K8N Diamond Plus Watercooling

[LoneWolf1]

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've looked just about everywhere I can think of, and can't find Northbridge or MOSFET Water Blocks for my K8N Diamond Plus.






Edited for content.

 

[AzNPinkTuv]

NB's dont need waterblocks...

 

[TheJollyFellow]

Originally posted by: AzNPinkTuv
NB's dont need waterblocks...

No, they don't NEED water blocks....but you can have them. I don't see why a regular Maz4 chipset wouldn't work....If you can't find one, you might be better off, NB blocks hinder flow quite a bit, just grab a nice Zalman cooler.

 

[LoneWolf1]

Well, I managed to track down both Northbridge and a MOSFET waterblocks from a company in Germany.

mips-computer.de

Blocks mounted on board

Now I just need to find a way buy them here in the US.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: AzNPinkTuv
NB's dont need waterblocks...

Neither do CPU's or GPU's for that matter. It sure would be refreshing if people would open their minds just a crack, especially when they're hell-bent on offering advice.

OP: There was a place called SNT-Systems that sourced Euro parts in the US. The URL I had doesn't work anymore, but that doesn't mean they've folded.

 

[firewolfsm]

NBs don't need water cooling, cooling the mosfets is a complete joke, you will get very low flow and temps will go up. you can just buy some little passive heatsinks if you're so worried about them. They don't even need any cooling really.

 

[HardWarrior]

1. Whether NB's "need" to be water-cooled is a personal decision, wholly based on the person paying the bills. If you want to view water-cooling as a game of economy then fine, but your opinion isn't binding on anyone else. A NB is just another heat source, and as such, wanting to vent it through a rad is just fine.

2. "Low-flow", here we go with the scare tactics. It's always interesting to me that when the subject of cooling anything beyond a CPU and GPU comes up it never goes any further than "Oh no! It'll kill your FLOW! It'll bring up your temps!!!" Meatball loop designers never take incidentals like how MUCH flow is actually needed turn a loop well, block design, applied pumping power, rad surface are or even the amount of air whistling through that rad, into account.

The only joke here is that so many, even those who've never water-cooled, want to set boundaries for others without even asking them what they're trying to do. It's no wonder so many people are freaked by the idea of slapping water to their computers.

 

[TheJollyFellow]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
1. Whether NB's "need" to be water-cooled is a personal decision, wholly based on the person paying the bills. If you want to view water-cooling as a game of economy then fine, but your opinion isn't binding on anyone else. A NB is just another heat source, and as such, wanting to vent it through a rad is just fine.

2. "Low-flow", here we go with the scare tactics. It's always interesting to me that when the subject of cooling anything beyond a CPU and GPU comes up it never goes any further than "Oh no! It'll kill your FLOW! It'll bring up your temps!!!" Meatball loop designers never take incidentals like how MUCH flow is actually needed turn a loop well, block design, applied pumping power, rad surface are or even the amount of air whistling through that rad, into account.

The only joke here is that so many, even those who've never water-cooled, want to set boundaries for others without even asking them what they're trying to do. It's no wonder so many people are freaked by the idea of slapping water to their computers.

Only speaking for myself, I can say that by personal experience in building over 11 computers with water cooling for various people, NB coolers don't do a whole lot for cooling, as it DOES hurt your flow and adds un-needed hot water to the system. A decent 3rd-party cooler will do as good or better a job at cooling, and it gets rid of the extra hot water. I am not setting boundaries for anyone, I am simply sharing my experience and suggestions, as that is what a good forum is all about; sharing of thoughts, ideas etc. etc..

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: natewildesOnly speaking for myself, I can say that by personal experience in building over 11 computers with water cooling for various people, NB coolers don't do a whole lot for cooling, as it DOES hurt your flow and adds un-needed hot water to the system.

Please, let's not try to turn this into a pissing contest. You have no idea what I do for a living, or what my experience with water is. Your "creds" don't scare me one bit. If you have something to say, just say it.

Again, a NB is a source of thermal energy. The idea of mounting a block on one is sound should the person designing, building, and paying for the loop decide to do so.

