FINALLY completed a large chunk of my first watercooled build.
All internal, 240mm rad out front cooling 2 GPUs.
The temp is quite high, but for good reason as it's Bitcoin Mining!
65C core when GPUs overclocked @ 1200MHz (stock 925MHz) on 100% usage 24/7.
Previously the Vulcan could not diffuse the heat generated by my 2 cards.
An external fan was constantly needed to prevent the system from escaping into a thermal runaway and crashing.
Deciding that this was unacceptable...
I ordered most of the WC parts that ended up in the Vulcan:
This was actually one of 4 orders as I kept forgetting parts
FedEx loved me
Had to remove the drive bays to make room for the radiator:
That's a lot of rivets! Takes a while to remove them when your drill is like 13 RPM... anyways
The guts of the GPUs, I chose the XFX 7970, a specific model that's based on the reference PCB.
From what I understand the XFX line has superior power delivery, the lifetime warranty is nice too!
Was a little shocked to find the other card was missing a thermal pad, the stock heatsink was also offset.
Although it does''t matter anymore...
2x XFX 7970 GHz Editions
Stock Heatsink vs HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ 79X0 waterblock
This block kit came with Allen wrenches and pre-cut thermal pads.
Very solid construction, I ended up using Arctic Silver MX-2 thermal grease as it's non-conductive.
Preparing to fill, having part of the loop run to the top of the reservoir made tightening a real challenge.
Leak testing! This was initially a very sad day... had to order many extenders and re-wrap some of the threadings.
With most of the components in place, post leak test.
Very small drip at the bottom junction above the PSU after the 2nd GPU (hopefully tightened up now!)
The few water drops fell in probably the best possible place, right on top of the PSU cover where there's no open circuits.
With such a high overclock the system does forcibly reboot every once in a while. non-BSOD, still stress testing...
What are your guys idle / full stress temps? I get about 35C - 65C with 2 Cougar fans @ ~1700RPM
Wattage draw at the wall, is on average 701 watts
System Specs:
Mobo: ASUS ROG Maximus V Gene
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k @ 3.40 GHz
RAM: 8GB 1600MHz GSkill Ripjaws
GPUs: 2x XFX Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition @ 1200MHz each
SSD: 128GB OCZ Vertex 4
PSU: Corsair HX850 Watt Modular
Fans: 4 Cougar Vortex PWM fans @ 1700RPM (max) 2 exhaust over rad, 2 cool intake up top
Watercoolig Specs:
Swiftech MCP-655 Pump w/ Bitspower Modtop V2
Kollance Compression Fittings and Angle pieces
Bitspower Water Tank Z-Multi 80 Reservoir
HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ 79X0 waterblock, 1 Copper, 1 Nickel (what was in stock)
Hardware Labs Black Ice GT Xtreme 240mm Radiator
Nothing special about the clear PVC tubing
And for the fluid, distilled water with a silver kill coil.
Performance (for the BTC miners out there
)
Scores a 7.6 on Windows Experience Rating, I think it needs a refresh though.
So what do ya think? Suggestions / Love it / Hate it?
Still need to get the front panel on, not looking forward to plugging into the mobo pins in such a cramped environment.
Right now I'm using the onboard power button and a chopstick to reach in and press it haha
Final remarks:
Took about a 2 weeks to build (waiting on parts, school, tubing woes...)
Still cautious about leaks although I haven't seen a drip in a day or so.
Fully bled out the bubbles, although since the temp is kind of high water is evaporating pretty quick.
The SSD is now mounted to the front of the case, perpendicular to the radiator.
I'm going to let the miner run until the system pays for itself (in generated BTC) estimating midway through 2013
Edited by obogobo - 11/3/12 at 6:27pm
All internal, 240mm rad out front cooling 2 GPUs.
The temp is quite high, but for good reason as it's Bitcoin Mining!
65C core when GPUs overclocked @ 1200MHz (stock 925MHz) on 100% usage 24/7.
Previously the Vulcan could not diffuse the heat generated by my 2 cards.
An external fan was constantly needed to prevent the system from escaping into a thermal runaway and crashing.
Deciding that this was unacceptable...
I ordered most of the WC parts that ended up in the Vulcan:
This was actually one of 4 orders as I kept forgetting parts
FedEx loved meHad to remove the drive bays to make room for the radiator:
That's a lot of rivets! Takes a while to remove them when your drill is like 13 RPM... anyways
The guts of the GPUs, I chose the XFX 7970, a specific model that's based on the reference PCB.
From what I understand the XFX line has superior power delivery, the lifetime warranty is nice too!
Was a little shocked to find the other card was missing a thermal pad, the stock heatsink was also offset.
Although it does''t matter anymore...
2x XFX 7970 GHz Editions
Stock Heatsink vs HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ 79X0 waterblock
This block kit came with Allen wrenches and pre-cut thermal pads.
Very solid construction, I ended up using Arctic Silver MX-2 thermal grease as it's non-conductive.
Preparing to fill, having part of the loop run to the top of the reservoir made tightening a real challenge.
Leak testing! This was initially a very sad day... had to order many extenders and re-wrap some of the threadings.
With most of the components in place, post leak test.
Very small drip at the bottom junction above the PSU after the 2nd GPU (hopefully tightened up now!)
The few water drops fell in probably the best possible place, right on top of the PSU cover where there's no open circuits.
With such a high overclock the system does forcibly reboot every once in a while. non-BSOD, still stress testing...
What are your guys idle / full stress temps? I get about 35C - 65C with 2 Cougar fans @ ~1700RPM
Wattage draw at the wall, is on average 701 watts
System Specs:
Mobo: ASUS ROG Maximus V Gene
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k @ 3.40 GHz
RAM: 8GB 1600MHz GSkill Ripjaws
GPUs: 2x XFX Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition @ 1200MHz each
SSD: 128GB OCZ Vertex 4
PSU: Corsair HX850 Watt Modular
Fans: 4 Cougar Vortex PWM fans @ 1700RPM (max) 2 exhaust over rad, 2 cool intake up top
Watercoolig Specs:
Swiftech MCP-655 Pump w/ Bitspower Modtop V2
Kollance Compression Fittings and Angle pieces
Bitspower Water Tank Z-Multi 80 Reservoir
HEATKILLER® GPU-X³ 79X0 waterblock, 1 Copper, 1 Nickel (what was in stock)
Hardware Labs Black Ice GT Xtreme 240mm Radiator
Nothing special about the clear PVC tubing
And for the fluid, distilled water with a silver kill coil.
Performance (for the BTC miners out there
)Scores a 7.6 on Windows Experience Rating, I think it needs a refresh though.
So what do ya think? Suggestions / Love it / Hate it?
Still need to get the front panel on, not looking forward to plugging into the mobo pins in such a cramped environment.
Right now I'm using the onboard power button and a chopstick to reach in and press it haha
Final remarks:
Took about a 2 weeks to build (waiting on parts, school, tubing woes...)
Still cautious about leaks although I haven't seen a drip in a day or so.
Fully bled out the bubbles, although since the temp is kind of high water is evaporating pretty quick.
The SSD is now mounted to the front of the case, perpendicular to the radiator.
I'm going to let the miner run until the system pays for itself (in generated BTC) estimating midway through 2013
Edited by obogobo - 11/3/12 at 6:27pm
