Check this homemade WB out

[Halo_003]

AFAIK, the HK block was designed not to be lapped.

Wes

Yup same but I thought it was fine if it and the CPU was lapped?

[BeepBeep2]

Not only was that HeatKiller block lapped but it's an LC version.

You guys have to remember that the air cooled block has a fan mounted on it bringing alot more airflow to the motherboard and chipset.

[Manicdan]

i love the idea of this, i dont care if the test is flawed, cause a block like this needs to exist. the only thing i would like to know is what fan speed was used (not 100%, i know that, but is it 800rpm or like 2000rpm?)

first it adds more surface area, if your running a rad with 2x120 at silent, its not going to be super cooled, and a third fan at dead silent will help significantly.
and second, its a backup for safety, using temp regulated fan speeds u can have it idle when it needs too, or go to full blast when temps start getting crazy

fact is i would have gone with one of these, i had an issue where my pump shut off on me, and im taking a shower and my PC was boiling water (not a joke). i didnt notice anything was wrong cause i dont like having a loud pump, so i had no idea it shut off.

i believe the best way to build one of these is to have a regular waterblock using 90degree angle barbs, with 2-4 heatpipes around its edge (2 big or 4 small) with the fins raised over the main block, so you can fill in a full 120mm fan, while keeping it light weight. and it should give you enough space to put on the tubing. however such a heatsink could never be made at home using just a mill.

[Sideroxylon]

The pictures of both tests are posted there, and you see air cooled video cards. What GPU in the loop are you referring too? Perhaps a typo in my post which I should address?

Possibly I read it wrong. Don't think I wanna go wading back through those 4-5 pages over on EVGA to find it.

I have to give you credit though. That's a very unique design. To be able to actually create it and implement it is the kind of thing that keeps this hobby moving forward. I commend you sir. But, having said that, I'm still having a hard time believing that much of a performance difference between your block and the Heatkiller.

I'm not saying that you're lying but more that your testing methods may have been too crude to give us reliable numbers. If you really believe in your block you should get one into the hands of someone who has the proper equipment to give us some hard data on it.

[johnksss]

hummm im sure that could be done, if xs was willing to do the same in return.


block has another major plus over the heatkiller everyone seems to be missing....he can run on air...dont see your heat killer doing that any time soon.

lots of attacking going on over here...wow!

[SoulsCollective]

Erm...this is basically just adding another radiator. The block itself is probably not actually all that great, it's just that in this particular case adding in this air/water combo is significantly increasing the heat-dissipation capacity of the system - thus giving lower temps.

[NKrader]

Erm...this is basically just adding another radiator. The block itself is probably not actually all that great, it's just that in this particular case adding in this air/water combo is significantly increasing the heat-dissipation capacity of the system - thus giving lower temps.

yea its kinda a fun idea but.. i dont really like hybrids... (especally people/animal hybrids like a manbearpig)

[gergregg]

Erm...this is basically just adding another radiator. The block itself is probably not actually all that great, it's just that in this particular case adding in this air/water combo is significantly increasing the heat-dissipation capacity of the system - thus giving lower temps.

I would have to agree.

[johnksss]

hummmm, still missing the point.
it's not just meant to work together..it's meant to work as either air block or water block.
just like some gigabyte and asus boards.

i see this temp has really got you guys in a serious uproar of sorts, huh?
so why dont you send him one of your non lapped heatkiller blocks?

[Mr 326]

I don't deny its an interesting idea, but I am skeptical of the huge temp differences between the 2 tests. Especially the 18c drop on the video card.

[SoulsCollective]

Folks...consider the test system. i7 920 on an MCR220 with GPUs in the loop, if I read the post correctly. In this situation the loop is clearly rad-limited - there's simply insufficient surface area to effectively dissipate the heat being picked up from the components, so temps are crappy. With this hybrid block in the loop, you've essentially added in another radiator - thus the massive temp drop. If the blocks were to be re-tested fairly, you'd need to either control for the amount of additional surface area given by this hybrid block, or at least add many more rads, in so doing rendering the extra surface area given by the block a moot issue.

Of course, this may or may not be slightly missing the point, depending on how you view this - if space is an issue in your loop then a block such as this gives your loop more dissipation capacity and therefore better temps compared to a standard waterblock, even though a standard block is probably more efficient at removing heat from the CPU IHS. Borking the performance of the HK by lapping it also doesn't help the purpose of comparison.

[Utnorris]

I applaud the effort Nate, you did two things most people here will not do:

1 - You made your own block.

2 - You thought outside of the box.

Can anyone show me the last time CPU blocks had a significant improvement/innovation in the last 5 years? Seriously, we talk about this each time a new block comes out. The new block looks like this old block or they took that idea from this. I said it before and I will say it again, it would be nice to see something new in CPU water blocks that is a total departure from what already exists, this does that. It doesn't matter if it is better or not, just the mere fact that someone tried something new is a start in the right direction and this is from a guy working out of his garage, imagine what the big companies like Swiftech, Koolance and EK could do if they actually tried doing something completely new instead of rehashing the same old design. It has already been shown time and time again, the difference between the worse and best block is about 5 degrees at idle and at most 10 degrees under load. Water already does a significantly better job than air cooling so 10 degrees may seem big, but in overclocking it still is not enough and the next step is going sub zero. At least here you have something new with a purpose, regardless of the performance. Great job thinking outside of the box Nate, keep up the good work.

