Took apart my Apogee GTX recently.

[phelan1777]

After seeing the threads here about corrosion and the heated discussions about Alum in the tops, I decided to take my loop down, clean it out and take a look @ my block, and this is what I found.

For the record, I was using distilled with PT Nuke.

close up is a bit fuzzy, the shiny part in the middle is from wiping off with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol as the deposits/growth (what have you) didn't come off by rubbing with my finger. The paint came off with no effort.

For the record I am NOT attacking Swiftech and or Gabe, just showing what developed in my loop, and on my block. My MCW60s were perfectly fine, as was my MCW30, sorry I didn't take pics of those.

[alexio]

So you have Al in your loop? How do the copper pins in the block look? Can you post a pic of them?

[phelan1777]

Refresh, added two pics.

[turtletrax]

Dammit, I just picked up a GTX in a rediculously great deal used package for my HTPC WCing WIP and was worried abou thte damn ALU top...

Dont want to have to spring for a new top either. CRAP...

I wish they would screw off with Alu!!!

[phelan1777]

Dammit, I just picked up a GTX in a rediculously great deal used package for my HTPC WCing WIP and was worried abou thte damn ALU top...

Dont want to have to spring for a new top either. CRAP...

I wish they would screw off with Alu!!!

I can NOT confirm that it is in deed corrosion. I didnt see any physical change in the copper plates, other then discoloration which some ketchup helped a little.

Though, to not have to worry, I will get the copper top when I can order from Petra's.

[Omastar]

A copper top would've cost them more, and we can't have that. The copper top alone goes for like $40.

[IanY]

It is. It is what it is. Obvious you didn't use Hydrx. Oh well. buy yourself a FuZion or Supreme and move on.

They wouldn't admit to it, but you didn't use Hydrx either. I'm sorry for your headache, my man.

At this stage, copper GTX top isn't worth it anymore. Just move on.

[phelan1777]

Already have the supreme. Waiting on a TP1200W to arrive to do cable management then reinstall everything. Moving the Apogee to my Main Cruncher, and will get the copper top.

Just wanted to share with others.

[Martinm210]

Another one bites the dust....

I'll never run aluminum in my system.....looks like it's time to buy the copper top. I was paranoid about the hour or so I had the Koolance DDC3.2 top running...

[phelan1777]

Another one bites the dust....

I'll never run aluminum in my system.....looks like it's time to buy the copper top. I was paranoid about the hour or so I had the Koolance DDC3.2 top running...

Can you see anything at the barb threads if you remove the barbs?

No barbs look okay, no leaks, nothing visible in the res when the loop was running. I wouldn't have taken it down other wise. figured wth, and took it all down.

from what I can tell there is nothing visible just inside the rad, there was nothing in the pump. The tubing looks okay, same as the Res, just the top of the GTX showed signs.

It is. It is what it is. Obvious you didn't use Hydrx. Oh well. buy yourself a FuZion or Supreme and move on.

They wouldn't admit to it, but you didn't use Hydrx either. I'm sorry for your headache, my man.

At this stage, copper GTX top isn't worth it anymore. Just move on.

Ehh its not a headache, like I said, there wasn't any visible damage to the other blocks, they cleaned up fine. I wasn't stressing it. You live and learn. I was a little weary to be honest, but I have had no issues with any swiftech pieces till now.

[Xilikon]

GTX instructions clearly said to use HydrX as fluid to retain warranty so they obviously knew it would be hard to run with just distilled water. Glad you found out before it leak. I'm also happy to see a serious post about this after reading others (like the one using tap water or another which didn't specify what fluid clearly).

This should be kept for posterity to show why running with aluminium parts is a big no-no no matter how sweet manufacturers coat them to prevent them. What they didn't understand is that no matter how great the coating is made, all it take is just a pinhole (often around the barbs area since screwing a barb is bound to scratch the protective coat) to start the corrosion process.

[[XC] NetburstXE]

Another one bites the dust....

I'll never run aluminum in my system.....looks like it's time to buy the copper top. I was paranoid about the hour or so I had the Koolance DDC3.2 top running...

It's possible to get a copper radiator?

[Tile]

My advice is to order a copper top for your Apogee - this will ent your problems with it. Until you get hold of the copper top, clean the waterblock parts and use an anticorrosive fluid designed for watercooling.One option is Alphacool TecProtect is a good option - I have this fluid in my waterloop for 3 months and I haven't noticed any problems at all (initially I had distilled water in the waterloop and the waterblock started oxidizing because the base is made from 99.99% copper)

[Xilikon]

It's possible to get a copper radiator?

