CPU only loop for my Q6600

[NoodleGTS]

:mad:

My computer is being a total pain in the ass, so I think I'm ready to bring in water... I've given up on air, because at stock speeds, my Q6600 iddles at 45C. I've done everything! Lapped both my CPU and Zalman 9700, remounted it 18 times in all possible directions. I've used AS5 and the Zalman grease....

My Northbridge has a HS/F on it already, and my 8800GTSs are receiving an upgrade in the form of Zalman VF1000s. They run fine at 650/1020 on the stock cooler anyway, so I should be good. I'm looking for a nice, simple, high performance and compact loop for my processor. I've spec-ed a kit. Give me your thoughts:

Apogee GTX --> Black Ice GTS stealth 120, with push/pull fans --> Swiftech MCres 1000 thing (its a baymounted reservoir and an MC350 pump in one).

Is that enough to cool one Quad?

I think ti should be, given that the HR compact kit that Swiftech did was enough to OC a quad to 3.66 stable with good temps.

[Clockwork_Apple]

Get a dual 120mm rad and a radbox. One 120mm rad will only just be enough to cool an overclocked Quad.

[NoodleGTS]

Get a dual 120mm rad and a radbox. One 120mm rad will only just be enough to cool an overclocked Quad.

By "just enough to cool an overclocked quad," do you mean that it will be adequate cooling for an overclocked quad??

I'm not looking to cool anything else.. just my OCed quad. I'm also trying to keep it simple, and INSIDE my small case.

[shawkins]

About the only thing I would do different is put a top on that pump and run 1/2" barbs. Maybe go with a Thermochill rad.

[NoodleGTS]

What does "put a top on that pump" mean? Sorry, water cooling newbie here. The only reason I didn't decide to go with Thermochill is because this black Ice rad is relatively low profile and designed for quiet operation. I'm not looking to hit 4 Ghz with this CPU so I think that radiator should be able to handle whatever I throw at it, especially with a big res in my bay.

[batboy]

A single rad ain't goona cut it. You need a minimum of a dual and maybe even a triple.

[NoodleGTS]

Isn't that really overkill? I've seen that the compact kit they offer with 1 rad works great. I'm not trying to do crazy overclocks like the one you've got. I just want to clock up to say 3.6Ghz without my case blowing up. I also don't need my computer to be -5000C, just stable temps. My main goal is decent temps, compact, and quiet.

Also I'm not attached to the GT Stealth Radiator. I thought it was slightly smaller so it could fit in my case, but its only thinner and not smaller than standard 120mm rads. I could get a Thermochill or Swiftech one also, or simply the Black Ice GTX 120.

[batboy]

I've been watercooling for a few years now. I have a Core 2 Duo with a 2X120mm rad. I personally would not want anything smaller for overclocking. You have a quad core which runs even warmer. Trust me, a single rad is too small. If you have space and/or budget constraints, then at least get the best double rad you can afford. The Swiftech MCR220-QP is only $40 and is a good rad.

[minhtin]

I'd get a triple if you can do it.

[Clockwork_Apple]

There are people on XS that have dedicated 120.3 loops for their Quads.

I think the minimum you want is a double rad, a single wouldnt cut it. It would give temps the same as air.

[AZNBoiOnFIYA]

Calculate the max amount of watts generated by your q6600 whether thats overclocked or not. Then look at the max amount of heat dissappaited by single, dual, or triple rads. Pick one according to cfm/noise level of fans used or flow rate or space. What some people recommend is overkill, but they probably do it so they won't have to upgrade for future builds.

[Clockwork_Apple]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2414903&postcount=4

[NoodleGTS]

Hmm.....

[minhtin]

Currently my temp idles at 34c and unloead fires up to 70c. It's q6600 @ 3500mhz. Ambient temp is around 70 Farenheit, not sure what that is in Celcius. I am using the Swiftech triple 120 btw, i am just hoping it drops a few c once the as5 is burned in.

[treatmentx]

That's really odd, I'm on a double rad, and I idle at 36C-37C load to 58-59C, at 3.7ghz, ambient 29C (dunno what that is in Farenheit).

