Qs for WC pros/EXOS users

[Ross]

I just got an EXOS. Before you all flame me :) Yes, I could've built a better performing system for less. Yes, it will cost more in the long run to mod it. I am well aware of these things, so now that that's taken care of, I have some general WCing questions since this is my first time using WCing.

Before the questions: I will NEVER EVER have an air cooled system again! For an off-the-shelf system, which some air cooling solutions can beat, my OCed CPU load temps are 7°C cooler than on serious air and the case is dead silent, which is what I was really going for. I am turning this into a 24/7 rig and wanted to keep the OC, but be able to hear the phone ring :) The OC in my sig was achieved with a full speed Tornado on an MCX4000 which isn't a 24/7 type thing by any stretch of the imagination...hehe. Today was quite possibly the first time I have ever heard the HDD spin up in the case :D WCing rocks!

Maybe the best thing about the external self-contained setup is that I can plop that puppy right on the window sill with the window cracked open when it get down to <30°F in a few months :D

OK, now for some questions:
I can only assume that the shortest hose routing in the best routing, correct?

I will probably get around to modding the EXOS at some point, but the question will be what is the first thing to go? The pumps suck I am sure. I can't really find any specs on them, but I did see one review that said 130cc/min, which I find almost impossible to believe (that's only like 2GPH). I am thinking about maybe replacing the dual submersible pumps in the res with a smaller res and an external pump next to it (if I can find one that fits in the EXOS case). This would kill 2 birds with one stone-- better flow and remove the heat from 2 pumps out of the water. I don't really want a huge flowing pump, just something better. If anyone can reccomend a small, QUIET, external pump that fits the bill, please pass it along...

The rad is long, but pretty thin (10"x 4.75"x 1")...any big performance gains swapping it out for a thicker one and keeping the 3 80mm fans? Of course, I guess I would have to change everything over to 1/2" tubing for a new rad.

Maybe more easily changeable are the waterblocks and I am very curious what kind of performance gains could be seen by going with a better CPU block? Anybody? I am currently using the 200G, which, luckily, is flat on the bottom. I also have a Koolance chipset block, which I haven't installed yet cuz the mounting sucks a$$. I dunno if I am going to try it or just take it back and get a better chipset block and CPU block at the same time. Decent "mid-priced" block suggestions are welcomed!

Which brings me to my next question: what's the best hose connection method for running CPU and chipset blocks? Parallel or a Y connector?

If you read this far I appreciate it! I am not running out to do any of these mods like tomorrow, so any thoughts would be appreciated whenever you come across this thread :)

[dreammmatt]

umm...wow...so, what did you buy it for? the EXOS case? lol, since you want to switch everything out... From what i hear, the koolance blocks suck the monkey's balls. I also hear that it is quite sufficient to just run the tubes in a serial, from the cpu to chipset (then vga, if ur gonna cool ur video card).

[Ross]

LOL, I was mostly thinking out loud except for the best connection/waterblock stuff. I bought it because 1) if I was piecing the together my own system, I would never be able to decide what to to get piece by piece and it would take me months to get it completed, 2) I am a watercooling n00b and wanted to get my "feet wet" (not the CPU) before I started doing my own thing, and 3) yes, I like the external, self-contained box. I have a PC65 case and there have only been a few WCing systems I've seen in them that don't look like a pack of sardines ;)

Anyway, I bought it for what it is, an easy, entry level WCing package for dummies, but like anyone on this forum, I was thinking about ways to "improve" it as I installed it. Like I said, I am not planning on doing any mods to it right away, but I am sure I'll get "bored" with it at some time.

I did see a link a few threads down that said the rad was pretty good and the person didn't get much from changing it to an Extreme Ice, so maybe I'll just concentrate on the blocks for now and then maybe the pump/res later.

Thanks for the hose connection info...

[eobard]

Originally posted by Ross
I just got an EXOS. Before you all flame me
...you should keep in mind that I'm here. Hi everybody!!! ;)

[Ross]

lol...the enforcer :)

[FizzledFiend]

first off don't feel bad for going with the EXOS system..I went with the swiftech quiet power myself...smartest move I ever made...course it was the first move I made into WCing...anyways...you touched on a few questions that i am curious about myself just hesitant to ask them. I tried 3 different hose clamp methods before I landed on what I LIKE best. tried zip ties on plastic barbs, zip ties on metal barbs. Tried metal clamps on metal and plastic, and i tried plastic clamps on metal and plastic barbs...I like the metal on metal approach.

not too awefull familiar with the EXOS system but the external job got you what ya wanted a quick painless QUIET system... YEAH!

