Flow layout

[rohcky]

I've been collecting my wc parts for the past month now and am planning everything out before I put it together (after I get my 7800gt). I decided to go with a single loop, 2 radiator setup (1 120, 1 80). Planning on have the 80mm connected to the my blowhole and the 120mm on the rear exhaust with my cpu and gpu in between each.

My question is: should I have the loop start with the 80mm radiator(pump>80mm rad>cpu>120mm rad>gpu>pump) or start with the gpu (pump>120mm rad>cpu>80mm rad>pump)? Is there an advantage to having the water circulate through a rad before it re-enters the pump? Or would the flow be better travelling up to the blowhole first and cycle down?

 

[zer0signal667]

I'd try using only the 120mm rad, seems like having 2 would clutter/complicate things. If you're dead set on using both for max performance, then just route your tubing so that you have the shortest lengths/least tight bends possible. Order won't matter much, water temp is not going to vary by any practical amount throughout the loop.

 

[BellaCroix]

The only feedback I have for you is have the water exit the pump and enter whatever you're going to use as your first radiator. Beyond that (and to be honest, even including that) it doesn't matter.

In a closed loop, particularly one as small as the one inside most computers, the difference between the "start" of the loop's temperature and when it comes back to that point is usually about 1 - 2 degrees celcius.

The only reason I say to pump into the radiator is because, in theory, the pump can add a little heat to the fluid... most people try to take that heat out before going to the waterblock.

Put your airtrap, if you're using one, at the highest point in your build. Other than that... slap it together howevery you can fit it and keep it looking good.

 

[[H]ard|On]

What Bella said. I would concentrate more on using one radiator and split the flow if you're worried about the extra heat from the GPU (which isn't really going to matter, although heck if I know what you got planned )...

 

[rohcky]

So pump to radiator first then. I guess having a second radiator won't affect the temperatures much? What would be the safest oc for a 3000+ winchester in a 1 rad loop?

 

[zer0signal667]

So pump to radiator first then. I guess having a second radiator won't affect the temperatures much? What would be the safest oc for a 3000+ winchester in a 1 rad loop?

I was really trying to say that order won't affect temps... having the second rasiator may or may not. The only way to find out how far you can overclock is to try it, there are way too many variables to make a prediction.

 

[BellaCroix]

I was really trying to say that order won't affect temps... having the second rasiator may or may not. The only way to find out how far you can overclock is to try it, there are way too many variables to make a prediction.

Exactly what Zero said... there's no "safe" overclock. It's all trial and error.

Push it a little, check for temps and stability problems, then push a little further. If you're happy there then you're all good... if not push a little further. At some point you'll fry the chip. At that point you can buy a new chip and go there again but clock a little lower... unfortunately, different chips OC differently.

Other variables would include the exact mix of water vs additives, seating of the waterblock, ambient temperature, etc. There's really no way to say where you can push it. I get a better overclock in the winter than in the summer since the air temp in my media room is lower in the winter.

A second radiator (or even better, a 2x or 3x radiator) will certainly improve your potential cooling performance although it will also add a signifigant amount of impedance.

 

[rohcky]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll do the one rad loop first and see how I like it. Will probably only bump my 1.8 winchester to maybe 2.