What also can have a radiator?

[LiquidBlack]

Why, my computer of course!



I may post a picture later of the whole unit, which houses the reservoir, pumps, and radiator. Basically what you are seeing here is 3/8 tubing connected to my VGA card and my processor. Liquid cooling has lowered the temps of my system quite a bit, while being very, very silent.

[sneek]

is that acutally premix?

[gb387]

I have always wanted to see a liquid cooled computer... interesting.

[LiquidBlack]

Premix? Do you mean the setup or the coolant itself?

The setup is mish-mash. Koolance Exos unit (not seen) with built in radiator, 3 80mm fans, reservoir, and two pumps. Thermaltake waterblock on the video card. Zalman waterblock on the cpu.

On the exos unit are 1/4 fittings. There are couplings to convert the 1/4 tubing into 3/8 tubing. Unfortunately, the 1/4 to 3/8 conversion lowers water pressure quite a bit, but it seems to be working out just dandy at the moment.


As for the coolant, it is distilled water with an antifreeze-like additive. It's also UV reactive, as you can see.

[SiriusRIMZ]

I've built my own, but never liked the idea of water cooling. I have my big 'ol copper heat sink. I'm able to overclock to about 3.4 (from 3.0)

[LiquidBlack]

On air cooling, I was able to overclock from 2.4ghz to 3.2ghz at stock voltage and reasonable temps (under 55*C load).

With water cooling, my maximum potential is about 3.4ghz (as my multiplier is locked) with a load temperature of 45*C.

The component that sees the most benefit is the vga adapter (ati 9800XT). I got the core clocked up nicely.

[SVT Lightning]

Not being any kind of techno geek myself, is the brain capable of discerning the .8ghz-1.0ghz increase in clock speed!

[sneek]

NOTE that drinking antifreeze can decrease your brain clock speed

[LiquidBlack]

Originally posted by SVT Lightning
Not being any kind of techno geek myself, is the brain capable of discerning the .8ghz-1.0ghz increase in clock speed!

It depends on the amount of work that the processor does per clock cycle. If we are talking about a jump from 800mhz to 1ghz for, say, an old athlon processor, then yes. If we are talking about a low power via processor, that might be iffy, since via processors do less work per clock cycle.

[rusty bumper]

Somewhere on the web, I saw a processor actually meltdown in just seconds after the heat sink was removed. Wish I could still find it.


Is a water cooled system hard to setup?

[LiquidBlack]

Nope, it was actually easier than I expected it to be, especially if you buy a kit that has several of the components kept together (like the Koolance Exos).

I remember the video you are talking about. That video was actually a stunt, in which they placed an explosive underneath the processor to blow it off. Had me fooled though!

[MotorcycleDetailing]

Most of my friends have water coolers in their gaming machines and they have to top the water up and cause them no end to maintence.....(what happens if a hose comes off or you get a leak?)...

The temperature reduction is great and so is the noise reduction but I think I will stick with my 4 120mm fans. Low noise and great cooling.

TJ

[MikeGT]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
Somewhere on the web, I saw a processor actually meltdown in just seconds after the heat sink was removed. Wish I could still find it.


Is a water cooled system hard to setup?

No harder than builing a thing of legos as a kid

Just takes a bit of time.

[LiquidBlack]

The fittings that I have on my setup are quite secure. Using a pin-mod, you can "jump" your power supply, running the water cooler, without the actual computer running (this is usually standard procedure). You let it fun for about 24 hours, and check for leaks.

Yeah, you do have to top it off with a little water once in awhile. We arent really talking a hassle, though. All good things should be taken well care of.

[rascal]

Note to self: "Give the dog water, water the plants and water the computer."

I have one 120mm fan on top of my case and it is loud. It moves alot of air, but the noise gets to me after awhile. I have lined some of the case with Dynamat Extreme to quiet it down, but still a little too loud. Back when I built it, I didn't care about it being loud...but I do now. I have a switch on it so I can leave it on when needed or shut it off. I have always thought about cooling with liquid, but I don't have the room for a nice setup. Your system looks good man!