Feedback on first WC loop

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zmn668

zmn668

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Jun 18, 2013
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Put together my first loop starting with the XSPC Raystorm RS240 kit then added to it. First the system specs:

Intel 3770k CPU clocked at 4.5ghz with Raystorm wb
Asrock z77 Extreme4 MB
Crucial Ballistix 16gb DDR3 1600
EVGA GTX 680 core +100mhz mem 500mhz with XSPC Razor wb and EVGA backplate
Intel 520 120GB SSD
Hitachi 750GB 7200rpm HDD
CM 690 II Advanced case
XSPC RS240 rad - top mounted with 2 Gelid Wing 12 PWM in pull
XSPC RX240 rad - bottom mounted with 2 Gelid Wing 12 PWM and 2 25 mm shrouds in push
XSPC X20 750 pump/res combo - drain tube attached to 3rd port with Koolance inline drain valve on end
Gelid Wing 12 slim pwm in front
CM 120mm blue LED rear fan

Wondering if I should turn the RX 240 so barbs face front. Advantages would seem that I could actually have a better drain as I would install the inline drain on the tube from gpu to rx placing it near the bottom of the loop. Also seems that if rs and rx barbs both face front I could bleed air easier by turning case on its back. Advantages of current setup with rx barbs facing rear is overall les tubing and that short tube from gpu to rx provides nice support to gpu with weight of the wb. Pic below. Thanks!

5Jau38WDqAwzjcc9r8Uy9t0ZJh-mp8T0hAK1HwExldc=w211-h207-p-no

 
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zmn668

zmn668

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Jun 18, 2013
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Thanks! It's the revision 4 X20 750. CPU maxes under latest P95 blend at 79C on hottest core. This is after re-seating the Raystorm 3 times with MX-4 and cores are within a degree or 2 of each other and temps have been consistent throughout each re-seat. Core voltage 1.224 to get 4.5 24/7 stable. Think I likely didn't get lucky with the IHS and cheap thermal paste Intel used. Even though the GPU comes after the CPU my GPU temps are great. Under 60C running Furmark for several hours. I can feel alot of heat being exhausted through top rad when GPU heats up but not so much when CPU heats up. Any thoughts?
 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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Looks nice- kept tubing short well done

My gut says either TIM applied too thick and or block not fully seated. Something preventing complete pressured contact. Gotta ask - dont get mad lol - use the right mount and backplate?
 
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endeavour37a

endeavour37a

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Feb 25, 2013
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Sorry I meant R4, ops. your GPU temps look great but it seems you should get a bit better on the CPU, maybe try some better TIM.
If you have room for push/pull that would be the ticket, you have good radiator area. I read shrouds don't really help that much, only really good for fan/radiator comparability. It does not matter the order of components, the water is the same temp wherever it is at.

It looks very clean and uncluttered, nice job!
 
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zmn668

zmn668

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Jun 18, 2013
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Yeah, the CPU thing has me baffled. Yep, used the right backplate and I have tightened the screws on block as tight as my fingers can. When I originally just had the RS 240 and cpu only loop I had it bottom mounted in push-pull and temps did not improve. I originally used AS5 for TIM but read MX-4 was better and needed a non-conductive TIM for GPU block so I used it for CPU as well. Used rice sized dot in middle of cpu. With AS5 I used line method from AS website. Only using the shrouds on the rx because I need the height to clear the modular power supply connectors. If I rotate the RX to barbs in from then I won't need them. Can't do push-pull in roof due to lack of clearance below the rad. what other TIM would you suggest? Thanks!
 
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endeavour37a

endeavour37a

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Feb 25, 2013
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There are so many I could not say one was better than another once you reach a point of quality, application is most important. If the MX-4 is working good on the GPU it should do the same for CPU. Perhaps check the XSPC forum and see if others are having same issue with Raystorm block, I understand it is a good block.

Maybe go here and ask Martin for some advice...
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2013/02/16/xspc-raystorm-750-rs240-extreme-universal-cpu-water-cooling-kit/

The shrouds do not hurt at all so that would not be an issue, if it was the GPU would be hotter.
 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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Mx4 is fine. Forum has thermal compound roundup and tests results.

I've heard of 2 grain method but not 1 grain. When I do mine, after I seat I twist n slide to to ensure spreading. Also when tightening block, make sure to do it like you would changing a tire - evenly - moving back and forth to insure tight but flat contact

Edit: Lap that SOB! LOL
 
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zmn668

zmn668

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Jun 18, 2013
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Thank you both for all your replies. Gonna make it my mission tonight to reseat the Raystorm again and check flatness and spread of TIM. Maybe I don't have enough. Do you folks spread it yourself or use a dot or x pattern and let the pressure spread it? As to the rad fans (my use of terminology might be wrong in relation to push and pull), fans are mounted to floor of case pulling cool air in and up through shrouds then RX240 and on top the fans are mounted above the RS240 and pulling case air through the rad. I have no other option on top except to place fans above rad as there is no clearance below the rad. Figured the way I have it set up air flow will follow usual bottom to top pattern. Front 120 pulls air and and back 120 pushes air out. Should I be doing something differently?
 
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toolmaker_03

toolmaker_03

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Mar 26, 2012
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Hope a reset of the CPU block works, but if it does not, I have ideas abut how to fix the issue, but none of them are a simple fix, and it will cost a little to do so, but I have done this before and will do it again and again.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/284615-29-build
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274855-29-experimental-radiator-build/page-12
here are my build logs have a look at them for some ideas and if you are interested I can give you my opinion on how to fix this issue that you are having, if a reset does not work.
 
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zmn668

zmn668

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Jun 18, 2013
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Thanks. Your build logs are great! I watched the install video on MartinsLiquidLab of the Raystorm kit and he used a cross pattern with the TIM included with the kit which leads me to believe I have not used nearly enough. Will find out tonight when I take it off and see how it spread. Will report back.
 
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Buzz247

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Mar 18, 2013
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Well- there's your answer to top rad really hot exhaust compated to bottom rad at least. I thought the bottom was exhausting. With current configuration, pre warmed air is being drawn into the top rad, multiplying its effective exhaust temp. Don't know if it really explains cpu temp being higher, but flipping the fans on bottom is worth a try.

When applying TIM, I use the x-dot, place sink, slide n twist until I feel a good suction n no metal contact "grind"
 
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zmn668

zmn668

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Jun 18, 2013
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TIM was the problem. When I removed the wb there was no TIM on about 25% of the heat spreader. Cleaned it all and applied using x dot pattern and twisted wb and now max core temp is 67 in P95 blend. Thanks!
 
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