Liquid Cooling CPU & GPU's

[Ridesy]

Hi All,

Anyone got any good links/advice on a liquid cooling system that would in theory be capable of cooling all critical parts - CPU, 2 x GPU in SLI and if poss Northbridge/Southbridge as well???

I have seen a number of good right-ups on CPU cooling kits, but my biggest problem is GPU1 and Northbridge, so I wanted to see if there are any recommended links to a kit that you can add cooling for it all???

Thanks

Ridesy

A8N32-SLI Deluxe, A64 X2 4800+, Corsair TWINX2048-3500LLPRO 2-3-2-6-1T 2x XFX GeForce 7800GTX 512Mb XXX Extreme, 2x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB SATA RAID0, Seasonic S12 Powersupply 600W. Cooler Master Wave Master Black

 

[HardWarrior]

I would imagine that there are kits that you can modify (meaning ones you can add blocks to after the initial purchase), but you'd be much better off hand-picking the individual parts. To my knowledge, kits aren't usually equipped for heavy dissipation. They don't tend to come with large, well-designed rads, which is what you need if your goal is to WC 3 or more heat-sources. Something like this would be an exception, but IMO, the blocks aren't high-perf and it PROBABLY uses less-than-optimal 1/2 OD tube.

If you have the time, energy and funding, a custom kit can net you JUST what you want in terms of results.

 

[Painman]

If you want to wc all of that, I'd make 2 suggestions.

1 - Make sure you use equipment that has the least amount of flow restriction possible. Go with 1/2" tubing and avoid "impingement" type waterblocks like the Storm from Swiftech. They cause a lot of pressure drop, so that less water will flow through the loop to cool your other parts. Also be careful in selection of chipset water blocks, fortunately you may not have to use low profile ones on that board due to the layout. Those tend to be restrictive also.

2 - If you have room and can afford the extra parts involved, make 2 loops. You could cool CPU and chipsets with one loop, and you could probably use an impingement block in that loop if you wanted without trouble. Then have the GPUs on their own loop.

 

[HardWarrior]

The OP can use a Storm, cool two GPU's and a chipset without having to use 2 loops, and get great results. 4-source restrictive loops can be overcome easily by using a powerful pump(s) and a large/very well blown radiator. Careful selection of FRU's is always advisable, BTW.

 

[TrevorRC]

Originally posted by: Ridesy
Hi All,

Anyone got any good links/advice on a liquid cooling system that would in theory be capable of cooling all critical parts - CPU, 2 x GPU in SLI and if poss Northbridge/Southbridge as well???

I have seen a number of good right-ups on CPU cooling kits, but my biggest problem is GPU1 and Northbridge, so I wanted to see if there are any recommended links to a kit that you can add cooling for it all???

Thanks

Ridesy

Cooling the northbridge/southbridge is an absolute waste of money, pressure, and flow rate.

You do NOT need a watercooler for your southbridge, and there isn't a NB is you run AMD.

There are some relatively nice kits made by swiftech, but for the amount of stuff you want to run, a kit isn't reasonable.

Grab an Iwaki pump, a Swiftech MCR220 radiator, 2x120mm panaflo fans, 2 Maze4 (GPUs), and a Storm CPU waterblock.
Anything else wouldn't cut it. I'd almost reccomend going for a triple radiator with the amount of stuff you're cooling.

 

[racinjimy]

triple rad is good especially with two GPU's

iwaki pump or alternatively two aquaextreme 50Z's in series

the swiftech rad is cheap and pretty good but for balls to the wall cooling I would get a thermochill PA120.3

links
xtremesystems check the stickies

 

[Ridesy]

Hi,

Thanks for advice and will look into these parts and the triple rad, but have you heard of this kit manufacturer/supplier, as the case top system looks more simple to install and they have GPU coolers that are listed as OK for the 7800GTX cards?

http://www.koolance.com/

The stuff does seem pricey though, any thoughts?

