I'm building the Franken-Cooler!!

gillbot · 04-21-2008, 10:22 AM

I've been dabating on switching over to water for a while and I've finally decided to take the plunge. I'm going for the cheap-o CPU only setup just to play with and see how well my ideas will work. I'll probably use a heater core for a rad, Lowes for tubing/fittings, a gladware container for the res and your typcal pond pump for flow.

The only thing I plan on spending $ on is the block. I was thinking the Apogee GT since they can be found for $30 or so used unless anyone has any better ideas.

As for pumps, i have access to a few with a few different flow rates. 60GPH, 145GPH and 190GPH. I know those are all rated open circuit and the flow rates will fall when components are added to the loop BUT i'm looking for a general starting point. I don't want to buy all 3 to try or just the largest one if it will overpressurize the loop or cause problems.

J2T · 04-24-2008, 09:02 AM

I really have no input, but this should be interesting none the less

rhino56 · 04-24-2008, 10:57 AM

gillbot · 04-24-2008, 07:17 PM

Pics are coming, I'm still researching and gathering parts. The rad is on the way for $10 shipped and if the guy didn't punk out I got an Apogee for $25 shipped and a 2nd Apogee GT for $30 shipped so I can compare them. The pumps are on the table so all I need is a decent Reservoir from walmart and the tubing/fittings from lowes and we'll be set to test!

After that pics will be posted! I think you guys will be quite shocked at the overall cost when it's all said and done.

EDIT, That's IF it even works, LOL!

rhino56 · 04-24-2008, 07:25 PM

you could probably get much better tubing at jab-tech for a similar price.

gillbot · 04-25-2008, 08:14 AM

Probably not after shipping but we'll see.

rhino56 · 04-25-2008, 02:20 PM

it would be a lot better tubing though. the stuff at lowes or home depot kinks really bad and goes flat easily. it has much thinner walls than the stuff jabtech sells.

gillbot · 04-25-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhino56

it would be a lot better tubing though. the stuff at lowes or home depot kinks really bad and goes flat easily. it has much thinner walls than the stuff jabtech sells.

I know what Tygon is, we use it and the generic stuff at work.

This is a test setup mostly, I'll upgrade later IF I can get reasonable results from it. This is primarily to test out the cheap-o pump that I was recommended.

On a side note, Rad and block arrived today so I went to lowes to get tubing. $5 for 10' and all the clamps I need. Franken-cooler is almost alive! Pics to follow as soon as I get it together and filled but I need to clean everything first.

rhino56 · 04-25-2008, 11:10 PM

sounds cool, the pond pumps are very powerful, i have used one before which was around a 160 gph i think and it had great pressure.

gillbot · 04-26-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhino56

sounds cool, the pond pumps are very powerful, i have used one before which was around a 160 gph i think and it had great pressure.

I've had a few people warning me to stay away from pond pumps but I don't think they realize that all the "PC Watercooling Pumps" started life as a meager pond pump or some other OEM design.

I have three pond pumps to test, 160GPH, 190GPH and a 260GPH. At the prices I paid, I'll take the risk!

EDIT: I forgot to mention, I looked at the 60GPH unit and it was TINY! I decided that 1/4" tubing probably wouldn't flow enough for any modern processor. The 60GPH unit was 1/4" outlet only!! Plus the fact that it was only about 2" cubed in size didn't sit well with me. I think a dripping faucet moves more water than that thing! I guess it might be good for making a separate loop for a NB or other chipset though.

The 160 will be the first tested as it's ready to go, then the 190. At first I thought the 160 would be too small but after I picked them up, I think the 260 is WAY too big. It's at least four times the size of the 160 unit!!

I'm gonna head out today, get some distilled water + vinegar for cleaning, i'll assemble it on the counter, fill and leak test for about 24 hours. After that I haven't decided if I'm going straight for my main rig or if I want to build a test system to punish. We'll see.

04-21-2008, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
gillbot Corporal Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dayton, OH - USA Posts: 206	I'm building the Franken-Cooler!! I've been dabating on switching over to water for a while and I've finally decided to take the plunge. I'm going for the cheap-o CPU only setup just to play with and see how well my ideas will work. I'll probably use a heater core for a rad, Lowes for tubing/fittings, a gladware container for the res and your typcal pond pump for flow. The only thing I plan on spending $ on is the block. I was thinking the Apogee GT since they can be found for $30 or so used unless anyone has any better ideas. As for pumps, i have access to a few with a few different flow rates. 60GPH, 145GPH and 190GPH. I know those are all rated open circuit and the flow rates will fall when components are added to the loop BUT i'm looking for a general starting point. I don't want to buy all 3 to try or just the largest one if it will overpressurize the loop or cause problems.

04-24-2008, 09:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
J2T Super Moderator <<<[MP]Major Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,134	I really have no input, but this should be interesting none the less __________________ DFI Lanparty UT NF4 Ultra-D AMD Athlon64 3700+ San Diego 2x1 Gig G.Skill PC4000 HZ XFX Geforce 7800GT OCZ GamerXStream 850W My BF2 stats

04-24-2008, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
rhino56 Administrator General Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,857

04-24-2008, 07:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
gillbot Corporal Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dayton, OH - USA Posts: 206	Pics are coming, I'm still researching and gathering parts. The rad is on the way for $10 shipped and if the guy didn't punk out I got an Apogee for $25 shipped and a 2nd Apogee GT for $30 shipped so I can compare them. The pumps are on the table so all I need is a decent Reservoir from walmart and the tubing/fittings from lowes and we'll be set to test! After that pics will be posted! I think you guys will be quite shocked at the overall cost when it's all said and done. EDIT, That's IF it even works, LOL!

04-24-2008, 07:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
rhino56 Administrator General Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,857	you could probably get much better tubing at jab-tech for a similar price.

04-25-2008, 08:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
gillbot Corporal Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dayton, OH - USA Posts: 206	Probably not after shipping but we'll see.

04-25-2008, 02:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
rhino56 Administrator General Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,857	it would be a lot better tubing though. the stuff at lowes or home depot kinks really bad and goes flat easily. it has much thinner walls than the stuff jabtech sells.

04-25-2008, 11:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
rhino56 Administrator General Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,857	sounds cool, the pond pumps are very powerful, i have used one before which was around a 160 gph i think and it had great pressure.