How does this loop look?

[ShiShKaBoB]

So I am transitioning into liquid cooling for the first time in wake of the GTX480 temps. I purchased all the parts except the 480's and have an idea of how I plan to run the loop. I want your opinions and experiences.


Entire loop will be using "Tygon R3400 1/2in. ID3/4in. OD Lab Tubing (Black)" And will be using PrimoChill Ice as liquid coolant.


1. EK-Multioption reservoir 250 rev.2 > (Reservoir)
2. Swiftech MCP355 18w w/EK-DDC X-TOP rev.2 Acetal > (Pump)
3. TFC X360 Rad > (Radiator)
4. Watercool HEATKILLER CPU Rev3.0 1366 LC > (CPU Block)
5. EK-FB KIT for EVGA X58 3SLI (NB/SB) > (North/South Bridge Block)
6. EK-FB KIT for EVGA X58 3SLI (Mofet) > (Mofet Block)
7. Swiftech MCR320-QP Rad > (2nd Radiator)
8. EVG Hydro Copper GTX 480 > (GPU Block)
9. 2nd EVG Hydro Copper GTX 480 > (GPU Block)
... back to resivair

The Radiator will be sandwiching 3 Scythe Slip Stream 120mm 1900RPM Fans - like this

____________________TOP________________________
|...............................MCR320.......................................|---\
|_______________________________________________|-----\
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Fan Placement/Air Flow^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|------\
|^^^^^^^^^^1^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^2^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^3^^^^^^^^^^^^|------/ Outside Case
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----/
|..............................TFC X360.......................................|---/
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
___________________________________________________________ = Top of Case
|....................Case...........................................................................|---\
|....................Case...........................................................................|----\
|.....................ect.............................................................................|----/Case
|....................case...........................................................................|---/

So a couple questions I have are;
1. Will the Pump listed be strong enough for this entire loop? "Swiftech MCP355 18w w/EK-DDC X-TOP rev.2 Acetal"
2. Would it be better for temps to run Radiator 1 into Radiator 2 and then into the rest of the loop?
3. Is the fan placement okay being sandwiched between the 2 rad's? (Should I get better fans?)
4. Should I run the MCR320 on the bottom having air pulled through it, since it's thinner, and the X360 on top having air pushed through it?

 

[Tsumi]

I'm not sure about the pumps, so I can't give any advice there.

I would go with either two loops, or do some repositioning.

Run with the MCR320 on the bottom, and the x360 on top, since the x360 has a much better cooling potential.

Configure your loop like this:
Resevoir
Pump
Mosfet/NB/SB
First GTX 480
MCR320
CPU
Second GTX 480
TFC x360
back to resevoir

Why? The 480's are going to be the hottest part of the system. Since the MCR320 has the lowest cooling potential of the two radiators, I would have that cooling the motherboard chips and the first GTX 480. Since the TFC has the highest cooling potential, I would have that cooling the CPU and second 480. Otherwise, the heat will keep carrying over, and each component down the line will have higher temps. I would also strongly consider separating the two radiators, so that both get fresh cool air. If you want to sandwich them to save space, that's possible, but you're limiting the cooling potential.

I would also avoid the slip stream fans for a radiator at all costs. They have really poor pressure, and pressure is much more important when trying to force air through a radiator. Look into the Yate Loon high speed fans, those have much better pressure while usually being cheaper, although louder. Although the Slip Stream fans having a 110 CFM seems impressive, that will probably drop down to 30 or 45 CFM once you mount those on the MCR320 radiator. Don't even begin with the TFC x360, or putting one between both of them. I believe they have a maximum pressure of around 2. A 120x25mm fan with 110 CFM spinning at 2600 RPM has a maximum pressure of around 5. Those will maintain a CFM of anywhere from 50 to 75, depending on the radiator. If you go to the thicker fans (120x35mm), those will maintain higher airflow due to the higher pressure they can create. Of course, there's the radiators that are designed for low CFM fans, but those are unlikely to have the cooling you want/need.

 

[ShiShKaBoB]

Thanks! If cost was not a major concern, what would be the best 3 fans to sandwich between the radiators? I pretty much need to sandwich the rad's due to space limitations, but am willing to get the best depending on the cost.

If I ran the GPU's on their own loop would the MCR320 be enough you think?

 

[ShiShKaBoB]

So how about going to 6 Gentle Typhoon AP-15's? 3 bottom>MCR320>3>X360, would that be just about the quietest/best radiator CFM? I found a review at madshrimps.

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=34&artpage=4160&articID=936

Bottom line:
- King of Power @12V = Delta AFBSHE
- King of Low Noise @ 12V = Noiseblocker S1
- King of CFM per Noise Level/Quality = Gentle Typhoon AP-15

 

[Tsumi]

The gentle typhoons are the best if you want quiet, and don't need complete extreme cooling. A single 480 will run hotter than your CPU and motherboard chips combined, so I would put the two 480's on the x360 instead of the MCR320.

I would go with 9 fans if you possibly can. 3 on the bottom, 3 sandwiched, and 3 on top (put grills on top of them to protect them). I've actually seen that article, but because of cost concerns, I went with Koolance 110 CFM fans. But since cost isn't a concern for you (seeing as how you're buying two 480's right off the bat), the Gentle Typhoons would do very well. They just won't have the performance of the Delta (which can mean a difference of anywhere from 2-10 C on load). I'm not sure, I'm not an expert on water cooling myself, I just built my first loop less than 3 weeks ago =D but I did do quite a bit of research.

 

[ShiShKaBoB]

Sweet, thanks for the info. I ordered 6 Gentle Typhoons, I already have the 3 SlipStreams so i'll do some test between 6 vs. 9 and put the SS's on the top on a fan controller because the are f*n loud. I watched the madshrimps video review of the Db of the fans, and the delta's are the shit.. but they are just too loud. Maybe if my PC was not right next to me, but it is. I appreciate the tip, this loop is getting $100 more expensive every day, so far in for about $1000, and still have the GTX's to purchase.. lol. Good thing I just sold a bunch of old computers I had laying around.. I love recycling.