Water cooling the Asus Maximus SE X38

[Exahertz]

bad news dead ati 2900 xt video card

will have to rma.

Man that sux.
why are so many people blowing their vid cards???
how'd it happen?

[Talonman]

I've got some money saved up (my stuff sold on Ebay ), and im ordering my blocks tonight!

[update]
blocks are on order

This thread is awsome, thanks Talonman for starting this up. for the longest time i thought i would have to get MIPs blocks to cool my maximus. and who has the money for those?

Thanks!

I hope we both have excellent installs too...

[Darkatom]

Anyone have any insight as to wether the scythe slip stream fans work well on rads ?

[Pete]

OH GFX card was defo dead! Got a new one today to replace it via a tiny amount of fraud..... :-)











Yes the vodka and qualitystreet went down well with the anyoance at the dead GFX, mind i did use the pc for a bit then got mad at it!

Stripping the loop as we speak!

[Talonman]

I hope this card does a bit better for you.

[Pete]

I hope this card does a bit better for you.

I aint fitted the block yet. I just been given a nice offer for the whole rig and im thinking of selling it and getting soemthing next year maybe, kinda fedup of it all now

[Exahertz]

How much? id like to know about what i could get for mine.

[-.-PhanTom-.-]

Hey all

I am contemplating buying this motherboard and I am wondering:
Why are people buying this board with "built-in" watercooling on the northbridge, only to replace this cooling solution?
Why not just buy the "regular"/non-SE version and mount another watercooling solution on the northbridge?
Isn't the one installed ok? (if removed, proper TIM applied and remounted )etc...

[Talonman]

When I did my Maximus SE pre-order, the non water cooled version was not yet released.

As far as the stock cooling goes, some were finding a remount alone with a different TIM, could drop their temps by as much as 10C.

If you were buy an aftermarket NB block, you would see another 10C or more drop in NB temp under load.

As to if the stock cooling is 'good enouigh', it is really up to you and if you plan to OC the CPU much I think...

Our latest data on the Maximus SE stock cooling:

Reported stock ROG cooling temps so far:
ROG Member ----- NB volts -- NB Loaded --------------- CPU ------------------
Renegade5399 ---- 1.65v ------ 34°C ------------ Intel Core2Duo E6850 G0 @ 4GHz
bill d ------------- 1.30v ------ 34°C ----------------------------- Q6600 Stock
TheSamuri -------- 1.54v ------ 34°C ------------------------ Q6600 GO @ 3.9GHz (Reseated W/MX-2, was 48°C)
ragge86 ---------- 1.65v ------ 36°C ---------------------------- Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
NysoO ------------ 1.60v ------ 39°C ------------------------ Q6600 GO @ 3.6GHz
BulldogPO -------- 1.65v ------ 40°C -24/7 QMC crunching clocks - Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
DerekFSE ---- Green setting --- 40°C -------- Running Orthos ----- e6400 @ 3.6GHz
giorgos th. ------- 1.47v ------ 41°C --------------------------- Q6600 @ 3.60GHz
Aldy402 ---------- 1.63v ------ 43°C ----------------------- Q6600 G0 @ 3.825GHz (Was 62-65°C loaded on air)
weescott --------- 1.74v ------ 43°C --------(Q9550 444x8.5) 1.49v 62c under load
j0nnyr0773n ------ 1.54v ------ 44°C ------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.6GHz
Clump ------------ 1.62v ------ 46°C (After 1HR or Prime 95) ----- Q6600 @ 3.6GHz
raju -------------- 1.65v ------ 49°C (Prime95 Torture Temp) ----- Q6600 @ 3.6GHz
Note: After Raju remounted, max temp went down to 39°C
Note: NB temps over 47°C are prone to failures during longer Prime torture test runs.

Reported temps using aftermarket blocks for contrast:
Aftermarket Block Member --- NB volts -- NB Loaded ----------- CPU -----------
Nikhsub1 ---------------------- 1.52v ------- 25°C ------------- Q6600 @ 3.7GHz (NB Loaded was 41°C-52°C before mod)



To me, the info that NB temps over 47°C are prone to failures during longer Prime torture test runs is the thing to keep in mind.

