zlojack

Hi all!

Getting everything together for my first WC build.

I'm looking for advice on the following points:

1) What kind of fans should I get? I want quiet! I will have the red Antec Tri-cools on the outside for lighting, but the inside ones?
2) Double shroud on the rad? (push/pull)
3) Does the loop plan look ok?
4) Suggestions for location of pump/res inside my Armor


These are what I've got or am ordering:


This stuff's here:
This stuff is on the way:
I'm waiting for EK's 3870 x2 waterblocks to come in at NCIX.com

I plan to mount the rad internally in the front drivebays with two red LED Antec Tricools on the outside (hopefully on low) and two fans *as yet to be determined* on the inside pulling air through. (Advice on good quiet fans for this would be much appreciated)

The loop is Res>Pump>Rad>CPU>GPU>NB>Res (this will eventually be upgraded to Res>Pump>Rad>CPU>GPU1>GPU2>NB>Res or a dual loop with the GPU's all on their lonesome)

I'm still figuring out where to put the res and pump and whether to put a drain in the bottom of the case for easier maintenance.

I'm waiting for some half-decent weather (not -6 C) so I can paint the inside of the case (needs to be done outside on the deck)

I need to sand and prime the interior as I'm going for all black with red highlights. (So basically the same as what I've got now, only better!)

I'm still really getting my head around this project, so all advice and suggestions are much appreciated!

Thanks

ira-k

I like to keep my res at the highest point so it will bleed fast with the pump directly under it at the lowest point so it will be gravity fed, less chance for dry starts that way and it makes it easier to prime to....

That is the loop order I would run also...

A pus-pull on shrouds is good if you have room for it..

I'll leave you some stuff you might like to read and my set-up and cleaning PDF also..Read all the stickies here to...

...Assembling your Custom Watercooling Setup

...Bleeding my WC setup..

...D-Tek Fuzion install tip! (Or why you should clean new blocks)

...Poll: Push or pull configuration for Radiators

...Part 1- Temp's with and with-out shrouds

...How To: Make any Sized shroud in 2 minutes

...How To: Build A Performance Shroud

...PC Water Coolant Chemistry - Part I

...Cooling - An In-Depth Look

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zlojack

Thanks!

Also got some great news today when I went over my tax return.... there might be an improved budget for this project!

Double loop? Hmm... one for CPU and NB and one for the two cards? Would there be a temperature advantage by doing that? What type of rad would I need? Another PA120.2?

*starts reading the pdf and threads*

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AXP

Im gonna watch your progress if you go dual WC setup.
I am seriously considering WC with my new setup in March or April. I have been thinking about dual setup to separate CPU+NB from 2 x GPU. I guess it would be much easier to do CPU or GPU upgrade/maintenance in the future.
But that means 2 x rad, 2 x res, 2 x pump etc - more space req and more noise (?). Actualy, how loud/quite are those pumps anyway. Would having 2 inside the box make the build much louder?

ira-k

More $$$ is always good news......It really just depends on what your trying to do with your CPU, if your looking for max CPU OC dual loops makes more sense...If your just looking for moderate OC on it all one loop might be fine with a PA.3 or a GTX 360...

With 2 loops there would of course be less heat by not having the GPU's in the loop, but you would also have better flow quality by not having more blocks in your loop also...The fewer blocks and tubing and fittings the more turbulent you are able to keep your flow...More turbulent flow through a block will pick up more heat, more turbulent flow through your rad the better the heat will be dissipated...Its just a balancing act...

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**E8600 @ 5.3Ghz 10x **E7200 @ 4.5Ghz 9x **5000BE @ 3.5Ghz 10x**150 Opty @ 3.2Ghz 12x**

zlojack

Well... here's the story.

I am going to go on a bit of a spending flurry, then try to let it run for a while (2 years or so). The chances of this happening are low...but I have noble intentions!

So... here's the deal.

I'm going to be picking up a QX9650 (yes the tax situation looks that good! )

Given that those are cool chips, I figure a 24/7 of 4.0 to 4.2 is not out of the question. Couple that with the furnace that is the X38 and I think my PA120.2 will do a nice job.

Now... we all know that GPUs are the heat monsters in a rig...

So if I'm going to run 2 3970x2's... maybe it makes sense for them to have their own loop...

The question is, what rad would work? Another PA120.2? Would a 120.1 get the job done? Or a 120.1 for the CPU/NB and the 120.2 for the GPUs?

As for the noise issue.. I imagine that using 2 rads you wouldn't have to run the fans as fast to get the same cooling. Plus that gel base is supposed to do a good job of dampening pump vibration. Anything's gotta be better than my Antec Ninehundred (aka The Hoover)

I guess I've almost talked myself into a double loop already...

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ira-k

Yeah you have......I'd just use a PA.2 for each loop then and you shouldn't have any regrets...The more surface area you have in rad the more efficiently it will dissipate heat with lower cfm fans, that is if the rad will work well with lower cfm fans and the PA does...

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**E8600 @ 5.3Ghz 10x **E7200 @ 4.5Ghz 9x **5000BE @ 3.5Ghz 10x**150 Opty @ 3.2Ghz 12x**

zlojack

I think you're right...might as well do it now rather than not and then wanting to do it later...

Damn! Time to start placing the order for loop #2....

Since loop #1 will have black fluid with red coils, loop #2 will probably have red fluid with black coils...

Man.. I'm getting worked up again... I hope this cold weather eases up a bit so I can get to work on my case...

I need a workshop...

Oh yeah... any suggestions on low noise fans?

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AXP

I like the stats on these Scythe Slipstream and SFlex units. They seem to push lot of air at very low dba. I am considering getting some of these for my build - like to hear OCN veterans opinions first tough...

http://www.pccasegear.com.au/category247_1.htm