And let me add that I have a MCW60 8800gtx in the loop.

I think single will be OK, but once you start overclocking and it's a hot day, it will cut close and will perform like a high end air cooling. I'd go double, even if you don't plan on gpu cool today, might change your mind once you realize how awesome water is =)

[NoodleGTS]

Okay, what do you guys think about this? If I'm going water I'm going to do it properly so I'm gonna get a bigger case...

http://www2.bc.edu/~hallaba/tj-09.jpg

[NoodleGTS]

This is a Silverstone TJ-09 btw.. and I would get black.

[w00tstock]

why not just put a 120.2 up top and then a single 120 in the back? Also i would reverse the flow of all your fans, assuming your ambient will be cooler than the inside of your computer case :P

[batboy]

I like the flow being exhausted out of the case, that's how I have mine set up too. With two vid cards in that case, it'll get hot enough inside there without intaking more across the rads and blowing it in. Instead of two single rads in the top, can't you mount one double? The only problem with the MCP350 pump is that it has 3/8" barbs unless you get a top for it.

[NoodleGTS]

Instead of two single rads in the top, can't you mount one double? The only problem with the MCP350 pump is that it has 3/8" barbs unless you get a top for it.

Well the only reason that I thought of putting 2 single rads in the top is because I think the fan slots are spaced out weirdly.. not close enough to mount on a double rad... Digital Storm computers uses this case with water cooling and thats what they do.. I assume it would be cheaper to use a double rad so they would probably do it if they could.

And BTW... whats wrong with 3/8 barbs? I really dont like the super thick tubes because I think they look gross, so If I can use 3/8 tubes then I'd probably prefer to. What size tubes does everyone recommend for this particular set up?

[JamesXP]

When it gets thick its the bigger OD.

[NoodleGTS]

I see... so I should go with 1/2 ID and pick the smallest OD? Also, what "top" do you recommend for the MC350 pump? I don't know much about pumps at all, so I could use some help.

[WonderingSoul]

http://www.shoppts.com/laddcwpeddto.html

All you need for the pump :D


A 120.2 would be the LEAST I would use for a quad core. If anything a Thermochill PA 120.2 is pricey but can handle it for sure. If not an MCR220 is a great one as well.

[HiProfile]

45C at idle with an aftermarket HSF is kinda crappy IMO - my stock intel cooler on my Q6600 is doing 42/45 between the hot & hotter cores. I'd guess is was from the dual vid cards, as I only have one.

I think you should get the different case first and try various fan locations (or use them all if noise is no concern), and do what you can to improve airflow (cable management, extra fan holes, ducting, etc). If you have issues with airflow, watercooling with an 'adiquate' solution may not end up much better. Check out the case/alt mod forum section for more help & ideas.

[NoodleGTS]

So I just bought the silverstone case. What do you guys think about this WC setup?

Apogee GTX => Single rad => Res => MC655 => Double rad => Apogee GTX etc... (see picture)

I still need some suggestions for what the best radiators are and what performance differences will be between them. Mainly what I'm seeing is that there are "high-end" radiators around $70 and then the swiftech ones around $40. Are the expensive ones worth it if I can afford them or is the performance aspect minimal?

http://www2.bc.edu/~hallaba/tj-09.jpg

[minhtin]

Temp underload is at 50c now. My temperature was shooting up beccause one of the mounting bolt was stripped so my block wasn't secured. After replacing the bolt and letting the as5 burn in it's a lot cooler now. right now i am running at 3800 trying to get it stable, but seem almost impossible. This is running on 3 thermaltake adjustable fan.

That's really odd, I'm on a double rad, and I idle at 36C-37C load to 58-59C, at 3.7ghz, ambient 29C (dunno what that is in Farenheit).

And let me add that I have a MCW60 8800gtx in the loop.

I think single will be OK, but once you start overclocking and it's a hot day, it will cut close and will perform like a high end air cooling. I'd go double, even if you don't plan on gpu cool today, might change your mind once you realize how awesome water is =)