I decided to give my NB more 'thermal play room', before I would hit that temp by going with an aftermarket block. If you aren't planning on much overclocking, or are already having good temps I wouldn't think it is a must...

But then again, this is the Xtreme Forum, so some of us might be prone to wander a wee bit into the overkill zone!

[-.-PhanTom-.-]

Talonman:
Thanks a lot for your answer. Clears up a few thoughts I've had
So basically it would be remount stock blocks with better TIM and hope that temps stay below 45-ish.
Or invest in "Third party" blocks ("expenssive" and get the guarenteed headroom for extreme overclocking. With this solution, I would need blocks for both NB and SB at least....even mosfets blocks are kinda expenssive...hmmmm

I kinda liked the stock solution since I've scratched a NB chip due to bad mounting mechanism on a NB block on my first DFI Expert.
Also had a bad experience with a NB block with plexiglass top that fired my mobo because of the plexiglass cracking

I do plan to take which ever CPU I end up buying (Q6000 G0 or wait for 45mm cpus?) as far as I can, but had really hoped to avoid investing in chipset blocks.

Seems silly to pay for the stock blocks just to throw them away.
Does the non SE board differ from the SE ver in any other way than water vs non water chipset cooling?

[Talonman]

NP on the answer buddy!

To my knowledge, the mobo's are the same - the ROG cooling.

Just for the record, the SB is almost a freebie with a decent sink. I opted not to water cool mine, due to it adding more resistance in my loop. I only intend on running a one loop system.

Check out the SB heat sink on page 7 of this thread to see if that might keep you happy?

Putting MOSFET blocks in your loop is also restrictive. I would have been more inclined to include them into the loop, before I would the SB.

I hope my Thermalight sinks will be more than enouigh to keep them happy, and successfully relieved my loop of their cooling responsibility. (Pic's on page 8 of this thread)

If I were to do it over, I would get the non SE version I think, and set it up the exact same way I have now.

My build thread: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=160606

I am a CPU, GPU, and NB water cooling fan, if you are a 1 loop guy like me.

[-.-PhanTom-.-]

NP on the answer buddy!

To my knowledge, the mobo's are the same - the ROG cooling.

Just for the record, the SB is almost a freebie with a decent sink. I opted not to water cool mine, due to it adding more resistance in my loop. I only inted on running a one loop system.

Check out the SB heat sink on page 7 of this thread to see if that might keep you happy?

Putting MOSFET blocks in your loop is also restrictive. I would have been more inclined to include them into the loop, before I would the SB.

I hope my Thermalight sinks will be more than enouigh to keep them happy, and successfully relieved my loop of their cooling responsibility. (Pic's on page 8 of this thread)

If I were to do it over, I would get the non SE version I think, and set it up the exact same way I have now.

My build thread: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=160606

I am a CPU, GPU, and NB water cooling fan, if you are a 1 loop guy like me.

A very nice build you've got going there, best of luck!
I think I might go for an EK block on the NB after all then and a non water block on SB.
Wondering if the pre installed heatsinks on the mosfets are enough to keep them from not burning up... or if I really need to go for thirdparty ones ...which are roughly half the price of mosfet waterblocks...

Hmm decicions decicions... oh the joy (and agony) of putting together a new rig
Now, last dilemma s waiting +1 months for 45mm cpus or going for a Q6600 G0 now, and sell it when the new ones hit the market...

[Talonman]

Thanks for the complement on my build.

My feeling is the Stock MOSFET sink is probably good enouigh, but I have nothing to back it up...

I wouldn't loose any sleep over the Thermalightes, but they are well made.

I would go for the GO and take advantage of the price drop. The new chips might have revisions, and the price will only come down more.
I bet you could eak by on a Quad GO for a year or so...
I will be.
You could always sell it down the line too.
The overcloclability of the 45mm cpus might even go up with a year under their belt or so?
That will be the one I lock into, as did I lock into a mature GO.

