Performance data

The STORM was tested in our labs, and is compared below to the MCW6002™ series of waterblocks:

It can be seen that the pressure drop of the Storm is considerably greater that the MCW6002 at equal flow rates. The next graph shows the thermal resistance (C/W) of the two waterblocks again at equal flow rates.

Here it is clear that the Storm has lower thermal resistance at all flow rates above ~0.4gpm. The above two graphs can be combined to illustrate the pressure drop / thermal resistance relationship.

From this it can be seen that the MCW6002 can provide better cooling than the Storm where the pump pressure is low. At typical pump pressures the Storm is superior. Another way to consider the relationship between the waterblock's thermal resistance and the pump capability is to plot the hydraulic resistance, which is literally the work that the pump must do.

Click on picture to enlarge

As in the preceding graph, with a limited capability pump such a small aquarium pump, the MCW6002 would be preferred, and for all other applications the Storm becomes the solution of choice.

Compatibility and retention mechanism

The Storm is essentially meant as a universal waterblock It ships with all the necessary hardware for the following processor sockets:

• socket 478 (Intel® Pentium® 4),
• socket 775 (Pentium® 4 "Prescott"),
• socket 603/604 (Intel® Xeon™ - 400 & 533 Mhz FSB),
• socket 462 (AMD® Athlon®, Duron®, MP, XP),
• socket 754, 939, 940 (AMD® 64 bit processors).

Two sets of Nylon hose barbs are included with the device: 3/8" and 1/2".

Removal of the motherboard is necessary to install the mounting posts in all cases, except with AMD® Athlon™ 64 and Opteron™ (socket 754, 939 and 940).

Fittings compatibility

Connector Thread Compatibility for the Storm Waterblock

1/ NPSM and NPT Compared

NPT connectors are not recommended in the Storm waterblock for the following reasons:

Dimensionally the difference between NPT and NPSM is the lack of taper in NPSM; which means that the seal resulting from the insertion of a NPT male into a NPSM female will make contact only at the largest portion of the NPT thread*. Yes, a low pressure seal can be made - but it will have little strength for bending loads from the tubing and will not be reliable.

The threads in the Storm waterblock are ¼”NPSM, the dimensions of which can be seen HERE, and those for NPT threads HERE

A comparison of the features of tapered pipe joints and straight thread adaptors, NPSM, [by the SSP Fittings Corp.] can be seen HERE

*“The basic pitch diameter for both the external and internal straight pipe threads is equal to the pitch diameter of the American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread at the gaging notch, which is the same as at the large end of the internal taper pipe thread.“ Robert James Sales, Inc.

2/ NPSM and G ¼ Compared

G ¼, or BSPP, fittings will fit, but may not seal; each must be checked prior to assuming that it will not leak just because they fit together.

Both NPSM and G ¼ (BSPP) are parallel thread and nominally the same size, the principal difference being 18 threads per inch for NPSM and 19 threads per inch for G ¼ (BSPP). Since most male end G ¼ fittings have a short thread length they can generally be engaged in the NPSM threads without difficulty.

The joint seal is effected with an o-ring which for the NPSM barb is in a groove on the waterblock top and compressed by the flange nut barb.
G ¼ fittings have the o-ring captured in a groove under the fitting nut.

G ¼ fittings will seal so long as there is a straight portion under the nut flats sufficient to bring the G ¼ fitting’s o-ring into contact with the bottom of the o-ring groove, a depth of 0.080”.

Specifications

• Upper body: CNC machined Delrin® Acetal
• Inlet and outlet straight threaded ports to 1/4" NPSM standard.
• Lower body: CNC machined Delrin® Acetal, with 35 mini jets
   

• Base plate: CNC machined C110 copper, lapped to +/- 0.0003"

• Universal hold-down plate

• Body O-ring: (2) 2.5 width x 50mm ID Buna
• Nylon Fittings: 1/4" NPSM to 3/8" or 1/2" barbs
• Fitting O-ring: (2) EPDM O-ring AS568A Dash Number 112
• Base plate dimensions: 2" x 3" (50.8 x 76.2 mm)
• Assembly weight: : 9.2 oz (260 g)