Live MB OC Report :: ASUS Rampage Extreme

[maxxx]

@MnM: thanks for the info. I was too hesitant to do it, now I really won't. Gonna have to find something like that. Problem is if the shops here have those.
Again, many thanks...

40 AUD bucks for what? A new backplate?

[MnM]

@MnM: 40 AUD bucks for what? A new backplate?

The V-60 is a whole heatsink. It just happens that it has the correct backplate. I could not find the backplate by itself anywhere thats why I got the the heatsink package.

[eternal_fantasy]

After 2 days of benching and pushing the Rampage Extreme, one thing is always on the back of my mind... that the Northbridge is so hot even watercooled via the Fusion waterblock. As I said in the other post, temps went well over 55C with only 1.5V. Compared to my watercooled Maximus Extreme NB, which at 1.7V never exceeds 47C. The theory behind the Rampage Extreme's heatsink/pipe system is probably the best out there, which cools the CPU's MOSFETs, NB, NB's MOSFETs and other parts, and the SB. However it is poorly implemented, as described in this post:

Using the onboard Fusion block keeps most of the components cool, except the NB... the design is that heat have to travel through layres of material that is kinda stuck together with a glue gun...:
----------------
Fusion block
copper plate
3 heatpipes side by side
copper plate
North Bridge
----------------
The design is extremely inefficient (it's like the heat have to travel through a sausage roll to get to the water block), and although the fusion block feels cool to the touch, the NB was at 56C at 1.5V. And thats with reseated sinks with MX-2 applied. My Maximus Extreme with Mips block keeps the NB under 47C at 1.7V...

The heatblock/pipe:


SB sink with pipe:


NB power delivery cooling:


NB copper plate with the 3 heatpipes stuck onto it:


As you can see it's not really the most efficient design for heat transfer when using the Fusion block. So I went digging through my spare part box and come up with much better cooling:-
-------------------------------------------------
Southbridge, never really hot on the P5K, and no drives actually are connected to the ICH9R, so a cheap&cheerful P5B Deluxe aluminium SB heatsink does a perfect job:


With some modding on the RAMsinks (2 resisters preventing the ramsinks from sitting flush on the mosfet), the NB power delivery area:


And the back of the board :


Northbridge - a PROPER water block:

the adjacent NB mounting hole distance are the same as a Maximus/Rampage, but just 2 of them as in the picture.

And finally the CPU MOSFET area:


So to custom watercool your Rampage Extreme, it is basically the same as the Maximus/Rampage Formula series, but you may want to also consider cooling the power delivery system of the NB, as it tends to get pretty hot with the 3 phase/15 mosfet design (8 front, 7 back).

What's the difference from watercooling with the Fusion block compared to what I have now I hear you ask? Before this makeover I cannot put in more then 1.65V into the NB without the RE refusing to boot, and at that voltage the NB, when under load, goes up to 60C+. Now however, at 1.7V the NB temp is kept nice n cool at under 42C under load, and plenty of room to go higher without cooking the board. That means longer component life and higher stability!!

[BustaH]

So to custom watercool your Rampage Extreme, it is basically the same as the Maximus/Rampage Formula series, but you may want to also consider cooling the power delivery system of the NB, as it tends to get pretty hot with the 3 phase/15 mosfet design (8 front, 7 back).

What's the difference from watercooling with the Fusion block compared to what I have now I hear you ask? Before this makeover I cannot put in more then 1.65V into the NB without the RE refusing to boot, and at that voltage the NB, when under load, goes up to 60C+. Now however, at 1.7V the NB temp is kept nice n cool at under 42C under load, and plenty of room to go higher without cooking the board. That means longer component life and higher stability!!

Awesome info eternal, I for one will be following your guide here when modding my board when it arrives, much appreciated. you too 3oh6. +10 from me.

[eternal_fantasy]

that
is
the
coolest
pic
ever
+
good
mobo!

Looks awesome dude wd!

Thanks!

so have Asus cemented this heatpipe assembly on? Like thaey did with the maximus extreme? ie do i need to heat it up first?

No need, they used thermal paste similer in texture to MX-2, so just undo the screws and the stock cooling should become loose.

Awesome info eternal, I for one will be following your guide here when modding my board when it arrives, much appreciated. you too 3oh6. +10 from me.

Thanks, and glad to be of help!
Please post back your results when you get your board.

Where did 3oh6 go BTW? Hes been gone for a few days...

[BustaH]

Thanks!


No need, they used thermal paste similer in texture to MX-2, so just undo the screws and the stock cooling should become loose.


Thanks, and glad to be of help!
Please post back your results when you get your board.

Where did 3oh6 go BTW? Hes been gone for a few days...

Will do ET will be getting some sub zero action into this baby.

[3oh6]

Where did 3oh6 go BTW? Hes been gone for a few days...

i'm here...16-18 hour work days this week to make up for my previous 3 weeks off. needless to say, i haven't had a lot of time to mess with the board. i should be back on track this week.

i am finishing off the standard testing for the review this week and then will get crazy with the board tackling stock cooling on the NB and going cold with the CPU. i am also expecting some GPUs anytime this week so i should have some CF 4850 numbers soon enough.

[Lloyd]

Thanks!
No need, they used thermal paste similer in texture to MX-2, so just undo the screws and the stock cooling should become loose

Fantastic, thanks very much for your help