Watersystem for Q6600B3 & 2x8800Ultras & Striker Extreme

[Akuma2000]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to watercooling. (also new to this forum)

Actually, I always told myself not to "watercool" my system.
But now I'm force to, because I want a higher overclock

This is my system right now:

MSI P6N Platinum
Q6600 B3 (currently @ 3.15Ghz, FSB 1400 MP, cooled by Zalman CNPS 9700)
4GB, 4 x 1GB Chaintech Apogee DDR2-800 (currently runs @ 3-3-3-9 700Mhz)
2x XFX 8800 Ultra XT (runs @ FSB 660 - Shader 1750 - MEM 1160)
2x 74GB Raptors in raid0
Coolermaster Real Power 850 Powersupply
Coolermaster Mystique 632S Case

Update Friday 16-11-2007:

New System Setup:
Asus Striker Extreme (have)
Q6600 G0 (have)
4GB, 2 x 2GB G.Skill PC8000 (ordered)
2x XFX 8800 Ultra XT (have)
2x 74GB Raptors in Raid0 (have)
Coolermaster Real Power 850 Powersupply (have)
Mountainmod Case U2-UFO Horizon with Duality Front (ordered)


I've read lot of forum topics, so I now know a little bit about watercooling


After few weeks "watercooling research", this is it:

Components I want to cool with water:
- Asus Striker Extreme (NB, SB, Mosfets)
- Q6600 G0 @ 3.6 or higher (I hope )
- 2x 8800 Ultra XT in SLI @ 700 - 1750 - 1200


Watercooling Setup:
- 2 Loops:
(1) Res -> Pump -> PA120.3 -> Cpu -> NB -> Mosfet1 -> Mosfet2 -> Res
(2) Res -> Pump -> PA120.3 - Gpu1 -> Gpu2 -> SB -> Res

1. 2x Thermochill PA120.3
1a. Thermochill with metal Barbs!!!
2. 2x Laing DCC2 or DCC-1RT/Plus (18W) "Petra Top"
3. 1x D-Tek Fuzion Universal
4. 2x EK-FC8800 GTX Block
5. 1x EK-Asus Striker Extreme Set (NB, SB, Mosfet1, Mosfet2)
6. 2x Swiftech MCRES-Micro
7. 2x Magicool Thermal Pad for Chipsets Cooling & Protection
8. 2x Backplate EK Mosfets for Asus Striker Extreme
9. 1x Backplate Socket 775 + washers
10. 1x Arctic Silver 5
11. 1x Arctic Ceramique
12. 15 Masterkleer 7/16" ID (5/8" OD) PVC Tubing or Tygan 3603
13. ?x Fittings
14. ?x Liquid Feser One - F1 - Cooling Fluid - UV CLEAR/UV BLUE 1ltr


Is this any good?

Thank you in advance for you suggestions!

[Leeghoofd]

If you want the best rads, thermochill is the only and most expensive way to go... but their rads are quite thick but oh so effective with low rpm fans...

I don't have SLI but I had one loop with the CPU and GPU : D-tek fuzion for the CPU and EK Delrin waterblock for the 8800GTX coupled with a DCC+ pump and EK 150 reservoir and the Thermochill PA120.3, tubing 8/10mm

Second loop with NB, SB and PWM's, one Alphacool 120.2 Extreme Flow and a DCC pro AGB pump ( reservoir is on top of the pump to gain space ) Tubing initially 6/8mm but changed it to 8/10mm

This setup worked very well with my quad up to 425FSB, though 450FSB to get to the magical 3.6Ghz ( 8 x 450 ) never quite worked with my board... Apparently there is another revision of the board with a soldered bios...

If you look on my link below my signature you can find several pictures of my hardware used ... good luck with the setup and only 1301 or 1303 bios work on this board with quads mate (don't even think of using 1305 !)

[Akuma2000]

Yeah, I will use BIOS 1303.
I've taken my time to read this topic:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=159457
Learned a lot there.

Also read your topic, nice job!!!

About the loops:
What is your reasoning for choosing 2 loops etc.?

What do you think about this:
2 loops:
Pump - rad - SB - VGA1 - VGA2 - Res
Pump - rad - CPU - Mosfets - NB - Res
In this way, the enormous heat from the CPU and VGA is distributed.

Or 1 loop:
Res - Pump - Rad1 - CPU - Mosfets - NB - Rad2 - SB - VGA1 - VGA2

[Leeghoofd]

Take into consideration that the NB gets extremely hot and the PWM's aren't really necesarry to cool (but hey do they look fab) so CPU and NB in one loop could be good then a rad to cool the fluid and then go for the 2 vidcards and if needed the SB...

