Homemade Cold Plate

[iggybaseball]

I want to make my own waterblock but i couldnt find any thing at home depot for this except a very skinny sheet metal page about 1/18" or 2/18". is this too thin? Do i want to get a thin or thick coldplate? Do i want the volume of the water block to be big or small? If i'm gluing anything should i use plumbers goop instead of household goop? One more thing, I need a VERY CHEAP pump that will be sufficient.Where should i get 1?

[Diggrr]

You would need a thicker coldplate than that. When you clamp it down, the thin base will bow losing contact with the cpu core.
I've seen test results (somewhere) that suggest a 3/8 copper coldplate, so I use 3/8.

As for volume, I would think that smaller volume would be better.
Guessing your building a copper cap block, you can just saw off the lower edge of the cap opening, then sand/lap it nice and smooth for a good solder joint. The pvc style cap works good as is on the copper plate (have one).

Marine Goop would be a great sealant choice, but if you need strength, use JB Weld. After it sets 24 hours, it's almost bullet proof. If your using a glue instead of a solder joint, definately use JB Weld.

[iggybaseball]

can i use it for connecting a 1" pvc cap to a cpu? will i have to take any extra precautions if i use on die cooling?

[JFettig]

no what you do is get some copper barstock, aluminum would work too, and you like jb weld the pvc cap to the barstock, or if your using copper you'd soldier it, first you wanna use flux around the joint then heat it on your stove or with a torch, not too hot but just so that the soldier will melt(i just did this today!) to fill the joint.
check the guide on how to make a copper cap waterblock, one that i sugest. its in the watercooling section on overclockers.com homepage, and check out the block i just finished today!

some pix of it

[JFettig]

check that joint!

[The Overclocker]

or do what i did, get a plug and use it for direct die cooling, no pics i am afraid, i have a drigtal camera, i can upload it to the computer i just cant post it on th internet - the mac has diferent file links

[The Overclocker]

i will try one last time to get the picture on here, if it dosn't work, i will get virtual pc

[iggybaseball]

what's a plug? and where can i get copper or aluminum bar stock?

[Holst]

I think this place have stores worldwide.

www.metalsuperstores.com

A local aquarium shop should be able to supply a pump and tubing.

One thing to remember is that a cheap pump might leak or fail, and one leak could be VERY expensive. Personally I would only use a known reliable pump in my system (I have a Eheim 1250)

THe copper cap waterblock is good and easy to make.

Direct die cooling is more dificult but cheaper (all plastic construction) have a look at the overclockers main site and www.spodesabode.com for some info.