Ways to improve liquid cooling?

Hello, I recently purchased a Stage 6 LCS from DS (and it's an awesome machine I'm very happy with the build quality), but have not been satisfied with the temperatures so far.  When I received it the cores were up around high 80's, I understand that is acceptable for an overclocked processor as I am already asking more out of the equipment than is promised, but I was hoping to get more out of it.  So far I have rearranged all the fans, reversing the top fans and adding three to the bottom of the radiator so that there are now 6 120mm fans in a push pull config exhausting out the top and 4 120mm fans on the bottom exhausting up in the chassis(this is with the Corsair 800d).  I've added one 60mm at the bottom and reversed the direction of the center fan so they both intake air towards the top.  I've also reseated the cpu block and applied some of noctua's thermal compound on it and have had some improvement.  Been able to push the overclock on the cpu up to 21x201 with a vcore of 1.34, qpi 1.27 and ram at 1.65.  This is with LLC enabled (mobo is Rampage III; chip is i7 950).  Still tho getting core temps up around 84C and the thing idles in the mid 40s-50s.  I think overall I have only managed to knock about 6-7c off the total temp, but have pushed the OC now from DS's 3.9 to 4.2 (tho have dropped the vcore voltage from 1.38 to 1.34*they had LLC on auto).  This is my first liquid cooling system and have read others who have had more success with temps so I'm not sure if there is anything I'm missing that could be done to improve things?  Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Radiators are mounted in at the top and then the second lodged in the PSU chamber underneath.  It's just like the photos on the configurator however the radiator on the bottom is on its side and not flat due to the metal support of the chassis.

Thanks in advance.

(I'd be open to chassis mods as well however I've only had the computer for two weeks and don't want to dismantle the entire thing yet).

Ways to improve LCS:

Ensure there is plenty of space on all sides of the PC Case.
Keep ambient temps low
keep Rads as clean as possible
Pre-Chill the Liquids as in the new DSO Chilled LCS systems.


Edited by MagiK - 08 Dec 2010 at 10:52am

Oof, odd. Even Lilim's 920 at 21x200 has never hit higher than 79°C (70°F ambient), and even that's only after a 24 hour Prime95 blend test.

Anywhere in the LCS that doesn't appear to be moving well? Any pumps slow or not pumping?

I kind of suspect a flow rate issue, since the GPU's stay cool...but trying to trace that is beyond my LCS knowledge at the moment.   I do know they make these little inline flow rate indicators..basically just little spinners you put in line with your cooling line to see how the flow is doing from a visual inspection.

Would help if you turn off the cold cathode lighting too so we can see inside the case....otherwise you will wash out the things behind it. When taking pictures dont have the light sources infront of the camera pointing into the lens 


Edited by MagiK - 08 Dec 2010 at 6:13pm

if you cant see the water in the cpu loop moving, thats not good, even if they move that can be from anything in the case