[-.-PhanTom-.-]

Thanks for the complement on my build.

My feeling is the Stock MOSFET sink is probably good enouigh, but I have nothing to back it up...

I wouldn't loose any sleep over the Thermalightes, but they are well made.

I would go for the GO and take advantage of the price drop. The new chips will probably have revisions, and the price will only come down.
I bet you could eak by on a Quad GO for a year or so...
I will be.
You could always sell it down the line too.

Gonna settle for the stock mosfet ones for starters - budget is a little limited this time of the year. Come march/april I get a bonus at work and around that time I will be buying a enw gfx card anyways, so good time to mess wth build if neccessary

Now all I need is those bloody 45mm CPUs *whine*

[Talonman]

My last attemt to change your mind (I Promise):

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3184&p=4

Speaking about the 45-nm processor QX9650:
If what we believe is true the implications could be enormous. The need for certain industries built on delivering high-performance cooling solutions to the overclocking community would be largely invalidated. What's the point in spending more money on a more effective heatsink if there's nothing to gain? With that said, we honestly believe a new direction in CPU overclocking may soon be upon us.

I know this was off topic... sorry, but good info for decission making on CPU selection of your new system.

[Monkeywoman]

to Talonman if i was to get those blocks, how much would it run me? i'm trying to figure how much i need for my new build that that looks like what i want. btw minus the gpu block, i'm waiting for the R680

[Talonman]

Glad you asked. I just updated my system cost today!!

My System's Specifications

CASE:
(1) SilverStone TJ-09 Dream Machine Case - Black with window. $259.99

Display:
(1) Gateway FPD2485W HD Display, Mfg date: December 2006 - (1,920 x 1,200 normal resolution) $632.25
Baught on 2/22/07. FDP2485W

PSU
(1) Thermaltake Toughpower 1000w modular PSU. $339.99
Model: W0132 Cable Management.

Motherboard:
(1) Asus Maximus SE. $300.00

CPU:
(1) Intel C2Q Q6600 GO 2.4GHz S775 SLACR S/N: L726B397. $279.99

Ram:
(1) Corsair XMS2 4GB: 2 X 2GB Modules DDR2. $222.00
CM2X2048-6400C5DHX XMS2-6400 2048MB 800MHz 5-5-5-18 1.80V ver1.2 07384754.

Storage:
(2) Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drives. Operating in RAID0 - (OS and games) $369.98
OEM Model: WDC WD1500ADFD-0.

(1) Western Digital Caviar SE16 750GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive. (General storage) $189.99
OEM Model: WDC WD7500AAKS-0.

(1) Samsung 250GB 7,200 RPM SATA-300 port with NCQ, 300 MB/s, Hard Drives. (General storage) $65.00
OEM Model: Samsung SP2504C.

Cards:
(1) TV Tuner card harvested out of my m7690n Pavilion.

Cooling (Air):
(5) 120mm Scythe S-FLEXT Case Fan. (63.7 CFM/28 dBA) $70.00
(1) ZALMAN ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller Panel. (4 fan speed control, and 2 togle switches) $29.99
(1) Corsair ram fan CMXAF1 RTL. $19.99
(1) Masscool FD07015S1M3/4 RTL. $3.99
(1) Enzotech Forged Copper CNB-S1L. (South Bridge heat sink) $16.00
(1) Silenx Ixtrema Pro Series 40mm 14dBA 5CFM. (South Bridge sink fan) $17.00
(2) Thermalright heat sinks cooling MOSFET chip's. $50.00

Cooling (Water):
(1) WaterKegIII Xtreme. (Black with Blue CCFL lighting) $500.00
(1) D-TEK FuZion Universal CPU Waterblock - 1/2". $61.99
(1) D-TEK FuZion nozzle accelerator kit. $6.99
(1) EK-NB S-MAX Acetal North Bridge Waterblock $50.00
(1) UV reactive Pentosin G11 Coolant Additive (Blue) 4oz. $4.50
(1) Petra's Tech "PT Nuke" Concentrated Biocide 10mL. $2.50
(10') Tygon 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) R-3603 Laboratory-Grade tubing. $32.50
(10') Masterkleer General Purpose Clear PCV tubing 3/8" ID (5/8" OD). $6.50
(8) Hose Clamps. $3.00

