Suggestions on a quiet pump

[nawk]

I am currently using the Koolance Exos II to watercool my Intel 980x.

I am making plans to add in a 480-radiator in hopes to reduce the temperature in additions to cooling my Asus R3E with BP-WBAIX58NSE3AC-CL and memory.

In my design, I will be using a hose splitter (exactly which one, that I've not decided) which will allow me to do a dual-parallel loop, one for my CPU and the other for my memory and motherboard blocks.

I am particularly concerned with pressure drops, especially with the rather weak PMP-300 pump on my Exos II.
*Note: I am only watercooling the aforementioned components and will NOT be watercooling my single graphics card.

If I find that I need to purchase additional water pump to drive this thing, the noise level and physical size are of major concerns to me.

Can someone recommend a good/quiet pump?

Thanks!

[Erklat]

MCP 35x probably. PWM controlled, small footprint, small heat dump. At least from physical size aspect I don't think you'll get any better.

[earthwormjim]

MCP 35x probably. PWM controlled, small footprint, small heat dump. At least from physical size aspect I don't think you'll get any better.

A D5 is quieter and has a more appealing sound than a DDC pump.

Whatever pump you buy, make sure it is not hard mounted to your case. You must decouple and isolate a pump if you want it to be silent.

[nawk]

A D5 is quieter and has a more appealing sound than a DDC pump.

Whatever pump you buy, make sure it is not hard mounted to your case. You must decouple and isolate a pump if you want it to be silent.

With these pumps, how would I adjust the speed?

And yes, modularity is definitely something I am looking for also.

[earthwormjim]

With these pumps, how would I adjust the speed?

And yes, modularity is definitely something I am looking for also.

The D5 vario has an adjustable knob on the back for speed adjustment.


If you want to control the pump speed through software, the MPC 35x is what you're looking for. If you intend to set the pump speed and never plan to change it once set, the D5 vario is what you want.

[nawk]

There are two places I am considering of putting this new pump:

a) purchase a reservoir base (such as the Koolance COV-RP400) and have it piggy-backed with my current reservoir:


or

b) mount it in the dual 3.5" bay area (Note: the 5.25" bay immediately above the 3.5" bay is and will remain vacant. So basically the footprint isn't too big of a problem given the pump is under 10 cm in height.)

As you can see, there is only one panel barb inlet which will be split into two using some hose splitters at which point I suspect there will be major pressure drop. I am thinking option b) can alleviate this by giving it a major pull from the inside of the case.

Two things I am not too inclined with option b): i) modularity (as earthwormjim suggested) ii) tubing managment

Please tell me what you guys think. Thanks!

[nawk]

The D5 vario has an adjustable knob on the back for speed adjustment.


If you want to control the pump speed through software, the MPC 35x is what you're looking for. If you intend to set the pump speed and never plan to change it once set, the D5 vario is what you want.

I am used to controlling the pump speed on my EXOS-II via the control panel/monitor/display. It would be cool if I could find a fan controller that also controls the pump speed as well.

[Erklat]

A D5 is quieter and has a more appealing sound than a DDC pump.

Whatever pump you buy, make sure it is not hard mounted to your case. You must decouple and isolate a pump if you want it to be silent.

That is correct, but at twice the size and considerable heat dump. Mine is seated on a piece of foam and I can't remember last time I heard it. Ambient noise and the noise of
other parts of the system have to be taken into account. Unless 5 inches from his ears and if properly mounted, most likely he won't hear any.

[earthwormjim]

I am used to controlling the pump speed on my EXOS-II via the control panel/monitor/display. It would be cool if I could find a fan controller that also controls the pump speed as well.

Then I would stick with a DDC series pump, the MCP-35x as Erklat suggested.

You'd need a 30watt minimum fan controller to control a D5.

DDC pumps only use 18watts; which most fan controllers can tolerate, and the MCP-35x can be controlled (key word is controlled, it's still powered by a molex connector) from one of the PWM headers on your motherboard (software).