I addressed this, but since you don't seem to have read it, I'll say so again. "Flow" is a variable resource that's meant to be exchanged for efficient thermal transfer. There's no award for conserving it. If you start with a 2-3 block system, and are smart enough to use a real pump (or two), another block simply isn't going to "KILL" your loop. What you're trying to offer as fact doesn't take anything into account other than "flow is God."

1. All potential NB blocks aren't the same. There are at least a few that easily qualify as low(er) restriction.

2. We could all probably get by with a lot less "flow" in our loops than we think. Above a critical threshold, each water molecule is going to present itself to a rad for dissipation the same number of times regardless. This fact is easily seen in 1/4 ID loops that perform well even though they move a fraction of the water our big-tubed American coolers do.

Unneeded hot water? So you get to define what hot water is needed? I know, it's "just your opinion", right? Well, "hot water" is what my 120.3 /w 3x120x38x80CFM fans are here to fix. My current loops includes a CPU, two GPU's and 8 BGA's. At full load, my rad exhausts coolant that is just about ambient, + 1c above its intake. You seem to think that a NB block is capable of ruining that. You're wrong. I've gotten by with operating temps a >lot< warmer than I do currently, with no problems at all.

A decent 3rd-party cooler will do as good or better a job at cooling, and it gets rid of the extra hot water.

Suppose, just suppose, someone wants to quiet their box even further by ditching the NB fan? This is what I meant by saying that some of you guys don't even bother to ask what someone is shooting for BEFORE you start to lay down the facts as you see them. Also, are you trying to infer that a tiny fan will do better than something like this?

I am not setting boundaries for anyone,

I don't recall saying that you were, even though in essence you are. In fact, I haven't addressed anything to you directly.

I am simply sharing my experience and suggestions, as that is what a good forum is all about; sharing of thoughts, ideas etc. etc

Did I suggest otherwise? Post what you want, but don't think for a second that your opinion is sanctified. If you rattle off something that's simply unfounded, expect someone to call you on it. How good can a forum be if disinformation goes unchallenged? I hope someone will be kind enough to correct me under the same circumstances.

 

[TheJollyFellow]

All your points about flow etc etc are good ones, I stand corrected. However, wouldn't the heat produced by the NB block affect the temps of whatever block comes after it? (assuming it's not the radiator). I've stayed away from throwing in NB blocks for that reason, it just seemed not worthwhile when stock cooling on the A8N (the board I often use for builds) is good enough. I don't have data to prove it against, so I'm just using common sense; Doesn't it make sense that the cooler the liquid flowing through the blocks, the cooler the blocks can get? Oh, and I'm not concerned with stability so much as lower temps, a A64 CAN operate at 65-70 degrees, but most people try to avoid that .

 

[LoneWolf1]

Lets not turn this into a point, counter-point on the advantages or dis-advantages on additional blocks in a cooling loop.:roll:

HardWarrior, I apprediate what info you've provided thus far.:beer: I've done some searching for SNT-Systems and haven't really been able to find any current information or a website for them.

My primary motivation for wanting to cool the chipsets is because of the case i'll be using. It is of BTX design, and everything I've heard & read, is that the Diamond Plus heatpipes don't work well in an inverted position. Also, I want to keep my system as quiet as possible and have as few fans as I can.

 

[TheJollyFellow]

Then it'll probably come down to whether or not you're going to overclock like hell; a passive sink w/o heatpipes is a certainly cheaper alternative to a waterblock, but from what HardWarrior has said, a NB block will work too, and if you've got the money, moving the heat from one place to the next is better than dissipating it right there.

 

[LoneWolf1]

Waterblock or passive block, I'm open to suggestions either way. Problem is, I haven't been able to locate any type of block to fit the K8N northbridge other than the one I've linked to above.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: LoneWolf1
HardWarrior, I apprediate what info you've provided thus far.:beer: I've done some searching for SNT-Systems and haven't really been able to find any current information or a website for them.

That's too bad. Euro water FRU's are like works of art compared to American stuff. Most of it's 3/8 ID, so I was turned off on it right away. Then I found out better. If I can find an American-side distributor I'll post it.

My primary motivation for wanting to cool the chipsets is because of the case i'll be using. It is of BTX design, and everything I've heard & read, is that the Diamond Plus heatpipes don't work well in an inverted position. Also, I want to keep my system as quiet as possible and have as few fans as I can.

