FINALLY!!! - Page 3

Variable · 03-08-2003, 04:00 AM

I may not have the fastest processor here (I'm itchin to get the new Barton when it comes out...) but I've got more ram than anyone! 1 gig of 333 mhz ddr ram! MWUAHAHAHAH!

Everyone needs a hobby. Mine is spending exorbinant amounts of money on a tiny box in my office.

Walks on Clouds · 03-08-2003, 07:39 AM

It's important stuff, you know, the spending of exorbitant etc. Makes you feel good.

Aluscia · 03-08-2003, 08:40 AM

I've just about got you matched, variable... 1 GB of 266.

Spinning Hat · 03-08-2003, 11:51 AM

I need 512M more RAM... I mmiss having 1GB of RAM... But mine was of PC 133.

itiman · 03-08-2003, 05:45 PM

Coolness

XMEN Ashaman DTM · 03-09-2003, 05:36 PM

I think I've got Vari beat...

and all you others....

Watercooled system.

Variable · 03-09-2003, 05:41 PM

I have...5 80mm fans. And heatsinks and thermal paste on my ram. And a thermaltake Dragon orb 3. heatsinks on the graphics memory...

Its not too noisy either. I do okay

*after edit*

Though upon reflection whats your take on water cooling? How are your temps overall? and how difficult is it to set up? And do you need to replace the water ever?

i'm gonna pick your brain for a while on this. Anything I can do to improve this thing is welcome indeed.

XMEN Ashaman DTM · 03-09-2003, 08:21 PM

Well... When I first got my brand new Athlon 1.4, I got BSOD's anytime I'd try to install windows. First I tried 98, then I bought Win2k from a friend at MS, and it worked sometimes. I knew it was heat, so I built a duct out of cardboard and tape. It worked, kind of...
I originally got the watercooled system because my case did not have good enough airflow to/from my processor. So I'd get a BSOD.

So, I did some research and figured that my best bet would be a case from Koolance. (www.koolance.com)
I have the mid-tower one with a CPU cooler, harddrive cooler, and video card cooler.

It did an awesome job of reducing my temps. From 49 C to 25 C (both idle temps). At max usage, the temps went from 65 C to 30 C. It's cooler if I can dump the heat from the water quickly by using cool air on the intakes. (By opening a window.)

The only problem that I've had with it is twofold:
First, I set the case down too hard at my parent's house on their hardwood floors. This cracked the reservior, causing leaks. I didn't find the cause of the loss of water for about four months. In the process, my case caused water damage on my dad's desk. But I got it replaced no problem from one of Koolance's outlets. For free.
The second part was that during the replacement, I broke one of the inlets on the harddrive cooler (an aluminum tube epoxied to a chunk of aluminum with holes in it). This break caused water to leak onto one of my harddisks. The IDE bus on the harddisk failed, but the data is still there (supposedly/maybe). That was sort of okay at first because I had two disks in a RAID array. So I fixed the break by regluing the parts with different epoxy (an epoxy/steel blend from jb-weld). BUT, the second harddisk in the array decided to fail right then and there. It's dead.

So, the pluses are:
+easier to cool everything.
+quieter
+more efficient
+you can get better temps
+the geek-factor is pretty high (even my engineering buddies made some fun of me for it)
+good RMA policy from koolance
+excellent technical help from koolance
+other goodies to increase the geekfactor (windows, cold-cathode tubes, dye, etc.)
+i believe that if the case fails to cool your components and they die, then koolance will replace them
+the thing shuts down if the water level gets too low, or the processor gets too hot
+3 different settings for the intake fan speeds
+room for one additional fan to expel air from the case
+has front access ports for USB (2), and 4mm jacks (headphone/mic cables)
+case is sturdy, well-built

The minuses:
-can be messy
-have to use distilled water, no exceptions
-pisses you off if water gets on a harddrive
-needs tools, and mechanical know-how (you have to have held a screwdriver and pliers in your hands at least once in your life before attempting to assemble it)
-expensive (all together I've spent about 250.00 on mine)
-a bit time-consuming to change the water
-and if there is a small leak, the water likes to hide in the bottom of the case where you can't see it
-power supply is sold separately
-in the newer models, water contains ethylene glycol (primary component of anti-freeze)... this means no kiddies/pets playing with the water
-my sb LIVE doesn't exactly fit perfectly like it did in my other case.

