New case idea, need cooling advice.

[CaracasMax]

I'm thinking of making a strange custom computer. Basically, the idea is to take two systems and put them together in one case. I'm drawing up plans for a custom case, it'll end up being about 12" wide by 20" long and 20" high. Now, for obvious reasons I want to go with watercooling. So far i'm looking at using blocks on just the processors because of money constraints, and going with 2 maze4s for that. A friend recommended the danner mag-drive model 3 to me, so i'm thinking of using that, but any suggestions would be appreciated. What i need help with is a radiator that can handle 2 cpus(and maybe 2 GPUs in the future) in the same case. Any ideas? Money is a consideration, but space isn't much of an issue as I've saved a large area in the plans for the radiator (and can expand the case as neccessary). Again, any advice is appreciated.

 

[OneMadPoptart]

Have you considered running the 2 processors on seperate watercooling loops? Getting 2 smaller pumps and a seperate res for each loop will really help.

If money really is a constraint, then getting a dual 120mm radiator such as a Black Ice xtreme 2 or a thermochill 120.2 and running on a single loop would be a better solution.

I suggest you go from the pump and split the flow and go into the 2 CPU blocks in parallel, then back to the radiator with a Y fitting and then res and pump. This way, if you add the GPU blocks later, each GPU block would not be in series with the rest of the system and get cooler water.

Just a suggestion.

Good Luck!
-OMP

 

[CaracasMax]

That's what a was looking at for the moment.. what's the difference between one of those and a heat core? thanks again.

 

[OneMadPoptart]

Originally posted by CaracasMax
That's what a was looking at for the moment.. what's the difference between one of those and a heat core? thanks again.

I assume you mean using one loop with parallel flow to the waterblocks.

The Blackice and the Thermochill are radiators that are more or less meant for computer watercooling, meaning that they have standard mounting holes for 120mm fans, allow for nice premade shrouds, and are generally more compact and polished with nice 1/2in barbs. A heatercore is not made for watercooling a computer, but for the automotive industry, therefore, they are not as polished, do not have standardized mounting holes (if at all), barbs etc... but generally are a little larger and allow for higher flow rates. People use them in their computers because they dissapate a fair ammount of heat, and are generally cheaper than radiators mentioned above.

It sounds like you are looking at a nice custom case with a fairly high end water cooling system. I would consider the Black Ice Xtreme2 because of its looks, the ease of use, and the wonderful performance. If you can afford it, go with the Thermochill dual or triple radiators to cool those toasty processors down.

If price really is a factor and you need to save some money somewhere, consider getting 2 heatercores, such as an 86 Chevy Chevette heater core, and running them in parallel right after your blocks. Giving each line its seperate radiator would be very benificial. Doing that would be cheaper than getting a single Blackice dual radiator. It wouldnt be as pretty, but it would work pretty well. I don't have a lot of experience with heatercores, maybe someone on this forum does and can give you more advice.

Good luck!
-OMP