Water cooling the Asus Maximus SE X38

[taowulf]

hand polish with micro fiber cloth soaked in 2 micron diamond slurry (1 cigarette)

I like your timing method, I use that one for cooking burgers on the grill.

[Talonman]

Thanks for the pictures!!

Block is looking better too. Keep up the good work.

[Exahertz]

ok, all done.
what do ya think?

[Nate P.]

Bloody amazing!

[Talonman]

Wow!! Good job man!!

They now look ready to be given their cooling assignment for sure.

I see you went for the clear NB block.

I went for the black one: http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/popup_...19887e5828b204

Hopefully we will have some pictures posted of how both of the new rings look mounted on the mobo's soon.

Please NB block come today!! Sunday at 7AM it's back to work for me.

[Talonman]

I would like to report that I did hook up my D-TEK FuZion CPU block, to the WaterKeg and ran it for 24 hours with no problems. I did have the block apart when I installed the nozzle kit, and it was also the first time the block had been used in a loop. All went well!! After 24 hours the split quad nozzle is still in the correct position that I installed it in. It didn't spin or shift at all, as I thought might happen.

I also recleaned the D-TEK's base, and acording to the instructions when using Arctic Silver ceramic-based thermal compound (like me):
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appi..._quad_wcap.pdf (Starting on page 3)

Did the finger in a baggie thing, and smashed thermal compound all over it's face. Then using a lint free cloth, took it back to a nice shine.

My block has been properly cleaned and conditioned, and is ready to be mounted when it's new backplate arrives. I now have the block sealed in plastic wrap, to stop any rif raf in the air, from landing on it.

I was amazed how cool the D-TEK's base felt to my hand when it was in the loop. I can just tell that it's going to work well...

[Exahertz]

is this the nozzel kit you used?



and is that o-ring used for bowing the fuzion?

[Talonman]

Yes, but I think the o-ring looks different...

I had a flat gasget in my kit. I peeled it off of a sheet of paper, with a stickey back. It's main function is to make more water flow against the inside of the copper face of the block, to enable it to do a better job of cooling. It may also give you a tad of extra bowing as a bonus? I have seen it posted that D-TEK's come stock with a slight bow as is...?

Due to my quad processor, I am using the quad split nozzle.

For a Maximus SE, the nozzle should have a horizontal orientation, providing you mounted your motherboard right side up.
This allows the water to be focused directly onto both dual cores.

Your AS should be drawn in a thin line, onto the processor, with a vertical orientation (Top to Bottom), according to their home page for best results on the quads.
It is worth noting that the split nozzles and the AS line go opposite ways on the face of your CPU. The nozzle should be running in between the cores, never touching either one, and the AS line is to intersect both cores, making 4 equal quadrants.

You can see my Quad nozzle inside the D-TEK.

[Talonman]

Hey Talonman,
When are you expecting your order to be delivered? i see it shipped on the 17th so its already been 11 days.
Mine shipped on the 21st, or 7 days ago. im just kinda wondering when i should be expecting them.

No EK block for me today.... Man-O! Your one lucky dog Exahertz. Your order has passed mine in delivery speed by 6 days now.
I hope to God it didn't get lost..... I have 27 days invested in my little PayPal lesson, and now 18 more after Eddies conformation mine was sent. I am up to 45 days now waiting on my NB block! This has got to be a record!!

I posted this elsewhare too, but being it worked so well for the Maximus here it is again.

If you are water cooling, but opt not to run an aftermarket block on your SB, this is an option:

Due to this thread I posted in the air cooling section about my 40mm Silenx Ixtrema Pro Series fan:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=171129
And them getting me up to speed that any Silenx fan was not my best choice...

I took this advice:

How about getting a 40 to 60mm adapter and putting a 60mm fan on...quieter and more cfm

That would block one if not both of his PCI-E slots, but if you can find some way to make it work that would be the best solution.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=4352
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=3890

And ordered them both. I think it worked out well for me. I am a 1 card GPU guy, and think the top slot would still have plenty of room?

What to you guys think?

My PowerBridge cooling is now Forged Copper with a dedicated 60mm fan rated at 12CFM! I think as long as my GPU will fit in the upper slot, I probably can officially call this an upgrade.

My new 60mm Panaflo axial fan (FBA06T12L) rated at 12CFM 24dBA, with UV adapter.
I also added a 40mm Scythe Mini-Kaze (SY124010L) into my collection of parts. It is my backup plan if my GPU would have problems fitting with the 60mm fan installed.


It's skinny. Here is one shot from the side:


I have it hovering right above the sink. It actually feels pritty darn sturdy with just the 1 bolt and washers securing it to the mobo.


Do you think if I only intend to use 1 GPU, I will have space issues with this fan? The entire fan does pivot on the bolt in the upper right corner too.