Ridesy

 

[themusgrat]

Storm is too restrictive for cooling multiple components, unless you get 2 loops or the best pump ever. Triple rads are great, if you have the room. BTW, look at more high end cases if you have the money, such as the Lian-Li V2000. Allyou need is CPU and 2 GPU, not chipset. WCing chipset doesn't yield much higher FSBs a all, no more than good air. And it will detract from the overall performance.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: themusgrat
Storm is too restrictive for cooling multiple components, unless you get 2 loops or the best pump ever.

I use a Storm and two video blocks. My temps are just fine, better than most in fact, and this with two pumps that anyone can buy, without the hyperbole. The point that people keep missing, especially those who don't own, and never tried a Storm, is that for that oft stated "restriction" you get a block that performs REALLY well.

 

[themusgrat]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: themusgrat
Storm is too restrictive for cooling multiple components, unless you get 2 loops or the best pump ever.

I use a Storm and two video blocks. My temps are just fine, better than most in fact, and this with two pumps that anyone can buy, without the hyperbole. The point that people keep missing, especially those who don't own, and never tried a Storm, is that for that oft stated "restriction" you get a block that performs REALLY well.

Well, since you have 2 pumps, my statement does not apply to you. If you read it.
1. The Storm requires a high flow rate to be most effective, by its makers' statements.
2. With 1 pump and 3 blocks in a system, the Storm is almost guaranteed to not work much better than the next CPU block.
3. You are right, when used alone, the Storm is not beat by almost anything. It is just that it is very, very restrictive compared to other blocks.

So if the OP can get 2 pumps, which he can with the case I listed, he will be happy. If not, get the best and least restrictive blocks you can find.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: themusgrat
Storm is too restrictive for cooling multiple components, unless you get 2 loops or the best pump ever.

I use a Storm and two video blocks. My temps are just fine, better than most in fact, and this with two pumps that anyone can buy, without the hyperbole. The point that people keep missing, especially those who don't own, and never tried a Storm, is that for that oft stated "restriction" you get a block that performs REALLY well.

Well, since you have 2 pumps, my statement does not apply to you.

Yes, it does. Your statement was all-inclusive. I don't have the best pump "ever" and I don't plumb two loops, yet I'll put my temps up against anyone's, including yours. Moreover, there are those who report good results who have just one pump, and that's with multiple blocks. Let's just get down to it, shall we? Nearly unrestricted flow in NOT The Holy Grail of water-cooling. There aren't any performance increases (cooler temps) inherent in bragging about not using those TERRIBLE impingment blocks. The goal is to keep your FRU's as cool as you can afford, and having fun in the process. For me, if that means trading some overall flow for cooler FRU's, then so be it. After all, that IS the design goal behind PURE impingment blocks, isn't it?

OP, I urge you to not allow yourself to be scared silly by hearsay and self-serving chicken-speak. If you want a broad spectrum of thoughts on the subject from people who don't usually start like frightened rabbits over things they're never tried, drop into this place. The guy who designed the Storm, Cather, hangs out here, as well as users of MANY styles of blocks. If you can chop through the egos you'll find more than a few people who don't want to design your loop for you so much as help you develop you OWN ideas about what works and what doesn't.

 

[themusgrat]

No offense meant. But all that I have ever heard from anybody other that hardwarrior is that the storm is only better than the next pump when it is the only block in a system. Not that it would stink otherwise, but maybe there would be a better block for you, one that will give as good of performance, and cheaper. Unless you have the best pump in the world. Oh, and having either 2 pumps or 2 lines=best pump ever, btw. Having 1 pump is what I meant. Sorry if I wasn't clear. BTW, hardwarrior, what are your temps? I'm interested, mine are 32C/38C on an Opteron 165 1.8 @ 2.8, 1.55v. Not the best, but not too shabby, considering OCed Optys are about the hottest AMD procs.

