two computer setup

[RootOfEvil]

im looking at putting together a loop that will include a p4 3.4 LGA775, northbridge, geforce6600, athlon64 3200+, and that northbridge.

a) what advantages will a setup with individual loops get me, vs one single loop for the two machines?
b) im not going to be OCing, i just want a quieter system. i dont mind making this a weekend project, but i also dont want something im going to have to constantly screw with. are the pre-assembled units from koolance and such really that not worth it? obviously going with one of those is going to be pricey and i can get a way better custom setup for a lot less cash.
c) how do i figure out how much heat this system is going to have to transfer?
d) in order to transfer this much heat, what equiptment would yall recommend? ive been looking around at this for a couple of evenings now, trying to put together a mental picture in my head. keeping in mind that im trying to loop two machines, what tubing would be the best choice?

 

[BellaCroix]

Wow... let me see if I understand this project:

1) I'm assuming it's an external enclosure.
2) This is not some sort of really wierd dual processor rig:
Computer 1: CPU: Pentium4 3.4, NB, GPU: Geforce6600
Computer 2: CPU: athlon64 3200+, NB, GPU: None (or at least none cooled on the loop)

Is computer 2 some sort of smoothwall or router? Why does it not have a GPU? On board video?

You've got a mess of problems with trying to cool that all with one loop:
1) What kind of pump are you going to use that's going to have the kind of head pressure to make it through THAT much tubing? I'm going to assume you're planning on using a T-line connector somewhere in the loop rather than snaking tubes back and forth between the cases then back into the external enclosure. A sketch of exactly what you're planning may help me visualize this but I can't image any pump being able to keep up with the set-up I've got in my mind.

2) Assuming you're actually going to set it up as series (exit one computer then goes to the second computer before returning to the external enclosure) So after the water picks up the heat from a G4, NB, and GPU you're going to expect it then go cool an Athlon (notoriusly hot chips)?

3) How many radiators are you planning on using? Try to calculate how much heat you're actually trying to expell then look for a raditor that can handle that kind of thermal load. You're definitely not getting away with less than a triple radiator and you may need to use something like this with a mess of fans attached. Remember, the water does not actually directly cool the chipset, it draws heat away from the chipset and takes it to the radiator to be expelled. (It's a very subtle difference that a lot of people don't really understand).

4) You're probably going to need to use 1/2" tubing (not that it's necessarily a bad thing (not trying to start that religious discussion again)).

In all, I don't think it's a good design or that it will work very well. Unless you're looking to drop some serious cash on that rig I think you'd be much happier spending about $200 per box and building two DangerDen kits (Or finding quieter fans and more effective HSUs). But if you go ahead with it anyway be sure to post pics of how you execute it and what kind of performane you get on that loop.

 

[RootOfEvil]

Is computer 2 some sort of smoothwall or router? Why does it not have a GPU? On board video?

im planning on external, the 2nd box is a server, graphics card is some old s3 card that doesnt even have a heatsink.

1) What kind of pump are you going to use that's going to have the kind of head pressure to make it through THAT much tubing? I'm going to assume you're planning on using a T-line connector somewhere in the loop rather than snaking tubes back and forth between the cases then back into the external enclosure. A sketch of exactly what you're planning may help me visualize this but I can't image any pump being able to keep up with the set-up I've got in my mind.

i was thinking of a single loop, and this is exactly why i asked, i have no experience completing a WC project (started one back in highschool with some friends, didnt get very far). The exos-2 claims to be able to cool multiple systems as long as you dont put everything in the system on the loop.

2) Assuming you're actually going to set it up as series (exit one computer then goes to the second computer before returning to the external enclosure) So after the water picks up the heat from a G4, NB, and GPU you're going to expect it then go cool an Athlon (notoriusly hot chips)?

i was thinking of putting an additional radiator between the two computers, and the order was still to be determined. (ie amd64 could come first)

How many radiators are you planning on using? Try to calculate how much heat you're actually trying to expell then look for a raditor that can handle that kind of thermal load.

how do i do that, including the northbridge and GPU?

In all, I don't think it's a good design or that it will work very well. Unless you're looking to drop some serious cash on that rig I think you'd be much happier spending about $200 per box and building two DangerDen kits (Or finding quieter fans and more effective HSUs). But if you go ahead with it anyway be sure to post pics of how you execute it and what kind of performane you get on that loop.

thanks for the input - do i really need to drop 200$ to WC an amd64 and northbridge? the processor is not usually under load.

 

[RootOfEvil]

also - what about investing in a better radiator (like the one you linked to) and using two pumps? is that possible? series? paralell? pump1->a64->radiator->pump2->p4->pump1 kind of thing.

 

[BellaCroix]

I've seen a few builds that incorporate an inline "booster" bump, I think the theory is that if it works for locomotives it should work on WC. I'm afraid my knowledge is somewhat limited (I'm sure Cathar could answer specifically if he jumps on the thread).

I think using a second pump would at least boost the head pressure to be able to make it through the loop.

If the processor in box 2 isn't under load why not try finding a passive cooler or just a really good quality, quiet, 120mm fan with a very effective HSU? It doesn't really sound like this machine will benefit a lot from H2O. Remember, you're still going to need fans so you're not building a totally silent set-up.

I think the investment into H20 (and the money you're going to need to shell out to build a dual-rig cooler) will not get you what you're after. Watercool the primary machine, it'll set you back about $200 for a decent DangerDen rig. Then look into traditional cooling for the other machine which you'll probably get out building for about $50.

But if you're looking at building it with multiple pumps and radiators here's how I'd do it:

Res > Pump 1 > Radiator 1 (120mm x2) > CPU (Machine 1) > NB (Machine 1) > GPU > Pump > Radiator 2 (120mm x2) > CPU (Machine 2) > NB (Machine 2) > Res

The only thing you're saving on is one less Resevior (assuming you're going to use one at all) and you still have the problem of how much the second pump will really help.