Is a extra rad neccessary?

[Gh()st]

I'm currently running a BIP2 on a 1/2" loop with a DDC+ (plexi top mod), TDX 64+ on a Opty 165 (OC'ed), Maze 4 plus MC14's on a X1800 XT, and a 3.25 bay res. The loop has been solid, and stable for almost 2 years, 24/7. (PC Ice, with Yate DSL12SL's)

I'm doing a system refresh, and moving to a Q6600 (G0 stepping), Abit IP35-Pro, and BFG 8800 GT. I'm swapping the TDX for a Apogee GT. I'm currently waffling on keeping the Maze 4 for the GPU block (with MC14's on the Mem/Mosfets), or going full vid card block (EK).

My concern is how much heat the Q6600 and 8800 GT will dump into the loop (and yes, I plan to overclock as much as possible on both. My Corsair HX620 should be good to go on the load). My system is pump/BIP2/CPU/GPU/Res/pump.

I'm thinking about adding a BI GTS 120 in-between the CPU and GPU to dump CPU heat as much as possible before hitting the GPU.

Thoughts??

Would that be adding too much uneccessay restriction in the loop? Knowing that a loop will for the most part thermally balance across the entire system, is the BI GTS 120 overkill?

That, and is there a thermal advantage to a full GPU card block, as opposed to keeping the Maze 4 (which does fit a 8800 GT) with MC14's on the ram/mosfets? Knowing that the bottleneck for the vid card is ram related, I'm assuming the full card block will allow for better temps.

 

[rainman]

First, the order of parts in the system doesn't matter. The water in the loop will reach the same overall temp regardless.

I'm running a G0 Q6600 in a loop by itself with two Black Ice GTS 120s. The first GTS 120 has a SFF21F at 12V. The second GTS 120 has a SFF12F at 12V and a second one running off the CPU fan header. It is on a variable speed based on CPU temperature. I'm using a Swiftech MCP655 (modded) and 7/16" tubing and a D-tek FuZion.

I get 58-60 C under full load, with about 22-24 C ambient temps.


I did this setup for the lowest possible modification to my case (I made four small screw holes). I would suggest a minimum of two 240 size radiators for a CPU and GPU loop. However, the 240 and 120 may cut it. But I suspect you will not be happy with the temps.

Others may disagree...Just my $0.02.

 

[Gh()st]

I would suggest a minimum of two 240 size radiators for a CPU and GPU loop. However, the 240 and 120 may cut it. But I suspect you will not be happy with the temps.

Others may disagree...Just my $0.02.

I've got the room to add another 240 in the loop (and keep it inside the case..gotta love Tt Armors.) Once again though, would 2x240 plus the CPU and GPU blocks be too restrictive for the plexi top modded DDC+? I was thinking that by just adding the 120 rad I could balance between the loop restriction hit, and thermal dump.

This is an older pic of the setup before I replaced the HDD's with my current RaptorX, and changed the Antec for the Corsair.

 

[rainman]

I think people put too much stock in flow rate, personally.

However, this is an excellent reference: http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/212118-flow-rate-estimator-spreadsheet-v1-7-a.html


I would suggest a D-tek FuZion for the CPU and a Swiftech MCW-60 (requires the MC14).

With your pump, 2x BIP 240 radiators, 7 feet of tubing (assuming 7/16), the FuZion and MCW-60, and the reservoir...

...you still get 2 GPM.