Preliminary set-up - suggestions welcome

C

Candell

n00b
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Nov 14, 2007
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My current build :
*I won't be overclocking.
Lian Li PC-V2010
Asus P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366
Core i7-920
Corsair HX850
HD5870

Now, I just came up with the preliminary set-up for CPU cooling. My main purpose is performance, not so much bling.
Please let me know if anything below are conflicting (like having mixed metals in the set-up - as I understand are detrimental to my system) or can be improved:

1. Pump (DangerDen CPX-Pro 12V inline pump)
2. Radiator (XSPC RX360)
3. CPU Block (Watercool HK 3.0)
4. Tubing (PrimoFlex LRT Tubing 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD)
5. Reservoir (EK-DDC X-RES 140)
6. Fans (Scythe Slip Stream Slim Low Profile 120mm Fan - 1600 RPM)
7. Coolant (pure distilled water, no dyes)

I do have quite a number of questions, hope some of you more experienced WC-ers can enlighten me:

1. I'm unsure if I need compression fittings/ clamps for the PrimoFlex, as the pictures led me to believe they have their own form of connection to the fittings?
2. I would like to cool my GPU (in the future dual-GPU) as well, but I'm not sure if I need a second loop for it or do I just need to add the GPU waterblock into my current loop?
3. Would a single loop suffice if I used a stronger pump for both the GPU and CPU loop?
4. Which are the better GPU blocks in the market?
5. Do I really need to cool my NB/SB?
6. Are anti-biological additives, anti-corrosive additives necessary?
7. Are stacked radiators effective at all?
8. If I had 2 loops in my system, would I need a separate reservoir or just 1 with 2 outlets?
 
1. Pump (DangerDen CPX-Pro 12V inline pump)
2. Radiator (XSPC RX360)
5. Reservoir (EK-DDC X-RES 140)

Solid gear choices... however a couple of pointers. 1) Your pump and res are not compatible. That res is meant to be used in conjuntion with a Laing DDC style pump. (Just like a top, only it has a res attached) This is a nice setup because you are eliminating tube clutter inside your setup, you just need to get a ddc instead of that CPX. The ddc will provide more than enough pumping power for your configuration.

2) That radiator is overkill for just your cpu. It could proboly handle both your cpu and vga, however I'd proboly add a second rad to the loop if you add the gpu. Maybe a 2x120 of some sort.

1. I'm unsure if I need compression fittings/ clamps for the PrimoFlex, as the pictures led me to believe they have their own form of connection to the fittings?

This will depend on your preferences. Personaly I use 3/8id tygon on danger den barbs with no clamps. Most folks will say its too risky to run without some sort of clamp or compression fitting, in my experience the 3/8 tygon is NOT comming off of those barbs without some extreme exertion.

2. I would like to cool my GPU (in the future dual-GPU) as well, but I'm not sure if I need a second loop for it or do I just need to add the GPU waterblock into my current loop?

Again.. preference and budget. Seeing as you are not planning to OC I would say one loop is a more than viable option.

3. Would a single loop suffice if I used a stronger pump for both the GPU and CPU loop?

Again a DDC will provide way more power than you need. Any decent pump will be able to power a cpu/vga loop.

4. Which are the better GPU blocks in the market?

Some folks like to go with the swiftech MC60 and heatsynks. This is a cheaper option and allows you too keep the block for your next card. The all in one solutions are good as well. You are not going to notice a huge difference between the major brands. Pick one you like and roll with it.

5. Do I really need to cool my NB/SB?

If you were overclocking then maybe, since you are not there is no reason to do so. The drop in ambient internal air temps alone should take care of your NB/SB.

6. Are anti-biological additives, anti-corrosive additives necessary?

Unless you plan on draining your loop on a weekly basis Yes. As for what to use.. that all comes down to personal preference. Most popular seems to be ether a Silver Kill Coil or a Couple of drops of PT Nuke.

7. Are stacked radiators effective at all?

Depends on alot of things. With enough airflow they should be fine.

8. If I had 2 loops in my system, would I need a separate reservoir or just 1 with 2 outlets?

Who What? It would proboly be better to have two. Again tho I dont see you realisticaly needing two loops.
 
1. Pump (DangerDen CPX-Pro 12V inline pump)
good pump but does not mate to reservior
try this http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/reservoirs-and-acc/res-pump-combo/ek-reservoir-combo-dcp-4-0.html
it's the same pump with integrated reservoir

2. Radiator (XSPC RX360)
if you plan to add 1 gpu to the radiator it will be fine. (with no overclock on CPU) 2 gpu's to the loop is pushing it, but should be okay. (nothing overclocked)

3. CPU Block (Watercool HK 3.0)
one of the best on the market

4. Tubing (PrimoFlex LRT Tubing 3/8" ID, 5/8" OD)
good tubing

5. Reservoir (EK-DDC X-RES 140)
see 1.

6. Fans (Scythe Slip Stream Slim Low Profile 120mm Fan - 1600 RPM)
perfect for the chosen radiator

7. Coolant (pure distilled water, no dyes)
your best choice for coolant


1. I'm unsure if I need compression fittings/ clamps for the PrimoFlex, as the pictures led me to believe they have their own form of connection to the fittings?
compression fitting are a matter of choice. just for looks. and no compression fitting do not need clamps they hold the tubing in place by "compressing it around a fitting.
barbs and clamps are a no frills way to go and one of the best. always use some kind of clamp not doing so can lead to problems. if you choose to not run them on other peoples advice and it leaks, who is going to pay for the damages. spend the $3.00 and don't worry about it.

