DDC3.2 Pump Top Shootout! 10 tops tested..

[Martinm210]

Thanks for sharing the results Martin.

About the XSPC res top :

In your conclusion, you stated that you had problems sealing the reservoir and you used the XSPC barbs.
Does this mean that someone would have the same problem if they used EK or DD barbs?
Or would using a bigger O-ring solve this?
Does this apply to the XSPC Laing DDC Top too?

My particular issue was the actual "Cap", the little black plastic cap threading wasn't sealing right for me. This was probably only an issue for me because I also had a big test reservoir feeding the reservoir, so my loop had two openings and because this one wasn't sealing for me static water pressure from the taller reservoir was pushing a drop of water out of the cap when tilted over. The issue with mine I think is hopefully just a fluke, but the acrylic threads weren't deep enough to prevent the cap plastic threading to have enough strength. In a real water cooling loop, having the reservoir cap perfectly sealed isn't that critical if its upright. My own system I don't leave this sealed perfectly because I like a little venting capability. It seems like the system warming and cooling down does enough expansion and contraction to where a little opening to the atmosphere is probably good.

Anyhow, my sample was previously tested, so it's possible I just had a slightly damaged thread from the previous user.

The barb threads and everything else was fine, just the little sealing issue on the res cap.

Thanks for the great work and an interesting reed!

I would love to some results from a testing with the Laing 3.1 10w

While you could find tests on the internet done with the Laing 3.2 18w
It's almost impossible to find tests done with the weaker Laing 3.1 10w

The results I'd be most interested in, would be the results between the
'Alphacool top' and the 'XSPC top'

I'm really interested to know how XSPC top hold's up with the Laing 10w

And do you think that the Alphacool top would do a little better
against the rest of the tops with the Laing 3.1 /1-T 10w

Not only I bought the the inferior Laing pump! I also choosed the worst top!

I think one of my DDC2's is actually a DDC1, but that's probably going to be a little different result.

I could test a DDC3.1 if I had one, but I don't. I could probably undervolt my DDC3.2 to simulate a 3.1 though...hmmm

Awesome work yet again Martin.

I have a question about the Koolance notes though. You say

By "center inlet", am I correct in guessing that you mean over the rotor? Also, what exactly does "large step loss in dual outlet" mean? I already have one of these tops and I may need to put it on a 3.1 and into a shiates & giggles aluminum loop I'm building if my CSP-mag ever goes bad.


Just noticed you misspelled "dual" in the above.

Yes, I only tested the Koolance top and the DD top with the inlet barb centered over the rotor to eliminate the 90 degree bend. Reintroducing the 90 degree bend on the inlet by using the side inlets can be seen by looking at the alphacool regular top to reservoir top results. It would give you a little boost in pressure for extremely restrictive systems, but it would also hurt flow quite a bit and do much worse for average to low restriciton systems.

The large step loss I mean is the Koolance top outlet threading hole. It intersects the normal outlet and creats a pretty sharp and big cavity that likely adds some loss there. Koolance used pretty big ports so when they created dual inlet and dual outlet options, it creates some added restriction. Pumps for some reason are even more sensetive to little restrictions than other parts of the loop.

Fixed the dual, thanks!

All of the tops did really well, I consider them all a very very good improvement over the stock pump top...

[Vargher Warg]

I think one of my DDC2's is actually a DDC1, but that's probably going to be a little different result.

I could test a DDC3.1 if I had one, but I don't. I could probably undervolt my DDC3.2 to simulate a 3.1 though...hmmm

Pretty please!

I know that a lot of people are interested in having a more silent H2O system
and you would be doing us a great favor, and I know the results would
be much appreciated for a silent freak as myself!

So don't feel any pressure! but the results would be hailed as a holy script
by the 'silent community' for years to come!

Thanks again for the great efforts you make for the WC community!

[Waterlogged]

The large step loss I mean is the Koolance top outlet threading hole. It intersects the normal outlet and creats a pretty sharp and big cavity that likely adds some loss there. Koolance used pretty big ports so when they created dual inlet and dual outlet options, it creates some added restriction. Pumps for some reason are even more sensetive to little restrictions than other parts of the loop.

That's kind of what I thought you were talking about, but wanted to make sure. Thanks again for your time and for the review.

[Soulman84]

grat job Martin

what can you tell me about oclabs xptop? i'm trying to know the real power of this top compare to the others

[NaeKuh]

grat job Martin

what can you tell me about oclabs xptop? i'm trying to know the real power of this top compare to the others

lol... i was thinkn about sending him this, however it was in use at the time when i loaned him my parts. :\

Its suposed to be a little lower then the XSPC, however its almost half the price. :T


Maybe if martin has time i'll pull the pump from the rig, and mail the top to him. Martin u down for 1 more test with this top?

