DDC3.2 Pump Top Shootout! 10 tops tested..

[Martinm210]

Whew...that took some work! Not sure I want to do the same for the DDC2..

It was alot of fun though and very interesting

Here is a link to details with pictures and individual charts on my site.

And the curves:


Cheers!
Martin

Update 3-6-08
Some folks were asking about the side inlet performances, so I've completed testing on that. You basically get stock or worse performance using the side inlets, so don't do it if you want the performance advantages of the aftermarket tops.

Update 6-4-08
I've followed up and ran the same testing over the DDC3.1

Full review page is here:
http://www.martinsliquidlab.com/DDC3...opTesting.html

And the curves:



I've also added some estimated flow rate bar charts on the site if you're interested and an updated flow rate estimator.

[virtualrain]

Let me be the first to say... Awesome work as usual Martin!

I guess my Alphacool tops with res are not the highest performing The fact is that none of my overclocks are temp limited so I'm not sure what would be gained by using a better top other than bragging rights. However, if (or when) I was to do it over, I would definitely choose the XSPC... Nice!

It's also interesting to note that the (once/still?) highly revered Petra top is just middle of the pack now.

[Martinm210]

Yeah, I probably should add something to the end to explain the whole flow rate vs temperature thing.

An extra couple of gpm really doesn't amount to anything for temps, but it's still fun to tinker and see how they performed.

I also wouldn't switch out tops, but I hope with this we might see a few tweaks to existing top designs...all the better for the community..

[madmaxx]

you continue to amaze

thank you

[NaeKuh]

HEH...

Definitely very nice martin

too bad the 2 in 1 top will max out your meter. :P

[aspire.comptech]

Very interesting results.

Perhaps we might see some revisions in the near future...

[virtualrain]

Yeah, I probably should add something to the end to explain the whole flow rate vs temperature thing.

An extra couple of gpm really doesn't amount to anything for temps, but it's still fun to tinker and see how they performed.

I also wouldn't switch out tops, but I hope with this we might see a few tweaks to existing top designs...all the better for the community..

Yeah, I think you made it clear on your website that a properly designed cooling system would perform admirably with any of the tops you tested... I particularly like how you ranked the pumps for low vs. high flow allowing folks to make intelligent decisions about what might perform best in their particular loop.

One other comment... you rate the Alphacool res top as "excellent" to bleed. I must disagree... it's a PITA even after modding with a bleed screw in the stock cap! LOL!

[Breezyjr]

Yippee, I picked the right top!!!!

The XSPC Top, with the added benefit of BLING! Adding a couple LEDs...

Yeehaw, can't wait to get mine all set up!

Thank Martin for the hard work.

BTW> What pumps to you need for the dual DDC top? I found a couple that are 18W, but manufactured awhile back.. '05 I believe. So, If you need them, yup I have two, let me know.

Take care,
breezyjr

[NaeKuh]

oh sheeznitz...

martin u made a typo on your webpage.

the fin addon can not be used on that xres. i tried, it wont fit. the base diameter is too small to take it. you need to cut a credit card up. :\

http://www.shoppts.com/ekanad.html

wont fit x-res... dont bother buying them.

Martin if u look carefully at my xres you'll notice scratches. That was from me tring to force it down there, but i polish most of it out.

[Martinm210]

HEH...

Definitely very nice martin

too bad the 2 in 1 top will max out your meter. :P

I've got a bid on a 20psi manometer right now, hopefully I'll have the tools to test that one right too soon..

Very interesting results.

Perhaps we might see some revisions in the near future...

I'm hoping so..

Yeah, I think you made it clear on your website that a properly designed cooling system would perform admirably with any of the tops you tested... I particularly like how you ranked the pumps for low vs. high flow allowing folks to make intelligent decisions about what might perform best in their particular loop.

One other comment... you rate the Alphacool res top as "excellent" to bleed. I must disagree... it's a PITA even after modding with a bleed screw in the stock cap! LOL!

Fixed!

I just didn't notice the surface water moving quite as much as the EK, but I really didn't test the bleeding as well as I could have because I had another reservoir in line. I might run three separate tests to do a better job at evaluating bleeding...sounds like it's needed to really get a feel for this.

[Martinm210]

oh sheeznitz...

martin u made a typo on your webpage.

the fin addon can not be used on that xres. i tried, it wont fit. the base diameter is too small to take it. you need to cut a credit card up. :\

http://www.shoppts.com/ekanad.html

wont fit x-res... dont bother buying them.