And chickenspeak??? Hearsay??? Scare you silly??? Heresy??? Next I'll be given to the High Inquisition. I'm not scared of a water block, if you mean that. I would check out those links hardwarrior gave, they are probably a gold mine. Who knows, maybe they can prove that I don't know everything. And I'm not posting on this forum because of my ego, I just want to help you out a bit. Hope this helps.

 

[0roo0roo]

2 resorators + new 140mm fan addon? that would pwn

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: themusgrat
No offense meant. But all that I have ever heard from anybody other that hardwarrior is that the storm is only better than the next pump when it is the only block in a system. Not that it would stink otherwise, but maybe there would be a better block for you, one that will give as good of performance, and cheaper. Unless you have the best pump in the world. Oh, and having either 2 pumps or 2 lines=best pump ever, btw. Having 1 pump is what I meant. Sorry if I wasn't clear. BTW, hardwarrior, what are your temps? I'm interested, mine are 32C/38C on an Opteron 165 1.8 @ 2.8, 1.55v. Not the best, but not too shabby, considering OCed Optys are about the hottest AMD procs.

Whuh? It'll take a psychic to get the gist of this one. I'm not going to waste time trying to contradict your approach to life, except to say you might try thinking for yourself. I was waiting for you to fallback to that tired, control-freak song about what's "cheaper." When people like you can't justify their near-religious view of something as simple, and earthly, as hardware they always go delusional and presume to know what's in everyone else's wallet. I don't think anyone here asked you to spend their money for them. PM perhaps? My temps? Much better than yours, and with a heat-dump that's truly impressive. How is this possible? Easy, I didn't take anyone's advice on what was best. With a combination of reading, experimentation, observation and money, I figured it out myself.

And yeah, why don't you hippity-hop on over to overclockers too, with your toasty temps and dire warnings of something you've never even bothered to try.

And chickenspeak??? Hearsay??? Scare you silly??? Heresy??? Next I'll be given to the High Inquisition. I'm not scared of a water block, if you mean that.

Yup, precisely the words I used, mostly, and I have no idea what you'll be given to next. Warnings of impending suicide should anyone have the temerity to try something that you've "heard" was badbadbad, perhaps?

I would check out those links hardwarrior gave, they are probably a gold mine.

Indeed, the *link* I offered might even lead to something other than chicken-speak, storm clouds and tears of regret for any poor soul who bought a Storm.

Who knows, maybe they can prove that I don't know everything.

Just you having a grasp of basic theory and goals of water-cooling would be refreshing.

And I'm not posting on this forum because of my ego, I just want to help you out a bit. Hope this helps.

You want to help by replicating your choices as if they're the only ones a rational human-being, like yourself, could make. That's not helping dude, it's LIVING in your ego, and you don't have a clue that it's happening. Boo-Hoo!

 

[themusgrat]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Originally posted by: themusgrat
No offense meant. But all that I have ever heard from anybody other that hardwarrior is that the storm is only better than the next pump when it is the only block in a system. Not that it would stink otherwise, but maybe there would be a better block for you, one that will give as good of performance, and cheaper. Unless you have the best pump in the world. Oh, and having either 2 pumps or 2 lines=best pump ever, btw. Having 1 pump is what I meant. Sorry if I wasn't clear. BTW, hardwarrior, what are your temps? I'm interested, mine are 32C/38C on an Opteron 165 1.8 @ 2.8, 1.55v. Not the best, but not too shabby, considering OCed Optys are about the hottest AMD procs.

Whuh? It'll take a psychic to get the gist of this one. I'm not going to waste time trying to contradict your approach to life, except to say you might try thinking for yourself. I was waiting for you to fallback to that tired, control-freak song about what's "cheaper." When people like you can't justify their near-religious view of something as simple, and earthly, as hardware they always go delusional and presume to know what's in everyone else's wallet. I don't think anyone here asked you to spend their money for them. PM perhaps? My temps? Much better than yours, and with a heat-dump that's truly impressive. How is this possible? Easy, I didn't take anyone's advice on what was best. With a combination of reading, experimentation, observation and money, I figured it out myself.