[Sideroxylon]

hummmm, still missing the point.
it's not just meant to work together..it's meant to work as either air block or water block.
just like some gigabyte and asus boards.

i see this temp has really got you guys in a serious uproar of sorts, huh?
so why dont you send him one of your non lapped heatkiller blocks?

You're having a hard time understanding why most of us are so skeptical. Here's the issue...most wb manufacturers would kill to be able to claim just a few degrees better performance over their competitors. And they spend lots of money in R&D trying to do just that. For someone to make a homemade block that supposedly performs so well is just unheard of. Not to say it can't happen but if you're going to make that claim then you better be able to back it up with hard data.

I think most here appreciate the design and effort that went into this but now we need some qualified testing to really give it the credit it deserves...or doesn't.

[johnksss]

I don't deny its an interesting idea, but I am skeptical of the huge temp differences between the 2 tests. Especially the 18c drop on the video card.

hummm, it seems that one test ran with one card..the heat killer
and the other with two cards...the natemman_doo block

could it also be possible that because of the two cards that they down clocked themselves? while the single card stayed at stock clocks and voltage?
(speculation of course)

You're having a hard time understanding why most of us are so skeptical. Here's the issue...most wb manufacturers would kill to be able to claim just a few degrees better performance over their competitors. And they spend lots of money in R&D trying to do just that. For someone to make a homemade block that supposedly performs so well is just unheard of. Not to say it can't happen but if you're going to make that claim then you better be able to back it up with hard data.

I think most here appreciate the design and effort that went into this but now we need some qualified testing to really give it the credit it deserves...or doesn't.

no, i completely understand..it's just how you guys went about presenting it all.
had kingpincooling made this block...it would be all praises, but since its someone faily new..automatic jump on the guy with a new invention.
could have just asked in abetter way about the 9c difference..
that's all im saying...
but you guys carry on.
i know i beat quite a few of you with his homemade dice block. which im sure you would have something to really say..lmao!

[Sideroxylon]

Folks...consider the test system. i7 920 on an MCR220 with GPUs in the loop, if I read the post correctly.

I may have misquoted him. His pics clearly show the gpu's aren't in the loop. But one test was done with a single card and the other in SLI.

Sorry, if I've added to the confusion and skepticism.

[johnksss]

then lets use this as the heatkiller basis...since skinneelabs is well respected.
http://www.skinneelabs.com/heatkiller-i7.html

[Justintoxicated]

doesn't this sort of defeat the purpose of water cooling? I would think adding a larger radiator (or additional radiator) to the loop would offer better cooling than a fan on the water block itself, as it would MUCH more effectively remove heat from the liquid in the loop. I don't see a fan on a properly designed water block making much difference at all since the temperature of the water passing through the block would have a much more effect on the block than a fan.

Not arguing the results, I just don't think the idea of adding a fan to a water block should make much difference at all. It would be better to invent a block that has a small Actual radiator over the top of it than just adding fins to the block itself. Or heck, just make a block that allows the mounting of a 120mm radiator over the top of it, that would be neat for space limited situations (and most of us do have space limitations that want to keep everything internal to the case.

[johnksss]

guys!
it is to be used as either or or both.
for the guy who doesn't want to water cool this month, but can water cool next month when he is ready.

[Justintoxicated]

guys!
it is to be used as either or or both.
for the guy who doesn't want to water cool this month, but can water cool next month when he is ready.

But for just air cooling, you would likely be just as well off with the stock Heat sink fan?

[TJ TRICHEESE]

to cool an i7 with that block and air only you'd need a delta

[nateman_doo]

to cool an i7 with that block and air only you'd need a delta

Incorrect. I am running just fine on just air since before the review and today as we speak, like so:


The tubes just coil up into an empty drive bay because I don't feel like taking them apart.

[johnksss]

time will tell, but at least give him the opportunity to find out.
this stuff is a work in progress and along the lines of a "i wonder how well this will work" sort of thing.

keep this in mind.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

@what temps, speed, voltage and fan cfm?

i like the concept but its a bit big

EDIT: so your not using the cpu 8 pin connector and why would you use just air when you have water

PS: i like your bong

[nateman_doo]

But for just air cooling, you would likely be just as well off with the stock Heat sink fan?

I would go out on another limb as say that my block performed on par with the blocks in this roundup:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/880/1/

My comparison was the stock heatsink gave me the same temp as was listed in that same review. Then I installed mine, and couldn't have been happier.

It runs just fine daily for me on air.



John put it best,
You used to had the choice of air or water and had to choose a separate component to work for you accordingly.
You now have three choices, 1.) air 2.) water 3.) air and water... with the same block.

[nateman_doo]

@what temps, speed, voltage and fan cfm?

i like the concept but its a bit big

EDIT: so your not using the cpu 8 pin connector and why would you use just air when you have water

PS: i like your bong

Thanks! i would have loved to test the block on the bong, but I figured i would keep it simple for now.

I was just putting the system back together when I took the pic, thats why the 8 pin isn't connected. Plus it just looks unsightly for me in a picture. it isn't a small block when u do the side by side comparison. I would guesstimate close to 3 lbs.

The overall height of the block alone isn't bad, its with the fan, and the springs, but unless I took a picture of it sitting next to a zaleman or something side by side you can't appreciate the shear bulk of this monster.