Water Cooling Asus Maximus Extreme with Crosslinx

[Soto]

Waiting for the pics

I'd also like to have a list of the references of blocks that I have to use if I want to fully watercool my Mobo. I'm new to this and I want everything to fit without any problem.

Also, I'd like to know where to get all these blocks in USA.

Thanks

[Grimtas]

Soto,
Which Mobo? Maximus Extreme?

@ guiliano,
hehe broke down petra's was out of stock on the 3870x2 blocks so I had to order them from performance-pc. Couldn't wait for the test results for the SB-Max EX block so I have one on order direct from EK. Only wish they had the NB block top in acrylic as a seperate part on their site else I'd have ordered that as well as Petra's only had the Actel one in stock. That's the only non-acrylic block I'll have. I like the look of the actel however this being my first W/C build I'll go with acrylic until I build my confidence level

Patentialy awaiting any updates as my last block will be 2-3 weeks to deliver from solivania ;(

[Giuliano]

The block arrived a day or so ago, so I should have fit results and pics up later tonight..


The block's at home, but unfortunately I am not.

[Giuliano]

EK Blocks known to fit:

EK Supreme w/ LGA 775 bracket. Universal bracket doesn't fit.
EK 775 backplate - presumed, test fit is tonight.

EK-NB S-MAX - block for the NB chip.

EK-Mosfet ASUS 3a (X38) - 2 x Mosfet blocks.
EK Mosfet backplates - presumed, test fit is tonight.

EK-SB Max Ex - SB and Crosslinx chip.
Presumed to fit, the test fit and pictures tonight.

[polar bear]

Couldn't wait for the test results for the SB-Max EX block so I have one on order direct from EK. Patentialy awaiting any updates as my last block will be 2-3 weeks to deliver from solivania ;(

EK-SB Max Ex - SB and Crosslinx chip.
Presumed to fit, the test fit and pictures tonight.

Hehe also couldnt wait so now holding my breath for your update as the SB-Max that I ordered was sent from Transylvania today

[Pete]

EK Blocks known to fit:

EK Supreme w/ LGA 775 bracket. Universal bracket doesn't fit.
EK 775 backplate - presumed, test fit is tonight.

EK-NB S-MAX - block for the NB chip.

EK-Mosfet ASUS 3a (X38) - 2 x Mosfet blocks.
EK Mosfet backplates - presumed, test fit is tonight.

EK-SB Max Ex - SB and Crosslinx chip.
Presumed to fit, the test fit and pictures tonight.

CPU block will fit but needs the LGA775 only mount it seams

NB block if the new rev after Eddy took my measurments wrong or what ever it be will fit

Mosfets will fit just a pain to fit

SB i have no idea thats all your own work but good luck

Oh and hurry up!!

[Giuliano]

NB block if the new rev after Eddy took my measurments wrong or what ever it be will fit

So is there a problem with the EK NB block fitting the Max Ex?

I test fit mine, it seemed to go on OK.

Oh and hurry up!!

I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.. I have a plane to catch to get home later this afternoon..

[Pete]

So is there a problem with the EK NB block fitting the Max Ex?

I test fit mine, it seemed to go on OK.



I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.. I have a plane to catch to get home later this afternoon..

There was, some measurments where off, Eddy check with me and last i heard but a new top was made. I think 1st batch was very little out in the market and and has been replaced by new nb block. Seams you okay but mine is a big tight, small file sorted it no problems

[Grimtas]

hehe gonna be on the site tonight instead of building my system. Commitment man I took two days off work to have a 4 day weekend to build

[Giuliano]

In other news, ATI released Catalyst 8.3 with support for CrossfireX with 3 or 4 GPU's..

Should be interesting to see how that pans out.


I'm so busy with work I won't be able to continue the rest of the build until Sunday.


I'll test fit the new block tonight and do a paper gap test to check the fit.

[Grimtas]

^^ That is good news I should have the 3870X2 's today

[Pete]

In other news, ATI released Catalyst 8.3 with support for CrossfireX with 3 or 4 GPU's..

Should be interesting to see how that pans out.


I'm so busy with work I won't be able to continue the rest of the build until Sunday.


I'll test fit the new block tonight and do a paper gap test to check the fit.

But SLI still beats 2 cards with 4 core currently but the drivers are raw and AMD/ATI came in on there promiss that it'd happen!

[Giuliano]

Clicky for high-res pics.






More to come.. I have to disassemble my Maximus Extreme first.

[Grimtas]

Dont rem which thread I read it in but I can confirm you can use the stock NB backplate with the EK block. Only point to note is EK's bolts are wider the the nut certs on the back plate. I used a 1/4" socked and gently taped out the nut certs. The EK bolts are just slightly larger in dia the the nut cert holes, however they will thread their way through if your careful.

Gal, I forgot the orientation of the cpu block I think I have it right.

USB ports top right I have the EK - Supreme running N/S. A pic would be good if you have to confirm.

Thanks,

Grim

[disruptfam]

that blocks looks great..

I can't praise eddie's work enough pure wc pRon

[Grimtas]

Thanks disrupt that's what I thought and how I prep mounted it

[Giuliano]

Here's four pics of the initial test fit.


Good clearance all around.