[Exahertz]

I must admit, I am sorry I have already got mine. You seem so egger to get started and I know the feeling. You seem to be so modest and patient about the whole thing which is truely a virtue not so commonly seen this day and age. I really hope you get them soon!

I'm not trying to rub this in your face but... I just ripped my mobo out of my case and I’m starting tonight

And don’t worry; ill take plenty of pictures as I go.

BTW thats a Nice little SB cooler!

[Talonman]

Thanks man! I think I needed a kind word.

I just want my little block and CPU backplate so bad....

[Exahertz]

So im a little confused (and i havnt even started yet ) do you use hot or cold to loosen the TIM from the stock cooling block????

some ppl say use a hair dryer to warm it while others say use the mist from dust sprayers to cool it

[Talonman]

I'd go hair dryer myself, ware a glove due to the sink getting hot. Heat the mobo as little as possible, mabey use a towl for a heat shield? We only want to heat the sink to make the stock goop molten. Remove all 4 screws and all pins befors starting, as the ROG unit is all attached to begin with, and moves as one big unit. As it heats keep gently wiggeling it side to side, and not pulling up as you might pull a chip out!

When it is warmed enouigh, the goop let's you slide the NB block off to the side. Use Acetone or something harsh to remove the rest of the stock goop while it is still molten. Keep the paper towl moving, using a clean area to make contact with the chip at all times. Don't scrub. Wipe and move baby!! Mine came right off apon the removal of the stock cooling. 3 minutes max. Acetone works great. I have heard nail polish remover will too...

[Exahertz]

Done!

Pics will be up in a few mins

[Exahertz]

Installing EK's North Bridge, South Bridge, Mosfet and D-Tek Fuzion on the Asus Maximus Formula SE






First thing is i needed to remove the stock cooler:


I had to pri the heat pipe off of the south bridge so i could remove the north bridge. its very easy to pop off i might add.


Heat it up till its hot to the touch and slide it off.


I see chipset!


I put some artic silver on the chip set. i spread it on using my fingure and a latex glove.


Seems to slide right on! i guess eddy fixed that issue




Now for the south bridge, everything lines up but if you look at the tightining nut it conflicts with the hose barb


easy fix though


cleaning the mosfets with a q-tip and isopropanol alchole.


cut the pads


and line them up with a tooth pic


after putting on the mosfet blocks all is done!



now on to tubing




now lets all really hope i didnt screw something up while doing all of this! lol

[Talonman]

Wow!! Looking good buddy!!

Did you need to do any tricks to still make use of the NB backplate? I see it still on your rig. Good deal, I think they do help and wanted to still use mine...

[chiguy]

Dumb question: Do I have to cut out a bunch of tiny pads for the MOSFETs or can I just put on a large piece of tape to cover it? Or, is some Arctic Silver or something else better?

[Exahertz]

Dumb question: Do I have to cut out a bunch of tiny pads for the MOSFETs or can I just put on a large piece of tape to cover it? Or, is some Arctic Silver or something else better?

dont use any paste. only pads. and you know... after i did all of this i realized that the origional pads on the back of the heatsinks i took off of the Mosfets would have worked just fine i just went by EK's guide.

[Exahertz]

Wow!! Looking good buddy!!

Did you need to do any tricks to still make use of the NB backplate? I see it still on your rig. Good deal, I think they do help and wanted to still use mine...

well... not much. just knock out those threaded inserts and drill out the holes maybe 1/32" over.

[Talonman]

Thanks for the info...

Is there a best way to knock them out? How did you do yours?

[Talonman]

Nice job on your removal of the stock cooling BTW.

I was wondering about cutting up the pads too.
I just left mine 1 big strip, but I am sure as long as they all stayed in place, you will be fine.

What did you think about our stock SB heat sink?

I felt like the mark wasen't too high to realize a performance increase, on whatever parts we opted to replace it with. I thought the sink was too small, and even heard some people say that the heat pipe might actually be raising the SB temp, by adding some NB heat to it via the pipe? The sink is aluminum and too anorexic I think...

I am glad now that my stock cooling is gone.

Let me know if you see some lower NB temps after the EK block was installed.
I think your NB block will shine with it's new temps under load, more so than at idle. It is when chips really start to heat up, that will test your cooling method!

I did get my fan wire in strapped down too:

[Malik]

Nice job Exahertz

Today i take my asus maximus on table

[Talonman]

Nice job Exahertz

Today i take my asus maximus on table

Good luck Malik!!

Keep us posted, and get us some picts too.

[Malik]

Sure, but i don't finish today
I'm still waiting for package with fitings, tubes, and other stuff.

So today i make only test mount.

[Talonman]

No problem. I am an expert on the waiting game. I know how that goes...