Opinion Poll: Eheim vs. MagDrive

[ColdMiser]

Opinion Poll
Is an Eheim worth the considerable extra cost over a MagDrive?

My intended app is inline. Noise level is important.
Is the Eheim significantly more quiet/quality/durable/whatever to warrant its signif higher cost over a MagDrive?

[arch113]

I have the MAG running inline, and it leaks.... BAD

I have 2 options, go submersible or get a new pump.

If I get a new pump it will be a Enium.

[ButcherUK]

I have an eheim, the thing is pretty much silent; and I don't meant 'silent' like people when they say "oh yeah my ys-tech 120mm fan is silent" (they aren't). I switched it on and with it just lying on the garage floor I couldn't hear it from a couple of paces away, and this is with minimal ambient noise, stick it inside a case with rubber mounts and you'd never hear it. Also they are very well built, not small but I'd rather have working than small ;)

[Voodoo Rufus]

I really like my Eheim. There is a slight hum holding it in my hand. Therer is a slight vibration from it but that's just from the impeller. Nice pump. Inside my case I can't hear it. Also, I'm running my enermax power supply, 1 hard drive, and a Panaflo L1A @10V, sometimes at 5.8V, so you can tell I'm a stickler for noise

[ButcherUK]

Originally posted by Voodoo Rufus
Therer is a slight vibration from it but that's just from the impeller.

Mine is impeller modded for extra quietness ;)

[Voodoo Rufus]

How do you do that?

[ButcherUK]

Originally posted by Voodoo Rufus
How do you do that?

Crack it open, remove the impellor from it's shaft, you'll see it's in two pieces, which can rotate about a half-turn. Take them apart, dry thoroughly, and epoxy them back together making sure you don't get epoxy into the shaft. Once dry reassemble the pump. The epoxy will stop them from rotating on each other (it's designed to stop small stones etc from damaging the pump).

[Voodoo Rufus]

The rotation causes the vibration?

[ColdMiser]

Hey VoodooRufus, just wanted to let you know that it was your article on this site that convinced me to take the plunge into watercooling. I never wanted to do it because I really like things to have that finished look, and I did not want some big radiator laying out somwhere. I want my whole system contained within the case. Your artice proved that a very effective WC sys could be built that is compact, affordable, low maintainence, and does not require any outrageous mods. I believe this 'inside-the-case' system is what we will be seeing when Dells and Gateways are sold with watercooling in a couple years. After extensive research, I arrived at many of the same choices as you did. Swiftech water block, 1/2" all around, Eheim 1048, and I really like the dimensions of that BlackIce Prime radiator. I think I may wait to buy the BlackIce Extreme, though. Do you have any thoughts on the new BlackIce extreme radiator? You can pre-order it for $80 till Nov 21 from:

http://www.overclockwatercool.com/sfigjiAEHtdjsh/procooling_special.html

There is little info about it since I don't think anyone has tested it yet, and nobody even seems to really be talking about it.

[ButcherUK]

Originally posted by Voodoo Rufus
The rotation causes the vibration?
To an extent, it dpends on the pressure of your system and such, but it does quiet it somewhat. The other main soure is the motor itself, best way to help with that is to use some foam under the pump when mounting to help deaden it.

[Voodoo Rufus]

From what I see, the Blackice Extreme is a 2 pass unit, and it's thicker than the Prime model. It is called a "low pressure drop" radiator, and it comes with the 1/2" connections stock. Being a 2 pass unit, the water should take longer to get through the radiator, helping to dissipate the heat better than high velocity water. I'd go for that if I was building a new setup in the future.

Thank you for the comments on my article. I appreciate it.