XMEN Ashaman DTM · 03-09-2003, 08:25 PM

Oh and koolance recommends that the water be replaced every six months or so. It's not a bad timeframe.

Aluscia · 03-10-2003, 06:26 AM

Koori the Ice Queen (My lovely comp

) does extremely well. I have temps at about 27-29 C at idle, and 32-35 C after playing Q3. I have a few fans, Kitz thinks it sounds like a turbine, but I don't even notice it anymore.

Walks on Clouds · 03-12-2003, 11:15 PM

So this turned into a geekfest, where everyone is shoving their comps stats in eachother's faces. How nice.

Gives me a taste of inferiority complex, but I can live with that.

Stang · 03-13-2003, 11:55 AM

Hey I had to brag, Ive been on a 450 forever!

XMEN Ashaman DTM · 03-13-2003, 12:02 PM

[little kid voice on]
my comp can kick your comp's ass!
[/little kid voice off]

Gambit · 03-13-2003, 01:45 PM

Iceman has a bumpersticker on his truck that says
"My computer is faster than yours!"

03-08-2003, 01:41 AM	#31
Ghryphen THZ Founder Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: WA, USA Age: 50 Posts: 3,927	__________________ The Hounds of Zeus \| Allied Tribal Forces

03-08-2003, 04:00 AM	#32
Variable Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 245	I may not have the fastest processor here (I'm itchin to get the new Barton when it comes out...) but I've got more ram than anyone! 1 gig of 333 mhz ddr ram! MWUAHAHAHAH! Everyone needs a hobby. Mine is spending exorbinant amounts of money on a tiny box in my office. __________________ The world will not end in a blinding flash of light or virulent pestilence. It will end with me choking the life out of it with my bare hands.

03-08-2003, 07:39 AM	#33
Walks on Clouds Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 346	It's important stuff, you know, the spending of exorbitant etc. Makes you feel good. __________________ /Walks on Clouds - Pappy Huppy

03-08-2003, 08:40 AM	#34
Aluscia Emo Queen 1000th Thread Main Forum Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In a subterranean complex. Age: 41 Posts: 2,346	I've just about got you matched, variable... 1 GB of 266. __________________ Favourite Song of the moment - Pyramid Song - Radiohead

03-08-2003, 11:51 AM	#35
Spinning Hat Toupee Cover Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Coon Rapids, MN USA Age: 44 Posts: 755	I need 512M more RAM... I mmiss having 1GB of RAM... But mine was of PC 133. __________________ Never, Never, Never Quit -Winston Churchill

03-08-2003, 05:45 PM	#36
itiman Forum n00b Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Age: 55 Posts: 22	Coolness __________________ Proud Member of the XMEN Proud Member of the [DTM] Stop and be Thankful for what you have today! Did someone Say "Chicken Fajitas!!"

03-09-2003, 05:36 PM	#37
XMEN Ashaman DTM Forum wh0re Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 46 Posts: 965	I think I've got Vari beat... and all you others.... Watercooled system.

03-09-2003, 05:41 PM	#38
Variable Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 245	I have...5 80mm fans. And heatsinks and thermal paste on my ram. And a thermaltake Dragon orb 3. heatsinks on the graphics memory... Its not too noisy either. I do okay after edit Though upon reflection whats your take on water cooling? How are your temps overall? and how difficult is it to set up? And do you need to replace the water ever? i'm gonna pick your brain for a while on this. Anything I can do to improve this thing is welcome indeed. __________________ The world will not end in a blinding flash of light or virulent pestilence. It will end with me choking the life out of it with my bare hands. Last edited by Variable; 03-09-2003 at 05:47 PM.

