CPU NUC water cooling project, need some advice

[RAAM]

Long time away, I hope all is well for everyone here.

I bought a used NUC 12 Pro to use on my desk to save space, still have my SFF, and it is a bit noisy so looking into different cooling options and finding water cooling might be easiest.

Best to use the stock cooler on but remove the fan, notch the cooler fins where the hoses would pass through.

Advice, let my know what you think about all of this, please

Parts I am looking into:

1) 30x30x10mm copper water block, found 40x40 as well and larger pipe fittings but would require a bit of shaving two edges to fit and not sure how thick the copper is.
Cheap and fairly easy to device a way to clamp it down.

2) Pump, I have a pretty big one my neighbor gave me but overkill, might have to much backpressure, etc....

3) 120mm radiator, free as well

4) 120mm high pressure fan, low noise, PWM so can control from the NUC directly or through a controller.

4) Fittings and hoses, found 10mm silicone that bends well and very affordable. (pump, fan and radiator would be under the rear of the desk)

Main thing I am looking to clear up is what pump to use as found plenty of low cost options and do not want to spend all that much but not buying junk either.

Thanks!
Rick

 

[RAAM]

I checked out passive cooling but the size and cost was to much of each.

I considered a regular CPU cooler but to much cutting up the enclosure though still looking into it as an option using something like the Notcua NH-L9i Chromax or Be-Quiet alternative. Either one I would still want to keep the stock cooler as it covers the VRM so the cooler, as in the water cooler block, would mount over it, carefully done for the best contact.

 

[Phuncz]

I'll encourage a good watercooling project anytime, but I also must warn about a few typical pitfalls: be mindful that mixing metals (copper block, aluminium radiator ?) will cause corrosion. A too powerful pump would be something to keep in mind, maybe it can be regulated somehow ?

 

[RAAM]

Thanks, I much appreciate your info and advice

I can get the same water blocks in aluminum but it will have to sit on top of the factory cooler which is copper so a copper block and radiator would be best.
There will be thermal compound between the cooler block and stock cooler of course.

I found small pumps and after asking a number of questions even got some seemingly good AI advice but came here for real world advice, as I should.

The AI even talked about flow rates, pressure, etc....but I do not know what the rate is on the water block and not sure I can find out that info but will try.

Thanks again!
Rick

 

[RAAM]

If the stock cooler and water block are separated by a thin layer of compound then the block could be aluminum, cheaper than the copper block but neither one is expensive. The radiator I was given, in great shape, is aluminum as well. Now for the pump.....

I was also given a waterblock/pump but had been used on a full size computer, likely way to much pressure, etc, for this setup. \

Whatever I do it will not be seen except hoses out the back of the NUC then bend down behind my desk so those do not matter much, going for slicone unless otherwise advised.

Cheaper barded fittings will be fine as well, I will clamp them.

 

[Arboreal]

Scratch Build – In Progress - NUC Eleven

Hi all, long time no see, I am back with my Intel NUC. Code name is NUC Eleven. First, i start the NUC with watercooling stuffs. Intel NUC5I7RHY...

forums.bit-tech.net

This from 10 years ago may be helpful

 

[RAAM]

Thanks

That is pretty cool but I want my NUC to look stock except two water lines heading out the back side and then curving behind and below my desk.

Part of why keeping inside the case is shielding as will sit next to my DIY AD1862 DAC and WIMM Ultra streamer(later plan to build a streamer if viable and I am building my amps and speakers for the home audio system, all sits on the desk)

I did a bunch of testing today and the NUC 12 Pro with 32GB 3200 RAM and installed my 990 Pro 2TB M.2 runs everything I need including lots of tabs open in the browser, Chief Architect and Qubuz at the same time just fine. I had to set my 2k monitor down to 60 HZ to smooth out Chief Architect while looking around inside the 3D view of my main project but decent enough to work with. I am suprised it works this well.

I had fun building my SFF but way overkill as I just do not game, never been into it except with the original Myst came out a very long time ago.

 

[RAAM]

Next winter I might have to build a tiny water cooled internal PS decent computer just for fun

I do not need a powerful GPU but want a decent small one, could water cool it and the CPU at the same time.