Lighting: (All lights are controlled by the two toggle switches on the fan controller)
(2) 12in Dual Blue Cold Cathode Kit. (Sunbeam) $11.98 (This gives you 4 lights total, 2 lights per kit.)
(1) Cold Cathode Sound Activation Module. (Sunbeam) $3.99 (This is made for controlling 2 light kits.)
(3) 5' UV blue EL Wire kits. $17.97
(1) 5 UV Lazer LED kit MDLED5UV. $4.99

Cables: (Found long cables at SVC.com)
(4) 36" UV Blue 36" SATA II Cable w/ Locking Latch. $20.00

MISC Parts:
(1) Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM. $5.99
(1) Arctic Silver CMQ-22G The high-density, ceramic-based thermal compound - Retail. $9.99
(1) Arctic Silver Adhesive. $7.99
(1) Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier - OEM. $5.99
(1) Premium Heatsink Lapping Kit. $11.99
(2) MCMaster-Carr Polypropylene quick-disconnects. $51.98
(1) UV Blue slot protector. $3.00
(1) Spider Stencil. $24.99
(1) Can ClearNeon Aerosol UV Reactive Paint - Blue. $14.99
(1) 4448K26 McMASTER-CARR 5 micron water filter. $18.36
(4) 5165K39 5 micron replacement filters. $12.96
(2) 5832T123 BSPT -to- NPT Brass Thread Pipe. $7.56

Operating System:
(1) Vista Ultimate 64 Full Retail Version Unopened. (Ebay Price) $241.89 (Microsoft wanted $399.99)

Total $4,004.25 so far!

I still will be getting a sinfully fast GPU too, some day soon. My intent will be to add it into my loop. (CPU, NB, and GPU will be it on water cooling for me, and believe that is all I should have in my one loop setup.)
I will be adding in the cost of my CD/DVD player, and HD DVD player into my total system cost, after I officially install them.
They are still currently being used in my HP Pavilion m7690n.

The cost is actually going a bit higher than I expected. I figure if sombody is considering one of the dual CPU mobo's for their system, or using DDR3 memory, this price listing can serve as a warning.

We do need the funds to complete the builds we start. Even though we all might want 8 cores running on 8MEG's of DDR3 ram, the cold hard cash it would take to complete such a system is still way to high for most people. It would be for me as 5 grand feels like a finincial streign.

My system with it's megar Q6600 GO, and 4GB of ram will be close to 5 grand when fitted with a speedy GPU. I hope this pricing list will help others to decide on exactly how big they can go with their build, and the total cost involved when using these or comparable components.

I am all up for a speedy system, with a bit of a mainframe attitude, but we still have to eat and live in our homes too.

Choose wisely when you are making your initial considerations for your new dream system...

You have to insure it dosen't just stay a dream, and can actually become reality. They are much more fun that way!

I will be fine completing this system, but am glad I didn't shoot any higher as my wife might well have shot me.

[Exahertz]

My last attemt to change your mind (I Promise):

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3184&p=4

Speaking about the 45-nm processor QX9650:
If what we believe is true the implications could be enormous. The need for certain industries built on delivering high-performance cooling solutions to the overclocking community would be largely invalidated. What's the point in spending more money on a more effective heatsink if there's nothing to gain? With that said, we honestly believe a new direction in CPU overclocking may soon be upon us.

I know this was off topic... sorry, but good info for decission making on CPU selection on your new system.

Seems as though smaller isn’t always better. Why didn’t they compare two of the same cpus? Prime95 result could have been from a bad core.

