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Dual Xeon - Need Advice

C

CoolNQuiet

n00b
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
11
Hello All,

I have built many PCs but I have no experience with watercooling. I recently assembled a new workstation for graphics and video editting. Here is a summary of some of the components in the workstation.

2 x Xeon 3.0 GHz
1 x XFX GeForce 7800 GTX video card
5 x Maxtor 300GB hard drives
1 x Enermax 550W PSU
1 x CM Stacker Case

After assembly I powered the PC up and it was as loud as a vacuum cleaner. Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but, you get the picture. So, I've decided to give watercooling a try, and I would appreciate any help you can give me with some basic questions I have.

1. How do I determine what size radiator need to cool my system? Or, if I can use a passive radiator?

2. How do you route the coolant in a dual cpu set up? Does the coolant get routed to the cpu's in series (to one cpu first and then the second) or in parallel (coolant is spilt up and sent to each cpu separately)?

3. What size tubing should I use? I would rather use 3/8" ID rather than 1/2" ID because in Tokyo, where I live, it is difficult to find 1/2" parts.

4. Should I watercool the hard drives?

5. Here are the parts I think I need as well as the brands and models I'm leaning towards based on my reading of this forum. Please let me know if I am missing anything or if you have any specific recommendations for parts.

2 x CPU waterblocks for Xeon (DangerDen TDX)
1 x GPU waterblock for NV7800GTX (Low Profile Acetal Version MAZE4GPU)
1 x pump (Danger Den D5)
1 x radiator (120x2??) (Black Ice XtremeII Radiator)
1 x shroud
2 x 120mm fan
8ft tubing 3/8" ID

Sorry for so many question.
 
Looks like a solid setup to me! (I have almost the exact same loop ;) )
The BIX2 will do just fine for that heatload, it handles SLI and hotter single CPUs so there's not reason to believe it couldn't handle dualies and a single. However, if you are trying to avoid noise, then the BIP2 might be more suitable, as it is thinner and better for lower CFM quiter fans. As for 2 cpu routing, I've done it both ways, and didn't see a noticeable difference either way. I liked how it looked with two y-connectors running the CPUs in parralel and it was easier to avoid kinks, but YMMV. 3/8" is easier to work with anyway than the 1/2" I run. If you are going to run 3/8", the Laing DDC might be better, as it's natively 3/8". Hard drive water cooling is a waste IMO. Just added restriction to the loop. Keep a pair of low-rpm 80mm on those drives and they'll live a nice cool happy life.
 
I am trying to avoid noise so the BIP series sounds like a better choice. I was actually wondering whether it would be quieter running a BIP2 with 2 fans or a BIP3 with 3 fans running at lower RPM. Sounds like I can just route everything in series. I'm glad - makes everything simpler, but, if you think parallel looks better I should consider that :) I'll look into the Laing DDC. Is it pretty similar to the D5 in terms of size, flow and noise?

Thanks
 
Size-wise it's less than half the size of the D5, much quieter as well, but it doesn't have the flow that the D5 can muster
 
Thanks, I just placed my order for the following items:

2 x DangerDen TDX
1 x Low Profile Acetal Version MAZE4GPU
1 x Danger Den D5
1 x Black Ice Pro II Radiator
8ft Tygon tubing 3/8" ID

I went with the D5 pump because I read in this forum that it is relatively quiet to begin with and you can reduce the noise even further by dialing down the flow. Sounded like a more flexible/tweakable solution than the DDC.

Anyone have recommendations for a good shroud to go with the BIP2?

My first WC project...I'm so excited!!!....can't wait:)
 
I just finished putting together a very similar system to what you just ordered. My system specs are:
Dual 3.2 Xeon's - Danger Den TDX's
BFG 6800GT OC - Danger Den Maze 4 w/ ramsinks
Black Ice Extreme 2 Radiator
Danger Den D5 Pump
Danger Den 5 1/4 Bay Reservior
1/2in Tygon Tubing

I have the radiator mounted outside the case with two 115CFM fans mounted to it. I have them hooked up to a fan controller so they aren't too unbearable. With the fans going full blast the CPU's idle around 32-34C and the GPU idle's at about 46C. After 8 hours of Prime95 at full load CPU2 is 45C and CPU1 is 43C. I'm thinking that's pretty good considering that I had to use 5 90 degree fittings to make it all fit into a 4U rackmount case. I can post pictures later if anyone is interested.

You're going to like the D5 pump as it is nearly silent once you get all the air out of the system. The sound of the water flowing into the reservior was louder than the pump before I put the fans into the case.
 
Well since you already ordered I guess it is too late, but I was going to suggest you get 2 more feet of tubing. It's always better to have a little extra in case you mess up or want to change something a bit down the road.
 
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