Martin if u look carefully at my xres you'll notice scratches. That was from me tring to force it down there, but i polish most of it out.

Good to know, I'll go fix that..

Anti-cyclone doesn't fit. I'd probably run a short section of tubing out of the top then and fill it up completely beyond the top of the reservoir..

[NaeKuh]

Good to know, I'll go fix that..

Anti-cyclone doesn't fit. I'd probably run a short section of tubing out of the top then and fill it up completely beyond the top of the reservoir..

well my idea was a Tline. Use one end to bleed the res, the other as a return and use the top as a return.

oh wait.. martin that tube works??? Your kidding me right? on the XSPC res top? OMG SilverTygon tubing in EK res anyone?

[Martinm210]

well my idea was a Tline. Use one end to bleed the res, the other as a return and use the top as a return.

That would do the trick too

[Martinm210]

oh wait.. martin that tube works??? Your kidding me right? on the XSPC res top? OMG SilverTygon tubing in EK res anyone?

Yeah it works and amazingly well, but it's an acrylic tube.

I've got a video of it running at all flow rates, hardly even moves the surface water.

I would have never thought of the idea myself, very clever..

[NaeKuh]

Yeah it works and amazingly well, but it's an acrylic tube.

I've got a video of it running at all flow rates, hardly even moves the surface water.

I would have never thought of the idea myself, very clever..

but we could reproduce it if we placed a tube down the middle on the ek?

anyone have ideas on how to straighten tubing out quickly? oh wait.. hot water.. nm....

[Jupiler]

Thanks for sharing the results Martin.

About the XSPC res top :

In your conclusion, you stated that you had problems sealing the reservoir and you used the XSPC barbs.
Does this mean that someone would have the same problem if they used EK or DD barbs?
Or would using a bigger O-ring solve this?
Does this apply to the XSPC Laing DDC Top too?

[Vargher Warg]

Thanks for the great work and an interesting read!

I would love to see some results from a test with the Laing 3.1 10w

While you could find tests on the internet done with the Laing 3.2 18w
It's almost impossible to find tests done with the weaker Laing 3.1 10w

The results I'd be most interested in, would be the results between the
'Alphacool top' and the 'XSPC top'

I'm really interested to know how XSPC top holds up with the Laing 10w

And do you think that the Alphacool top would do a little better
against the rest of the tops with the Laing 3.1 /1-T 10w

Not only I bought the the inferior Laing pump! I also choosed the worst top!

[Meatpuppet]

Wow, just wow. Sorry I don't have anything constructive to add but I just wanted to acknowledge that the effort is much appreciated.

[Tw1st3d]

Wauw!! Nice testing Martin - nice and easier to figure out!

STICKY is a must!

I'm quiet surpised that the XSPC top with resevoir pwns all the others - going to buy when i find a shop in DK there sells it!

Edit: Please test the XSPC Top Res with a 10 watt DDC

[Waterlogged]

Awesome work yet again Martin.

I have a question about the Koolance notes though. You say

Only tested
Center Inlet.
Large step
loss in daul
outlet.
Aluminum!!!
Used D-Tek
Barbs.

By "center inlet", am I correct in guessing that you mean over the rotor? Also, what exactly does "large step loss in dual outlet" mean? I already have one of these tops and I may need to put it on a 3.1 and into a shiates & giggles aluminum loop I'm building if my CSP-mag ever goes bad.


Just noticed you misspelled "dual" in the above.

[NoobCake]

So this Pump : http://www.flabbergast.com.au/mcp355...13bb122566c137

will beat the DDC 3.2 + petras top?

[SafeFire]

That's definitely a keeper Should come in mighty hand when I get round to getting jiggy with some water.

too bad the 2 in 1 top will max out your meter. :P

I've never actually seen that one/those ones in a loop, only seen some shops selling it.
Could you give me some linkage? I'd love to get a scope on how you mount it inside a case/pumps being flipsided.

[septim]

as usual very nice info to be had from Martin. Thank you for your time and effort in putting all results up...

[Xilikon]

Thank you for taking the time do do a full testing of the tops, this is truly a first to list all the tops available in the market. The results is very interesting and this gave me the wish to buy a XPSC top to improve my flow with 3 blocks + SF800.

Even the data and the meanings of the curves is very well explained. I hope most people will understand how this work so they can be able to read the infos.

[voigts]

This info is excellent and a one of a kind. I too however wonder if the same performance would hold true with the DDC3.1 10w as many of use silence freaks prefer it. Very, very good work and thank you for your continued contribution to the watercooling community with your excellent info.