Build Log: Danger Den Watercooling

[Thraxz]

Well, I bought a water cooling setup for my computer and I've decided to give a little build log for those of you who might find it interesting. Pardon the picture quality, they were done with a camera phone.

 

Since I received a WRONG CPU block from Danger Den (which they kindly accepted the RMA for) I had to kind of temp install the GPU half of the system. The CPU will wait for a later date.

 

1) First I had to remove the stock heatsink from my 7900GT.

 

 

2) I then applied Arctic Silver 5 to the GPU and set the water block.

 

 

3) Next up, the sponge for the backplate.

 

 

4) ...and the Danger Den backing plate.

 

 

5) Fully installed backplate.

 

 

To be continued...

[Thraxz]

6) Fully installed GPU water block.

 

7) I then reinstalled the GPU into my MoBo.

 

 

8) I got really bad pictures of installing the radiator so here's pictures of it after the tubing was installed.

 

 

9) I then installed the tubing between the pump, water block and radiator.

 

 

10) Finished product (temporarily anyways).

 

 

 

 

 

And a few pictures of my Opty and RAM for good measure.

 

[lorenzox]

great ! have fun with this card :-)

 

Sad that some pictures don't get loaded at all...

[Thraxz]

Thanks for the notification, I'll need to host them better.

[Hawk454]

Great thread to start Thraxz. I am planning to convert myself mainly for the GPU cooling.

 

Can you include a parts list?

Can you include specify any problems with hoses, getting air out of the lines, mounting of blocks?

Any noise with cycling of water in the reservoir?

Any before or after temps?

 

Inquiring minds want your information. :nod:

[Thraxz]

I went with the:

CPU Style: Danger Den TDX AMD 939/940

CPU Water Block: Danger Den MAZE4

Top Style: Brass Top MAZE4

Video Card Water Block: Acetal MAZE4 GPU for the Nvidia 6800/7800 Series

Fitting Size: 1/2 OD Fitting for 1/2 ID Tubing

Radiator: Black Ice Xtreme - Blue

Pumps: !NEW! Danger Den 12V CSP-MAG Pump with 1/2 OD Fittings

Tubing: 7 Feet of UV Blue 1/2" only

Reservoir: None

Water Additives: 4oz Zerex Super Coolant

Hold Down Style: Standard Stainless Steel Hold Down

Misc: 12 Hose Clamps Y & T

 

I've had a tiny bot of trouble with air in the lines since I do not have a fillport or reservoir atm. It has not stopped it from working though. IT primes up fine and usually after about 5 minutes the air is cllinging to the sides of the tubing and not circulating. I'm going to set up a reservoir soon to avoid this problem.

 

I've only a tiny bit of sound of trickling when the little air bubbles hit the pump for the first few minutes but it's almost unnoticable and even that will be rectified soon.

 

My 7900GT before temps were 46-49C at idle. My new idle temps are from 33-37C (34 as we speak). I can only hope my CPU waterblock is that effective.

[Thraxz]

Update, running COD2 at 1280x1024 and at max details I got a max GPUcore temp of 41C while OC'ed to 560/1710.

[Thraxz]

::UPDATE::

 

A week later I suspect that the AS5 has been cured and now it's running at 30-33C idle. I've RMA'ed the CPU water block in favor of the DD Cu TDX CPU block and also added in the DD Blue UV single bay acrylic reservoir. More to come.

[UncleDavid218]

I was seriously considering a nice DD setup a few weeks ago. For me though, air cooling is fine.

 

I will admit, though, that the thought of having a water cooled PC is nice. Real nice.

[Thraxz]

Keep in mind these temps are with fan at the lowest setting. If my CPU OC give me even 100MHz getter I'll be ecstatic.

[Guest Timmay]

None of the pictures work for me

[UncleDavid218]

I can't stand any kind of fan on high, no matter what temps. With my CNPS9500 the difference from low to high is only 1c, while the noise increase is exponential.