Official Water Cooling Thread of the Stock Maximus SE ROG NB Club:

[Talonman]

What I would like to establish some kind of idea of what 'typical' NB temps members are getting, when they do run the stock ROG block.

Asus'es official stance:
Fusion Block System:
H2O ready: The next step in thermal solution.
The Fusion Block System is a more efficient thermal solution compared to competing followers with complicated looks. It is a hybrid thermal design that combines the ROG´s renowned heatpipe design with the additional ability to connect to a water cooling system. By taking the entire integrated solution into design considerations, the user can enjoy exceptional thermal improvement to north bridge and south bridge with a single connection. The Fusion Block System is the most versatile, efficient, and the most advanced thermal system there is on a motherboard.

The Maximus SE boxes official stance:
Fusion Block System:
H2O Ready: The next step in thermal solution. The Fusion block system combines the ROG's renowned heatpipe design with the ability to conduct to a water cooling system for a 47% increase in thermal performance compared to other heatpipe designs.

Here is our collection of LOADED NB temperatures reported my various members. I would like to see more aftermarket loaded NB temperatures hit the chart too.
Please feel free to submit your data, and this chart will be updated.
We are looking for the hottest temperature, your NB can hit, under max load!
We are giving both the ROG stock cooling, and the aftermarket blocks full credit, for being able to keep a NB happy at idle by default.
That is why I felt recording the NB temperature at idle was not worth it. I was really more interested in the failing point.
This log's purpose was to simply record how high our NB temps were able to climb on the Maximus SE, using our current cooling solutions.

Some lessons I think we have learned about the Maximus SE:

1) If you are running the stock ROG cooling, and decide to remount it using a higher quality TIM, you may see as much as a 10°C drop in NB temp under max load.

2) If you decide to go with an aftermarket water block, you can possibly see another additional 10°C drop in your NB temp under max load.

3) Raju found that loaded NB temps over 47°C have been prone to failures, during longer Prime torture test runs. This is not an exact number, nor should it be considered as such. It is simply ment to help give you a better idea, of what NB temp you might wan't to avoid, for the best system stability. I don't believe it is a hard line drawn in the sand that can't be crossed, but rather use it as a guide myself, and was grateful for the information posted in his findings.
Raju's and Bingo13's Maximus SE review: http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3149

Members reported loaded NB temp's using the stock 'Republic of Gamers' cooling:
ROG Member ----- NB volts -- NB Loaded -------------------------- CPU ------------------
bill d ------------- 1.30v ------ 34°C ------------------------------ Q6600 @ 2.4GHz
TheSamuri -------- 1.54v ------ 34°C -------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.9GHz (Reseated W/MX-2, NB was 48°C)
Renegade5399 ---- 1.65v ------ 34°C --------------------------- E6850 GO @ 4GHz
ragge86 ---------- 1.65v ------ 36°C ------------------------------ Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
.OCX ------------- 1.57v ------ 38°C ---Orthos Beta for 10 hours --- E6750 @ 3.4GHz
initialised --------- 1.52v ------ 39°C --- After 10mins of SP2004 ---- E4500 @ 3.2GHz
NysoO ------------ 1.60v ------ 39°C -------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.6GHz
raju -------------- 1.65v ------ 39°C --- Prime95 Torture Temp ---- Q6600 @ 3.6GHz (Reseated W/new TIM, NB was 49°C)
DerekFSE --------- 1.50v ------ 40°C -------- Running Orthos ------ E6400 @ 3.6GHz
BulldogPO -------- 1.65v ------ 40°C - 24/7 QMC crunching clocks -- Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
giorgos th. ------- 1.47v ------ 41°C ------------------------------ Q6600 @ 3.60GHz
neo rtr ----------- 1.70v ------ 42°C ----------------------------- QX6700 @ 3.6GHz
Aldy402 ---------- 1.63v ------ 43°C -------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.825GHz (NB was 62°C-65°C, loaded on air)
weescott --------- 1.74v ------ 43°C ----------------------------- Q9550 @ 3.8GHz
j0nnyr0773n ------ 1.54v ------ 44°C -------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.6GHz
Clump ------------ 1.62v ------ 46°C ---- After 1HR of Prime 95 ---- Q6600 @ 3.6GHz

