Koolance RAM-35 User Manual

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RAM-35 Installation Guide v 1.0
www.koolance.com
CAUTION - Koolance’s patented Hydra-Pak™ Coolers are puncture resistant, but not puncture proof. To avoid rupturing
!
your Hydra-Pak™ Cooler, it is recommended to carefully cover any excessively sharp areas (for example, solder points or corners) on your hardware with small pieces of foam or electrical tape.
Y our memory stick may include a metal heat spreader or heat sink. In order to fi t within the RAM-
Heat
Spreader
35, the original heat spreader(s) must fi rst be removed. Most heat spreaders are attached with either metal brackets, screws, or thermal tape.
Memory sticks which have heat spreaders that are soldered, riveted, or glued are not recommended for use with the RAM-35 due to the increased possibility for damage upon disassembly.
Rivet
CAUTION - Attempting to remove a memory heat spreader can damage the memory. Make sure the heat spreader is not
!
soldered, riveted, or glued onto the memory stick. If attached with a tape adhesive, be very careful when removing the heat spreader so as not to damage the memory stick.
Each RAM-35 will cool one DIMM memory stick in one slot. For multiple DIMM cooling, Koolance provides special connection types for the RAM-35, discussed later.
Summary of Installing the RAM-35
On a typical motherboard, there is very little space between memory slots for a water block, let alone one that channels liquid directly along both sides of each memory stick. The Koolance RAM-35 does just that, but because of motherboard space limitations, installation of the RAM-35 becomes a special process. Here is a run-down of the steps:
1. Assess the desired liquid fl ow path through each RAM-35 block.
2. Determine the required sliding nozzles.
3. Install the sliding nozzles onto each RAM-35 block.
4. Mount the entire assembly of RAM-35 blocks and sliding nozzles over the memory sticks.
Liquid Flow Through the RAM-35
Nozzle Bases
Nozzle Sockets
(With Plugs)
[Fig 1]
Every RAM-35 has two nozzle bases, and each base has two nozzle sockets (on both sides) [Fig 1].
[Fig 2] RAM-35 Liquid Flow (Top View)
Sockets are located on both sides of the cooler, allowing for liquid inlet and outlet nozzles to face in either direction [Fig 2].
Internally, RAM-35 nozzle bases are connected via two parallel Koolance Hydra-Paks liquid pouches [Fig 3]. This is important to understand when confi guring your RAM-35 coolers to ensure proper coolant fl ow.
[Fig 3] RAM-35 Liquid Flow (Side View)
Using One RAM-35 Cooler and Serial vs. Parallel
When liquid cooling only one DIMM memory stick, nozzle confi guration is very simple. The RAM-35 requires one nozzle on each base for the inlet and outlet [Fig 4]. Sockets opposite these nozzles should remain blocked with the included plugs, forcing liquid fl ow down through the Hydra-Paks. NOTE: Basic serial confi gurations are not recommended for systems using internal tubing diameters larger than 1/4” (6mm) for reasons detailed below.
Connecting each RAM-35 block in series is possible, but this is not recommended for most systems. Physical motherboard space limits the volume of liquid that can be channeled between memory sticks. To help achieve a higher overall fl ow rate, parallel confi gurations are preferred, particularly for systems using tubing diameters larger than 1/4” (6mm) ID. Parallel confi gurations require at least two RAM-35 water blocks.
[Fig 4] Installed Nozzles
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T o establish a parallel fl ow path, RAM-35 coolers force liquid through their Hydra-Paks while simultaneously passing it through their nozzle bases. This means the coolant is effectively “split”, traveling through both Hydra-Pak and nozzle base.
The physical distance between memory sticks will determine which sliding nozzles are required to do this (topic covered later). With any recommended group of RAM-35 water blocks, there will still only be a single inlet and outlet nozzle for tubing.
Using Two RAM-35 Coolers
Two memory sticks are typically arranged in alternating [Fig 5] or consecutive [Fig 6] DIMM banks on the motherboard.
With memory sticks in alternating DIMM banks (or for consecutive banks spaced widely enough apart), there will be room for a simple sliding nozzle between each base.
Two examples are shown. Fig 7 has inlet and outlet nozzles on the same side of the water blocks. Fig 8 places these nozzles on opposite sides. Both are acceptable, and the fl ow path is otherwise identical in these two examples.
1
2
1
2
[Fig 5] 2 x Sticks in
Alternating Banks
(Side View)
[Fig 6] 2 x Sticks in Consecutive Banks
(Side View)
[Fig 7] Two RAM-35 with In/Out Nozzles on the Same Side
With memory sticks in consecutive DIMM banks, there is commonly no room for the above confi gurations. Koolance has therefore designed the RAM-35 with offset nozzle bases. When reversed, each nozzle base will overlap the nearest RAM-35 cooler for a tighter fi t on the motherboard.
To connect adjacent RAM-35 coolers in this situation, two Koolance 180° “U” blocks join each nozzle base [Fig 9].
Using Three RAM-35 Coolers
A recommended fl ow path with three RAM-35 coolers is illustrated in Fig 10. This effectively places all three RAM-35 coolers in parallel.
3 x Sticks in Various
The distance between DIMM slots will dictate which sliding nozzles are required.
Banks (Side View)
[Fig 8] Two RAM-35 with In/Out Nozzles on Opposite
Sides
180° “U” Blocks
1 2
[Fig 9] Two Consecutive RAM-35
with 180° “U” Blocks
1 2
3
3 x Sticks in Various
Banks (Side View)
Using Four RAM-35 Coolers
A recommended fl ow path with four RAM-35 coolers is illustrated in Fig 11. This effectively places all four RAM-35 coolers in parallel.
The distance between DIMM slots will dictate which sliding nozzles are required.
4 x Sticks in
Consecutive Banks
(Side View)
[Fig 10] Three RAM-35 with 180° “U” Blocks
1 2
3 4
[Fig 11] Four Consecutive RAM-35 with 180° “U” Blocks
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