A loaded question re: radiators & water jackets

[Deeznuts]

Hello all-

I am trying to decide on the best radiator:

The Big Mama(copper) or the Danger Den copper cube (also copper). Overclock Watercool claims
Big Mama ($49) and Aquastealth Aquacoil ($55) as dispersing 879 watts/hr, as opposed to the "5x5 cube style at only 242 watts/hr.
Am I mistaken in thinking that they are referring to the Danger Den block, which doesn't have the low pressure drops?
Do the drops make that much of a difference, or will I get the same performance out of all of them?
In that case, which do you guys recommend?

Also, in regards to cooling blocks:
I have seen some composite blocks that have clear polycarbonate and copper or silver bottoms. What is the advantage of the having them this way, as opposed to just 1 soild piece of copper?
Will having a silver bottom interfere with the copper and cause corrosion, or should I just stick to one metal?

THanks alot!

[Monaco]

well, I don't know about those radiators; never used them. I DO know that those numbers you gave for heat dumping sound really screwy. I would not decide on those numbers alone!

As for the other, you mean the blocks that are plastic except for a metal bottom? There is no benefit to those. they are just cheaper and easier to make!! So they ought to cost less, but not perform as well as a solid metal block.

Unless it's the "turn a heatsink into a waterblock" type, those work REALLY well.

[Warlord2]

I would recommend the DD cube sense I have one and love it

its a bet costly but you get great proformance


as for the waterblock I use a maze2 and I would like the recommend this as well sense it hasnt cracked my core :) and its solded copper

[Blue Jester_2112]

Actualy, I was just shopping for a water block the other day (first water rig =] ) and from what I saw, the DD maze2 (the one I ended up ordering) was one of the cheapest I came across. Considering the quality of it, and the fact that it's solid copper, I don't think you can really get a better deal.

[Flash]

As far as I know, the only advantage to the polycarbonate top is that it looks cool, and it's easier to manufacture. Given the same design specs., it won't cool as well.

[Owenator]

I used a heater core from a 91 Ford Escort, $35 new from Pep boys. It's big ~6.5"x7.5"x2" but it fits four 80mm fans like a glove.
Also it's aluminium so you have to use an additive like Redline to prevent corrosion. It is working great for me! With four 24 cfm fans pulling away from it my Duron 800 at 1064 Mhz idles at 35 C and maxes out at 40 C with an ambient around 26 C. I looked around and there are other similar heater cores avail. You will have to mod the fittings but htat's half the fun! I will have to post the construction pics someday, the side view is attached to my profile.

O