Members reported loaded NB temp's in the 'Aftermarket Block Club':
ABC Member ---- NB volts -- NB Loaded ------------------- CPU --------------- NB Block
Creek Tha Gray ---- 1.61v ------ 24°C -- occt at 30min -- Q6700 @ 4.2GHz ------ EK S-MAX (Vapor Phase Change user)
Nikhsub1 ---------- 1.52v ------ 25°C ------------------ Q6600 @ 3.7GHz --------- MCW30
Talonman --------- 1.57v ------ 27°C --1.5hr Prime95 -- Q6600 GO @ 3.7GHz ------ EK S-MAX Acetal
WFO -------------- 1.46v ------ 30°C -Folding 48Hrs - Q6600 GO @ 3.7GHz ------ EK S-MAX Acetal
Clunk ------------- 1.74v ------ 35°C - Prime over night - Q6600 @ 3.6GHz ------ DangerDen Maze4

I am currently giving the block full credit for being copper:

Today I port matched the Fusions block inlet/outlet to the barbs i.d. Got copper shavings in the process. The block itself is copper "not" aluminum.

I stole these quotes from the "ASUS Maximus Formula SE " thread in the INTEL section of the board (Page 58 and 59):
It made me feel pritty good that my OC'ing performance might not take a big hit running the stock ROG block.

OK, I am highly suggesting plumbing the Fusion block into your loop if you can. Dropped NB temp from 47°C to 34°C under load. NB volts at 1.65. It also helps anything on the heatpipe lose a degree or two, my SB temp is down some too. It didn't kill my flow too bad, dropped it some, but not bad. All I had was a CPU block in the loop anyways. And the MCP655 has a lot of push power.

I haven't tried without the fusion block, but i have the same temps with it connected. 33°C idle, 36°C load on NB. Around 32°C both idle/load on SB. ~1,65v on NB.
I have a SB X-Fi Gamer card in my last PCI port and i've got no problems at all with it.
Run my Q6600 on 3,8ghz (423*9) 1,5v vcore 100% Stable
btw. Best board i've ever owned for overclocking

Thanks for the post's boys!

Is there any other water cooling members using the ROG's NB block? If so I would love to hear a report on how it is doing for you.

Post up some temps. If she is a good block, or good enouigh to amply cool the NB, let's make it official.

One reference shot of my loop, and my progressing build details are located here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=160606

[bill_d]

q6600 cpu 27c nb 32c sb 38c running all auto no oc

[Exahertz]

thats great news hearing that the block is indeed copper!

Ill give you full temps when i get my NB on a loop.

[Talonman]

I was thrilled about the block being real live copper too.

I look foward to your report Exahertz!

It is looking like our range of temps is about from 32C idle, and up to around 38C under max load.

That can't be holding us back any correct?

We still need more data!

If you have and doubt about how small the performance hit will be with a 3/8" section in your loop, read this:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=145388
The boys 'in the know' feel less than 1C between running 1/2" and 3/8" hose, which our NB block is 3/8".
I don't believe running a 3/8" block will cost us any OCing performance, and it is handy to use the stock ROG coolers.
I really was not up for the battle of removing the stock cooling, unless I had to for performance limitation reasons.

This chart will make you feel much better about using a 3/8" section in your otherwise 1/2" loop.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=147767
At least it did me...

I now think our biggest consirn should have been if the NB block was copper, and will it be enouigh to keep our NB happy.
My bet is that it will. Go ROG!

[-=j0nnyr0773n=-]

I have 1.54v to nb and it idles and loads at 44c.... I think something's weird about that. It's on water..

[Talonman]

Thanks for the post.

We shall see if 44C at idle and load is odd.....

It sounds kinda bad sensorish to me?

I'm new at the game, is your pump a strong one?

Throw up a picture of your entire loop if it's handy.

I would like to see it.

[-=j0nnyr0773n=-]

Thanks for the post.

We shall see if 44C at idle and load is odd.....

It sounds kinda bad sensorish to me?

I'm new at the game, is your pump a strong one?

