Making my own water blocks?

[afireinside]

Hey, I was over at XS and someone linked to here in a WC thread and said search for Cathars posts so I desided to look around here. Next thing I know I'm at the "post pics of your water blocks" thread and I was like :O

Anyway I've anways wanted to make my own blocks but I have no clue as to how thick the base should be or how to make a threaded hole so I can screw a top on or what kind of screw to use.

Thanks

[Voodoo Rufus]

Well from what I know of block design (which is very little, so someone correct me if I'm wrong), the base thickness depends on how you're planning on designing it.

In Cathar's blocks, I think the point is to cool the spot right at the CPU die, hence the thinness of the blocks.

When you look at a Swiftech block, they try to dissipate the heat to the entire baseplate with water going all over the entire area, hence the really thick plates.

[pelikan]

Hey afireinside, I've seen you over at xtreme.

Welcome to Overclockers!

There's some great info on making blocks at Pro Cooling Forums. (http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=37)

[afireinside]

Oh yay another forum! :p:
I want to make a block that can cool a CPU on its own pretty well but also be able to handle a pelt. So I should try to stay between thick and than huh?

[Voodoo Rufus]

Well for pelts, you want to spread the heat around, which means a thick plate between the chip and the pelt, and a thick enough plate to sustain the pressures between the block and pelt.

[pelikan]

Here's a #rotor style block guide. (http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=gethowto&number=1&howtopage=78&howtoID=34)

[afireinside]

Thanks I'll check it out later :D

[Shadowcat]

Best way to design your own blocks is to get hold of a 3d CAD program or something and try to find a machine shop / friend / college that will machine your designs for you... Then just experiment with whatever you like best

[mateo88]

Take a look at Owen's multi-hole drilled water block on the main page. It's good for pelts.

[afireinside]

Ok I read the madshrimps article and it was pretty nice :D

I'd rather not CNC it. I just want to make a block for the sake of learning how and seeing what I can do. Not a CNC machine and half an hour of screwing around with a design prog.

[Shadowcat]

Half an hour? Try 10's of hours for a multitude of workable designs :D

Have a blast with a pillar drill and see what you come up with :) Good luck!

[afireinside]

lol I'll end up with a piece of copper with some holes and chanels and all messy and a piece of lexan on top :p

Theres probley no CNCs around here anyway...

[mateo88]

Here (http://www.overclockers.com/tips997/)

Seriously, take a look at this one, and then maybe modify it to your liking. It's not hard at all, and performs very well. And don't worry about ending up with a bunch of channels and holes, it's just part of the learning process. I wouldn't reccomend using lexan for your first block, only because (IMHO) it's a bit more difficult than just setting the block on a stove and soldering a top to it. Also then no one will be able to see inside if it's messy. :p

[afireinside]

Well if I was just gona braze 2 pieces of copper and some barbs together than I wouldent be asking this :p
I want to know how to make it so I can at least take the barbs off and the block apart if not have a lexan top.

[Shadowcat]

Well you could just use 2 pieces of copper or some copper / lexan and use some RTV silicone to seal them together, you would be able to take them apart for servicing but it would require a good deal of cleaning before you could re-apply the silicone.

[afireinside]

I decided I'm going to use 2 pieces of copper. I'll just drill a bunch of holes but make really deep ones where the CPU die will be for better heat transfer. Than screw the two pieces together and put some barbs on. I wonder if my grandfather has a drill press...