Best of the Best: -Water Block

[Luie]

Some people say the Maze2 waterblock from DangerDen are the best.
Is this true? Are there any other blocks that performces better than the maze2?

[Luie]

I've watch some reviews and saw the Big Momma performs the best. But, I am searching for a good performance radiator that can fit inside a ATX case.

I find the Big Momma radiator is too big. Are there any other alternative?

[ButcherUK]

In terms of performace for size the black ice cannot be touched, expensive though...

[Ralphing]

Originally posted by luie
Some people say the Maze2 waterblock from DangerDen are the best.
Is this true? Are there any other blocks that performces better than the maze2?

As far as I know the Maze 2, Spir@l, and MCW-462 are pretty much neck in neck. My personal fav is the spir@l, but there's a long waiting list (I should know cause I'm on it).

I happen to have a maze 2 now and I should be recieveing the spiral in a few weeks. I'll post my temp results when it comes in.

:)

[Ralphing]

Originally posted by luie
I've watch some reviews and saw the Big Momma performs the best. But, I am searching for a good performance radiator that can fit inside a ATX case.

I find the Big Momma radiator is too big. Are there any other alternative?

The Big Momma is a heater core out of a car. Just go to your local auto store and you can pick one up for around $20. Just take measurements first. :)

[ButcherUK]

I perosnally don't see why everyone is scrambling to get a spiral when they have a maze2 already, as stated there's likely little performance difference (I'm yet to see actual benches), and the maze2 will at least be shipped to you this year.

[Ralphing]

I like the spir@l for a few reasons. It looks amazing, it's super high flow, and you can take the acrylic top off and clean the channel.

:)

[ButcherUK]

As I see it the flow isn't much different from a DD maze2, both are most likely limited by the barbs on them - especially if you have 3/8". As for the wider channel, the DD maze2 has already been revised to include wider channels, with little impact on cooling. Also it won't catch fire if you accidentally run it dry ;)

[Christoph]

Hey Ralphing. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one on that waiting list. I just sent Danny an email asking that he get another newsletter out. I embarrassed to say when I ordered, but I'm sure that I'll be ready be the time it finally gets here.
As for anyone thinking about a Spir@l, DON'T GET ONE UNTIL THE SUPPLY EXCEEDS DEMAND. Most other blocks don't look half as cool, but you'll get them within a week of ordering them.

So, how ya holding up, Ralphing?

[Ralphing]

Originally posted by IdeaMagnate
So, how ya holding up, Ralphing?

I got a little... er... "antsy" while waiting and ended up making this:

http://paran0id.homestead.com/files/Jam050.jpg http://paran0id.homestead.com/files/spiralworing.JPG
:)

[Christoph]

*dr00l*

I think that the spir@ls look better, but not by much. If I had the skillz and the toolz, I'd have done that a while ago, but I don't. How long did that take?
Looks good!:D :D

Edit: Why didn't you make it out of copper? Unless that's silver, copper's better (and that'd better not be silver).

[Ralphing]

YEah, it's aluminum. It was made out of a "scrap" piece my father had lying around. I'm going to be making 2 more, one for my brother and one for myself, both out of copper. It'll be interesting to compare temps between the home made and "real" spiral.
It took quite a while to draw it up and program the machine, but now that the program is written, it should only take a couple days to make 2 more.

[Owenator]

Compared to my hack job that is a work of art, Kudos! I've got to buy a CNC controlled mill! Maybe I can trade my car in for one, HA! Or maybe I need to make friends with a machinist? Here are my first (top) and current blocks, enjoy! (shamless self promotion, I know:)

O

[Sonny]

Owenator - If that doesnt leak then it's a great block! With all the uneven walls creating a lot of surface area it must be cooling you chip down pretty well albiet with a really strong pump.

[Christoph]

I was going to ask why you bothered posting pix of that thing, but sonny's right. Your block has more surface area than any professionally machined block I've seen. I'd go for some deeper channels, but if it works, I bet it spanks. Does it work?

[Owenator]

Thanks! I'm using the larger one right now it works great! I leak tested it before I installed it. It's been in my system for a couple months and it cools my box to around 9C over ambient idle and maybe 15C over ambient at load. With my basement at 25C it idles at 35C full load at 40C. The temps are from the indoket thermistor so they'er probably lower in reality. The channels are aboutt 7/16" deep and somewhere around 1/4-5/8" wide. I use a Pondmaster 250 GPH pump.

I sent in an article on the smaller one posted under "tales of a shadetree machinist". I also submitted one on the larger block hopefully it'll be posted soon.

O

[Voodoo Rufus]

If the Big Momma is too big, go for one of the Blackice models or a small heater core. Either would work good, especially if you already have 120mm fan mounts.

[Sonny]

Owenator - Make want to give it a shot;)

[Christoph]

Originally posted by sonny
Owenator - Make want to give it a shot;)

Huh?

As for the radiator, just go to an auto parts store with your max. dimentions in hand and ask for a heater core that fits those dimentions.
Much cheaper than Blackice etc..

[Sonny]

Originally posted by IdeaMagnate


Huh?

Whoops!!!!:o What I meant to say was "Makes me want to give it a shot" ya know... try making one myself

[Owenator]

Originally posted by sonny
Whoops!!!!:o What I meant to say was "Makes me want to give it a shot" ya know... try making one myself

Do it, it was really fun! I am into machining metal as a hobby though, so I like that sort of thing. Buy extra metal if you can copper barstock is cheap to get and can be sized to the right dimensions pretty easily. I bought a 3/8" thick by 2" wide by 1 foot long piece and two 1/8" x 2" x 1 ft pices for somewhere around $15-20, maybe less its been awhile. I got it at onlinemetals.com an outfit out of seattle WA.

O

[FrozenInHI]

the Z4 performs the same for me as the maze does, haven't tried the spiral yet, but the z4 uses a spiral flow direction as well, so it's prolly the same too. my temps are pretty nice with this block, so i don't see any reason to change it. the swiftech isn't even as good as this one either, i've got all three of them here, and i use the z4 as it's got the best mounting and cooling combined for me.