Zalman RESERATOR XT

[PsYkHoTiK]

Originally Posted by jomuj

Hmm, thats a good point. Do you agree with PsYkHoTiK on the fact that 2 loops are needed to cool overclocked QX6700 & 8800Ultra?

I've already done my part in that regard.

Don't get me wrong. A CPU and a 8800 class card can be on the same loop (lol after all, mine is). A Quad in my honest opinion needs to be on its own loop (with a 120.3 to maximize performance) to get any decent overclocking on it.

Take my setup. My CPU's load is already at 40C (at 3.95GHz)and thats with the MC320QP with THREE 120x38mm 100 CFM FANS. Most people have half the airflow I have running through the radiators due to fan noise (i.e: less effective dissipation). I have no problems with the whooshing sounds these fans make.

A Quad Core is essentially two core 2 duos slapped on together (highly simplistic explanation). So double the heat from my CPU and that would knock the temps way higher (beyond watercooling to get my kinda speeds right now). With my setup already at 40C (thats with the nice cool Pacific Northwest weather too - Malaysian heat is far higher) overclocked. I don't even want to see the kinda temps a Quad G0 would have with a 8800 class card (which already emits a lot of heat). Well actually I still do but thats another question altogether...

Or lets take it at stock. At stock voltage and 3GHz (stock speed) CoreTemp shows my idling temps to be at 19-20C right now. Load is at 28C (both cores - great mounting wewt!). Now what if there were four cores running at those temps? I'm no engineer but I'm sure it wont double. But even so, my SLA9U has a 65w TDP, the SLACR (Q6600 G0) has a 95w TDP. Thats ~40% more. So if my load is ~28C at stock everything, the Q6600 should be ~40C (rough rough estimation - based on my settings - ambient, similar cooling). Factor in that a 8800Ultra runs quite a bit warmer than my 8800GTS and that will bump it a notch. Fast approaching my overclocked temps already (and its at stock). The only difference in this example is that my cores run at 3GHz (for the 28C load - 40C @ 3.95GHz) but the Q6600's cores are at 2.4GHz.

FYI the G0 steppings run cooler than the B3 stepping (Q6600 B3 SL9UM has 105w TDP and the QX6700 SL9UL has a 130w TDP respectively).

All of the above is in line with what I saw (the QX6700 doing 3.5GHz hitting 69C load on a dedicated loop).

Now those with Engineering backgrounds can go ahead and debunk me (I really really don't care) if they wish but no one can deny, those quads run real hot (and I've seen how hot they are). This was my thought process when deciding if I should go QX or C2D. After running the numbers and looking at a lot of examples, I knew any really hard overclocking of the quad core is reasonably beyond watercooling.

Not trying to sway your purchase decisions though (you asked for an opinion, ball is in your court with no ramifications on my side. ). I like it that people pick and choose exactly what they want after I've given my 2 cents. Knowledge is free and I share what I have (though I don't spread misconceptions - a semi-qualified opinion if you will). I have no stake either ways.

[Max_87]

Originally Posted by jomuj

Hmm, thats a good point. Do you agree with PsYkHoTiK on the fact that 2 loops are needed to cool overclocked QX6700 & 8800Ultra?

Now! What sort of fittings would I need to put these all together? I'm relly clueless here *sigh*. Here is the link to the shop i was looking at http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...x&cPath=59_346
All the brands make it rather confusing.

I see what you mean about the Stacker-832 being rather small... How about this one http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103_334&pro ducts_id=20999
It looks like it has 2 x 120mm fans at the top. Think it's possible to mount a rad there? Then in the event of 2 loops, another could be added with a radbox on the back.

or this one http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103_193&pro ducts_id=4480
or this http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103_193&pro ducts_id=20854

Except not with the modified side windows, because to ship a case would cost a small fortune.

If you look at the stock case, it would be possible to mount one radiator at the top with a bit of drilling and cutting, and put the PSU in the bottom slot.

Single loop works fine too, but if you want better temperatures, then you will have to go dual separate loops for QX6700 and 8800 Ultra. Of course, the cost will be doubled. Plus, you have more things to worry about if you want dual loops, especially space.

If you are worried about the fittings and stuff, might as well just get the APEX kit first, like Chai said it's almost plug and play. The APEX is good enough for cooling your CPU and a GPU, but if you want to run SLI then I doubt it will be enough.

[jomuj]

Not trying to sway your purchase decisions though (you asked for an opinion, ball is in your court with no ramifications on my side. ). I like it that people pick and choose exactly what they want after I've given my 2 cents. Knowledge is free and I share what I have (though I don't spread misconceptions - a semi-qualified opinion if you will). I have no stake either ways.

Thanks for all your opinions, it will hopefully help me get it right the first time. lol. I'll have a look at some components, and see if I can decide what I want.

[PsYkHoTiK]

Hey no problem. Just helping out.

[w0rldl3ad3r]

I just bought a Qx6700 and XFX 8800 GTX XXX (not Ultra)

I a confused.. Should I just buy the Zalman Reserator XT, or should I custom watercool. Infact will watercooling the quad even work>???? Some advise please. I have read the previous posts and they are useful, but I want to know more precisely.

Currently I use a zalman reserator 1 when it first came out with my old system.

If I am to do a custom system cooling, there are so many different blocks around. Some people say the D-Tek fusion is the best.. Also whats this new thermoelectric cooling like? Is it risky?

[Max_87]

TEC cooling is a big no-no on quad core. There is just way too much heat to handle.

Unless you want to try this - the mother of all TEC waterblock + 437W TEC module http://www.wintschlabs.com/ArcticWeb.html

[w0rldl3ad3r]

hmmm can you list me the methods that are good for quadcore and 8800gtx cooling.. or more specifically which products please

Watercooling any good?

[Chai]

Just make sure you get a big radiator with 3x120 configuration. Since you haven't get your quad core and GTX, I highly recommend you to wait for the next gen. G92 should be out by November, Penryn is not too far away as well.

[jomuj]

Just make sure you get a big radiator with 3x120 configuration. Since you haven't get your quad core and GTX, I highly recommend you to wait for the next gen. G92 should be out by November, Penryn is not too far away as well.

I would say that's sound advice, I'm holding out for that as well, still can't decide what watercooling stuff to get, but hey, it's a start.

I wanted to ask about parts like these:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...x&cPath=59_346
What are all these fittings for? And would I need any of them?

[Chai]

Originally Posted by jomuj

I would say that's sound advice, I'm holding out for that as well, still can't decide what watercooling stuff to get, but hey, it's a start.

I wanted to ask about parts like these:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...x&cPath=59_346
What are all these fittings for? And would I need any of them?

Short answer is no.

Just buy the kit, it's more than complete.