A Few Basic Questions

[raminux]

I had done some basic water cooling a couple of years ago (with ready or simple kits). Now back to PC, I am planning for a costume loop. I have a few questions:

1- Is it a better idea to connect the radiator fans to the motherboard (to be controlled by the system) or to a fan controller for manual control? If connecting them to a fan controller, does that mean one has to constantly keep watching the temperatures so that if they rise, one promptly increase the fans' speed.

2- What is the role of a top for a pump? Is it necessary?

3- My loop consists of 2 cpus, 1 gpu and, motherboard waterblock (2 pieces). Do I need a dual pump configuration such as Swiftech MCP35X2 or one MCP655 is adequate for this loop?

4- How do you leak test the loop?

5- I read Swiftech MCP655 is very quiet that is based on the D5 pump which is also used by other manufacturers. Does it make a difference if I buy from one or the other? Noise level is important to me and. What about the reservoir/pump combos that use a D5 pump? Are they equally good?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr. K6]

I had done some basic water cooling a couple of years ago (with ready or simple kits). Now back to PC, I am planning for a costume loop. I have a few questions:

Taking modding to the next level I see. I kid I kid.

1- Is it a better idea to connect the radiator fans to the motherboard (to be controlled by the system) or to a fan controller for manual control? If connecting them to a fan controller, does that mean one has to constantly keep watching the temperatures so that if they rise, one promptly increase the fans' speed.

You hit the nail on the head really. Manual control is a PITA because you have to do it manually (der, but some people don't realize it). Even in its simplest form, you'll still be turning a dial every time you enter or exit a demanding application. I personally have my fans on two motherboard headers (4 fans, 2 on each), and they're controlled by SpeedFan (awesome program). The limitation with motherboards is that you can only put so much current through each header (generally .5A or 6W, some higher tier boards can do 1A), so that limits your fan type and count. Beefier controllers than can support up to 50W a channel and will have temperature control/automated options, but they're expensive ($50+).

2- What is the role of a top for a pump? Is it necessary?

Not too long ago they greatly improved pump performance compared to stock (especially on your MCP-350 and 355/Laing DCC 3.1 and 3.2), more modern pumps like the Swiftech MCP-35X are really well designed at stock and a top isn't so much needed anymore (from a performance perspective). Here's a good read up: http://skinneelabs.com/swiftech-mcp35x/

3- My loop consists of 2 cpus, 1 gpu and, motherboard waterblock (2 pieces). Do I need a dual pump configuration such as Swiftech MCP35X2 or one MCP655 is adequate for this loop?

Depends on how restrictive your blocks are. Motherboard blocks are generally abysmal as far as restriction goes, so I'd say yeah. The other problem is running an MCP655 at full tilt is loud as hell, but I like quiet computers. I hope someone with more experience running larger/dual pump setups can chime in here.

4- How do you leak test the loop?

I don't, but I'm a surgeon-in-training . The general technique is to set up your loop and let it run with the PC off for 24 hours. Leave paper towels, etc. all about the case (especially on the bottom) to catch any water and spot leaks (easier to do if you use an additive). That said, I trust my work and use 7/16" hose on 1/2" barbs + clamps and I've never had a leak. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry, so do check if you have any inkling of doubt.

5- I read Swiftech MCP655 is very quiet that is based on the D5 pump which is also used by other manufacturers. Does it make a difference if I buy from one or the other? Noise level is important to me and. What about the reservoir/pump combos that use a D5 pump? Are they equally good?

The MCP655 and Laing D5 are the same, just different sellers. However, going off what I said above, you'd need to run the D5 at full tilt (if it's the variable version) in order to maintain pressure in that complex and lengthy loop. You can cut down on resistance and therefore noise by losing the motherboard blocks (not really needed, ambient air flow will cool them adequately).

Hope that helped, let us know any other questions you have.

 

[raminux]

Thanks for the response.
It is indeed mainly because of the little, yet very loud fan on the motherboard (SR-2) that I am planning to go for water cooling. Otherwise, even though this is a newly built system and I haven't run any load testing or oc, it does seem the Scythe Mugen heatsinks coupled with GT fans do a great job of keeping the CPU's cool. For the GPU, I could just grab a Thermalright Spitfire which is known for its great performance. However, the waterblock is the only alternative to replace the motherboard heatsink and cooler that I know of.

Now, the solution that comes to my mind is the CPU waterblock by Swiftech: Apogee HD. They allow for a serial/parallel configuration. It looks like I can put the motherboard block in their own path parallel to the main path consisting of the CPU and GPU blocks. So at least in theory, they mustn't affect the pressure in the main path, correct? I am also thinking about a huge Phobya Xtreme Nova 1080 radiator. I read radiators have little contribution to pressure drop and I wouldn't need to worry about that. I wonder if one single D5 can handle this configuration?

Now, in this configuration, the two Apogee HD's already provide me with the extra outlets for a second or even more paths. However, in order to combine the two flows back into one before sending them to the radiator, what exactly do I need? It must be like a Y splitter. What name does it have? I am not familiar with the terminology here.

 

[Tsumi]

My D5 is not very noisy at all running at full tilt. Case closed up, I can't hear it even if I turn off all my fans.

Those huge radiators are actually fairly restrictive. Radiators that aren't restrictive are normal sized, up to 4x120 or 4x140.

A Y splitter is simply what it is called.

The problem with doing parallel paths is if you want even flow through both, then you need the paths to have blocks that have the same restriction. Otherwise, one path will get more flow than the other. However, if you're just doing parallel flow through the motherboard blocks, it should be fine, since the motherboard doesn't require all that much cooling anyways.

 

[raminux]

So motherboard blocks have generally high restrictions, right?

So I guess putting a motherboard block and a GPU block in parallel should be fine since the GPU needs higher flow and the GPU block has less restriction.