Hi!
I’m changing from a traditional single loop (reservoir/pump > triple-radiator > cpu > gpu >) into a dual loop TEC chill cooling system:
[hot loop] reservoir/pump#1 > triple-radiator > chill-TEC > gpu >
[cold loop] reservoir/pump#2 > chill-TEC > cpu >
To start in the ‘TEC world’, I’m planning to run it with a controller for sub-ambient temps, but above dew point (not to have to insulate, at this moment). CPU is the i7-3930k.
I understand that most principles from a traditional water-cooling single loop would apply also for the cold loop, but at least two things are different: the cold loop is running sub-ambient temps; and, as a very simple loop, is much more flow unrestricted.
So, like the title says, I would like to ask your expert advice on how to best optimize the cold loop in a TEC-chilled dual loop system?… more specifically, the following:
1) Reservoir: big-fat-one, small-reservoir, or no-reservoir-at-all?
My n00b idea: I’m tempted to go with no reservoir at all in my cold loop, to keep it simple; filling the system with a T, but I’m afraid to lose efficiency for the extra difficulty to bleed the air out. Going no reservoir is a good idea or not? What do you think?
2) Pump: flow or head pressure?
My n00b opinion: for my cold loop, I have spare a D5 (24v) and a DDC (12v), so I can choose. By the specs, the D5 has better flow, but the DDC has higher head pressure. I was thinking to go with the D5 ‘full-out’ (at 24v), but isn’t that a bit overkill for such a simple and unrestricted loop (so I can safely run it regulated for less noise)?
3) CPU block: what type of CPU block could be labeled ‘ideal’ for the cold loop of a TEC-chilled system?
My n00b thoughts: currently most CPU blocks are being designed flow-agnostic or high-flow, because are meant for single loop systems with several blocks/radiators, where restriction can impair performance, especially if the pump is not powerful enough. However, I wonder if the same ‘gimme-gimme-more-flow’ theory is ideal also for such a simple (pump>cpu) loop?
Other thought is on the sub-ambient temperatures… I wonder if the size (and weight) of the cooler block would affect its performance for a cold loop, running sub-ambient temps? Because the cooler block itself, in contact with (warmer) air, would also transfer back into the air some of the coldness… and if that is an advantage for a warm loop system, it actually seems a disadvantage for a cold loop.
So, here I’m lost without a clue… and since I have to buy a new CPU block would appreciate very much your advice on this (I looked at some candidates ‘EK-Supremacy nickel’, ‘Koolance 370’, ‘XSPC Raystorm copper’, ‘Swiftech Apogee’… some include options for more/less restriction).
4) Thermal paste: anything goes or some perform better at sub-ambient temps?
My n00b finding: I’m a fan of the old good ‘artic silver’ (conductive, yes... but if one cant handle it without smear paste over the entire motherboard, maybe shouldnt be installing CPUs, any way...). I recognize other products came up and currently perform better. However, since most tests, reviews, benchmarks and comparisons (I know of) were done with air-coolers or hot-loop water-cooling, I’m not sure if we can extrapolate such performance for a TEC-chilled cold loop… can we? Or these thermal pastes can perform different depending on the loop temperature? For my cold loop I have here, spare, ‘artic silver 5’ and ‘MX-2’, as options… but don’t know what is tested, trusted, and proved very good for a TEC chilled system. Any help?
Many thanks!
Edited by TAC TEC TIC - 7/24/12 at 3:38pm
I’m changing from a traditional single loop (reservoir/pump > triple-radiator > cpu > gpu >) into a dual loop TEC chill cooling system:
[hot loop] reservoir/pump#1 > triple-radiator > chill-TEC > gpu >
[cold loop] reservoir/pump#2 > chill-TEC > cpu >
To start in the ‘TEC world’, I’m planning to run it with a controller for sub-ambient temps, but above dew point (not to have to insulate, at this moment). CPU is the i7-3930k.
I understand that most principles from a traditional water-cooling single loop would apply also for the cold loop, but at least two things are different: the cold loop is running sub-ambient temps; and, as a very simple loop, is much more flow unrestricted.
So, like the title says, I would like to ask your expert advice on how to best optimize the cold loop in a TEC-chilled dual loop system?… more specifically, the following:
1) Reservoir: big-fat-one, small-reservoir, or no-reservoir-at-all?
My n00b idea: I’m tempted to go with no reservoir at all in my cold loop, to keep it simple; filling the system with a T, but I’m afraid to lose efficiency for the extra difficulty to bleed the air out. Going no reservoir is a good idea or not? What do you think?
2) Pump: flow or head pressure?
My n00b opinion: for my cold loop, I have spare a D5 (24v) and a DDC (12v), so I can choose. By the specs, the D5 has better flow, but the DDC has higher head pressure. I was thinking to go with the D5 ‘full-out’ (at 24v), but isn’t that a bit overkill for such a simple and unrestricted loop (so I can safely run it regulated for less noise)?
3) CPU block: what type of CPU block could be labeled ‘ideal’ for the cold loop of a TEC-chilled system?
My n00b thoughts: currently most CPU blocks are being designed flow-agnostic or high-flow, because are meant for single loop systems with several blocks/radiators, where restriction can impair performance, especially if the pump is not powerful enough. However, I wonder if the same ‘gimme-gimme-more-flow’ theory is ideal also for such a simple (pump>cpu) loop?
Other thought is on the sub-ambient temperatures… I wonder if the size (and weight) of the cooler block would affect its performance for a cold loop, running sub-ambient temps? Because the cooler block itself, in contact with (warmer) air, would also transfer back into the air some of the coldness… and if that is an advantage for a warm loop system, it actually seems a disadvantage for a cold loop.
So, here I’m lost without a clue… and since I have to buy a new CPU block would appreciate very much your advice on this (I looked at some candidates ‘EK-Supremacy nickel’, ‘Koolance 370’, ‘XSPC Raystorm copper’, ‘Swiftech Apogee’… some include options for more/less restriction).
4) Thermal paste: anything goes or some perform better at sub-ambient temps?
My n00b finding: I’m a fan of the old good ‘artic silver’ (conductive, yes... but if one cant handle it without smear paste over the entire motherboard, maybe shouldnt be installing CPUs, any way...). I recognize other products came up and currently perform better. However, since most tests, reviews, benchmarks and comparisons (I know of) were done with air-coolers or hot-loop water-cooling, I’m not sure if we can extrapolate such performance for a TEC-chilled cold loop… can we? Or these thermal pastes can perform different depending on the loop temperature? For my cold loop I have here, spare, ‘artic silver 5’ and ‘MX-2’, as options… but don’t know what is tested, trusted, and proved very good for a TEC chilled system. Any help?
Many thanks!
Edited by TAC TEC TIC - 7/24/12 at 3:38pm
