Will this cooling build survive?

[Grayscale]

I'll preface this question with a few things... first, the system, the cooling, and my objective with both.

This system has been a major project and investment on my part over the past month. Lots of research has been put into picking the parts so that they'll fit together. My objective with this system was to create a hybrid "super-PC" that accomplishes the following:

-Crunch network sims
-High resolution, high detail gaming
-Performance project
-Must be clean and movable
-Noise not an issue

I am undergoing the final stages of studying for my CCIE lab, so my options were either make something like this, or spend $10,000+ on routers and switches I'll never use after I take the test later this year... thus my budget was quite large. Estimated project completion is September 18, 2006.

Core system:

Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 Conroe 2.93ghz
Asus P5N32-SLI Premium
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 1066 PC2-8500 double pairs
2x 150gb WD Raptor X 10,000 RPM SATA in RAID-0
2x XFX Geforce 7950GX2 1gb GDDR3 PCI-e 16x Xtreme in Quad-SLI
Creative SB X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS 7.1


Case/power/cooling:

VapoChill LightSpeed for Socket 775
Lian-li PC-65B
Mushkin Enhanced 650W SLI-Ready Modular Power Supply

Artic Silver 5
2x AquagraFX 7950GX2
Alphacool NB-SLI
2x Koolance RAM-30-VO6
Alphacool AP1510 Water Pump - 396 GPH, 19' head
2x80 Black Ice Micro w/ Vantec Tornados - 168 cfm (Intake)
1x80 Black Ice Micro w/ Vantec Tornado 84 cfm (Exaust)
XSPC Reservoir
1/4" Tygon

Windows Vista RC1

The setup will be as follows...

Reservoir > Pump > 2x80mm Intake Radiator > Bottom GPUs > Top GPUs > 1x80mm Exaust Radiator > North Bridge > Memory > Reservoir

I figured this would maximize the cooling to the hottest components on the loop (GPUs) by putting them directly after the biggest intake radiator, with the pump right behind it for the highest pressure point. It would also remove a bit of heat with the second, smaller, exaust radiator before going past the NB since it doesn't need cooling as much, finally finishing with the memory which need little if any cooling. Most components will be on this cooling system, but the remaining drives, south bridge, sound card, and PCB will be air cooled obviously - 168 cfm in, 84 cfm + 33 cfm PSU out.. this should create 51 cfm of positive pressure, so I am leaving the top 80mm blowhole empty. The pressure should stay at the ideal slightly above positive from the sheer CFM in/out difference relieved to a more neutral amount by the empty blowhole.


Additional math to consider... (theoretical)

1x120mm radiator - 14,400 cm^2 - 33% less surface area

3x80mm radiator - 19,200 cm^2 - 252 cfm - 0.013125 cfm/cm^2

2x120mm radiator - 28,800 cm^2 - 33% more surface area


Based on this, a single 120mm fan radiator would need a 336 CFM fan to equal the proposed setup, and a double 120mm fan radiator would need two 84 CFM fans.


Additional reasoning...

Based on the blocks this system uses (and the limited selection of thus) 1/4" ID was really the only choice I had. I'm hoping the powerful pump will make up for it. Every component of the system is designed for 1/4" fitting via the manufacturer (pump included). Compression fittings will be used.

The memory is cooled because this radiators are cooled by the case fans, so the case temperatures will be a little high. For this reason, I want to ensure any important components are on the water loop. To be clear, I understand that memory doesn't need very much cooling.

All components are to be overclocked.

Will this cooling system survive? I come to HardOCP to find out...

 

[legendz411]

Uhh... Just for the record, I think your gonna probly need more in the range of 800+watt PSU. Quad SLI and all that extra cooling, (not to mention the over-clocking) is gonna draw very large amounts of power.

( Just AFAIK. I'm no Limp Gawd )

 

[Demon_of_The_Fall]

JohnnyGuru reviewed that PSU and said that it was total crap, just to give you a heads up.

 

[Grayscale]

Uhh... Just for the record, I think your gonna probly need more in the range of 800+watt PSU. Quad SLI and all that extra cooling, (not to mention the over-clocking) is gonna draw very large amounts of power.

( Just AFAIK. I'm no Limp Gawd )

Should be fine... inherently Quad-SLI doesn't use more power. In fact, the 7950GX2 are very good on power compared to their earlier 7900 counterparts. I'm also going to put several of the fans on the VapoChill's power. I've seen a couple of similar setups rated at about 500w load with overclocking, this is rated up to 750w max, and can aggregate rails for a total of 44v. Should be able to handle it...

JohnnyGuru reviewed that PSU and said that it was total crap, just to give you a heads up.

It's not efficient, however it handled load without flinching. He rated it poorly because of this, but all I'm really concerned with is whether it can deliver the power.

 

[cre8chaos]

Look for a Zippy 700wt PSU the rest should be good to go with a very good PSU.
Sweet rig if you get-r done

 

[loxety]

I am undergoing the final stages of studying for my CCIE lab, so my options were either make something like this, or spend $10,000+ on routers and switches I'll never use after I take the test later this year... thus my budget was quite large. Estimated project completion is September 18, 2006.

What does the CCIE lab have to do with building a new computer system?

 

[Grayscale]

What does the CCIE lab have to do with building a new computer system?

It requires months to years worth of practice. As I said earlier, I could have either bought an entire Cisco rack which I would never use afterwards, or build a computer that can run network simulator software.

Nice question though, way to stay on topic.

 

[tisb0b]

I can't help thinking that your gonna want a better quality psu that isn't modular

 

[Grayscale]

I can't help thinking that your gonna want a better quality psu that isn't modular

Eh, I won it at a LAN party, I'm going to see if it will roll, if so, awesome, if not, no harm done, I'll just have to order one that can handle it.

 

[legendz411]

Eh, I won it at a LAN party, I'm going to see if it will roll, if so, awesome, if not, no harm done, I'll just have to order one that can handle it.

Yeah, you know, if you don't mind random reboots and the possibility of shorting.

 

[Arcygenical]

Just FYI I've heard those ram blocks leak after awhile... heh,

Why are you watercooling your RAM?

 

[legendz411]

So he can run 9 volts through it and not blow it up

 

[Grayscale]

Yeah, you know, if you don't mind random reboots and the possibility of shorting.

At worst, a lack of power would just cause instability.

Just FYI I've heard those ram blocks leak after awhile... heh,

Why are you watercooling your RAM?

I beefed up the entire system and cut the NB and RAM out of the loop.

So he can run 9 volts through it and not blow it up

YES! Well, actually, the first rendition of this setup was using the cases' fans for the radiators, so I wanted to make sure any important components that were previously on case air cooling (which would be much warmer due to the radiator) were in the loop.

I decided to use a radiator box on the back of the case, this opened up a lot of options. See the revised setup below. I will be running the tubing out the top of the case in an angled, hotrod meets F-22 fins style, to the back of the case, into the radiator, and back through the top.