New Koolance case -- stats

[Amedeo602]

I've had my new koolance up for a day or so and so far here are my specs:

Max Temp (been on ever since it's been up and running, save for reboots) : 35 C (92 F) Fans on mode 2, when I switched to mode 3, the temp was down to 32/33 in a matter of minutes

CPU: 1.4 @ 1.6 (12*133, blasted SB won't go above 133 fsb without needing to be reinstalled...wtf)

Video Card: 200/400, stock is 200/333. It's got a blorb and Tt ramsinks on it

As I finish typing this, my LED shows 33 C. Overall I'm very pleased with this case (except I had to mod the psu to make it fit...there needs to be an extra 2 or 3 inches in the case for bigger power supplies!))

[Coolio]

how much did the case cost?:confused:

[fatshlink]

I am looking at gettimg my first water cooling rig, and the koolance is definatly an option. just out of curiosaty do you or anybody else have a water cooling rig running similar speeds to compair temps.

[Amedeo602]

the case was $199 plus $35 shipping. I got it from infotechnow.com

Overall, it's a nice unit but I definitely recommend getting one with a power supply to avoid the hassle of modification (I hate modding new parts!). Installation of the cooling unit is a breeze, just crimp one connection and attach the water block (easier than installing most heatsinks I've dealt with).


Sorry, but I don't have any other watercooling rigs to compare to. I would figure up my C/W rating but I'm short on time. Here are the numbers, someone else can do it:

max temp=35 C
Ambient = 22 C (damn cold ohio)
1.85 volts
92 (91.95, rounded up) Watts

[Eliminator]

How loud is it? (Mode 1, 2, and 3).

Would you upgrade more coolers for vcard, mobo, hdd?

I spent over $200 for my Cyclone 5000 from coolerguys, plus I paid $35 for my Alpha PAL6035 w/ Delta. I can hear my Delta screaming along with the 5 fans humming simultaneously on my tower. It sounds like a freaken jet plane is getting ready to take off !!! I gotta wear headphones because my speakers are useless !!!!! I'm constantly walking around with a ring in my ears...help!!!

I wish I would have seen this Koolance earlier :mad:

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by Eliminator
How loud is it? (Mode 1, 2, and 3).

Would you upgrade more coolers for vcard, mobo, hdd?

I spent over $200 for my Cyclone 5000 from coolerguys, plus I paid $35 for my Alpha PAL6035 w/ Delta. I can hear my Delta screaming along with the 5 fans humming simultaneously on my tower. It sounds like a freaken jet plane is getting ready to take off !!! I gotta wear headphones because my speakers are useless !!!!! I'm constantly walking around with a ring in my ears...help!!!

I wish I would have seen this Koolance earlier :mad:

mode 1 = fans at 45% until proc gets to 45 C, then 100% at 45 C
mode 2 = fans at 45% until proc gets to 35 C, then gradually increase to 100% by 45 C
mode 3 = fans at 100%

at 45% the fans are nearly inaudible (the power supply fan is louder!)

at 100% you can hear the fans, but it's nowhere near a delta (i have one, i should know)....soft music covers the sound at 100%

As a matter of fact, I threw in a fan I had (I think it's rated around 34 dba, compared to the delta's 46.5) and the fan i added doubled the noise of the case


an 80mm fan for the back of the case is (in my opinion) mandatory. as for vid card, i already had a blorb and ramsinks on my GF2 and it still overclocks and performs fine...my mobo (AK31) has a fan on the northbridge so that's not a problem. hard drive is uncooled except for the airflow from the 80mm in the back....

overall the case gets 9/10. i'll see if i can't find my list of suggestions i sent to koolance and post it....

[Amedeo602]

i wrote this to koolance with respect to the case....

Hello,

I just thought I'd write to you and tell you some ways I think your new case could be improved:

1) Taller case for easier installation. A 4th 5.25" bay would be nice.
2) Longer case...at least another 2 inches between the PCB and where the PSU fits. I have a power supply from A1 that is AMD approved and it wouldn't fit inside the case without a modification (bye-bye Mr. PSU warranty...) -- The model I have can be found (or purchased) here:

http://electroseller.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=electroseller&Product_Code=A1-400W-JX-9810U1&Category_Code=009

And if you don't want to change the case, maybe put a list of PSUs that will fit into the case (it was a HUGE pain in the ass to make that thing fit!)

