Project Kool160

[Gray Mole]

well it's like a scrapheap challenge - hope it's a winner mate, I am sure it will be

hehe

It looks like every other old mach1 I've seen the guts of 8)

Don't worry Boardy mate it will be a little different the next time you see it

I'll do my best to keep the cost down without sacrificing performance for you, and I've found some new stuff here and there that should make it a real winner :B

I'm seriously considering trying out a golden froster on your unit. I think it would turn it from a pita to a prince if the display would fit and be a good test run of my abilities to install a control system lol cos it should be as good as the mach2 or vapo controller really.

The biggest challenge isn't cost, as they're not bad for the basic one, or the install as they're quite easy, or the use for that matter as they're quite simple and accurate too...

It's actually getting one 8) as Fatty would probably agree, they seem to be like magical pixies you can't catch! If I get a reply from a PM from the guys who make it I'll be buying a lottery ticket cos I'll be lucky to see it

Hope this system is as good as it sounds when you're done though, you deserve it mate

Gray

 

[boardy]

Now Gray, if you can get a Golden Froster in that unit it's gonna push this into a really custom job! I was also thinking, If I got one of them Lian-Li style temp displays, is there anyway for me to connect the K-Type probe to it to display the temps?

Well guys a nice update today

Met Scorchio yesterday got my P160 ,the Koolance and a late addition, 120:1 Swiftech rad just for a little extra cooling. Stood at the door talking to Scorchio about clocking and stuff for about 20min after lol.

I also got some PC3500 BH5 RAM from him in exchange for my Lian-Li Mach panels as I'm not gonna be using them on my unit anyway. Can't wait to see how this clocks when the Mach arrives!!

So far the only thing I've done is to move across the entire system into the P160 and the temps are lower than they were, which is tempting me to clock the 55 just a little on the stock cooler.

I need to get the CPU Block off Scorchio for the Koolance and a pump off mav to give it some extra flow, but once I get that I'll whack the 55 under water and see what I can make it do.

Specs have also changed very slightly due to the fact I know what I'm getting -

FX55 SD - Got

DFI NF4 SLI-DR

1GB PC3500 BH5 / 1GB OCZ Premium TCCD/5 - Got

2 x 7800 GTX (Modded innovatek blocks)

PCP&C 1kW PSU

2 x 250GB Hitatchi Deskstar SATA-II HDDs

Antec P160 Case - Got

Koolance Exos2 - Got

Custom Phase Cooler - Under construction

So as you can see, the next few months are gonna be expensive but it shall be done.

Pics to follow, when I get back from work.

Cheers

Boardy

 

[stocky]

Nice it's sounding delicious!

I'm looking forward to seeing it all together, especially with the magical pixie working inside!

I'll be running a fairly similar system to you, except with an opty - would we run similar BIOS settings then? I've only had a fiddle on a DFI once, and that was one of the earlier ones...

 

[boardy]

Similar settings yea. Difference is the RAM settings and the Optys are multi-locked.

If your running BH5 RAM then you should be ok to use the same settings as me (when I get my board) for the RAM, if it can handle 270 I have settings for TCCD tho aswell if your using that.

The sheer amount of adjustments in the DFI BIOS is the reason I wanted the board, just changing 1 thing may give you an extra 100-1000 points in 3D Mark, it's just hard to tell what all the things do. I've been reading the DFI forums recently learning about it.

We could go at it together lol. Share BIOS's an stuff lol.

 

[stocky]

The opty's locked is it I've always had ES, so have always been able to slide the multiplier about - if I find I need a multiplier adjust to get more performance I may have to fork out on one of these FX chips 8)

I haven't burnt this BH5 RAM in yet, so I should probably skip to that. I have good feelings about it though - hopefully it'll reach 170

 

[boardy]

I haven't burnt this BH5 RAM in yet, so I should probably skip to that. I have good feelings about it though - hopefully it'll reach 170

Well I'd certainly hope it'll hit 170 or you've got some pants RAM mate

 

[stocky]

Doh! :$

all these numbers make my brain go funny! 270MHz would be nice, is what I was trying to say 8)

I think I'll wait till the other computer bits come, then I can run it in on a separate machine...

Also is this Windows 64 worth running?

 

[boardy]

I've had fun with XP-64 and now I have Dual Channel RAM running sweet it absolutely flies. I'm keeping it if my SATA drivers work with it.

Also guys do you think 10ft of 3/8" tubing will be enough for my gfx water loop?

Cheers

Boardy

 

[boardy]

Also I need to get 2 splitters to go to each card and then return again. Only problem is I can only find T-pieces no Y-pieces in 3/8" from the certain shop I'm looking at Marci if you read this!!!

Will some T-pieces be ok considering I'm gonna have another pump sat right in front of em, or is it worthwhile looking for somewhere else to get the tubing from (i like the steel reinforced stuff) and get Y-pieces instead.

I can't see it killing flow rates too much considering Ys and Ts kill it pretty much the same. The other option is to run 2 seperate loops, but I really don't wanna do that cos it means me having to buy 2xCSP750's and I don't really wanna do that.

Opinions please,

Boardy

 

[boardy]

Updateyplop

Well guys, having spoken to Gray the unit is now all spec'd up and he's gonna start working on it when he has all the bits for it

We're going for -

Regass

Condensor replacement

Coil mod

Larger suction line

New rev Chilly1 head with green surround

Green braid with any luck

New filter

Added suction accumulator

New captube

Green caster wheels

1 K-Type probe for Fluke monitoring

and a lovely G-Foster XE controller

(I'm not telling any of you how much this is costing before anyone asks lol.)

There are a few images of the controller attached to the post for your viewing pleasure.