Many also replaced the NB and SB with a Thermaltake Spirit which works very very good

[Akuma2000]

Take into consideration that the NB gets extremely hot and the PWM's aren't really necesarry to cool (but hey do they look fab) so CPU and NB in one loop could be good then a rad to cool the fluid and then go for the 2 vidcards and if needed the SB...

Many also replaced the NB and SB with a Thermaltake Spirit which works very very good

PWM's = Mosfets right?
If I remove the stock heatpipes/heatsinks for the NB & SB, then the Mosfets will have no cooling at all.
Won't that cause a problem?

Anyway, I'm going for the PWM's/Mosfets blocks anyway, not only for the cooling itself, but also because it looks very cool

Do you think 1 loop can handle the heat?
And if yes, which pump do you recommend?
Because I think the pump has to be very powerfull to pump around 2 rads and all those blocks!


ps. is the removal of the Asus Striker Extreme stock cooling difficult?

[disruptfam]

Waterkeg!!! Look For Member Newls1

[_Slim_Shady_]

The stock cooling comes off quite easily on the Striker. If you don't mind destroying the Asus heatpipe setup you can remove the copper plates and use them as backplates for your NB/SB and MOSFETS. The EK kit looks really good on the motherboard, but will cost you around $200. I have it on mine and really like it.

You may want to hold off and see how well Eddy's new CPU block performs. You could then go with an all EK setup. That's almost $500 just in waterblocks though!

I would go for two PA120.3 rads in a Mountain Mods case. At least find a case that has plenty of room. I crammed two loops into my Stacker 830, but I'm not happy with the results. There's hardly any room to work on things, and I dread taking it apart. Hopefully I can save people some cash by learning from my mistakes. Also, pony up for Thermochills from the beginning, but realize they take up a lot of room! Especially if you use the fan shrouds with them. []

As for how you setup your loops realize that using 1/2" tubing for the NB/SB/MOSFETS is going to be tough to do. I tried to lay mine out with 1/2" Black Tygon, and the end result looked like a bowl of spaghetti with all of the tubing. You have to sacrifice using more tubing because you can't get a very tight bend. I switched to 3/8" Black Tygon and was able to get a much cleaner look, and use a lot less tubing.

[Akuma2000]

A relieve to hear that the stock cooling comes of easy
I will think about the blackplate for the mosfets (I also saw you can buy those backplates).

For the MOBO I'm planning to buy this:
http://www.aquatuning.de/product_inf...Set-Acryl.html

As for the CPU block, can't wait, so I'll just go for a D-Tek.

About the space in my case:
I'm going to build all the watercoolstuff into another case.
So it'll be external.
Because my current case is waaayyy too small.
And making it external is also better for future (i.e. if I buy a whole new PC)
But I still haven't figured out how to build the "watercoolcase"...

Do you also got 2 loops or 1?
And do you think 1 loop can handle the heat, with a powerfull pump?

[_Slim_Shady_]

I have 2 loops. That would be a lot of stuff to put on one loop, and I'm not sure a PA120.3 could handle the heat load.

[IanY]

You may want to lose that Eheim. The pumps to consider are the Laing D5 (Swiftech MCP655) or the Laing DDC3.2/DDC-2/DDC Ultra with modified top. You would want to double up on your pumps in series for adequate head pressure, increased flow and redundancy. You do not want to skimp on pumps when you have such hardware to cool.

[Akuma2000]

Money isn't an issue.
I want to buy the best stuff for my setup, so I don't have to upgrade in future.

@ Slim_Shady, I wasn't planning using 1 rad, but 2 in the loop, with an Eheim 1250. (1200 l/h should do the trick or not?)

And then this loop:
Res - Pump - Rad1 - CPU - Mosfet1 - Mosfet2 - NB - Rad2 - SB - VGA1 - VGA2

What do you think about that?

[IanY]

Money isn't an issue.
I want to buy the best stuff for my setup, so I don't have to upgrade in future.

@ Slim_Shady, I wasn't planning using 1 rad, but 2 in the loop, with an Eheim 1250. (1200 l/h should do the trick or not?)

And then this loop:
Res - Pump - Rad1 - CPU - Mosfet1 - Mosfet2 - NB - Rad2 - SB - VGA1 - VGA2

What do you think about that?

If money is not an issue, you ought to do three loops:

(1) Res -> Pump -> Pump -> PA120.3 -> Cpu -> Res
(2) Res -> Pump -> Pump -> PA120.3 - Gpu -> Gpu -> Res
(3) Res -> Pump -> Rad -> NB -> SB -> Mosfets -> Res


You need to look at the 18W version of this pump. Place two in series for extra head pressure and superb flow.
http://www.petrastechshop.com/laddcwpeddto.html

That Eheim pump is a weakling that will not do.