3) 92 or 120 mm fans instead of 80near the radiator (but the 80s work well enough for the noise)
4) More plastic standoffs (I prefer 8 over 6)
5) Include an 80mm fan in the back of the machine that's the same model as the ones up top (I love the performance/noise of the ones near the radiator)
6) A half inch or so extra tubing from the block to the reservoir. The tubing that's on there touches my video card.
7) I have a Genica removable hard drive tray and it wouldn't fit into the front of the case (It fits fine in every other case I've tried, but got stuck in your case's 5.25" slot).

Other than those minor details, I LOVE this case! It's quiet, effective, and MUCH better than the gladiator hsf with a delta 60mm I had before. The performance is TOP NOTCH for an out-of-the-box watercooling kit. And even with these (IMO) imperfections I'd buy this case again. Hopefully you'll take the time to consider what I've taken the time to write to you so that you'll be able to make a better product in the future.

[foxmulder]

Sounds like a nice rig, I'd love to see some pics

[Eliminator]

Yes, Pics would be very nice!

Also, why didn't you use their 350W or the 431W PSU ? Then you wouldn't have had to modify.

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by Eliminator
Yes, Pics would be very nice!

Also, why didn't you just upgrade to the 430W PSU ? Then you wouldn't have had to modify.

i was originally going to get the 8k7a+ board and that has *issues* with the 430 watt psu. but if i had it to do over again i'd definitely get it and save myself the hassle (plus i'm a cheapskate when it comes to PSUs...i know i shouldn't be, but i can't help it)

and i figured that the one i was getting would actually fit...i thought it'd take me 5 minutes to install it (more like an hour)

[Eliminator]

Originally posted by Amedeo602


i was originally going to get the 8k7a+ board and that has *issues* with the 430 watt psu. but if i had it to do over again i'd definitely get it and save myself the hassle (plus i'm a cheapskate when it comes to PSUs...i know i shouldn't be, but i can't help it)

Thanks for the FYI on the Epox...I didn't know that.

I also find it hard to justify $80+ for a 431W PSU. But if it makes life easier...what's an extra $40 for piece of mind.

I think if I bought this tower, I would cool everything with it...mobo, vcard, hdd, etc. Plus it would wind up costing me about $400.

[Amedeo602]

I'd have to recommend against getting all the coolers...generally those parts don't get too hot (except maybe the video card) and having extra blocks only increases the temperature of the water and reduces the cooling of the water. Two blocks I could justify, and maybe three, but definitely not all four.

[Eliminator]

Have you thought about putting a peltier on the cpu?

[Amedeo602]

I did think about it briefly but I probably won't for a long time. For one thing I'd probably need another PSU and I don't know where I'd put it. Secondly, my SB Live is too finicky to even go above 133 fsb without giving me problems so it would be kind of pointless. Third, I don't know a whole lot about them :(

I might do something with peltiers (ie: order one and play around with it) in a month or two and I might put one in my next system but I doubt my Koolance will ever see one inside it...

[r0ckstarbob]

as long as you're happy with it man, thats all that really matters...

for me though, i'm getting temps like that (or better) air cooled. thats not meant as a put down or bragging or anything, i guess i'm just sayin.

http://languagehammer.net/images/casemod1.jpg

i mean, minus the noise issue... do you feel that the koolance was pound for pound worth it? am just curious for my own sake. different users, different demands etc etc etc

[Amedeo602]

i'm happy with it for now...i can't really measure the performance of the system....the water could go a lot further, but as i said before my sound card is a bit flaky out of spec, as it won't let me go to even 134 fsb...when i get some more $$ i might get a different sound card...

and the main reason i went to water was the noise....i don't see how you live with it ... i had my delta for about 3 months and it nearly drove me crazy

[Eliminator]

Originally posted by Amedeo602

...and the main reason i went to water was the noise....i don't see how you live with it ... i had my delta for about 3 months and it nearly drove me crazy

I hear ya brother ! Or should I say, I used to be able to hear.

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by Eliminator


I hear ya brother ! Or should I say, I used to be able to hear.

lol


Bob: and plus your temps and your setup are after a LOT of hard work and modifications....my temps are pretty much out of the box