Watercooling!

[Greebe]

Galvanic action is an issue, but to what degree I don't know. I've heard some people with very cheap radiators litterally falling apart on them... with disasterous effect, but then on the otherhand have heard others with aluminum radiators and copper waterblocks and not have an issue even after a couple of years use.

[ZokesPro]

Has anybody ever evaluated titanium as a metal for cooling?

[Technoid]

I'll probably end up replacing the radiator anyway....

Zokes;

No, never heard of it.....

[Wombat]

Yes Zokes, and it's one of the worst metals. Add in that it's difficult to mill, and it's an all-around bad choice. Titanium's best use is that it has a good strength/weight ratio. Many of titanium's uses in modern products is the result of fashion over function.

[Ali]

Originally posted by Technoid
Changed the flow....

It made a diff....

2-3 degrees down....

I havent been paying attention. What way did you change it to to make the temp drop? My way or Greebes way?

I looked at changing the direction of my fans to suck air through the radiator instead of pushing, but decided against it for a few reasons.

1: Im trying to get hot air out of the case, not into the case, and if I just swap the direction of the fans, then the hot air from the radiator wil be blowing down onto my power supply, then off towards the hard drives. The drives are IBM 60GXPs, and Ive heard they can give trouble. I havent had any, but then they are mounted with lots of room around them, and have good air flow.

2: I couldnt swap the fans direction without either re-soldering the plugs, or removing the radiator from the case, meaning draining all the water etc. Couldnt be bothered as it works well enough as it is at the moment.

Im getting a Radeon 9700Pro as soon as they are available here, and when I put that it Ill do a full rebuild. Im also getting a Eheim pump, and a waterblock for the NorthBridge. (possibly one for the 9700 as well).

When I do that Ill do some more experementation.

Ali

[az]

There is an article somewhere at dan' s data, called how to bake your CPU about how his watercooling setup failed after a few months because he mixed aluminium and copper. With pix - a nasty and scary sight!

This is exactly what G12 prevents. It's an anti-corrosive additive, specifically made for cars, where aluminium and copper are mixed. G12 is the name for that stuff from VW, I believe, you should be able to getit from other manufacturers as well. The guys from www.wassergekuehlt.de (those with the big airplex radiators) give 24 months warranty on their stuff (and they mix al and cu) ONLY if you use g12.

AZ

[EDIT: Included article link]

[Greebe]

AZ, you know that heater core I replaced on the car mentioned last week? Well the old part is in nearly mint condition dispite the fact there is one pinhole leak. INHO this leak was a manufacturing defect destined to happen. Now as how this applies to the Al/Cu mix in radiators, this heater core is the same design as the Airplex's you've mentioned. I've checked it through and through and appear that if I seal this singular leak I'll have me one heck of a sweet radiator for water cooling

Also note that if any Al parts are anodized, galvanic action is reduced to nil.

[az]

I've more than once heard that car heater cores make great radiators, if you manage to find one in good condition. In fact, the guys who make the airplex recommend getting one from the scrapyard and cleanng it thoroughly if you don't have the money to buy one, or if you want to have your very own, self-made watercooling rig (like you have).

I'd add a little G12 to the water (1:10), just to be sure. Affects cooling just a tiny bit (next to no reduction in cooling, this is more a scientific than a practical issue), but gives you that extra safety. Doesn't cost much, too.

AZ

[Technoid]

Hm...
Il give it a thought and try to see if the local gas station has any.....

BTW the Copper block has arrived

And I will get rid of that aluminium aborition!

[Technoid]

I have changed waterblock!

Transparant plastic is great!

Easy to spot bubles and get rid of them!

The old aluminum heatsink never gave me that "This is a cool one" feeling when I held it in my hand....

This one really chills when you hold it

The Alpha heatsink was the same seeming to be cooling your hand untill you have to change hands or the felling of your fingers freezing off becomes to great

[az]

Even if you get rid of all aluminium parts, you can neverbe really sure. Some manufacturers use different metals for tubing or connections, and don't state it anywhere.

I'd get some G12 "just in case" - doesn't do any harm

AZ

[Technoid]

Ohh the nagging, the nagging.....

I'll go out tommorow and see if I can find the stuff that you call G12 (no way in *** it has the same name in Sweden )

Happy now?

[az]

Yes

I think it might carry the same name in sweden, as I think it's a VW brand.

You don't need to buy it, and your PC will probably live well without it. But if it doesn't, you will have to stand the "Told you so"'s from me

AZ

[Ali]

Or, if you happen to have a wife who is a microbiologist, and has access to some pretty cool equipment for producing de-ionised water (like me), you could use that.

Two benefits.

1) It wont cause corrosion
2) if it leaks, it wont conduct electricity, therefore killing your system


I dont know how much it would cost to buy, if you could, but the machine for making it is REALY big and noisy, and fun to watch

Ali

[Technoid]

Nahhh.....
I'll stick to distilated water