He couldn't...he wouldn't...WC a DELL?! - Overclock.net

killnine · 03-17-06

Computer Cooling Escapade

Some of you may ask how, and others why. But I am a computer enthusiast like most other members here and I figured that just because I had a Dell I was no less entitled to water cooling than any other avid gamer. However, I would just have to try harder to get it to work. So, after a great deal of thinking, debating and saving, I finally decided to water cool my system. Unfortunately, even with so much planning and sizing, Dell created a formidable enemy to any and all modding. As an engineering student, though, I figured I would simply overcome. I suppose that was a little hasty of me.

Going into the project I knew there would be 3 main obstacles to my project:

Fan failure warnings: Dell’s bios don’t like you disconnecting any of the 3 fans that come standard on the system. Thus, I had to take care of the issue that every time I would boot, Dell would make me hit F1 to continue.
2) Radiator mounting: next was the fact that I wanted the whole system to be internal. I figured once I took out the various “Dell junk” that was in the system, I would be able to do this.
3) Pump mounting: Probably one of the most difficult issues to overcome was the fact that Dell’s “clamshell” design meant that the floor of the case actually moved. Thus, mounting the pump on the floor was going to be difficult.

However, as you will see, there were a few times that I like to refer to as UH OH moments, and they are bolded.

Materials Collected:

Well here is all my materials. I want to thank all those at overclock.net and anandtech forums for providing me with such great prices for such high quality equipment.

- 1 DangerDen TDX Water Block (Standard Nozzle)
- 1 DangerDen D5 Pump
- 1 DangerDen Maze4 GPU Block
- 1 DangerDen Black Ice Pro Dual
- 3 Vantec Stealth 120mm Fans
- 10” of Clearflex Tubing
- 4” Zipties, 7” Zipties, and Nylon Hose Clamps

Here we are with a number of the components that are going to be installed

This is a picture of the radiator with fans installed and a number of the Dell components that will soon be replaced. On the left is the heatsink I had before, and on the right is the shroud that went over the heatsink. Oh Dell, you make me laugh…

Here we have the case gutted and ready for action.

This is the front of the case. Notice the 120mm intake. Hopefully that will allow me to get some fresh air into the case faster, and also provide passive components much-needed air (always something to think about when water cooling: ram, mosfets, north bridge and south bridge need air even if you have water cooling, always keep air moving in the case!)

This is how the radiator will be mounted. Those fan holes are actually for 92mm fans, but the radiator seems to just fit! That’s one area that Dell allowed some leeway. This project wouldn’t have ever gotten off the ground if it hadn’t been for that fact.

UH OH MOMENT #1:

No, seriously, it doesn’t fit. Stupid Dell coaxed Foxcon to make a proprietary mounting bracket size just for them. Thus, even though the socket is LGA 775, an LGA775 TDX will NOT fit. My heart sank at this fact.

However, with some ingenuity and a healthy dose of measurement, I fabricated a new mounting plate that fit. W00t.

Here you see that I had to mount the pump up on a little pedestal. That’s because the door slides in and out in Dell’s clamshell design and I didn’t want my tubing moving back and forth when opening the case. I knew this was going to be a problem going into the project but it seems to have worked itself out quite nicely.

Here’s a money shot of the mounted Maze 4 GPU block mounted on my sweet X800XT.

This is how I had to mount my radiator. Notice the lack of screw holes. Thus, I had to sandwich some zip ties to get it to stay. I ended up using three at the top of the radiator where it wouldn’t bend any of the fins out of place much. I also used a healthy dose of 3M super double-sided foam tape.

UH OH MOMENT #2:

Yes, that is water leaking out of the radiator. Even worse, the radiator was initially IN the computer when it started dripping. Luckily, I wiped the first drip off of the graphics card and got the radiator out. I even had the radiator clamped AND zip tied. After calling Danger Den and speaking to Robert, he said that he didn’t even USE clamps and that my type of hose fitting didn’t require them. Apparently, if you use clamps you can actually clamp the hose into deforming and CAUSING leaks. Wicked Sick!