Alternatively, this is another pump to consider:
http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcin12pu.html

If you really want the best, I would highly recommend the Iwaki RD-30
http://www.petrastechshop.com/iwrd24vdcinp.html
But you would need a 24V power supply.

[Waterlogged]

Money isn't an issue.
I want to buy the best stuff for my setup, so I don't have to upgrade in future.

@ Slim_Shady, I wasn't planning using 1 rad, but 2 in the loop, with an Eheim 1250. (1200 l/h should do the trick or not?)

And then this loop:
Res - Pump - Rad1 - CPU - Mosfet1 - Mosfet2 - NB - Rad2 - SB - VGA1 - VGA2

What do you think about that?

Not!

You want more head pressure than 2M. Both Laing pumps (DDC and D5) are smaller and more powerful than the 1250, and they run off 12V DC. Yes, it's true they lack the sheer LPH of the Eheim, but that isn't what''s important.

[Akuma2000]

Although money isn't an issue, I'd like to keep the cooling setup as simple as possible.
(I'm still very new to this and I also have to build everyting externally in a case)

But is 1 loop possible with another Pump than Eheim, if yes, which one (brand + model)?

If not possible, then I'm force to use 2 loops.
Which pumps do you then recommend?

I guess 3 loops is too much and too difficult for me to build.

[welshtom]

Hi mate,

I'd use 2 x DDc18w with some form of aftermarket top.

2 loops definatly for those parts,maybe 3.

[IanY]

You don't seem to want to listen. Welshtom owns a water cooling store. The others here are water cooling experts. We have already told you which pumps you need and how many you need. Its all up to you now.

[welshtom]

You don't seem to want to listen. Welshtom owns a water cooling store. The others here are water cooling experts. We have already told you which pumps you need and how many you need. Its all up to you now.

yep, i think your previous post sums up exactly whats needed

[Akuma2000]

Sorry IanY, I overlooked the Pump suggestions.
The amount of info and knowledge is too overwhelming

2 loops it is then!

Do you guys approve these 2 loops:
1) Pump - rad - CPU - NB - Mofset1 - Mosfet2 - Res
2) Pump - rad - SB - VGA1 - VGA2 - Res

@ welshtom
I've emailed you before, you can make an offer


Oh I forgot:
I do go to LAN-Parties now and then, so are there any "fittings" that can be "tapped off".
So I like my "External Water Cooling" system to be "movable".
When I unplug the tubes, do I have to empty all water the water in the system?
Or is there kind of "valve" which can close the tubes? (just like the Zalman Reserator XT technology)

[_Slim_Shady_]

Money isn't an issue.
I want to buy the best stuff for my setup, so I don't have to upgrade in future.

@ Slim_Shady, I wasn't planning using 1 rad, but 2 in the loop, with an Eheim 1250. (1200 l/h should do the trick or not?)

And then this loop:
Res - Pump - Rad1 - CPU - Mosfet1 - Mosfet2 - NB - Rad2 - SB - VGA1 - VGA2

What do you think about that?

I wouldn't use the Eheim then. Consider 2 DDC w/ Petra's top instead.

But consider this as well. It will be moot point to do the second loop since you will have all of the parts except for a second reservoir. You can try leaving them all in a single loop, and if that doesn't work just add a reservoir and split the loops up.

[Duh]

1-those laings are the best until they stop working as we ve seen more than once here huh??

2-there was some sorta trick with the RD 30 and the RD 20 alex said having to do with the heat the pump introduced to the cycle and the voltage the pump was used. Can some one remind me of that?

[IanY]

Optimum is at RD30 @ 18V or RD20 @ 24V. About the same pressure and flow. RD30 @ 24V is supposed to dump a level of heat that makes it inefficient.

[Akuma2000]

Slight change of plans

I don't want to waste my time, building my own external watercooling system.

Instead, I'm going to spend my time working and earning more money to buy this:
http://www.mountainmods.com/u2ufo-bl...inal-p-77.html

or this one:
http://www.mountainmods.com/u2ufo-ho...els-p-361.html



I wonder though, how should I setup the watercooling in this case :S

[mjassbong]

I have the same Asus Striker setup, with 3 loops. See my sig below. A few others have similar setups. Search this forum. No doubt you'll have alot of fun setting it all up.

[Akuma2000]

Wow Nice man!!!

I'm going to use 3 loops too, since have the space with the MM case.

I wonder which loop I should do with the MM case.
The MM case offers this:
1 x 120.3
1 x 120.2
1 x 120.1

[Leeghoofd]

Damn that looks so nice but seems like a to work in... I needed more interior space as I tend to swap hardware regularly...

By the way I redid my Loop on the P5K Zeus style