Anyways... maybe we are starting pushing the physical and quantum limits of traditional CPU manufacturing processes. As an end result starting to see the unexpected pheromones of electron propagating along such short interconnects and the limits of conventional nano sized transistors. If size limitations be the cause, then what the effect on manufacturing and the "new direction in CPU over clocking"? Might we start to see a 8 core or ultimently a 16 core CPU someday soon? More and more applications might see it beneficial to utilize Multi-core optimizations more effectively

[Talonman]

I look foward to better utilization hyper threading more effectively myself, but it does make you think...

Not really sure.

[Monkeywoman]

DUDE! thats like......5 months at home depot for me! if i get the tubing and elbows from plumbing, and by feb (income tax time w00t), sell old comp for a G, i think i could pull that off with 2500.

[Talonman]

Best of luck, and I do hope you can pull it off for cheep!

[-.-PhanTom-.-]

My last attemt to change your mind (I Promise):

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3184&p=4

Speaking about the 45-nm processor QX9650:
If what we believe is true the implications could be enormous. The need for certain industries built on delivering high-performance cooling solutions to the overclocking community would be largely invalidated. What's the point in spending more money on a more effective heatsink if there's nothing to gain? With that said, we honestly believe a new direction in CPU overclocking may soon be upon us.

I know this was off topic... sorry, but good info for decission making on CPU selection on your new system.

Yeah..paired with more or less confirmed info that Intel are postponing the launch until March, I just ordered a Q6600 G0
Then come summertime I will see wether or not it was the right choice or not

Thanx again.... me off to order NB+SB blocks

[Talonman]

Yeah..paired with more or less confirmed info that Intel are postponing the launch until March, I just ordered a Q6600 G0
Then come summertime I will see wether or not it was the right choice or not

Thanx again.... me off to order NB+SB blocks

Glad you got your parts on order, and I think you made the right decission on ordering a GO.

[Talonman]

Some more picks of my water cooling goodness:

The Keg has two power connectors, and Seth supplies two quality power wires.

I opted to make two connectors into one to cover more distance using some of the wires I already had laying around. I plugged two connectors into the Keg and made a plastic spacer to keep them the exact distance apart, that the Keg liked.
I soldered the wires togeather, then using electrical tape covered each one individually. I also then wrapped the entire rig up in more electrical tape, to keep it all together.



I spliced a connecting wire together, with two female ends. These were also soldered together.
It's now plenty long, for the distance that I needed to cover!
Just one wire to connect to the computer now too.


One shot of the rear:

I tried setting the Keg on the desk, but I still favor it on the credanza, off to the right hand side for final placement.
I will make a gradual bend in the tubing, and won't worry about it.
I just want the Keg setting in my favorite spot for it.
I consulted with local member 'Flo-Master Martin' in a few PM's, and he dosen't feel an extra foot or two of tubing, will add any large resistance into my loop.
This will be where she sits, with the computer on the right hand side of the desk:
It is hard to tell, but the Keg has a good foot between it, and the wall.
It should be able to breath there fine.


Update:
Making full use of my self sealing fittings, I decided to fire the Keg up, even befor my mobo is togeather. (Us McMASTER-CARR boy's just got it like that.)

I had the 5 micron filter in the loop too, and successfully cooled it for about 5 hours. I made a newbie mistake and didn't order the teflon tape to put between the fittings, and the filter. It had a slow leak, but just setting the trash can filter on a paper towel, was good enouigh to absorbe the slow drip.

SELF NOTE: Must buy teflon tape to make the filter seal against the fittings.

My rad, pump, and lines are getting burped at the time of this posts editing.
Both lights work, and no leaks of any kind inside the Keg. The unit works as advertised.
490 Wats of cooling power for my Maximus SE is now online!!
I was running straight distilled water when my 5 micron filter was in the loop. I removed the filter and put some water additives in.
My loop is currently using 1/2 a gallon of distilled water (64 FL oz).
I mixed in with that 2 drops of PT Nuke, and 1 full 4oz bottle of G11 UV Blue:


One shot in the dark: Note - These are not UV lights, the G11 won't react until it enters the TJ09.

[awhir]

hey guys could i have the demintions for the Nb holes ?

he gave me these demintions from other asus just wondering if the maximuss is the same.