03-09-2003, 08:21 PM	#39
XMEN Ashaman DTM Forum wh0re Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 46 Posts: 965	Well... When I first got my brand new Athlon 1.4, I got BSOD's anytime I'd try to install windows. First I tried 98, then I bought Win2k from a friend at MS, and it worked sometimes. I knew it was heat, so I built a duct out of cardboard and tape. It worked, kind of... I originally got the watercooled system because my case did not have good enough airflow to/from my processor. So I'd get a BSOD. So, I did some research and figured that my best bet would be a case from Koolance. (www.koolance.com) I have the mid-tower one with a CPU cooler, harddrive cooler, and video card cooler. It did an awesome job of reducing my temps. From 49 C to 25 C (both idle temps). At max usage, the temps went from 65 C to 30 C. It's cooler if I can dump the heat from the water quickly by using cool air on the intakes. (By opening a window.) The only problem that I've had with it is twofold: First, I set the case down too hard at my parent's house on their hardwood floors. This cracked the reservior, causing leaks. I didn't find the cause of the loss of water for about four months. In the process, my case caused water damage on my dad's desk. But I got it replaced no problem from one of Koolance's outlets. For free. The second part was that during the replacement, I broke one of the inlets on the harddrive cooler (an aluminum tube epoxied to a chunk of aluminum with holes in it). This break caused water to leak onto one of my harddisks. The IDE bus on the harddisk failed, but the data is still there (supposedly/maybe). That was sort of okay at first because I had two disks in a RAID array. So I fixed the break by regluing the parts with different epoxy (an epoxy/steel blend from jb-weld). BUT, the second harddisk in the array decided to fail right then and there. It's dead. So, the pluses are: +easier to cool everything. +quieter +more efficient +you can get better temps +the geek-factor is pretty high (even my engineering buddies made some fun of me for it) +good RMA policy from koolance +excellent technical help from koolance +other goodies to increase the geekfactor (windows, cold-cathode tubes, dye, etc.) +i believe that if the case fails to cool your components and they die, then koolance will replace them +the thing shuts down if the water level gets too low, or the processor gets too hot +3 different settings for the intake fan speeds +room for one additional fan to expel air from the case +has front access ports for USB (2), and 4mm jacks (headphone/mic cables) +case is sturdy, well-built The minuses: -can be messy -have to use distilled water, no exceptions -pisses you off if water gets on a harddrive -needs tools, and mechanical know-how (you have to have held a screwdriver and pliers in your hands at least once in your life before attempting to assemble it) -expensive (all together I've spent about 250.00 on mine) -a bit time-consuming to change the water -and if there is a small leak, the water likes to hide in the bottom of the case where you can't see it -power supply is sold separately -in the newer models, water contains ethylene glycol (primary component of anti-freeze)... this means no kiddies/pets playing with the water -my sb LIVE doesn't exactly fit perfectly like it did in my other case.

03-09-2003, 08:25 PM	#40
XMEN Ashaman DTM Forum wh0re Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 46 Posts: 965	Oh and koolance recommends that the water be replaced every six months or so. It's not a bad timeframe.

03-10-2003, 06:26 AM	#41
Aluscia Emo Queen 1000th Thread Main Forum Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In a subterranean complex. Age: 41 Posts: 2,346	Koori the Ice Queen (My lovely comp ) does extremely well. I have temps at about 27-29 C at idle, and 32-35 C after playing Q3. I have a few fans, Kitz thinks it sounds like a turbine, but I don't even notice it anymore. __________________ Favourite Song of the moment - Pyramid Song - Radiohead

03-12-2003, 11:15 PM	#42
Walks on Clouds Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 346	So this turned into a geekfest, where everyone is shoving their comps stats in eachother's faces. How nice. Gives me a taste of inferiority complex, but I can live with that. __________________ /Walks on Clouds - Pappy Huppy

03-13-2003, 11:55 AM	#43
Stang Team Captain Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Everett, WA, USA Age: 50 Posts: 3,859 Xbox Leaderboard: 1^st	Hey I had to brag, Ive been on a 450 forever! __________________

03-13-2003, 12:02 PM	#44
XMEN Ashaman DTM Forum wh0re Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 46 Posts: 965	[little kid voice on] my comp can kick your comp's ass! [/little kid voice off]

03-13-2003, 01:45 PM	#45
Gambit Forum wh0re Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 744	Iceman has a bumpersticker on his truck that says "My computer is faster than yours!" __________________ XMEN member Card-carrying DTM OKL Fish-napper Though a program be but three lines long, someday it will have to be maintained. -The Tao of Programming

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