[Gleniu]

Hi,
I'm considering 2 alternatives for my water loop. Both look OK to me. Is there any difference in terms of performance between those 2, or just the looks? This is my first loop, so I will appreciate any constructive feedback

 

[billbartuska]

Since the coolest part of a loop is right after the rad, the setup on the left would give the best performance. But then, the difference between the warmest and coolest part of any loop is less than 1/2°F. So, loop order really doesn't matter all that much.

 

[Gleniu]

thanks billbartuska

I may need every single degree available for my extreme OC (5Ghz on i5-750), so performance first

And I really want to see excellent temps and low RPM with mild OC - that's why I decided on slight overkill with the rads

 

[BadDad62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleniu

Hi,
I'm considering 2 alternatives for my water loop. Both look OK to me. Is there any difference in terms of performance between those 2, or just the looks? This is my first loop, so I will appreciate any constructive feedback

Set up # 1 wins for me, Same as my set pup now incuding GPU

Res/Pump - Top Rad - CPU - GPU - Bottom Rad - Res

 

[Gleniu]

thanks BadDad62, we have the same case

I may consider watercooling GPU later, but I need to see temps first.
May I ask what kind of fan RPM's and temps (CPU\GPU) you get while gaming (i5 + 570 I assume)?

 

[SlideRulz]

I've always had my cpu right after a rad, so I like loop #1

 

[SeeK]

The Watercooling Guide.

 

[Stige]

#1, people say it's only 1-2C difference but it still is better than the other one, I tried both personaly and the #1 was cooler than #2, enough to notice the difference in temps.

 

[PinzaC55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleniu

Hi,
I'm considering 2 alternatives for my water loop. Both look OK to me. Is there any difference in terms of performance between those 2, or just the looks? This is my first loop, so I will appreciate any constructive feedback

On aesthetics I would say setup #2. If setup #1 was how it actually looked when it was installed you would have the tube passing in front of the GPU and that would be bad feng shui. It works in BadDad62's rig because he is watercooling the GPU.
Also in #2 you can run the tube perpendicular from the top rad to the bottom of the case then along to the bottom rad .

 

[smex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleniu

Hi,
I'm considering 2 alternatives for my water loop. Both look OK to me. Is there any difference in terms of performance between those 2, or just the looks? This is my first loop, so I will appreciate any constructive feedback

alternative 1 - but the other direction of flow, since tho coolest radiator is on the bottom, and not on the top.
this would be physically the coolest solution, i´m just not sure by how much.

 

[Gleniu]

Many thanks guys for ideas and feedback. It looks like both options will work, there will be small impact on performance, the rest is about aesthetics.

@Stige - good to know, I will consider this

@PinzaC55 - yes, I noticed that as well, I don't like tube in from of my GPU, but alternative means tube in frony of PSU. I will decide after I put some tubing inside and see how it looks.

@smex- that is very interesting idea, it will make rez connections a bit more complex, but something to be considered, for sure

 

[PwndN00b]

why not make the rear fan intake, and the the bottom rad fans push air outside the case? Wouldn't that keep your ambient case temps lower?

 

[PinzaC55]

Here's how mine is arranged



Tube down from top rad (ignore the reservoir) 90 degree elbow - Koolance drain block - along bottom of case to pump (bottom rad for you).

 

[Juggalo23451]

Loop order does not really matter. I try to keep the amount of tubing I use to a minimum.

 

[rdr09]

i like no.1. i read a lady member said to keep the lines short. that's what i did on mine. well, it depends on your case, components, etc. here is mine . . .



only three fans. 2 up top intake for the 120 rad and one for the rear 120 rad out.

keeps my chip in check . . .



my gpu mainly stays at 40C in games.

 

[billbartuska]

If you're concerned about performance, mounting the rad on standoffs and using push/pull fans with shrouds would be the way to go.
Your setup blows hot case air through the rad.

 

[smex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleniu

Many thanks guys for ideas and feedback. It looks like both options will work, there will be small impact on performance, the rest is about aesthetics.

@Stige - good to know, I will consider this

@PinzaC55 - yes, I noticed that as well, I don't like tube in from of my GPU, but alternative means tube in frony of PSU. I will decide after I put some tubing inside and see how it looks.

@smex- that is very interesting idea, it will make rez connections a bit more complex, but something to be considered, for sure

that´s how i´ve set up my rig. my cpu temps are under 60°C (cores) and the cpu is around 40-50°C @ unfair 1.38v for 4.6ghz

 

[BadDad62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gleniu

thanks BadDad62, we have the same case

I may consider watercooling GPU later, but I need to see temps first.
May I ask what kind of fan RPM's and temps (CPU\GPU) you get while gaming (i5 + 570 I assume)?

i5 2400k @ 4.8, GTX570 , 16g Ram
Fans are 4 Sythe GT 1850 @ 7v

Swiftech 240mm
Black Ice SR 240mm

Ambient = 24* It's 38* outside atm

CPU idle 24*
GPU idle 29*

CPU Load = 55*
GPU Load = 58*

Running Intel Burn test and Furmark for 6 hours

I'm also modding another CM690 II to fit a 420mm rad in the front and maybe a 360mm in the top

Also if using #2 i'd turn the top rad and have fittings at the front of the case and not have the GPU in the way

 

[Gleniu]

Quote:

i5 2400k @ 4.8, GTX570 , 16g Ram
Fans are 4 Sythe GT 1850 @ 7v

Swiftech 240mm
Black Ice SR 240mm

Ambient = 24* It's 38* outside atm
CPU idle 24*
GPU idle 29*

CPU Load = 55*
GPU Load = 58*

Running Intel Burn test and Furmark for 6 hours

I'm also modding another CM690 II to fit a 420mm rad in the front and maybe a 360mm in the top

Also if using #2 i'd turn the top rad and have fittings at the front of the case and not have the GPU in the way

Amazing temps

Congrats. I have a bit more wattage on my CPU, so I'm going to see how it works for me.
Thanks for ideas regarding my setup, my plan is to have everything in case, at least for the start. That's my first water-cooling, so I try to limit complexity, where possible

 

[Gleniu]

Big thanks to all posters - a lot of good ideas to consider, my brain is boiling