Do You Want to Fullcover WaterBlock for P55?

[Antioch]

I'm not getting into the argument other than to make the following observation.

It *may* be the case that manufacturers view the P55 market as a "mainstream" market in which they will not make any sales. However, it may also be the case that full-cover blocks for P55 boards are not entirely viable.

The reason full cover blocks on P45 and X58 boards are so popular is because it became a chore to route tubing between 2 MOSFET blocks, a NB block, and a SB block (or.. bling, whichever you prefer). However, with the advent of P55 boards there is no longer a NB to cool. This leaves the MOSFETs and the SB - between which there is quite a large distance. Seeing as how the SB doesn't really need cooling (and may see a RISE in temps from relatively hotter loop water) manufacturers may have decided that full-cover blocks were unnecessary in this case.

It would seem that this theory fits the facts based on EK's P55 block set. This set includes an L shaped MOSFET block that eliminates the need for 2 MOSFET blocks, giving a "fullcover" feel. It also includes a SB block. I have this set and have been wondering A) Is it even WORTH cooling the SB? and B) How the hell will I be able to efficiently and cleanly stretch my tubing route all the way over to the SB?

The fullcover argument will die in a processor generation anyways. The NB is gone and the SB is soon to be swallowed up, leaving nothing but the MOSFETs... Enjoy your fullcover bling while it lasts.

[eth0s]

The fullcover argument will die in a processor generation anyways. The NB is gone and the SB is soon to be swallowed up, leaving nothing but the MOSFETs... Enjoy your fullcover bling while it lasts.

Yes! All hail the coming of the age of the common man! Well not so fast: even though the NB & SB will be gone (good riddance), there will always be some kind of bling to separate the top-tier people from the rest of the people, you can be sure of that! Dunno what it will be, maybe a solid diamond cpu block*, who knows, but there will be something, you can bet on it.

@NaeKuh: Sorry for saying you were "wrong", because technically it is a matter of opinion, and you can't really be wrong. And you are right, I should get a custom water block some day, because I luvs me them DFI mobo's and having a full coverage block would be totally sweet. (But only if I can get mine etched with a unicorn.)




*think a diamond water block is crazy? Crazy awesome is what it would be: Diamond has thermal conductivity of 2000 W/mK, whereas Copper has thermal conductivity of 400W/mK, meaning a solid diamond water block would be five times better at cooling than a solid copper block. Oh yeah, and it would need to be about 45 carats, which would cost a lot ($1M?), but it would be the ultimate in cooling and bling.

[warriorpoet]

...
*think a diamond water block is crazy? Crazy awesome is what it would be: Diamond has thermal conductivity of 2000 W/mK, whereas Copper has thermal conductivity of 400W/mK, meaning a solid diamond water block would be five times better at cooling than a solid copper block. Oh yeah, and it would need to be about 45 carats, which would cost a lot ($1M?), but it would be the ultimate in cooling and bling.

Industrial diamonds

...and wouldn't a diamond base be enough? The fiddly bits could be made with copper, brass or stainless. Imagine, if you will, an industrial diamond base with copper fins...

I just priced 2 comparable eVGA boards + blocks. The comparable i7 p55 ended up being $30 less. That's not a lot.

[Antioch]

The primary scale-tipping factor for me in the X58/P55 debate was simply the "cool" factor in that Lynnsfield was "newer" and had the on-die NB. Yes, I too am a proponent of modernity.

[bot@xs]

P55 Classified is $320 .. X58 Classified is $480, even the E760 Classified is $389
the P55 FTW is only $200

diamond waterblock? would be nice. million dollar pc ..

[Kadett]

so instead your gonna watercool a P55?

According to your statement,

The P55 = runs cooler, less power consumption... thus wouldnt need watercooling... instead of spending the money on water get better GPU's then.

If u do see FB blocks for the P55, it will be only on the high end.
The P series itself is not in the enthusiast catigory.

That was my point all along. I only watercool the parts that actually need it for me to have a silent system that has enough cooling power. Just replaced my 8800 G92 with a HD5850 and the fan makes more noise at idle then the 8800 at load Cant really see why people 'praise' the HD5850 for low idle noise.

So instead spending another 100,- for the EK Asus P7P55 blocks + 30,- for fittings and another 20,- for upgrading to a MCP355 instead of the 350, I already have 'saved' myself a fair amount of money to almost buy a second HD5850 (minus the waterblock of course )

[NaeKuh]

So instead spending another 100,- for the EK Asus P7P55 blocks + 30,- for fittings and another 20,- for upgrading to a MCP355 instead of the 350, I already have 'saved' myself a fair amount of money to almost buy a second HD5850 (minus the waterblock of course )

and i call you one of the smarter ones..

This is always my recommendation on ANY PLATFORM.

Get the better hardware first, and then accommodate..

not get lower hardware, with accommodations.

@NaeKuh: Sorry for saying you were "wrong", because technically it is a matter of opinion, and you can't really be wrong. And you are right, I should get a custom water block some day, because I luvs me them DFI mobo's and having a full coverage block would be totally sweet. (But only if I can get mine etched with a unicorn.)

No your right its all in personal tastes and ive been here b4 too.
I watercooled a budget platform, and got horrible results with it.


I learned Budget + water should never be mixed together, because you'll run into hardware limitations b4 your water even becomes a merit.
NEVER will i do it again.. instead i learned you get a X48 instead of all that water option....