The initial impressions:

• The positioning of the mounting holes in the upper right and lower left is perfect.
• However, the position of the mounting screw hole in the middle (not shown here) is off by about 1/2mm to 1mm. The mounting hole is used to provide a tension point across from the SB chip.
• The paper gap test between the Crosslinx chip and the block is perfect - zero gap.
• However, the gap between the SB chip and the block has a very thin gap - I used a business card stock to check. The card was a loose fit towards the center of the block, but a tight fit towards the right edge.
• Also, the screw provided to anchor the middle mount point is a few mm long - it bottoms out in the block before the screw head reaches the motherboard.

Possible fixes:

1. Reduce the thickness of the block section that covers the Crosslinx chip (the raised part) by a few tenths of a mm (0.1-0.2mm).
2. Adjust the alignment of the mounting holes in the plexi top so that the screw hole in the copper bottom is aligned.
3. Find a shorter screw for the middle hole.. I believe the screws are M3 metric. Easy fix.

Fix #1 can most likely be accomplished by wet sanding the raised portion of the block with 800-1200 grit paper on a plate of glass.. the name for the technique escapes me at the moment.

Fix #2 may be accomplished by some slight dremeling, but this should also be an easy fix for EK to adjust. Much easier to adjust the plexi top than the copper bottom.



The bottom line right now is that the block is a decent fit right now, with only some minor changes required for a perfect fit.

The extra gap above the SB chip can easily be filled by the TIM - Ceramique or AS5 would do fine.

[Grimtas]

Giuliano,
Once again excelent work!! EK too for providing these blocks in the first place.

The mods required for a first run IMHO are very minor and I'm not as stressed now as my block ships tomorrow.

Thanks again Giuliano and EK for making this possible.

Grim

[Giuliano]

Just in time for the new Maximus II Extreme!


The blocks should all fit - they only changed the NB chip.

Image: http://www.pcgameshardware.de/screen...Extreme_00.jpg


More pictures at PCGamesHardware.de (http://www.pcgameshardware.de/?menu=...icle_id=634565

[polar bear]

In other news, ATI released Catalyst 8.3 with support for CrossfireX with 3 or 4 GPU's..

Should be interesting to see how that pans out.


I'm so busy with work I won't be able to continue the rest of the build until Sunday.


I'll test fit the new block tonight and do a paper gap test to check the fit.

Wow, thanx for the update! You just caused my to splurge away on a 2nd 3870X2 Should be interesting to see how it turns out... should be sick

Good clearance all around.

The initial impressions:

• The positioning of the mounting holes in the upper right and lower left is perfect.
• However, the position of the mounting screw hole in the middle (not shown here) is off by about 1/2mm to 1mm. The mounting hole is used to provide a tension point across from the SB chip.
• The paper gap test between the Crosslinx chip and the block is perfect - zero gap.
• However, the gap between the SB chip and the block has a very thin gap - I used a business card stock to check. The card was a loose fit towards the center of the block, but a tight fit towards the right edge.
• Also, the screw provided to anchor the middle mount point is a few mm long - it bottoms out in the block before the screw head reaches the motherboard.

The bottom line right now is that the block is a decent fit right now, with only some minor changes required for a perfect fit.

The extra gap above the SB chip can easily be filled by the TIM - Ceramique or AS5 would do fine.

Very good work indeed I can now sleep allright until my Max Ex blocks arrive.

Just in time for the new Maximus II Extreme!


The blocks should all fit - they only changed the NB chip.

Image: http://www.pcgameshardware.de/screen...Extreme_00.jpg


More pictures at PCGamesHardware.de (http://www.pcgameshardware.de/?menu=...icle_id=634565

Eeeh, another Max Ex is out No mate please noooooo! I cannot spend more money now... should stop reading any more forum entries/hardware news from now on until a few months have passed...

[Giuliano]

I cut a strip of business card paper, which is 0.3 mm thick, and was able to fit it under the left edge of the SB chip.



The fit is tight on the right side of the strip, and loose on the left side.


Most Thermal Inteface Material (TIM) pads are 5-10 mil thick, which is ~ 0.127 to 0.254 mm thick, which should do OK.

A layer of paste would probably also do OK.

[Grimtas]

Thanks for the update Gal. From the looks of the vid cards mounted it's going to be interesting to plumb without kinks. Now if my block would just get here

[Giuliano]

More pics:







Should be plenty of room for worm clamps, though you'd have to tighten them before you put the video card(s) in.


The bitpower 1/2" ID - 1" compression fittings won't fit.

But a slightly reduced outer diameter compression fitting might fit.. as long as the maximum OD is less than 0.80", or roughly 3/4".

[polar bear]

Those SLI connectors, they wouldnt be the same as these?



Just ordered them for my 3-SLI 8800GTX setup. They haven't arrived yet. Just wanted to know if they will fit.

Also, looks like you're using 1/2" barb size for graphics cards, yes?

[Giuliano]

Those SLI connectors, they wouldnt be the same as these?



Just ordered them for my 3-SLI 8800GTX setup. They haven't arrived yet. Just wanted to know if they will fit.

Also, looks like you're using 1/2" barb size for graphics cards, yes?

No, the ones I have are the EK stubby 1/2" fittings, which I have to connect with a short piece of tubing and a clamp.


I had considered the Koolance SLI connectors you showed, but I wasn't sure if they would be the right length.