Water Bird

[Shvian]

Hello, this is my first attempt at water cooling my processor. A few weeks ago, I was interested in wc but was rather clueless. Thanks to a lot of reading here on XS and careful planning, I was able to build my very own CPU wc loop. ^o^

My build is based almost entirely on Pr3dator8's Red raven (wc'd rv02), but with a few differences. So, special thanks to Pr3dator8.

Parts Used:
Watercool Heatkiller 3.0 LGA1366 with backplate
Laing DDC 3.25-12v 18 Watt pump
XSPC Acrylic reservoir for Laing DDC
Swiftech MCR320-QP-K
Bitspower True Silver G1/4 High Flow 1/2" Barbs (x6)
Plastic tubing clamps
Primoflex Pro LRT 7/16" ID 5/8" OD Tubing
Primochill Anti-kink coils
Scythe Kaze Slip Stream 1900RPM 120x25mm fans (x3) Pushing
Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000RPM 120x38mm fans (x2) Pulling
Lazer 3 LED Lights (x2)
Black wire fan grills to protect fingers and the radiator...

[Shvian]

More...

[Shvian]

Finally...

[Waterlogged]

I have to ask

You did replace the pump o-ring, correct?


You do know that Slipstreams suck on rads, correct?

[Shvian]

Second thoughts:
First of all, yes the o-ring sitting all alone in the res/pump picture was accidentally left out then noticed after i got one screw in the pump and wondered why it didn't feel right...

Next, I now realize that those 2 Ultra Kaze fans were probably not the best choice, seeing as how they make slight contact with my memory heat sink and are quite loud. I could be convinced that they were unnecessary as the Swiftech MCR320-QP is designed to be a low fan speed unit. I just wanted to squeeze all the performance i could get out of this radiator. A thicker rad wouldn't have fit as well as this model even though it would benefit more..

Lastly, I'm not decided that 7/16" ID tubing with 1/2" barbs is the best thing. I know that the tubing is on the barbs tight, but thats also the problem. I found putting it on to be a little difficult even when heated. Also, removal is tough if you need to..
However, i can't complain, as nothing leaked one bit.

Results
My idle temps have gone from ~38C to ~26C and my load temps from ~75C to ~52C. This is with a core i7 920 D0 at 3.8ghz on an Asus P6t Deluxe V2 with ambient temp of roughly 18C (~64F). I'm very happy with how this project turned out. Now it's time to work on some new OCs..

Feel free to leave any thoughts, suggestions, questions, etc...

[Shvian]

HA, yes i did.. good spot :p

and no i didnt. why is that?

[Waterlogged]

Ah, good to see you were paying attention. Can't ell you how many times I've seen ppl forget about the o-ring when changing the top.

Vapor did a test on them and found them to be horrid.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=193126

[Shvian]

Hmm, very interesting..
They are actually incredibly loud on the rad.

For now i think they are fine, but I may change them for some better ones if when I add a GPU waterblock with a new card near the end of the summer.
Thanks for the heads up!

Also, I can see how the o-ring can be easily forgotten. When I pulled the top of the pump off, the o-ring stuck right to it and I didn't realize where it was.

[jetroho]

Nicely done man , congrats
j

[Shvian]

Thank you sir

[Petra]

Nice job

To add to Waterlogged's comments, though, next time around you don't need to apply PTFE tape to the threads of G1/4 barbs with captive o-rings (the seal is designed to be formed at the o-ring, not at the threads like with NPT fittings).

[Waterlogged]

Nice job

To add to Waterlogged's comments, though, next time around you don't need to apply PTFE tape to the threads of G1/4 barbs with captive o-rings (the seal is designed to be formed at the o-ring, not at the threads like with NPT fittings).

0_o

How'd I miss that?

[Shvian]

To add to Waterlogged's comments, though, next time around you don't need to apply PTFE tape to the threads of G1/4 barbs with captive o-rings (the seal is designed to be formed at the o-ring, not at the threads like with NPT fittings).

I knew I didn't have to do it, but I thought it could only help. I see what you mean; it changes the location of the seal (sealing design of the particular barb). Then again, if it doesn't hurt the sealing power of the o-ring, its just another "line of defense."

Why wouldn't you do it?

[Ogge_swe]

do you really need the thread tape when you have orings? :S

[Shvian]

do you really need the thread tape when you have orings? :S

Ha, um I guess not
Idk, it gives me some peace of mind and takes only a few minutes to do.. but yea, probably not worth it I suppose.

[astrodanco]

The thread tape can't help and can only hurt. In a few months you'll be pulling gobs of it out of your heatkiller.

[Shvian]

Wow, I sure hope not.. I was careful to not let it overlap the edge of the threading.. :/

[Soulwind]

What the heck have you slathered all over your waterblock? And why?

[Humminn55]

What the heck have you slathered all over your waterblock? And why?

Looks like he wrapped it in TP or something like it during leak testing.

[nikhsub1]

do you really need the thread tape when you have orings? :S

Nope, and it is not a good idea either. Not to mention what astrodanco said below, if you get too crazy with the tape and make the barb too thick, you can stress crack the top of the block if the material is of the plastic variety. Not likely to happen but a possibility. Today there is really never a need for thread tape. Back in the dark ages where everyone used different size thread and they were all NPT it was a must. Back then plastic tops would split themselves like a $2 hooker

The thread tape can't help and can only hurt. In a few months you'll be pulling gobs of it out of your heatkiller.

[Shvian]

What the heck have you slathered all over your waterblock? And why?

Nothing?
I'm not sure what you're talking about, maybe its just the picture quality. I had to use my phone.

The tape on the thread is teflon tape, so its extremely thin. I'll report if I end up having problems from it. (crossing my fingers not!) When I take everything apart next time, it will be removed since everyone says no to it. haha

[meanmoe]

0_o

How'd I miss that?

I was wondering that myself...

how many lectures have I seen from waterlogged on PTFE tape...

[Waterlogged]

I was wondering that myself...

how many lectures have I seen from waterlogged on PTFE tape...

Um...I was...distracted by the...um, blue o-ring, and thought the PTFE was glare from the flash off the silver. . .yeah, that's it.

[erikmorgan]

Looks Great

[Shvian]

What the heck have you slathered all over your waterblock? And why?

Looks like he wrapped it in TP or something like it during leak testing.

Ahhh, now I realize what you are talking about. It is shop towel (think paper towel). I guess it looks like some type of paste or play-doh. My fault with the picture.. and yes that was for my leak testing.

Also, thanks for the constructive comments all