But... seems like you guys are totally jumping on the bling wagon.
Well thats fine... i wont criticize you guys anymore.

But if we look at it..

A fully blingd out watered P55 in my eyes will never look as sexy as a fully hardware loaded X58 on nice air.
Performance wise, id think the X58 system would still beat the P55 system.

[Captain_Harlock]

Uh NaeKuh, just what kind of textured paint did you use on that (I assume) 690?

[NaeKuh]

Uh NaeKuh, just what kind of textured paint did you use on that (I assume) 690?

u know i forget... its been so long ago... i couldnt tell ya..

its the last time i decided to ever paint a case myself.

Next time im sending it off to someone.

And yeah its a CM690, the first or second...on the forum to have a full perfect internal build also.
(actually i think i was racing someone on the forum to be first...)







The water parts almost = the hardware cost...
Which is why im telling u guys.. i learned a very costly lesson that day... and i dont want you people repeating it.

[bot@xs]

anybody who takes any of their hardware beyond manufacturer specifications will at least think about venturing into alternative cooling options.

many actually make it a point to take a lower end or mid range part and run it at it's maximum capacity.

i often feel that extreme hardware does not always justify it's extreme price.
for example:
an intel i7 860 or i7 920 performs well for a mainstream platform and i7 975 will not double in performance but it's price is 4 times higher.

comparing the chipsets P55 and X58, there is still a good $100 dollar difference on average with actual performance differences fairly minimal. the only thing the X58 really outshines the P55 is in SLI/CF applications.
also, the X58 has been out a bit longer and prices have dropped.

if one decides to remain on a single video card, there is really no point of shelling out the extra money for the board and it would be better invested in other hardware upgrades including alternative cooling.

[NaeKuh]

if one decides to remain on a single video card, there is really no point of shelling out the extra money for the board and it would be better invested in other hardware upgrades including alternative cooling.

i guess this is where i dont see the objective meeting the end result.

Air is fine.. i dont see why you guys think water is that much greater then air.

Water is only greater then air, when you need that room or reserve.

If you dont have that reserve, then there is really no point in water, because you can mirror its results on air.

Same goes with half built LC systems. If the system isnt setup properly, you wont see the benefit of water, and we bring ourselves back on the ever so heated topic on whats better water or air.

Just because u got water running though your system does not mean it will perform better then an air system.

I can think of plenty of people on this forum who dont touch water, only does air, and would probably give 2/3rds of us in water a good run for there money in raw performance numbers.

What i forgot is, were so stuck up on bling.. hey im guilty of it myself even...
If bling is what you want... then by means go for it.

Bling doesnt need any other reason besides "because i want it."
But watercooling a budget platform hoping to get performance benefits is just wishing too much.

Your hardware is tax'd as it is.. water wont help you get a truck though a mouse hole... however a bigger mouse hole will.

^ is what im trying to say...

[Captain_Harlock]

Well I have to say there are exceptions (of course there always are), but I pretty much agree with you. For instance, I'm building a whole new loop for a new rig this summer. I just wanted it to be ready as a drop in and go kinda thing, and it will take me a few months to get it done with my limited time. Mainly waiting on the new T3 to come out at this point. My last loop was pretty decent, but will get placed on my more "modest" crunching rig. Thats mainly becuase I have the parts to do it. That would be the exception. I get the silence and cooling of the loop I already have for a fairly low end rig (but very power efficient), becuase I dont want the parts to just sit there and I never sell anything. But I'd never go out and buy new WC parts for such a low end rig.

[bot@xs]

i just build a dedicated folding rig with the awesome fry's deal ( thx again) you posted.
the rig has 2x 280's and a Q6600 @ 3.6ghz which runs on a blockops, all housed in an antec 300.
the 280 keep it pretty cozy inside and the DD system keeps the Q6600 in the early 50's with all 4 cores fully loaded.
i don't regret spending $70 bucks on the DD

all in all, yes it is about bling but as mentioned noise is a factor too.
i also like to believe that with WC i am less susceptible to weather seasons and other outside influences. besides .. it's fun
i see how one could say it is not feasible to spend $500 bucks on WC for a $500 dollar system

[warriorpoet]

i guess this is where i dont see the objective meeting the end result.

Air is fine.. i dont see why you guys think water is that much greater then air.

Water is only greater then air, when you need that room or reserve.

If you dont have that reserve, then there is really no point in water, because you can mirror its results on air.

Same goes with half built LC systems. If the system isnt setup properly, you wont see the benefit of water, and we bring ourselves back on the ever so heated topic on whats better water or air.

Just because u got water running though your system does not mean it will perform better then an air system.

I can think of plenty of people on this forum who dont touch water, only does air, and would probably give 2/3rds of us in water a good run for there money in raw performance numbers.

What i forgot is, were so stuck up on bling.. hey im guilty of it myself even...
If bling is what you want... then by means go for it.

Bling doesnt need any other reason besides "because i want it."
But watercooling a budget platform hoping to get performance benefits is just wishing too much.

Your hardware is tax'd as it is.. water wont help you get a truck though a mouse hole... however a bigger mouse hole will.

^ is what im trying to say...

You failed to mention acoustics. For some of us, "raw performance" means nothing if PC noise ends up on our recordings.

Give me a dead-silent p35 system I can use for gaming, composing, audio editing and recording any day over a Hoover of an i7 system. I don't care what the theoretical performance numbers are if the system doesn't meet my needs.