[Soulman84]

lol... i was thinkn about sending him this, however it was in use at the time when i loaned him my parts. :\

Its suposed to be a little lower then the XSPC, however its almost half the price. :T


Maybe if martin has time i'll pull the pump from the rig, and mail the top to him. Martin u down for 1 more test with this top?

fantastic i'll wait and see the results ot the testing sessions

[Martinm210]

grat job Martin

what can you tell me about oclabs xptop? i'm trying to know the real power of this top compare to the others

Sorry I missed your question earlier.

I have been in contact with OClabs for a sample.

Early last week they said they were currently out of stock for about a week and would be sending me a sample of their new black color top.

Bitspower is also sending me one to test, and the good folks at http://www.watercoolingshop.com/ are sending me some G 3/8" barbs so I can finally get that EK G3/8" top tested.

So if all goes well, I'll have 3-4 more tops to add into this..

[Jupiler]

A quick note from me regarding the XSPC tops (both normal and with reservoir) and the barbs used.

I ordered 2 normal XSPC tops (8.50€/each) and the res top and got them yesterday.

As I have 6x 1/2" EK and 6x 1/2" DD barbs laying around, I wanted to check if they fitted nicely in the G 1/4" threads. Normally they should (at least, that's what I expected).

Unfortunately, I ran into problems when I tried the barbs.

Dangerden barbs :

I bought about 12 pieces from PTS last year and 6 of them are in use in my several WC rigs.
When I tried to twist the first barb into the thread, it blocked after only 1 full turn. I found this weird, took the barb back out and tried again. Same thing, wouldn't turn in.
Tried it in the other thread of the top but same problem, could do 2 turns and then it blocked.
Same thing with 4 other barbs and the 2 tops and res top, they simply wouldn't fit.

Only 1 barb would turn in into the threads of the 3 tops.
One other barb would fit into 1 top but not in the 2 others.
Weird, if you ask me.

EK barbs :

No problems with all 6 of them on the 3 tops, they fitted nicely.

I then decided to check if the DD barbs would fit into the Alphacool and PTS tops.
No problems whatsoever with all threads of the tops.

I don't know what to think of this.
Were the G1/4" threads on the tops not properly tapped in by XSPC, so they might give problems with certain barbs?

Or is there something wrong with the G1/4" thread from the DD fittings?
I don't see why there should be something wrong with the DD barbs, as they fit without problems in the Alphacool and PTS tops.

Think I'll be using the EK fittings with the tops.

[Martinm210]

A quick note from me regarding the XSPC tops (both normal and with reservoir) and the barbs used.

I ordered 2 normal XSPC tops (8.50€/each) and the res top and got them yesterday.

As I have 6x 1/2" EK and 6x 1/2" DD barbs laying around, I wanted to check if they fitted nicely in the G 1/4" threads. Normally they should (at least, that's what I expected).

Unfortunately, I ran into problems when I tried the barbs.

Dangerden barbs :

I bought about 12 pieces from PTS last year and 6 of them are in use in my several WC rigs.
When I tried to twist the first barb into the thread, it blocked after only 1 full turn. I found this weird, took the barb back out and tried again. Same thing, wouldn't turn in.
Tried it in the other thread of the top but same problem, could do 2 turns and then it blocked.
Same thing with 4 other barbs and the 2 tops and res top, they simply wouldn't fit.

Only 1 barb would turn in into the threads of the 3 tops.
One other barb would fit into 1 top but not in the 2 others.
Weird, if you ask me.

EK barbs :

No problems with all 6 of them on the 3 tops, they fitted nicely.

I then decided to check if the DD barbs would fit into the Alphacool and PTS tops.
No problems whatsoever with all threads of the tops.

I don't know what to think of this.
Were the G1/4" threads on the tops not properly tapped in by XSPC, so they might give problems with certain barbs?

Or is there something wrong with the G1/4" thread from the DD fittings?
I don't see why there should be something wrong with the DD barbs, as they fit without problems in the Alphacool and PTS tops.

Think I'll be using the EK fittings with the tops.

That is wierd , I had no trouble with the DD barbs because they have shorter threads. The EK barbs are longer so that doesn't quite make sense.

The only barbs I had trouble with was the D-tek barbs in the inlet, they were just a touch too long. I could have fixed that by sanding down the barb a few mm though.


BTW, I ran into the same barb length issue with the Koolance side inlet ports. Barbs that were too long conflicted with the plugs that came down from the top.

It's a good thing we have lots of barbs to choose from I guess

[Jupiler]

I see what the problem is.

I measured the thickness of the G1/4" threads of the barbs :

all EK barbs : between 12.94-12.98mm
4 DD barbs : between 13.15-13.19mm

1 DD barb had the same measurements like the EK, so 12.98mm, 1 other barb was 13.03mm (so tight one).

So it explains why 4 of the DD wouldn't fit.