2. I would like to cool my GPU (in the future dual-GPU) as well, but I'm not sure if I need a second loop for it or do I just need to add the GPU waterblock into my current loop?
the rx360 can handle your gpu's and cpu with no overclocking, but it will be at it's limits
two loops or a second radiator before the gpu's might be a better choice

3. Would a single loop suffice if I used a stronger pump for both the GPU and CPU loop?
the pump is not the weak link, you picked a low restriction cpu block and radiator. if you choose a low restriction gpu only block (example MCW60) then the pump will handle 2 gpu's and a cpu. but personally I would get a bigger pump (MCP655 or MCP355+custom top) for a loop with more that 2 blocks

4. Which are the better GPU blocks in the market?
full coverage block are all about the same in performace, but they cool the whole card
gpu only will cool the gpu much better than a full coverage, but only the gpu you will need heatsinks for the rest of the card. it sounds like more work, but it's not, and it's cheaper and has the same results.

5. Do I really need to cool my NB/SB?
on a p6t deluxe, yes, but not with water. that motherboard should have come with a fan for the mosfets, if you use it you will be fine. also it should have come with the stand offs to install a 40mm fan on the northbride, that is all you need for that board.

6. Are anti-biological additives, anti-corrosive additives necessary?
a biocide is a must, pt nuke, some silver (one piece of silver will last longer then the rest of the loop), or anti-algae stuff from a pet store is fine.
no mixed metals in your loop so no anti-corrosives are needed

7. Are stacked radiators effective at all?
you would be cooling the second radiator with hot air. it's very inefficient, it does cool better then a single, but not by much
example
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3787382&postcount=6

8. If I had 2 loops in my system, would I need a separate reservoir or just 1 with 2 outlets?
a few reservoirs are setup for dual loops, so that is a matter of choice. I went with 2
 
MrGoat said:
1. Pump (DangerDen CPX-Pro 12V inline pump)
2. Radiator (XSPC RX360)
5. Reservoir (EK-DDC X-RES 140)

Solid gear choices... however a couple of pointers. 1) Your pump and res are not compatible. That res is meant to be used in conjuntion with a Laing DDC style pump. (Just like a top, only it has a res attached) This is a nice setup because you are eliminating tube clutter inside your setup, you just need to get a ddc instead of that CPX. The ddc will provide more than enough pumping power for your configuration.
Click to expand...


Thanks for all the suggestions. Greatly appreciated.
I would like to know what exactly is a "top"?
 
Pump + Reservoir:
1. Swiftech MCP655 + Bitspower Water Tank Z-Multi 150 Inline Reservoir
2. Danger Den/Laing DDC 3.25 -12V 18 Watt Version + XSPC Acrylic Reservoir for Laing DDC

Rest:
1. XSPC RX360 - for the CPU + Black Ice GT Stealth 240 X-Flow Radiator - for GPU
2. Watercool HK 3.0
3. PrimoFlex Pro LRT Black Tubing -3/8in. ID X 5/8in. OD
4. Scythe Slip Stream Slim Low Profile 120mm Fan - 1600 RPM
5. pure distilled water, no dyes
6. Silver KillCoils by iandh/ Petra'sTech PT_Nuke -PHN Concentrated Biocide
7. Breeze Miniature Hose Clamp 7/32 in. to 5/8 in.

This is my choice for the water cooling set-up. So basically, I'm planning on cooling both my CPU and GPU and possibly another GPU in the future. I also haven't chosen a GPU block - would the GPU-only blocks work on NON-reference cards such as XFX, Sapphire etc.? Regarding the connections, are barbs, fittings, nozzle with swivels the same?

Hope some of the more experienced WC-ers can provide some sort of advice/ suggestion. I would also like to know which pump + res combo would work better for my set up. I'm considering bay reservoirs if using the MCP655 but I'm rather unsure if they are any good at all.
 
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Do NOT buy black ice rads - they are really not worth the money. Avoid them like the plague.

And 1/2" all the way - avoid inline reservoirs too - bitspower connectors all the way - and dd Fillport Reservoir <- highly recommended

My ten cents :)
 
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A tiny bit of car anti freeze lying around will prevent anything from living in that loop guaranteed, and will also prevent corrossion. Of course use primarily distilled water. You don't need biocide or silver, although that works too if you feel like spending money.
 
Thanks for your input guys.

Main: Could you explain why I should avoid inline reservoirs? And why I should use 1/2" tubing as well as a fillport in my set-up?

What about bay reservoirs? Are they any good?
 
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