How thick should a water block base be?

[Owenator]

How thick should a water block base be?

I will me making another water block this weekednd and I was wondering if there are any opinions on the thickness of the copper between the core and the water. Swiftech looks to use around 1/8" of copper. I read in an article title Project Stealth cooling that he made his block less than 1mm thick on the core side? I have some 1/8" copper stock and some thin (less than 1mm) copper sheet metal to be used. Along with some 3/8" thick for the main thickness. Any ideas/experience on this topic?

Thanks!

O

[Random Nonsense]

I'm making my own waterblock too! i'm gonna use 5/8ths inch base, with channels milled into it, if you are drilling channels i would go for about 25% more that diameter of channels, and if its a box type block, go with the same as swiftech, about 1/8th as this will let the heat spread more effectively i believe. top and sides dont matter quite as much, just make sure the top is thick enough so you can tap threads for barbs.

[Owenator]

Random Nonsense,

I did the drill and then mill approach on my first block with a maze pattern similar to the MAZE2 rev 2. This time I am trying for a more Swiftech type with a large center cavity and an inlet fitting that sprays water onto the core and then the water goes out a fitting near the edge. My first block has a 1/8" base and 3/16 channels. Since then I bought a set of end mills that go from 1/8" to 1/2" and I have played around with different size/shape channels but my drill press/cross vice setup is just not up to it. This time I am going to keep it simpler by drilling a big ‘hole’ in the middle and then solder on a thin/thick top and bottom. I think a thick top for the fittings and a thin bottom for better heat transfer will work well. What do you think? What's your block idea?

O

[BladeRunner]

My personal opinion is you want the water or coolant touching the core for best cooling, this is not really a viable option, so the next best thing, (other than silver), is the thinnest possible copper separating the water form the core.

I have an OverClockers Hideout copper water block . This is a very well Cnc’d solid copper block with a copper lid that is attached with screws and sealed with some hard black “stuff”.

http://www.zytec.worldonline.co.uk/pictures/jpgs/cpublock1small.jpg

After taking it apart, (something I can never resist), I found in measuring with digital callipers the base part was 4.6mm thick. Not happy with this much copper separating the CPU core from the coolant I had the base machined down carefully so it was just under 1mm thin. It then required some minor lapping due to it denting in the middle a bit during the machining. This fairly simple mod has given around 5° to 6°C lower max CPU temp over all.

I have an old CPU here, (gig T-Bird), and I'll be trying out running the water actually on the core soon to see if it helps or makes a diffeence. :)

[Owenator]

BladeRunner,

It is your idea I am borrowing, thank you. I read your Project stealth cooling, a great idea! The article made me rethink my block design and that's why I was asking about it. Is your block working well with the thin base?

Thanks!

O

BTW If you are into digging holes and such have you thought of a ground source heat pump for you new home under construction? It uses a similar under ground uniform temperature concept.

[Random Nonsense]

my idea is hard to explain... but i drew up a drawing of the channel layout, its got inlet in centre, two outlets tho.....

attached a pic, if it works!

[Owenator]

Random Nonsense,

Here is a crude sketch my first block( the milling was a pain):

file://d:\nuols\olsstuff\olsbox\water cooling\block.bmp

Here is my idea for a new block, basically more water capacity:

file://d:\nuols\olsstuff\olsbox\water cooling\block2.bmp

Just drill all the way through and the clean it up with a file and solder on top & bottom.

O

[Random Nonsense]

i cant see those pics.....

i got my engineer m8 to agree to make the thing if i supply the copper. just i CANT get any copper in this country! well i can but its either only available in one ton blocks, or not pure copper!

can u see any probs with my design??

[BladeRunner]

It's funny what sets of the grey think cells, and I'm glad it has inspired others to try stuff, It really occurred to me before I got the block as I saw a Swiftech Waterblock and thought a copper base that thick cannot be the best for efficient cooling,

Ok so you won't half your CPU temps or turn the laws of physics upside down and it's all related to your water temp, but I'd say 5°C is worth having. Don't be tempted to try sanding it down get it milled by a professional (and make sure he doesn't go to far or it will be too thin). the problem with doing this on a Maze or other sealed up waterblocks is you don't know how far you can go.

This was one of the main advantage with the overclockers hideout block.

It hasn't cracked or dented yet the centre divider helps here (and gives more surface area right above the core). I will now make a larger copper lid that has danger den style mounting and soldier it on.

[Random Nonsense]

i would go thinner than 1/8th, but this design is really only a prototype, so i got room for trial and error, i can always remove material from the base....