Question for the experts (can this loop be bled ?) 56K warning...

Hi, so I'm kind of fed up throwing money at this problem. Heck, maybe it isn't even a problem.

I have a 3930K overclocked to 4.8GHz. It only needs 1.35V to be stable. The problem appears to be high temps. With all the time/money I've put into this, I surely expected lower temps. I continually see people using higher voltages on their SB-Es and getting lower temps.

A 30 minute OCCT run and my max core temps look like 72 / 71 / 66 / 74 / 81 / 79. I find it strange that 3 cores run so much hotter than the other 3.

Ok, so I figure I'm getting a bad mount. I remount, same issue. So, I read Martin's review on the Apogee HD and how it's idiot-proof mounting system ensures proper pressure. I got out and get one and still get the same results.

So, now there is some Indigo Extreme on the way, but before I tear this down to apply it, I'm hoping some of the WC experts here can answer some questions and or point out any flaws in this loop.

I also have a nagging suspicion that the loop is not bled properly since the pump is not the lowest point in the loop. It's close, but it's not.

Anyway, here's some renderings of the loop, along with the last pic of the real thing. Have at it and don't worry you wont hurt my feelings.





The real thing, with crappy cell phone cam...

With the Apogee HD and new 90's for the CPU WB -> MOSFET WB


The parts list:

MCP355 -> Koolance Pump Top -> RX360 (V2) -> SR1-360 -> Koolance QDC -> Apogee HD -> EKWB Mostfet block -> QDC -> Koolance Coupler/Res
Edited by ugotd8 - 6/9/12 at 3:05am

Sorry sohuld have mentioned, in the renders the blue tubing is the feed and the red is the return.

Just so I understand, you propose:

Pump -> mosfet block -> cpu block -> rad -> rad -> res

?

Excellent! Thank you. I've been tied to the notion that it must be pump->rad>block from something I read ages ago.

I must admit, I don't fully understand how the dynamics of air/water work. Why would changing the flow direction make this specific loop easier to bleed ?

Thanks for the reply! Here's the answers inline....


Do you have any way to measure flow or coolant temps?

No, neither. As far as flow goes, when using the raystorm I saw a ton of movement in the tube res, now with the apogeeHD, not so much. I was thinking of getting a temp sensor/res top plug to measure the temp of the water in the res. What is your opinion about putting this in the top plug of my tube res ? I use pure distilled with a couple drops of biocide.

What are your fans running at?

I have the three on the RX360 running at full speed ~1900 RPM. I can only fit two fans on the SR1-360 because the QDCs get in the way. Those are running at 1200RPM. None of the 5 fans I'm using is really designed as a rad fan (or recommended) but they seem to push air. I've got some AP15s coming shortly. I assumed since both the rads have low fin density that I could get away with some cheaper fans. TBH, this may be no small part of the problem. I don't feel much air coming thru the SR1-360, but plenty coming out of the RX360 on the bottom. Also, to my embarrassment, I have to admit all the rad fans are exhausting out of the case, rather than pulling in fresh air. I did this to not pull in dust so I don't have to clean it once a month.

Can you see any air or liquid movement in the tubes?

Using solid black tubing, so no.

Do the tubes near the cpu feel warm?

Not at all. I am using 1/2ID 3/4OD tubing. The fittings at the cpu as well as the top of the block itself are cool to the touch even under load.

Does the radiator feel the same temperature all over?

Yes, both of them are cool to the touch. FWIW, I used a thermometer gently resting on the fins on the SR1-360 (in the area with no fan) at it read 27C.

What are the temps at stock under load?

Cores are around 52-55C, the rogue core (#5) hits 60C.

What are your idle temps?

Idle temps are 22C on the CPU IHS sensor, 34/31/29/33/26/31 on the cores. Mobo is at 36C and GPU at 50C. I'm using offset mode for my OC, so it idles at 1.2GHz with 0.888V.

What are your ambient temps?

Anywhere from 23C to 27C.