Throw up a picture of your entire loop if it's handy.

I would like to see it.

Here is the pump I am using:

http://www.dangerden.com/store/produ...5&cat=0&page=1

Also, I will try to post a pic later, but my good camera is not available at the moment so it will be a crappy one form my phone.

[ElEctric_EyE]

What I really liked after flipping mine end over end was that there was a serious backplate to the NB WC block, whether that too had to be made of copper I dunno... Asus has got my allegiance. It is a high quality board. I'll be able to make more contributions when I get my MF*^%$&*$%$8800GT which is on B/order till 11/9

[Aldy402]

when I first got the motherboard, my tubing wasn't good enough to go from fuzion to NB, it was just too damn close together... the slight kink bothered me..

Im waiting for my MCW60 to arrive then i'll do CPU->GFX->NorthBridge
i'll post my results soon

[BulldogPO]

My everyday 24/7 QMC crunching clocks are:
Q6600 G0@3.6GHz 8x450MHz FSB 1.55V Vcore.
NB Volts are 1.6V and NB temp is 40C.

My system is setup following way:
2x 240mm BlackIce 240mm rads -> Swiftech microres -> Swiftech MCP655 pump set to maximum speed -> Asus Fusion block -> Swiftech Apogee GTX CPU block -> back to radiators.
I use 9/13mm silicone hose, and few hoses are 11/15mm silicone.

[BulldogPO]

I correct, my NB volts are 1.65V not 1.6V.

[Talonman]

I correct, my NB volts are 1.65V not 1.6V.

Done, Thanks for the correction buddy!

So far:
ROG Member ----- NB volts -- NB Loaded --------------- CPU ------------------
Renegade5399 ---- 1.65v ------ 34°C ------------ Intel Core2Duo E6850 G0 @ 4GHz
bill d ------------- 1.30v ------ 34°C ----------------------------- Q6600 Stock
ragge86 ---------- 1.65v ------ 36°C ---------------------------- Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
BulldogPO -------- 1.65v ------ 40°C -24/7 QMC crunching clocks - Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
j0nnyr0773n ------ 1.54v ------ 44°C ------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.6GHz
Clump ------------ 1.62v ------ 46°C (After 1HR or Prime 95) ----- Q6600 @ 3.6GHz
raju -------------- 1.65v ------ 49°C (Prime95 Torture Temp) ----- ??????
Note: After Raju remounted, max temp went down to 39°C

[Pete]

Just be carefull in removing the stock cooler, i did it and took my IHS off leaving a naked X38 unlike some which have pulled the full NB, core and waffer off the bord!

[Renegade5399]

Just be carefull in removing the stock cooler, i did it and took my IHS off leaving a naked X38 unlike some which have pulled the full NB, core and waffer off the bord!

Hairdryer + patience + decent flat blade screwdriver = win.

[Garrett]

Hornet, your pump has a blue impeller which tells me it's an 18w DDC...
It's just standing there in the case, doesn't it cause a lot of vibration?

[step]

Hairdryer + patience + decent flat blade screwdriver = win.

I wouldn't exactly be wanting to heat the epoxy in place. Do it cold.

[Talonman]

I am trying to avoid the entire removal thing unless I have to.

If our findings support that we pritty much have to pitch the stock cooling, I will probably be the next one trying to coax my block off of the board.

I truly hope we can make a more informed decission about the ROG's cooling abilities, before I go through heck and back, trying to remove it off of my $300 board.

If anybody has an opinion on what temp our NB begins to get into danger, by all means chirp up about it, because I currently have no idea.

[Budious]

I have this board and need some recommendations on a minimal set of equipment to liquid cool only the NB heatpipe system, keeping the cpu and vga on air. I'm not familiar with liquid cooling and from my research and looking around, most products tend to be oriented towards 1/2" tubing and connections, I assume these work well enough with adapters to 3/8" NB? I like to have the minimalist of noise from pump and a small radiator that fits over an existing 120mm fan exhaust port or can mount to the perforated side panel of my Lian Li PC-V1000 case without taking a dremel to its nice finish. Recommendations appreciated.

[jonny_ftm]

I wouldn't exactly be wanting to heat the epoxy in place. Do it cold.

