:up:

[dnottis]

Alright, I've ordered the PA120.3. I cant use both rads because the PA120.2 is being sold to partially fund the PA120.3. I dont feel I need 2 rads with a PA120.3, single CPU and GPU.

Thanks for the advice, I'll post some pics after the rebuild.

[Lloyd]

If u have the room i would go witha Feser 120.4 or the 120.3 version

[dnottis]

If u have the room i would go witha Feser 120.4 or the 120.3 version

Already ordered the PA120.3, Feser 120.3 is a knockoff and more expensive - http://www.dangerden.com/store/product.php?productid=337&cat=99&page=1

[dnottis]

whats the vid on your q6600?

1.2375

[dnottis]

Here are some pics as promised - still have some wiring work since ripping everything out yesterday. Had to drill the rivets on the PSU bracket and dremel out a hole for the third fan. Its still bleeding air out and I'm topping it off frequently so I haven't pushed it yet.

Since I was breaking it down I put a pro mount on the Fuzion and picked up and installed a 640GB WD WD6400AAKS.

http://3dxtreme.net/other/ontap/Blue%20H20/IMG_0788%20%5b1024x768%5d.JPG

http://3dxtreme.net/other/ontap/Blue%20H20/IMG_0787%20%5b1024x768%5d.JPG

[Conumdrum]

One thing I see is the bottom of the case where the rad is located. Those holes/grills really block air flow a lot. Cut em out and put something else there to protect the rad.

[BlueAqua]

I think you have your inlet and outlet backwards on your Fuzion. It should be going into the center barb and out the side barb.

I like your pump placement, just gave me a great idea for my V2000 build.

[dnottis]

One thing I see is the bottom of the case where the rad is located. Those holes/grills really block air flow a lot. Cut em out and put something else there to protect the rad.

They are cut out under the rad.

[dnottis]

Here is another pic of the case.

http://3dxtreme.net/other/ontap/Blue%20H20/IMG_0795.jpg

[dnottis]

I think you have your inlet and outlet backwards on your Fuzion. It should be going into the center barb and out the side barb.

I like your pump placement, just gave me a great idea for my V2000 build.

yea, I fixed it :)

[CodeNinja]

So how are the temps, now?

[Bobly]

When I first considered placing the rad infront of the PSU some people mentioned the increased air temps coming out of the rad wouldn't be ideal to blow straight into the PSU, I don't really have a solution but just thought I'd point that out :)

[BlueAqua]

When I first considered placing the rad infront of the PSU some people mentioned the increased air temps coming out of the rad wouldn't be ideal to blow straight into the PSU, I don't really have a solution but just thought I'd point that out :)

The way his fans are positioned on the radiator it blows the air in the chassis down through the radiator and out the bottom. So that shouldn't be an issue. Plus a psu can get warm and still function fine, it's not like it's going to get that hot down there.

[dnottis]

Yup and I've got the third fan pulling and exhausting through the PSU. I figured changing the airflow across the rad could help with temps.

Honestly, after switching the tubing and correcting it the temps are exactly the same. Using the outlet as the inlet made no difference in temps at all :)

[BlueAqua]

Yup and I've got the third fan pulling and exhausting through the PSU. I figured changing the airflow across the rad could help with temps.

Honestly, after switching the tubing and correcting it the temps are exactly the same. Using the outlet as the inlet made no difference in temps at all :)

The difference is small, but in theory should help a bit. I think you should really position all 3 fans in the same direction. The one directed upwards will take some of the air that supposed to go down the middle and therefore reducing the overall flow through the radiator. Just a thought, it may not even affect it, but I think it would be a thing to try.

[Waterlogged]

Hmm, judging from the last pic in post #16, it looks like the rad isn't sitting flat on the bottom of the case. This combined with 2 fans pushing out, one fan pulling in leads me to think that maybe some of the air is not making it out of the case from the other 2 before being recycled through the rad. There is also no gasket on the rad between the fans which allows precious air flow to escape between the fans. I would fix these deficiencies and check your temps again.

[dnottis]

Hmm, judging from the last pic in post #16, it looks like the rad isn't sitting flat on the bottom of the case. This combined with 2 fans pushing out, one fan pulling in leads me to think that maybe some of the air is not making it out of the case from the other 2 before being recycled through the rad. There is also no gasket on the rad between the fans which allows precious air flow to escape between the fans. I would fix these deficiencies and check your temps again.

Its sitting on the bottom, I have tried playing with the other fan and had them all pointing down. No difference in temps. The gasket is a pos, like my PA120.2 it was just in the way and was hitting the blades so I removed it with my PA120.2.