[crono311]

well, i already bought this thing. it was 90 bucks, and i felt like just getting a starter kit for water cooling...its not too bad, better than my previous cooling solution..

sooo...is there any way to make this system cool my cpu better? i know the pump isnt too great, and that the radiator is less than desirable...but it was a start.

so what part should i replace first and what should i replace it with? i will appreciate all suggestions. (as if that meant anything to anyone, but it may...gratitude is always good)

[TheMightyBuck]

look on the front page of OC.com...

a day or so ago, there was an article on the 'bottleneck' parts in watercooling. the radiator can make the most difference. after that, the pump/waterblock combo (different wb's need diff strength pumps to be effective).

the bigger tha radiator (a really big heatercore is the BEST solution, inexpensive, and better than almost all *watercooling* radiators) the better the temps.

after you have the best radiator for your situation, look at your waterblock/pump setup. do you have a waterblock with small channells, i.e. one that needs a high flow rate to perform at its peak? if so, then get a big ole' danner mag 28947362387 pump, and let 'er rip. if you have a lo-flow pump, then get a simple maze waterblock, or make your own (mine is better than many commercial solutions, and i use a wusy pump).

anyway, read the article.

[crono311]

hmm...

i really cant find that article, mind posting a link?

and alright...would be hard to get a larger radiator for my comp, but i guess it isnt impossible...

[clocker2]

I am using a TT Aquarius system on my PC.
It has been somewhat modified ( mostly the pump).

The main improvement you can make is to replace the waterblock.
I chose a Zalman waterblock and it has been a major upgrade.
You can kinda see it here...

The pump is enclosed in the grey box ( that's a PVC electrical box available from Home Depot...$6.00).
I chopped the top off the TT pump and it now sits immersed in the coolant, the box acts as the reservoir.
I have twin 92mm fans blowing through the radiator ( custom made bracket mounts the rad to the back of the case and acts as a shroud).

The Aquarius can be made to work very well, you just have to tweak it a bit.
You will no doubt see many responses informing you of what a hideous choice you have made...pay them no mind.
Here are some temps from last week, they are typical of my early morning/late night performance ( as the day heats up so does the case obviously, but even in the heat of afternoon my idle temp is around 30-34c).

[crono311]

hmm...looks promising...so the waterblock/pump combo should be my first move, eh? alright...thanks a lot.

[clocker2]

Just the waterblock...the stock pump is fine.
The real turning point in the system is the radiator.
It's cute as a button and solid copper, but only has 1/4" fittings.
I got the Zalman waterblock because it comes with fittings for 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" tube...very upgradeable.
That block, with the TT radiator & pump, has proven to be just fine for me.

A bigger, more efficient pump would be wasted if restricted to 1/4" i.d. tubing.
The only reason that I started to fool around with the pump anyway was the rattling noise that the activity balls make.
They drove me nuts.

I never used that silly "modified shampoo bottle" reservoir that TT included.
It was just too cheezy to even consider.

[crono311]

how much of a difference did your new waterblock make with the rest of the system?

[clocker2]

Dropped systemps about 10C.
Not bad for $50 and it looks way better, too.

I know that shouldn't matter, but I'm only human.

[crono311]

so, the Zalman Waterblock it is. i dont need extreme cooling, i just need enough to keep my CPU in the 30s is all.

[clocker2]

For 90% of the PC's in existence, 30c IS extreme cooling.

My mother's eMachine has never seen the southern side of 50c.