[nawk]

DDC pumps only use 18watts; which most fan controllers can tolerate, and the MCP-35x can be controlled (key word is controlled, it's still powered by a molex connector) from one of the PWM headers on your motherboard (software).

(Before I get too excited) I currently own the NZXT SENTRY 2 and it says "With a minimum of at least 10 Watts per channel", so I am definitely interested in controlling the pump speed with 'a' fan controller. This begs the question, which fan controllers have you guys seen used to control the MP-35X or pumps with similar wattage requirement?

@Erklat: How are you controlling yours?

[m_jones_]

Just use PWM to control the pump.

[nawk]

Just use PWM to control the pump.

Does that require special software?

Again, I'd prefer using a fan controller (or the likes of) if possible.

[Erklat]

@Erklat: How are you controlling yours?

I'm not. I have MCP 350 equivalent which is not controllable. It has less head and is somewhat weaker than MCP 355 which is MCP 35x without controller,
but in turn I have not seen not one report of it making high pitch noises usually being a problem regarding PC acoustics.

[nawk]

I'm not. I have MCP 350 equivalent which is not controllable. It has less head and is somewhat weaker than MCP 355 which is MCP 35x without controller

Just to be sure, is a PWM pump what I should be looking for when I am after control via fan controller and software (or are the two separate/completely different?)?

The specification for my NZXT SENTRY 2 isn't too clear: "With a minimum of at least 10 Watts per channel"

18 watts is what I am after, and I don't know if I should try it first before getting one that is guaranteed to work, e.g., the FC Lamptron Touch.

[babalouj]

I own an MCP35X2 and have owned an MCP655 (vario). In my experiences, the MCP at 5 (max setting) is equivalent to 40% PWM on my MCP35X2 in terms of noise (I am using the foam mounting pads for isolation). There is definitely some kind of resonance between 40-70% PWM that makes the MCP35X2 louder than it should be because its actually quieter at 70+%. I am just guessing the regular MCP35X exhibits the same behavior.

[nawk]

Besides the Lamptron FC touch, what other controllers provides 30W per channel?

[ugotd8]

I'm using a Lamptron FC5 version 2

It's working flawlessly for me. It's controlling an MCP355, 3x AP15s, and two other 120mm 3pin fans.

[nawk]

Lamptron FC5 nor the other knob-based controllers an option for me since it will prevent me from closing the door in the front.



As far as single-bay touch screen fan controllers with high wattage support I guess FC Touch is my only option, unless there's something out there I don't know about; and it ain't cheap either.

[Conumdrum]

You really need to dump the EXOS. I almost bought one years ago, thankfully I found XS and other forums. The EXOS if new can have a good pump, but the fans and rad aren't very good. Poor temps and louder than real watercooling. Don't kid yourself. You dig deep folks that want better results make the EXOS into a doorstep. Expensive overpriced pretty thing.

I have the 35x. Great pump. Controlled auto from the bios. Can't be simpler. Simple is good right?

Your rig looks good, still not sure what you mean about parelleing flow, which in places like this are though to be pretty practically silly once you understand the science behind watercooling.

[nawk]

The EXOS-II was my first watercooling system I purchased back in '09, and the thing I most dislike about this thing is the pump because it is "louder than real watercooling". As far as performance, I can't compare because I have nothing to compare it to but I am sure it is on the weak side.

You really need to dump the EXOS.

Sure, I think I might take that advice. Although I am adamant about keeping the current look of the build, unless I can find a good external 360 rad system/enclosure of similar footprint. The EXOS looks and fits great with my case, in that everything lines up perfectly -- length and width.

What I can do is gut the EXOS and replace the internals with the goods.

[Conumdrum]

Actually, you buy a case made for WC and go internal. Or you make an external box. Or you buy a tech station. Like this.

Again, I almost went with the EXOS. I learned about lots of stuff, took a few months. I didn't pay silly money for half cooling ability.




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