??? The NB in load wil be so much hotter than you can do with your haidryer. If you spot it on the NB heatsink exactly, no problem. With cold, you'll need to make an effort on the heatsink/chip/motherboard with much traction. Hot air is the only way for effortless removing

I truly hope we can make a more informed decission about the ROG's cooling abilities, before I go through heck and back, trying to remove it off of my $300 board.

It is really an easy thing, you can't go wrong if you're carefull and use a forceless methodology

Just be carefull in removing the stock cooler, i did it and took my IHS off leaving a naked X38 unlike some which have pulled the full NB, core and waffer off the bord!

??? The X38 doesn't have an IHS, the SB doese have. Till now, no NB had an IHS, is the X38 the first or you're confusing your SB?

[dogin]

I am trying to avoid the entire removal thing unless I have to.

If our findings support that we pritty much have to pitch the stock cooling, I will probably be the next one trying to coax my block off of the board.

I truly hope we can make a more informed decission about the ROG's cooling abilities, before I go through heck and back, trying to remove it off of my $300 board.

If anybody has an opinion on what temp our NB begins to get into danger, by all means chirp up about it, because I currently have no idea.

Know this is way past when it was asked, but my NB runs 54C to 56C on stock air cooling. Have it at 1.63v's. Have had it this way for some time. Runs Prime 7hrs and games 5-6hrs OK (most I have checked it as wife gets reallly mad at heat generated during a multi hour prime run).

System specs: E6850@3.6GHz, (450x8 and 1800MHz FSB) Asus Maximus Formula SE, 4gigs Dominator 10000 @ 1200MHz (3:4), XFX 8800GTX XXX, Extreme Gamer, Dual Raid 0 150 Raptors, PCP&C 1KW. Vista 64

In a Stacker case with 300mm mobo fan on high and a Zalman CNPS9700 CPU cooler.

Switching to liquid as soon as all my parts get here and I get case mods done for mounting Thermochill pa 120.3 just inside top of case. Although plan to go full liquid after market, The first build will retain the stock fuzzion block.

[Xilikon]

X38 has a IHS indeed and it's the first.

[jonny_ftm]

X38 has a IHS indeed and it's the first.

My shame, I see
So it really must run very hot. Bad news too. The WC directly on the core without an IHS should be much more effective. Intel IHS are bowed and they use cheap compound

Maybe someone can try lapping it too

[Marci]

Intel IHS are bowed and they use cheap compound

Eh? They use Indium solder pads - nothing cheap about it and it beats any thermal compound available in the retail market.

[jonny_ftm]

Eh? They use Indium solder pads - nothing cheap about it and it beats any thermal compound available in the retail market.

Thought it was crap after all the polemics around C2D series with bad IHS yielding to great temperature improvements after removing the IHS or lapping it. Also, the E4xxx and newer E66xx series had really bad compound, unlike the solid material built in the first C2D chips (my E4300 was an example)

If intel did so bad with their top-line marketting products, why should they enhance it with the chipset.

Well, I don't own a X38, but just suspicious as intel already deceived us

[Talonman]

Thanks for the post weescott!

So far:
ROG Member ----- NB volts -- NB Loaded --------------- CPU ------------------
Renegade5399 ---- 1.65v ------ 34°C ------------ Intel Core2Duo E6850 G0 @ 4GHz
bill d ------------- 1.30v ------ 34°C ----------------------------- Q6600 Stock
ragge86 ---------- 1.65v ------ 36°C ---------------------------- Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
BulldogPO -------- 1.65v ------ 40°C -24/7 QMC crunching clocks - Q6600 @ 3.8GHz
weescott --------- 1.74v ------ 43°C --------(Q9550 444x8.5) 1.49v 62c under load
j0nnyr0773n ------ 1.54v ------ 44°C ------------------------- Q6600 GO @ 3.6GHz
Clump ------------ 1.62v ------ 46°C (After 1HR or Prime 95) ----- Q6600 @ 3.6GHz
raju -------------- 1.65v ------ 49°C (Prime95 Torture Temp) ----- ??????
Note: After Raju remounted, max temp went down to 39°C