Never enough cooling - until now

I am currently overclocking an AMD 3200+, I had to install 120VAC case fans, run a second power supply for the Peltiers and improve the water system. That CPU is a power hungry / heat producing monster. 3.5 GHz is best so far, but not stable there yet, may have to volt mod it. 3.45 GHz is stable at 112 degrees F and 1.8 V.

Highlights:
Swiftech GPU and CPU coolers with TECs
Massive radiator with twin 120 VAC fans
1/2 inch tubing throughout
Small tank for head pressure, externally fillable
Main fans are variable speed via ceiling fan speed control (pulse width modulation)
Backup 120 VAC 80 mm fans that come on if fuse blows to main fans

Some will laugh, some will envy, all I can say is that it works and is almost silent.

 

Step two
I used books to position the radiator.

 

All done.
So far I had one leak at the pump outlet, this is a common problem whth these pumps. I am looking to replace it.

 

all I can say is... WOW. thats is one awesome job you've done there

let us know if you make any changes/improvements, and keep it up!

 

Latest problem was one I would not suspect, the Antec 550 was dropping to 11.1 VDC under heavy loads. Programs like Futuremark when loading the next graphic would hesitate. At first I thought it was RAM errors due to the overclock, but a little measurement showed the voltage drop. With the big draw from the CPU on the 5V side volts were low across the board.
Antec to the rescue again, another 550 watt, but the True Control version. I can adjust my voltages on the 3.3, 5, and 12 at any time now. I boot at 12.1 and am over 12 unless gaming hard or stress testing, then it drops to 12 even. 5 and 3.3 are the same at just over voltage on startup then spot on under heavy gaming.
http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_details_powerSupply.php?ProdID=20552

With plenty of stable power available I tried 2.5 GHZ and the CPU began to heat up. With the radiator of a small Kenworth in there I knew it was a circulation problem. Little Giant makes a quiet industrial pump that I bought for $63.
http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegiant/specsheet.nsf/SpecSheets/502500/$File/995132_2E-38N.pdf
The impeller is twice as wide as the Swiftech pump. The noise is the same, not even noticable. All the pictures I found show it as blue, mine is black. 2.5 GHz is not stable at 2.9V, but I might dare higher as under stress the CPU only hits 110F.

 

Latest wrinkle - voltages were unstable again at 2.5 GHz / 1.9 V.
It turned out to be the MOSFETS, heat sinks cured the problem.
Evidently the wise wizards of Abit expect a fan blowing air around the CPU. With water cooling I have much less air cooling the MB components. Rather than put on more fans I added heat sinks. Note you cannot do this corrrectly, MOSFETS have a tang to cool them, but it is on the MB. Putting a heatsink on the plastic helps enough, but is not technically correct.

Now stable at 2.4 GHz for 8 hours of Prime95, 4 hours UT 2004, 2 hours D2.
This testing is getting me plenty of rest and gaming time.

http://www.ocfaq.com/article.php/cooling/72
is a good read about cooling and MOSFETS.

 

hehe, you make the inner geek in us all very proud

have you considered adding one or two extremely quiet exhaust fans? I know papst makes a nice 12dB fan with around 17cfm airflow... if you can hear that running I'd be amazed.. Even my 23dB papst is quiet as a mouse.

 

"WOW"!

Excellent job man, very cool