If it's like the A8N32, heatpipe won't work at all.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: natewildes
All your points about flow etc etc are good ones, I stand corrected. However, wouldn't the heat produced by the NB block affect the temps of whatever block comes after it? (assuming it's not the radiator).

If I was going to WC my NB (there was no SLI/Expert-compatible block when I started this build) it's only logical that I'd have it farthest dowstream. There's no absolute reason why I feel that way. It just makes sense to position blocks in order of importence, and beyond that, tolerance for heat. Any block is going to have an effect on the block after it. This issue is how much. Water is such a great conductor of heat, and removes it so quickly, that a downstream block isn't going to be affected TOO much. All other things remaning equal, of course. The real trick is to dissipate the heat once its picked up. Beyond that you can get way with quite a bit.

I've stayed away from throwing in NB blocks for that reason, it just seemed not worthwhile when stock cooling on the A8N (the board I often use for builds) is good enough.

Good enough! Dude, water-cooling by its very nature is overkill. If you think an OEM NB cooler is fine, then so be it. However, if someone wants to dump another fan, or just wants to water a NB for fun, that's fine too. It's all water-cooling. See what I'm getting at?

I don't have data to prove it against, so I'm just using common sense; Doesn't it make sense that the cooler the liquid flowing through the blocks, the cooler the blocks can get?

Sure it makes sense. But if you look at low temps as a resource, like flow, what are you getting for those inherently low temps? For me it's stability across a broad range of ambients, because I like opening the windows during the summer. Some people exchange those low initial temps for a better overclock. There are even folks who shoot for as low as possible just so they can brag.

Oh, and I'm not concerned with stability so much as lower temps, a A64 CAN operate at 65-70 degrees, but most people try to avoid that .

You're not concerned with stability??? You're an interesting guy nate, and you must not be a hardcore gamer. My gamer rig has to be rock-solid. If it isn't I'll tear it apart and start shot-gunning in new parts until it is, if I have to. See how differing motives (and personalities) play a part in how we maintain our machines? Water for me is just another way of making sure my baby works well under all conditions, and yeah, having a damn cool rig.

 

[TheJollyFellow]

no, no, I am concerned with stability, I was only referring to my thoughts on cooling the NB. Sorry for the confusion....(my 3400+ is running 29c full-load).

 

[LoneWolf1]

UPDATE: I managed to fina a company in Bromsgrove, Worcs UK that sells the blocks I'm looking for.

Bad news is that they only accept orders from the UK.

C&C Central Ltd.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: LoneWolf1
UPDATE: I managed to fina a company in Bromsgrove, Worcs UK that sells the blocks I'm looking for.

Bad news is that they only accept orders from the UK.

C&C Central Ltd.

Yeah, that's the stuff. Wow, the connectors are 1/4 inch. :Q

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: natewildes
no, no, I am concerned with stability, I was only referring to my thoughts on cooling the NB. Sorry for the confusion....(my 3400+ is running 29c full-load).

Ah, my fault. What ambient for that load? Good temp anyway. :thumbsup: I'll play some FEAR with Everest running and report mine.

 

[LoneWolf1]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Yeah, that's the stuff. Wow, the connectors are 1/4 inch. :Q

Threads, not fitting diameter. BSPT 1/4(G 1/4). Same standard that Danger Den is switching to.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: LoneWolf1

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Yeah, that's the stuff. Wow, the connectors are 1/4 inch. :Q

Threads, not fitting diameter. BSPT 1/4(G 1/4). Same standard that Danger Den is switching to.

Okay, would you be so kind as to explain what "BSPT" means? Go as far as you'd like.

 

[LoneWolf1]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: LoneWolf1

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Yeah, that's the stuff. Wow, the connectors are 1/4 inch. :Q

Threads, not fitting diameter. BSPT 1/4(G 1/4). Same standard that Danger Den is switching to.

Okay, would you be so kind as to explain what "BSPT" means? Go as far as you'd like.

BSPT = British Standard Pipe Taper

Text

 

[HardWarrior]

Thanks for the link, sir. :thumbsup:

 

[LoneWolf1]

Does anyone know where I can get these water blocks here in the States??