My Surprising Flow Rate Results

At least to me they were.

It all started when I finally got around to add my bigNG/Sensorbus to my system listed in my signature. When I attached the DDC's RPM cable to the flow meter port of the Sensorbus, it showed much different flow rates depending upon the sample rate which made no sense.

This is better described in this thread:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=145816

I took Virtualrain's advice and performed a flow test on my own to see the real answer.

Here is my crude testing facility.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1181004136

For this rig:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1181004182


I watched the time on my watch for 2, 4, 6 and 8 liters to pass. I did this for five attempts and the results were very close each time.

Result was 6.5 liters/min. I adjusted the impulse rate within the bigNG software to show this flow rate.

Out of curiosity, I ran the same test with the pump only.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...1&d=1181004447


Results showed 12 liters/minute. This is about on par from what I see on the web. Just the Storm and EK 8800 FC Block eat up almost half the flow rate. Also, I am using 3/8 tubing as well and do not consider the PA120.2 a big pressure drop. However, I am pleased that there is still this much flow after with these two blocks. My D5 certainly did not perform this well.

More results continued on next post since I do not know how to post more than five pictures in a single post.

great tests! I love seeing stuff like this. those numbers are great two, and the cut is expected from the storm.

Sounds about right to me.

I did a similar test on a DDC pump when I first got mine. It flowed 12.5lpm without anything else. If you look on this blog article you will see what the impact on flow was with some other blocks that I tried the "bucket test" on... (near the bottom of the page)... http://virtualrain.blogspot.com/2006...ddc-ultra.html

My attempt at overclocking quickly showed me that the NB was way too hot. It was burn your fingers hot. I had always heard about this on the 6XX series motherboards, but I now know it is true. I had two MCW30's in my closet and knew that I would probably need something for the MOSFETS once I removed the NB/SB heatpipe assemblies.

Therefore, I bought two of the EK MOSFETs blocks. I was going to first put just the MCW30s on the NB and SB, but once I went through the hassle to completely remove the motherboard, I went ahead and added the MOSFET blocks.

MCW30s- For my motherboard, I went with the new hardmount option. Great idea and worked good. Only problem, as seen in another post, there is one capacitor in the way of each block's mounting hardware. Swiftech did a good job and also has a "raising kit" which I used. This all mounted to the motherboard very easily.

EK MOSFET Blocks - This was a difficult mount. I could quickly see that the mounting produced a cantilever moment that made the motherboard bend between the two screws. The MOSFETs in the middle of the block made no contact. The thick thermal pads made up some of the difference, but I was not thrilled by this. Also, is it that hard to provide pre-cut thermal pads like on the 8800GTX full cover block. Similar to my mounting of the 8800 Block, I really had to just barely tighten the screws to keep a huge bend out of the motherboard. It was till pretty bent, but not sure what else to do. Any looser and the block would shift. I am thinking about adding some nylon washers to the mount to limit the bending the next time I operate.

I had some Primoflex tubing laying around and used it since the tube turns were pretty tight. I did not have much time to work out the most optimal solution for the tubing routing.

I performed the flow test again as above, and I could not believe the results. I was expecting the additional four (4) blocks and tubing to really kill the flow even though they are low pressure drop blocks.

Flow went from 6.5 liters/minute (Storm/8800 FC Block only) to 6.0 liters/minute with everything! I re-ran the test numerous times and alwys got this result.

I already had the parts for a dual loop system purchased, but now I am not sure it is worth it since the flow rate is not that much worse. I also monitored my temperatures to see what happened. Basically in rough terms, my CPU and GPU temps only increased by 1-2C from the additional heat dump from the other chips and reduced flow rate. It is hard to get a consistent temperature from Everest since it fluctuates pretty wild.

That's it. Hope this helps someone. here are some pics of all the tubing mess with this many blocks.

WOW!! Thats xtreme right there!! sick! all those parts and that little flow drop has solidified my stance on getting some MCW30s. Excellent testing!!!

Are you using a backplate with your Storm? If not, then your motherboard would certainly bend under the mounting pressure of that block and I could see how that would keep you from getting a good mount on other nearby blocks.

BTW, exactly what tubing is that you are using? I like it's bend radius and anti-kink characteristics.

Nice work... good to know.

its 3/8 tubing virtualtrain, so its less likely to kink than 1/2

DAMN dude

i love your tubing bends there

what tubing is that :eek:

This is why I love Xtremesystems. Great to see people taking the initiative to provide us with insightful information like this!

where did you get the blue tubing

it bends like that cause its 3/8

Thanks for the kind words everyone. The blue tubing is Primoflex. It is a silicone tubing that is softer than Tygon 3603, my normal tubing until now. :p:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=20717

They have other colors like red and clear.

:@ I just bought 40ft of Tygon!!!! :banana::banana::banana::banana: sake...

this tubing is cheap as well and it doesn't kinc easily

wow not bad (coloured too haha)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snyxxx

Thanks for the kind words everyone. The blue tubing is Primoflex. It is a silicone tubing that is softer than Tygon 3603, my normal tubing until now. :p:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=20717

They have other colors like red and clear.

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Silicone tubing is amazingly nice; I had some from a begginer's cooling kit (Kingwin) and it left such a good impression on me that when I switched to larger tubing it seemed hell.

I never got around researching for silicone 3/8 tubing, so I'm glad you brought it up, thanks for the link Snyxxx :)

that is a crazy number of whaterblocks. Looks like it turned out ok though.

VERY nice tubing job!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MaxxxRacer

that is a crazy number of whaterblocks. Looks like it turned out ok though.

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yeah i reckon

maybe i should ask this guy to give me some tips on tubing in my project atm :D hehehe

http://i4memory.com/showthread.php?t=4090

Virtualrain,

I did not know there was a back plate for the storm. Good idea. When I mounted the MOSFET blocks, I thought the CPU block might be influencing the bending. I could actually see muli-direction bending in the CPU area. I took the storm off and the MOSFET block alone also induced some bending, but not as bad as with the storm.

What are people using for a back plate?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snyxxx

Virtualrain,

I did not know there was a back plate for the storm. Good idea. When I mounted the MOSFET blocks, I thought the CPU block might be influencing the bending. I could actually see muli-direction bending in the CPU area. I took the storm off and the MOSFET block alone also induced some bending, but not as bad as with the storm.

What are people using for a back plate?

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I've seen both of these kits being recommended as backplate kits for the LGA775 motherboards........

Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit (This is the complete kit....$6.95 + shipping.)

Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit (Same as above but is just the backplate and screws and springs....no top plate, which is probably what you really need for a cpu block anyway. $3.95 + shipping. Both in stock at Sidewinder Computers.)

Scythe "SCURK1" Universal Retention Kit (In stock at Petra's....$10.99 + shipping.)


Hope this helps and is accurate!

:)

I just picked up a couple of these - http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lgbowiscsp.html

Just wondering if anyone had some pics of a mounted water block with it. What hardware did you use to mount it?

C'DaleRider & dnottis,

Thanks for the links. I also saw some mention of this Thermaltake H-Plate back plate with some nice praise. Any advantage between the X pattern and the H pattern? The H-plate looks like it may be stiffer.



http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...8_1947_1532648

Hey Snyxxx, where did you get your bigNG/Sensorbus if you don't mind my asking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rogueagent6

Hey Snyxxx, where did you get your bigNG/Sensorbus if you don't mind my asking.

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www.performance-pcs.com carries the entire line:

BigNG
MiniNG (pump controller)
Sensorbus (temp/flow monitoring & hard shutdown)
Digital Expansion (digital temperature gauges)