W/C setup - How many rads?

[BigAndy]

OK, I know there already are few threads about water-cooling advice but I have a question on my own so I didn't want to hijack anyone’s thread and decided to make my own :coffee:.

1st of all I know that Stocky said in other thread that it doesn’t really matter in what ordered components are placed in a loop so I’ll take it from there but if anyone else has different opinion then shout ;).

I’ll be using 1/2” tubing and BlackIce® GTS240 and GTS120 rads, both in push & pull configuration, and it will be used to cool CPU, chipset and VGA (1 card at the moment but might be SLI at later point) and as it’s going to be my 1st water-cooled setup I was wondering will it be enough with these 2 rads to provide sufficient cooling to all components? With some creativity in mind I could possibly install another GTS240 rather than GTS120 but then I would have to mount it outside the case (which I’m trying to avoid) where GTS120 would be installed inside case.

Probably it’s worth to mention that I’ll be using Swiftech MCP665 pump.


Cheers,
Andy

[maverik-sg1]

I like to see separate loops for CPU and GPU - I guess you could the NB up to weither loop, but separate ftw :)

Alternatively, if you only want one loop you could place a rad in in loop after the CPU but before the GPU.

You probably dont have enough cooling for a superclocked SLI rig with quad core CPU.

In my everyday machine right now I am cooling (on one loop) a X6800 CPU at 3.75ghz and 8800GTX @ 650/1800/1050 on another - both using a 120.2 rad and both feeling the temps if ambient (room temperature) rises above 24degs.

The new breed of cards output a good 15% cooler, but that only makes you want to clock further :)

Most loops I have seen always cool the CPU first.

[BigAndy]

Cheers Mav!

This will be used on old school 939 socket so no Quad Core involved :p. I was thinking of Pump – 120.2 – CPU – NB – 120.1 – VGA – back to pump :rollyeyes:.

[BigAndy]

So will it be enough with 120.2 and 120.1 rads?

[jabski]

So will it be enough with 120.2 and 120.1 rads?

what are you wanting to cool ?? sli ?? quad ?? Are you wanting uber temps or just a nice 24/7 rig ??

[Cupra]

what will fit goes in imo

[BigAndy]

what are you wanting to cool ?? sli ?? quad ?? Are you wanting uber temps or just a nice 24/7 rig ??

Dual Core processor, NB and single VGA at the moment with SLI in mind for future.

Well I reckon that if I want to get uber temps I need much more than 120.2 & 120.1 so it will be more for 24/7 use.

[Stocky]

1st of all I know that Stocky said in other thread that it doesn’t really matter in what ordered components are placed in a loop...

Correct! Although, it can make a difference but I think it was somewhere around 0.5'C :biggrin:

Out of interest, you must have considered the Thermochill rads?

[BigAndy]

Out of interest, you must have considered the Thermochill rads?

Well to be honest I newer done any research on Thermochill rads, however as far as I know they are quite big comparing to “normal” rads so it would be problematic to fit it in my case. Also I already have GTS240 rad :).

[sparkY1000]

Thermochill rads are amazing, although massive if you think you have got the space get a thermochill.

[elfy]

thermochills are oversized, there's space between the fans tht isn't there on normal rads. so if you already have a case cut o fit normal rads seriously don't go for thermochills. puswsh pull really doesn't make a huge difference over just one. a double and a single will cool what you have fine, i had my dual core on a double rad fine, so add the extra rad, add the extra heat and you should do fine lad

[MonsterMunch]

Andy, u've already bought the most expensive parts with the rads & blocks etc, for an extra £40ish you can get another pump & then run 2 seperate loops, which will be much better than what you are suggesting...

Then I would run the larger rad loop for the CPU & the smaler loop for chipset & GPU ;)

[BigAndy]

Thanks for an advice :), however I'll have to stick with 1 loop ATM as I’m not sure if I could find place for 2nd pump in my case. Will see how it goes with one loop and I'll keep in mind idea for 2 loops for the future ;).

[Barron_Greenback]

While im waiting for my SS, I have my NB, both sets of Mosfets, an 8800Gts and a Q6600 running 1.585v cooled using a AlphaCool 120.2 with 2x120mm fans.

Its right on the edge cooling wise, but can hold the CPU at 58*c while running dual orthos, and has looped deepfreeze 3Dmark06 test overnight without issues.

The is a huge difference rad wise.. Theromchill being the best, closely followe by Alpha cool. The XSPC ones are Good also. :)