Planning WC system - need input

[maxture]

Going to cool a quad core + 4870. I thought about something like this..

CPU block: D-TEK FuZion V2 - same+- performance as the GTZ but less restrictive..
GPU block: Swiftech MCW60 Rev2 or D-TEK FuZion GFX2 (too bad no one knows anything about the MCW60 rev2 yet)
Pump: Swiftech MCP655
Radiator/s: At first I wanted the PA120.3, but then I figured out 2x MCR320 would be both cheaper and much better performance wise.. so I guess 2xMCR320 it is.
Tubing: Tygon/Masterkleer/Durelene/etc. 7/16"
Fittings: Bitspower G1/4" 1/2" Silver Shining
Res/Fillport: I haven't decided yet whether I'm gonna use a Tline+fillport or just a reservoir, what's better?

Your opinion is important, thanks

 

[MrBloodshoe]

Except for the GTZ being a superior all around block compared to the Fuzion, and the PA120.3 being better across a broad range of fan RPM's than an equal MCR, it all looks fine to me.

Edit: T or fill port or res. I use a offside T and a res. The combination covers all the bases.

 

[amoeba1126]

Lets dispel some myths here... the Fuzion is a better block for dual cores due to the fact that they have similar performances but has better flow. For quad cores however, you will have to use the quad core insert which chokes back flow rates quite a bit. In all honesty however, you have a D5 pump which is a workhorse. I would personally get the EK Supreme in this regard as your MCW60/Fuzion GFX2 will have very low restriction. The same apples for the MCR320 as well.

As far as the radiator goes, if you have 2x MCR320, what I would do is buy another D5 and use it in an independent loop for the GPU. This way, you will get optimal temperatures for both the GPU and CPU and be able to use the EK to its full capabilities. Nowadays, radiators are all within a few C's of each other. A Thermochill will have lower pressure drop but the temperatures will not be that much of an improvement. I would rather buy 2x MCR320 and just cool each in its own loop.

I believe T-Line offers a bit less restriction than a reservoir, but reservoirs make it so much easier to bleed and fill. With a T-line you have to fill it up, turn on your pump, stop the pump, and fill the t-line back up. Bleeding (getting all the bubbles out of your loop) can take up to a week as well. With a reservoir, things are more pricey, but you can bleed in a matter of minutes with a well designed reservoir.

 

[MrBloodshoe]

The (good) early comparative reviews are numbers-based, amoeba. The myths come from testimonials, not from multi-mount, multi-CPU testing. I haven't seen anything yet about the GTZ (or Fuzion for that matter) that will make me run out next payday and replace my MC-TDX, but it LOOKS like technology has moved past the Fuzion, which is good for us all. We'll know for sure very soon.

 

[amoeba1126]

i trust martin's reviews as he mounts them each multiple times for a more accurate assessment most people don't bother remounting if temps are good and why should they? we dont fix things that arent broken basically, the truth is that in terms of technology for water cooling, we have pretty much hit a wall. sure we can make improvements here or there, but in the end it is simply for a couple of degrees c.

 

[maxture]

In martinsliquidlab.com you can see that the FuZion V2 and the GTZ performed the same on Q6600 (without quad core nozzle/insert).
And from EK Supreme tests the difference in temps is so small (0.x c as far as I recall) and IMHO doesn't justify a (roughly) 0.5gpm flow rate decline, plus it's not very common block so the chances it will get a LGA1336 (Nehalem) mounting kit are pretty small.

About seperating it to two different loops - I think I'll leave it to the future, as right now I don't have the extra 100$ (80$+shipping+VAT) for another pump, and especially when, with my current setup, I'll barely see any difference in temps, right?

The thing that scares me about reservoirs is that I've seen a lot of cracks reports.. and I mean A LOT... but I guess that if it's mounted without too much pressure nothing bad can happen.

 

[amoeba1126]

There are 3 reasons for cracks in reservoirs:
- Physical stress on the acrylic (screwing barbs too tight, hitting something against it really hard, or dropping it)
- Contact with alcohol which corrodes the acrylic
- Manufacturer defect
Well... technically there is 4 if you include extreme heat, but that almost never happens.

Usually manufacturers defects can be seen right away, the same goes for physical stress. Alcohol is another matter and is usually not a crack but separation. Reservoirs are safe as long as you inspect them carefully and use them carefully. If you are really scared of leaks, use Feser One as it is non conductive.

 

[adrift02]

Your choices seem good for blocks (fuzion+mcw60), As for pumps, though many like what you picked, my personal experience with the mcp355 + xspc res top was great performance, very easy bleeding (<10 min), and smaller space requirements. And, I would go with the mcr320's because you can put some quiet yate loons on there and still get great performance.

 

[maxture]

Your choices seem good for blocks (fuzion+mcw60), As for pumps, though many like what you picked, my personal experience with the mcp355 + xspc res top was great performance, very easy bleeding (<10 min), and smaller space requirements. And, I would go with the mcr320's because you can put some quiet yate loons on there and still get great performance.

You're right as far as performance go, but I chose the MCP655 for a reason; It's known for it's excellent reliability, while the MCP3xx pumps have a much higher amount of failurs. I wouldn't care for it, but since I do not live in the states and I'm doing an international order, RMAing something like this would take approx. 1-2 months, full of headaches.

There are 3 reasons for cracks in reservoirs:
- Physical stress on the acrylic (screwing barbs too tight, hitting something against it really hard, or dropping it)
- Contact with alcohol which corrodes the acrylic
- Manufacturer defect
Well... technically there is 4 if you include extreme heat, but that almost never happens.

Usually manufacturers defects can be seen right away, the same goes for physical stress. Alcohol is another matter and is usually not a crack but separation. Reservoirs are safe as long as you inspect them carefully and use them carefully. If you are really scared of leaks, use Feser One as it is non conductive.

Thanks for clearing that one up!

 

[MrBloodshoe]

i trust martin's reviews as he mounts them each multiple times for a more accurate assessment most people don't bother remounting if temps are good and why should they? we dont fix things that arent broken basically, the truth is that in terms of technology for water cooling, we have pretty much hit a wall. sure we can make improvements here or there, but in the end it is simply for a couple of degrees c.

I like Martin, and his commitment is obvious. However, there are many sources of trustable data when it comes to performance. Manufacturers are even starting to step up with highly detailed fact-sheets on their products. Correct, most people, including myself, don't multi-mount, unless something seems majorly wrong, but those aren't the people I go to for hard data either.

Please tell me that you don't think that we've seen the end of water block innovation with the Fuzion v2! Dude, I heard the same thing when the high impingment, cascade-style blocks were all the rage and the Storm was king. No, I don't think we've reached the end of history, not by a long shot.

Maxture: Resevoirs are like any other FRU, you get what you pay for. If you have a medium to low flow loop there are res's composed of POM (Polyoxymethylene) and polycarbonate that can stand up to anything a reasonable person would use as coolant. I fully expect to see large box-style res's (my current preference) composed of the same materials very soon. One of the cool things about POM is that it feels sort of like metal!