Proposed water cooling build STH10

You'll probably want to go through the CPU before GPUs. You'll have to get some numbers from people actually running SLI in series, but I'm pretty sure the water temp becomes quite a bit warmer immediately after SLI GPUs even after it's hit equilibrium. Since the CPU is a lot more sensitive to water temp than the GPUs are, it's usually a good idea to run through the CPU block first.

As a side note, a reverse STH10 would allow you to keep the same design and hit the CPU first, but you may not want the right side window.

Put a T and valve right at the lowest radiator's bottom G1/4"
Edited by Electrocutor - 6/6/12 at 9:31am

That is correct for the most part, but there is still some temperature differences, and the largest is usually right after going through two GPUs at full load. You'll need to get some real numbers (from the same cards you'll be using) to be see if the difference is enough for you to care about.

What I've usually seen of other's temps with higher end graphics cards is a 2 to 5 C difference in water temps at full load. There have been some I've seen higher and lower, but those seem like edge cases. In most cases, that's not enough difference for people to care, but if you're planning to get the absolute maximum overclock from the CPU, it may help to go through the CPU first.
Edited by Electrocutor - 6/6/12 at 9:41am

I don't have one . I'm still in the planning phase (build log link in sig). My suggestion was based on what most everyone else suggests and their reasoning behind it. You could always get a little extra tubing and try it both ways.

I posted a simplified version of what I was thinking for flow design here. Since as far as I know, no one has tried a loop like this before, I have no idea how flow and temperatures will be.
Edited by Electrocutor - 6/6/12 at 10:06am

The rational for putting the CPU first is usually so the CPU block gets the highest flow coming out of the pump. The heat load will equalize across the loop regardless of the order.

If you haven't bought the case yet I would figure out exactly what wc parts you plan to use inside before pulling the trigger. The radiators you chose are top notch along with the fans you picked, but you aren't using the case to its potential. The case can fit the black ice gtx 560 rads without issue which will give you more cooling. You can choose to go with the same fans with adapters or swap over to the noiseblocker pk-3s. They are simply amazing fans and move tons of air quietly. Even with the psu in the top that would still allow you to place a radiator up in the top section. If you are only going with 2 rads at first having one up top and one below will result in better cooling since the rads won't be smothering one another. Great choice in cpu block. It's simply great for socket 2011. As for the pump the D5 is great, but I would get an aftermarket top for it from bitspower to help improve head pressure. The dressup kit from bitspower may seem to be a waste of money, but it actually lowers the pump's operating temp, so less heat dumped into the loop, not much but every little bit adds up. As for draining I would just put a qdc on one of the reservoir ports and use that to drain. Since the rads are set up above and below draining is really a non issue with this case. Everything from up top will find it's way down and everything below will just stay there. There alternative is putting a t-line in the bottom compartment and drilling a hole in the base to drain it out of. with a pass through fitting (i believe bitspower makes them). TBH draining is easy with a cylindrical reservoir anyway since u can just tilt it over. Haven't worked a drainage system into any of my loops and it's never been an issue.