Copper/brass, yes. The good brands like Thermochill, HWLabs or Swiftech all sell them.

Tile, if you read it correctly, the OP already have a EK Supreme on his hands so he will ditch the GTX anyway. Proper reading FTW !

[olskool3565]

Hey phelan just wondering how long did you run that loop to get that corrosion. I'm a newbie to watercooling, been running my loop for almost 2 months now. Before I bought the GTX I posted my parts list on OC Forums for any input and no one told me about the aluminum top. After I get it all together I come to XS and everyone is talking about it. I'll be buying a D-Tek Fusion soon just wondering how long I got.

P.S. I am running G11 in my loop. That's supose to stop corrosion doesn't it?

[phelan1777]

I have had the GTX since about june/july of last year. Ran the loop 24/7 since August of last year.

Forgot to mention I was using G11 as well.

[IanY]

Phelan,

You are still under warranty. However, I would suggest getting it into file cabinet number 13 and forgetting about it. Time to move on since you have a Supreme already. It makes no sense to buy a copper top when a FuZion costs $65 and a copper top costs $40.

[Martinm210]

GTX instructions clearly said to use HydrX as fluid to retain warranty so they obviously knew it would be hard to run with just distilled water. Glad you found out before it leak. I'm also happy to see a serious post about this after reading others (like the one using tap water or another which didn't specify what fluid clearly).

This should be kept for posterity to show why running with aluminium parts is a big no-no no matter how sweet manufacturers coat them to prevent them. What they didn't understand is that no matter how great the coating is made, all it take is just a pinhole (often around the barbs area since screwing a barb is bound to scratch the protective coat) to start the corrosion process.

QFA

[phelan1777]

Phelan,

You are still under warranty. However, I would suggest getting it into file cabinet number 13 and forgetting about it. Time to move on since you have a Supreme already. It makes no sense to buy a copper top when a FuZion costs $65 and a copper top costs $40.

lol, File cabinet 13.


maybe I could try to sell it, lol.

[SiGfever]

Phelan,

You are still under warranty. However, I would suggest getting it into file cabinet number 13 and forgetting about it. Time to move on since you have a Supreme already. It makes no sense to buy a copper top when a FuZion costs $65 and a copper top costs $40.

QFT!

[IanY]

I would call the 1-800 line anyway since its a free call. They're going to ask you to send it back... tell it sure.. on their dime... Send them a message anyway and ask them for an explanation, but I can predict now that they are going to pin blame on you for not using Hydrx... G11 doesn't count in their eyes.

[phelan1777]

I would call the 1-800 line anyway since its a free call. They're going to ask you to send it back... tell it sure.. on their dime... Send them a message anyway and ask them for an explanation, but I can predict now that they are going to pin blame on you for not using Hydrx... G11 doesn't count in their eyes.

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised, though I am sure if I got my gf to call, I would get the block sent back on their dime and money refunded, or have them ship me a copper top on their dime and cost me nothing. And And And........it would be done with a smile on both parts.

She works wonders on the phone when it comes to arguing policies/warranties/terms of service and related subjects. She aced her contracts class and is writing wills.

in the mean time I am just getting my cruncher up and running, which is air cooled by a Typhoon, and the gpu is water cooled with a MAze 4.

[Sparda]

I wonder if swiftech use brass for the top and galvanized it using nickel/chrom will solve this problem.

I dont know but brass is cheaper than aluminium right? And all the barbs we are using use brass galvanized with nickel/chrom. Besides we even use brass and chopper in our radiator.

There a pimp motorcycle shop at my homeland that can galvanized metal. Some of my friend plated some of their motorcycle part with chrom at that shop and it aint too expensive.

[Snyxxx]

Maybe the corroded surface would help create turbulence and improve temperatures.

[Xilikon]

I wonder if swiftech use brass for the top and galvanized it using nickel/chrom will solve this problem.

I dont know but brass is cheaper than aluminium right? And all the barbs we are using use brass galvanized with nickel/chrom. Besides we even use brass and chopper in our radiator.

There a pimp motorcycle shop at my homeland that can galvanized metal. Some of my friend plated some of their motorcycle part with chrom at that shop and it aint too expensive.

We already talked about that before and Gabe refused to listen to us Brass or stainless steel would be pretty cheap indeed.