The green is going with a theme I'm using for the case, due to some UV acrylic which I'm getting off Big Phil. I have had an idea for a design and graphics for the case but had a brainwave today (yes it hurt) so may change the plans slightly.

Boardy

 

[ZaX]

Sounds like a big project, I'm looking forward to see how this goes. What sort of performance do you expect from this modded Mach I Boardy?

Hope all goes well and don't forget we want lots of pics.

 

[boardy]

Hehe it's gonna be my biggest project yet, and I'm gonna take my time over it which is why I'm buying parts in chunks, to give me time to work on sections and not be tempted to just whack it all together straight away.

Performance wise I'm lookin at it holding around -50ish under load on the evap which would be ROUGHLY between -20 and -10 on the FX chip itself going off what scorchio was telling me the other day about his. Aparently the Mach 1 cap tubes are a little longer than the Mach II's so lower temps for longer is possible.

Need to find somewhere to get some panels made up for the Mach unit now cos it has no panels on it so will look silly Only got the enlight front, which I'm ditching and making a new front panel anyway, cos that thing is FUGLY!

 

[boardy]

Woooohooooo

Well today I had a very nice PM in my inbox from Gray saying he's got our the secret weapon to making this one of the best single stages around. We are replacing the 1/3hp compressor with a 2/3hp one!!

This will have 2 effects -

1) Run a different more "potent" gas mix

2) Get load temps to easily -50 and lower!!

The compressor in question is a Danfoss SC15CL and is bigger than the standard compressor.

A few pics below of the layout showing a smaller condensor in there, but we're in the middle of deciding whether to use that and a desuper heater or a larger condensor. The fans attached are 240v beasts btw

So this has now lost all it's Mach 1ness, and has just turned into a completely custom single stage cooler!!

 

[maverik-sg1]

Looks as though it's gonna be a bit crowded in there - interested to see the finished unit with updates on the build as it progresses

Are you gonna be using the digital probes or sticking with original analogue babies?

 

[boardy]

Digi all the way mate. Gonna have a k-type on for Fluke monitoring but the rest should be digi.

3 probes in all, 1 I'm fitting myself but shhhh, don't tell Gray! lol

I've been talking with Gray and we're still debating the Condensor or Desuper heater figuring out the right way for the lowest temps. If we're luck we may see around -70 to -80 idle on the unit lol. We're talking proper cold!!

 

[Gray Mole]

Upgrade Path

I had a delivery including the new suction and condensor today, and it's quite easy to see how the performance will be improved in the process.

Just to give you guys an idea of what's happening to make it possible...



That's the 3 condensors...

original with the old filter still on there, small upgrade to 3/8" and larger finned area with more open fins so that less airflow is required(less passes but overall better condensor cooling), and the big one, 14pass 3row full 3/8" non-restrictive and the same larger freer flow fins.

It's a tight fit, but it fits, and should do the job.

On a Mach2 it's normally a good upgrade but with this monster compressor it's the least I can do



Full 1/2" suction line, with 3/8" adapter, should allow some nice flow, and all of the pipework will be 1/4" discharge(high pressure side) and 3/8" suction(low pressure side) to make sure there's nothing holding it back.

Can see an old busted mach evap, and the new chilly hotness next to it.

Old and busted, New Hotness...(in the words of Will Smith) lol



Another view of old to new...



And that's how she fits. Like I said, it's a squeeze but it's all in there and should present no significant problems with getting it together and working great.

The 1/2" suction bends a lot more and at a lot harsher angle than I thought it would, but is an effort to bend. Not a big deal, and is very close to the same angle the smaller line is, so should still fit with the case side on.

So that's the latest update on the project, and I'm picking up more filters and captube today as well so should have it together and testing by the end of the week I hope. After that it's just waiting for the new control system to come in.

Cheers guys

Gray

 

[boardy]

/droool

I can't believe this is actually happening to my unit lol. Everytime I see pics of your work I think wow who ever is getting that is one lucky mofo and then realise, hehe it's mine

Thanks for the update Gray, can't wait to see what you can do with her!!

I'd better pull my finger out and start getting the Acrylics and plastics together!! Not letting on what thats gonna be used for but lets just say, I think your all gonna be wrong if u guess.

 

[maverik-sg1]

I feel almost certain that I have one of these condensors lying around here (old WACC MKII radiator) I'll drop some pics in tomoz

Mav

 

[boardy]

Right well I got bored and cos I'm living @ m gf's place atm 1 room isn't heated and is a little chilly. I cudn't help but clock the FX on the stock cooler to 2.7Ghz. I'm really tempted to go to 2.8Ghz just to be @ FX57 levels lol. @ Stock volts aswell so I don't think the temps will be rising much at all.

One thing thats been bugging me for a while about RAM. I now have 2Gb of Generic PC3200, 1Gb Original BH5 (PC3500 I think), 1Gb OCZ Rev2 TCC5 (PC3200). Now I'm not using the 2Gb in the machine at all so that's nothing to worry about but with the TCC5 and BH5, will they clock as well as the PC4000 stuff with TCCD/5 on?

With them using TCC5 chips would that mean the clocks should be pretty high, or would I need a higher speed RAM to get above and beyond 300Mhz FSB?

I did used to know this but it's been a while since I've bought any decent RAM and forgot what the so called "rules" are with RAM.

Cheers

Boardy

 

[maverik-sg1]

Should get 220-230 from stock volts I think boardy mate

The TCC5? is classed as one fo tehgreat clockers of its time - problem is that some 3200 is classed like that because it either never made the grade (failed speed binning) to the other levels offered by same manufacturer or is in fact untested (higher chance of getting lucky with super high clocks)

Oh and the TCC5 should be good for 2-2-2-5 @ 220Mhz