Here it is all mounted up, but still before it stopped leaking. Initially the pump was very loud and I was sad. But as air started to get pumped out of the system it got very quiet. I am very pleased with the D5 pump. Also, as air started to filter out of the system, the radiator stopped leaking. It’s now been 36 hours without so much as a drip. I still check it often to make sure, and I will keep a rag on it for the first few weeks until I am positive it is not going to leak.

And here is a picture of all the crap (except for the CPU mounting bracket) that I replaced in my tower. Look at all the ugly green plastic and the shroud and....YUCK. Anyhow, those fans were loud and I am not sorry to see them go.

Here is the finished system. Pretty schweet. Next time I have to bleed the system, though, I know there are going to be a few adjustments. First I know that I need to cut a little tubing out of the clearflex coming from the far back radiator barb, its just too long. I also need to cut out some tubing from the T-line to the radiator as it butts close to the GPU block. Still, it works for now! Here’s a picture of the rig in action!

Yeah! That’s my water cooled rig running 3d05 at 36C! Next to it is my G15, MX518 and Sennheiser HD595s (all provided by my loving girlfriend). I hate to brag but that’s just a sweet setup! Anyhow, the thing sticks in the 30s for a solid 45 minutes but levels off at 42C during a hard dose of gaming. My basement is pretty cool, though, at about 23-24C most likely. Still, its quiet and performs great!

Thanks for all your support. I have asked a lot of questions these past few days and all of you have been an immense help, thanks again!

phatcars89 · 03-17-06

lol. nice. that dell looks pretty cool too. like the color and all. i wonder if that voided ur dell warenty...

splat00n · 03-17-06

pretty cool, I want to water cool my pc sometime when I have the money and don't have nothing to do

DrDeville · 03-17-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatcars89

lol. nice. that dell looks pretty cool too. like the color and all. i wonder if that voided ur dell warenty...

I'm just guessing, but when a mod uses the word "gutted" I'm thinking it's quite likely.

Awesome man, awesome. You get a rep for the story and pictures. If there is a special hell for WC heretics, you'll find me there.

I'm sure your mod is a huge improvement in performance and silence but, ever the devil's advocate, I have to point out that it looks like the Dell heatsink uses heat pipes!

Kinda neat.

Anyway, massive props to you.

Fishie36 · 03-17-06

But..... why?

r3tard · 03-17-06

Cool. I'm looking into going water soon myself, was it really that hard?

fstfrddy · 03-17-06

Good job Man, Why not watercool a Dell if you are interested in watercooling? I doubt your next system will be and you can move it!

DrDeville · 03-17-06

And he gets silence, lower temps, and fun.

wowza · 03-17-06

Nice, that tubing looks so out of place, I mean, lol! DD setup in a dell, LOL. Next, I am probably going to put my bigwater kit in my moms HP

killnine · 03-17-06

Yeah, it was very nerve wracking at times. I dreamed about the system a few nights, especially when I hit road blocks like the CPU not mounting correctly. Still, I believe it all worked out.

Yeah, after I get a new video card this summer, I plan on saving up 300-400 bucks and getting a new case, mobo and PSU. Then, I can take all the components I have and just put them in the new case and it should all be gravy.Anyhow, thats a long ways from now...

I still have 2 years left on my warranty and I havn't cut into anythink on the Dell. Dell doesn't really look into how much damage you do to the case, unless you want to replace the case. If I need a new video card, I can just call them and tell them it doesn't work and they just ship me out a new one (I have to send the old one back, guys, dont get any bright ideas =D). But yeah, it works out that its pretty "mod" friendly. Just don't tell Dell about it!!!

Thanks for the reps and the congratulations, it really was a lot of hard work!

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He couldn't...he wouldn't...WC a DELL?!

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