H2O QPack2 - Mod Update 7/2

[Eric_J]

Just a quick update on the new processor.

Didn’t get to work on it last night, but got up early this morning to install the new CPU. The BIOS on my motherboard didn’t recognize the 45nm chip, so I manually entered in the correct settings.

Boots fine, but the temps seem a little higher than I expected. But that’s probably a BIOS issue. Asus has a Beta BIOS for my board. I’ll download and install it tonight.

[hugh]

what were the temps?

[Eric_J]

Well now I'm not too sure! I use both Speedfan and Everest Ultimate and the temps differ by 10 degrees F. They were both the same with the Q6600. (Idle core temps in low 90's F)

Additionally, I used a different type of thermal paste. I was using Zalman liquid, but I ran out. So this time I used Arctic Silver 5. The Zalman goes on with a paintbush attached to the cap. It's very thin and easy to get a uniform coating. The Arctic Silver is very thick and I had to use a credit card to try and spread it evenly. But it's really thick.

So, I'd like to go back to Zalman and use a few more tools to try and get an accurate core temp before I cry foul...

[ChmOOrecK]

The Arctic Silver is very thick and I had to use a credit card to try and spread it evenly. But it's really thick.

Maybe this is what you need with AS5 ;-)

[Eric_J]

Maybe this is what you need with AS5  

Learn something new every day…

Thanks!

[Shadowtester]

When I was using AS5 I just used a plastic razor blade to spread the AS5 evenly across the cpu but since I switched to MX2 which is much thinner it spreads out much easier with just the pressure of the heat sink additional tooling/spreading was not needed.

[stormshadow]

great work and great idea.

any chance of getting some shots of everything with the cover off?

[Eric_J]

Sure. I'll get some shots up tonight.

[Eric_J]

As requested… Here are some shots with the cover off.



This shot shows the front mods I have been working on. I ended up building light boxes behind the 2 wire mesh openings on each side. The led light reflects forward off the brushed aluminum boxes and shines out the modders mesh panels. Also, I replaced the LCD temp gage with the analog one showing water temperature. Although you can’t tell I added a resistor to the blue power light too. It was blinding!







I’m still playing with the temps on my new Quad Q9450 chip. I think the beta BIOS on my motherboard may have something to do with the high temps. I have a hard time accepting a 45nm chip using less voltage runs 20 degrees (F) hotter than a 65nm Q6600.

I’m building a PC for a friend using a Gigabyte board. I’ll try the Q9450 in it to compare the temps.

That’s it for now. 

[stormshadow]

fantastic.  so clean too...

[Xanonymous]

Eric, your Q9450 is likely one of the many 45nm Intels with defective DTS sensors.  If you google e.g. "e8400 temperature problems" you will find loads of cases of erroneous temps reported by Wolfdales and Yorkfields.  I RMA'ed my E8500 because of this.  It was reporting sky-high temps while my fans were blowing out cold air.

[Eric_J]

More changes! It seems the more I change the more I want to change…

The biggest change is upgrading to a pair of VelociRaptors in a RAID 0. Of course that means installing everything, AGAIN. But it’s faster this time. Lol






I added a little surprise… Here is a teaser shot.




The give-a-way is the IDE cable. Here’s a pic to put it in better perspective. You can just see the IDE cable peaking out in the front of the case.




Ok, ok, I hate guessing too. I had a few IDE 2 ½” laptop drives sitting around. So, I bought an adaptor and added a 120GB - 7,200RPM backup drive. It mounts vertically on the inside of the face plate. I’m using it as a backup drive for my important files that reside on the RAID 0. Just in case…




Other goodies…

I replaced the two radiator fans with Scythe fans and the rear case fan with a Scythe PWM version. They are all noticeably quieter than the original ones.  I covered the fan logos with carbon fiber contact paper for the black on black look.






You might also notice the addition of a carry handle. I love this thing! It’s perfect for dragging my box around. I had to swap the positions of the DVD and Hard Disk to get it to fit. The DVD was too tall and the underside of the handle wouldn’t fit. Here’s a better shot of the handle.




Finally, I covered the front cover bezel with carbon fiber contact paper too. It worked pretty well. I used one continuous piece and made cuts along the curved edges to fit. I’m pretty happy with the outcome. I was worried it would look cheesy.







I took the Swiftech badge from one of the internal water blocks and stuck it on the 5 ¼” drive grill. I like the little touch of silver. Hehe




Overall I’m very happy with the build. I ended up staying with the Q9450 chip. I found some research that indicated Intel was using a different TjMax than the previous 65nm chips. It should be 95°C. There is a program called Real Temp that shows the correct temps for the 45nm Quads. So I don’t think my temp diode is stuck, I was just using the wrong math… I overclock it to 3.2GHz and my temps stay between 100°F (idol) and 135°F (full load). I could run it up higher, but I prefer to keep the fans running slowly.

One really cool tool I bought is a P3 Kill A Watt Electricity Load Meter and Monitor. You plug it into the wall and then plug your PC into it and it provides real-time power usage. With all the “Green” frenzy I was curious how many watts my PC used at idol. I tend to leave it on a lot… 102 watts; about the same as a 100 watt light bulb! I was very happy.

I took the thing apart to see if I could mod it into my PC having the LCD showing power use. It’s possible, but the display isn’t backlit, so I decided against it (for now).

[craigbru]

Very nice update Eric!  Very nice workmanship, and the whole thing just looks 'right'.  I also love the carbon fiber film accents!  Good job man!

[Eric_J]

Thanks Craig!

That means a lot coming from the master modder....