Initial Issues
Our attention was then focused upon spacing for the watercooling components. Obviously the spacing for the graphic’s card waterblock is contingent upon the case design. As a result, we’ll be tackling that a bit later. Moving along, we see that the northbridge has mounting holes we can use to secure its waterblock so that should not be an issue. In similar fashion, the CPU socket has a four-bolt mounting setup which will securely attach the waterblock to the processor.
Just as we were about to move forward, something caught our eye. The spacing of this four-bolt pattern seemed a bit wider than usual. Upon further inspection, we saw that our suspicions were correct. Though close, the spacing of these holes was not standard and could not be used to mount the waterblock. Fortunately, we still had the option of doing things the old-fashioned way by clamping to the socket tabs. Knowing ahead of time that we wanted to use either Swiftech or Danger Den waterblocks to ensure the best cooling performance, we tested the spacing of a Danger Den socket hold-down kit we had on hand. As you can see in the following picture, the power capacitors are too close to allow the necessary bracket to slip over the socket tab. Perhaps it was an omen; we would not be using the SN45G as the testbed.
Realizing that we had exhausted all the extra systems within the office, my own personal system became the most likely target. This system consisted of a Shuttle SB61G2 based upon the Springdale i865G chipset. Thankfully, the system relied upon the standard P4 heatsink bracket which ensured that we would have a standard spacing for the mounting holes. The chipset attachment is a different story, though it is surely a bit easier to find a solution for that less critical component.