I run an eihem 1250 pump and it seems to do the job well the system runs 1/4 hose size and everybody here is running 1/2 .....flow rates are suppose to be high and this waterblock is suppose to be better than that and so with the heater cores and so on...but one thing Cathar said when i first started was "why worry with temps if the system is stable then they are ok"

so this tells me that for the 200 bucks i spent on this system to get my Barton 2500 from 1.8 to 2.5 and I cranked my 9600 as hard as it can possibly go and everything is stable then all is good baby don't worry about your setup..just make sure it don't pee pee on your gear bro...enjoy the new toy...now for when you get board...go balls to the wall man cause you don't really want to break the system down any more than you have to. The more ya move it, fiddle with it or tinker the more chances your going to have a leak or break something. only thing I really noticed from your first post was the pumps...that rate seems awefully weak to me...maybe do as you suggested and go 1 big pump outside the resivor VRS the 2 crappy ones

good to know there is anotehr n00b on the block

FizzledFiend

another thought here...when you move the 2 small pumps out of the loop maybe you can figure a way to make them inline and put one on the intake side of the rad and one on the exit of the rad...that might improve on the flowrate thru the radiator aye?

[Ross]

Yeah, it was definitely just about being quiet (and keeping the OC :). I am absolutely happy with it and you will never hear a complaint from me about the system, so don't get me wrong. I paid $239 for everything with the 200G waterblock and it took me all of 45 min. to install it. 30 min. of that was deciding how I wanted to run the hoses. I let it run for about 3 hours to bleed/check leaks and set it up on my desk and it has been cool, quiet and problem-free ever since.

I routinely see "you can do much better for much cheaper", but when I looked at piecing it together with "the good stuff" and seeing pumps for $60, CPU blocks for $50+, rads for $50+, $20 for relays, $10-20 for res, $10-$20 for fans, plus all the $.05 and $.10 stuff (hoses, fittings, clamps, coolant, dye if you're into that sorta thing, etc.), I'd like to know how much cheaper it *really* is to DIY :) You may be more satisfied doing it yourself, but I think the price angle needs to be side aside...especially when there are (crappy) kits out there for $130 (Tt) with everything you need to get you going and you can upgrade from there at your leisure :D Will you end up buying everything twice? Yes, but in the meantime, you have a WCed system for $130...lol.

Yeah, I am sure that pump rating was wrong. Even if it was a typo and should've been 1300cc/min, that's still only ~20GPH. x2 I guess that's not the worst, but it's not the best either. The pumps are setup so one pulls on the IN hose and the other pushes the OUT hose.

If I did my own system, I'd probably use 3/8". The 1/4" seems fine for this system and the small block, it just "looks weak". I do like how easy it is to route though. 1/2" much be a b!tch, especially if you're cooling more than just the CPU.

Anyway, you gotta start somewhere and now that I took the plunge, I will never have an air cooled system again...I just *love* the quiet!

[cornholio]

I bought my Exos 6 months ago for all the same reasons you did... and I LOVE it... I'm very happy.. My P4 runs very cool.
and soooooo quiet. Yes, there are better systems you can put together, but like you I just could not decide.
anyways my box has lots of room and I am very pleased.
Good luck....

[sandman001]

Not to start a war or anything, but I got my ntire wcing system for around $95.

I came from an slk-900U and a 92mm tornado, and the sound......oh wait, what sound. :)

[SemiCycle]

Originally posted by Ross
lol...the enforcer :)

LOL. I see him more as Judge Dread!!!

I remeber when the exos threads first started appearing. I was one of MANY that completely wrote it off. It proved to be one of the better kits you could buy. I choked on those words big time.

Anyway, If you plan on adding blocks, you don't want to run your blocks in parallel OR with Y splitters. You should run them in **Series**. It may be hard to visuallize, but look at the following link. It is about electricity, but the "flow" concept remains the same. Compare pictures B and C.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/g_knott/elect27.htm

Picture "C" is how most run their setups.

If you start running your setup in parallel, you will almost always get uneven flow across your blocks. Water has this nasty habit of taking the path of least resistance. This is the reason you can use a T line and the water doesn't flow up it.

[cornholio]

Originally posted by SemiCycle


You should run them in **Series**.


couldn't agree more......... the only way to flow...err, go :D

[cornholio]

Originally posted by sandman001
Not to start a war or anything, but I got my ntire wcing system for around $95.

I came from an slk-900U and a 92mm tornado, and the sound......oh wait, what sound. :)

no war to start here.. you made out great. you got just what works good for you at a GREAT price.