Storm Waterblock Thread Introduction
NOTICE
At various people's request, I have organised the old mega-thread into two separate threads. The old Cascade XXX/XS thread can be found here:
http://forums.overclockers.com.au/s...threadid=263403.
SCOPE
In order to facilitate easy an easy introduction to the content of this now also very large thread, and also to make it easier to track new updates, I'll update this opening post with a summary of the pertinent information so people don't have to always read the whole thread content
INTRODUCTION
This thread details the ongoing work of the "Storm" waterblock. It evolved out of a concept embodied with the "Prototype 2" or "P2" block, for which early details and discussion can be found in the latter half of this thread.
FAQ
Last updated 11 Aug 2004
This section is purely an attempt to prevent the same questions being asked again, and again, and again.
Q: What's with the G1, G3, G4, G5 things? Are they different blocks?
A: See "STORM DESIGN CLASSIFICATIONS - G-level" below. The G-level is a reference to a particular sub-design complexity of the Storm design. The higher the number, the higher performing the design.
Q: What sub-design have you settled on to make available for people?
A: I've settled on making a G4 available in copper, and I will be making a very limited number of G5 sub-designs available in silver.
Q: How much will these things cost?
A: For the copper Storm/G4, the target price is ~US$70, ~AU$100, ~£40, ~€60. Price for the silver Storm/G5 has not been considered yet, but at least double the price of the copper version would be a good bet.
Q: When will they be available?
A: Presently on target for last week September or first week October.
Q: Will you accept pre-orders?
A: No. At least not until I have a stronger indication of when they'll start being made.
Q: Will you have international distributors/resellers?
A: Maybe, maybe not. Depends on a number of things that are still to be resolved.
Q: I live internationally. I want one. How much is postage if I get one direct from you?
Postage is typically about US$10, and international delivery typically takes 5-10 working days.
Other Questions Answered
Q: How many barbs will it have?
A: Two barbs only. One inlet, one outlet. There will be no 3-barb versions of the Storm, even on request.
Q: Will it work well on CPU's with an IHS?
A: It is designed with both bare die and IHS covered CPU's in mind.
STORM DESIGN CLASSIFICATIONS - G-level
The Storm design can be broken down into 6 levels of geometrical complexity, which I've coined G1 through to G6, with G1 being the easiest/fastest to make and lowest performing variant of the design, and G6 is the most complex to make and highest performing. The G6 right now is just a theoretical machining limit, and it is quite unlikely that I'll ever make it, but it's just there for a reference point.
For tests I use the equivalent of an MCP600 sort of pumping power.
The G1, of which I had one made, simluated out to around 1C worse than a White Water, and in reality performed about 1.5C worse than the White Water.
The G2 I have not had made up. In reality it should perform about on par with a White Water.
The "Prototype 2" referred to in the old Cascade XXX thread is essentially a G3 version of the "Storm" design. The G3 is basically slightly better than Cascade level performance, or roughly on par with a Cascade SS.
The G4 is the "do I make these or not?" prototype block. Simulation-wise it works out to around 0.5C better than the G3. In reality, the G4 worked out about as expected, being a little more than 0.5C better than the Cascade SS given the same pump.
The G5, which is the one that I'd make in silver, simulates out to around 0.8C better than the G4 (with the G5 in silver and the G4 in copper) when given the same pump. The G5 prototype has yet to be made.
The G6, in silver, simulated out to a mere 0.3C better than the G5 (in silver), so its cost and complexity is unjustifiable except as a curiosity.
