Cooling Poly or Alu top WW? Thermal properties...

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by jetsetjimbo, 23 Mar 2004.

  1. jetsetjimbo

    jetsetjimbo Up-up and away

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    I'm getting a white water, is there any difference performance wise between the poly and alu tops?

    Also just for the record which do people prefer?

    p.s. Has anyone noticed a bit of a good quality 1/2" tubing drought?
     
    Last edited: 24 Mar 2004
    jetsetjimbo, 23 Mar 2004
    #1
  2. SlackeR

    SlackeR What's a Dremel?

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    hehe looks like you made a typo in the topic ;)
    I have never seen any tests that compare the versions, bu i must admit i highly doubt there is a great difference.. the block should be cooled a fair bit before the heat gets into the alu, but on the other hand.. it can't get worse, so if you do not care about looks, go alu ;)
     
    SlackeR, 23 Mar 2004
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  3. jetsetjimbo

    jetsetjimbo Up-up and away

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    opps!
     
    jetsetjimbo, 23 Mar 2004
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  4. firelord-ochw

    firelord-ochw What's a Dremel?

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    I have a poly and it looks fantastic!

    TBH unless you are chilling the water theres no need for a alu top :)
     
    firelord-ochw, 24 Mar 2004
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  5. slater

    slater Mummy Says Im Special

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    There will be no differance. I would go with alu as poly has been known to crack :thumb:
     
    slater, 24 Mar 2004
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  6. olv

    olv he's so bright

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    you pay about an extra £10 for the alu don't you? which ever you prefer looks wise. i highly doubt any noticeable difference in performance.

    i have also notice the tubing dought, made me laugh that coolercases have sold out of all decent tubing lol. a watercooling shop with no tubing :lol: i ordered some danger den stuff from over-clock along with my pump.
     
    olv, 24 Mar 2004
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  7. pauldenton

    pauldenton What's a Dremel?

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    i have seen it suggested that theyre may be a minute performance advantage to the ally topped version (but you'd need a very accurate testbed - and a lot of time - to look for it let alone find it...)
    the postulated reason is greater rigidity due to keeping the original 3-plate whitewater design.

    a few people have had trouble with recent poly-topped ones where the o-rings were missing - their new ones (when they get them) should hopefully not suffer from this...
    you can buy a (third party) copper top from the US to replace the poly one (or top 2 of the ally ones) but that makes it a bit pricy of course.

    fundamentally i suspect it's mainly a question of your aesthetic preferance... after all you can't do this to a poly top...... :jawdrop:

    [​IMG]

    luckily i have just secured an original so the ally/poly question has been avoided :D
     
    pauldenton, 24 Mar 2004
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  8. mclean007

    mclean007 Officious Bystander

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    Isn't there a risk of galvanic corrosion with the alu? Mixed metals in water = REDOX = corrosion = bad?
     
    mclean007, 24 Mar 2004
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  9. olv

    olv he's so bright

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    mixing metals is overhyped, bit a water wetter in and your fine. Anyway, the D-tek WW alu tops are anodised
     
    olv, 24 Mar 2004
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  10. coolmiester

    coolmiester Coolermaster Legend

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    On all the White Water blocks that i have polished i have always left the anodising intact on the base which is in contact with the water (see pic below)

    [​IMG]

    Having said that, i totally agree with olv that too much is made of galvanic corrosion.

    Personally I have been running 3 bear aluminium top blocks (see pic of The Three Mazeketeers below) in a system with the aid of Water Wetter for a good few months now without the hint of visible signs of galvanic corrosion and the water is still crystal clear...........well green crystal but that's just from the dye :D

    I think as long as you are aware of the effects of GC and you take preventative care like running Water Wetter or similar there is little to worry about............or little that i can see anyway!

    [​IMG]

    BTW pauldenton.....cheers for the heads up on the WW and where you got your hands on an original.....any pics????
     
    coolmiester, 24 Mar 2004
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  11. jetsetjimbo

    jetsetjimbo Up-up and away

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    Ummm polished.....

    Coolmiester - Can you do special orders for those? I wouldn't have a clue how to go about getting one polished...
     
    jetsetjimbo, 24 Mar 2004
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  12. pauldenton

    pauldenton What's a Dremel?

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    pauldenton, 24 Mar 2004
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