And yeah, why don't you hippity-hop on over to overclockers too, with your toasty temps and dire warnings of something you've never even bothered to try.

And chickenspeak??? Hearsay??? Scare you silly??? Heresy??? Next I'll be given to the High Inquisition. I'm not scared of a water block, if you mean that.

Yup, precisely the words I used, mostly, and I have no idea what you'll be given to next. Warnings of impending suicide should anyone have the temerity to try something that you've "heard" was badbadbad, perhaps?

I would check out those links hardwarrior gave, they are probably a gold mine.

Indeed, the *link* I offered might even lead to something other than chicken-speak, storm clouds and tears of regret for any poor soul who bought a Storm.

Who knows, maybe they can prove that I don't know everything.

Just you having a grasp of basic theory and goals of water-cooling would be refreshing.

And I'm not posting on this forum because of my ego, I just want to help you out a bit. Hope this helps.

You want to help by replicating your choices as if they're the only ones a rational human-being, like yourself, could make. That's not helping dude, it's LIVING in your ego, and you don't have a clue that it's happening. Boo-Hoo!

Sorry to the OP to keep replying to hardwarrior, but I think that I have a decent grasp of WCing. I never, to my knowledge, recommended any of my stuff, did I? And did you? I am merely saying that the Strom is by most accounts supposed to not be all that great when it doesn't have access to the best flow. And hardwarrior, I asked what are your temps? not are yours better than mine. Maybe you need to check your I-know-it-all ego at the politics forum, where most of that takes place. In the end, OP, get whatever is best for you and your wallet, and remember, the bigger, the better. Mostly. Good luck, I won't crap up the thread any more.

EDIT: Read the emboldened, please.

 

[TrevorRC]

Originally posted by: themusgrat
Storm is too restrictive for cooling multiple components, unless you get 2 loops or the best pump ever. Triple rads are great, if you have the room. BTW, look at more high end cases if you have the money, such as the Lian-Li V2000. Allyou need is CPU and 2 GPU, not chipset. WCing chipset doesn't yield much higher FSBs a all, no more than good air. And it will detract from the overall performance.

He could also use an Iwaki pump, as they provide the head and flow rate necessary to run not only the storm, but probably 4 storms in series

 

[gibbsk]

Originally posted by: Ridesy
Hi,

Thanks for advice and will look into these parts and the triple rad, but have you heard of this kit manufacturer/supplier, as the case top system looks more simple to install and they have GPU coolers that are listed as OK for the 7800GTX cards?

http://www.koolance.com/

The stuff does seem pricey though, any thoughts?

Ridesy

A friend of mine has one of those cases, and really likes it. Getting nice cool temps. I want one of the PC3-725BK systems myself.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: themusgrat
Sorry to the OP to keep replying to hardwarrior, but I think that I have a decent grasp of WCing. I never, to my knowledge, recommended any of my stuff, did I?

You sure did recommend what not to get, as if you actually KNEW what you were talking about. "Most accounts" don't tell the entire story. If your knowledge was as "decent" as you apparently think it is, you'd know that.

And did you?

You know I didn't. Why even bother asking this stupid question?

I am merely saying that the Strom is by most accounts supposed to not be all that great when it doesn't have access to the best flow.

You have NO personal knowledge of the Storm, yet you feel perfectly comfortable making negative comments as if they're FACT. Warning someone of what you see as a problem or limitation is one thing, but setting yourself up as THE expert on impingment blocks is a sterling example of why I spend some time here.

And hardwarrior, I asked what are your temps? not are yours better than mine.

I, in turn, answered in a fashion I thought was most suitable. See how that works?

Maybe you need to check your I-know-it-all ego at the politics forum, where most of that takes place. In the end, OP, get whatever is best for you and your wallet, and remember, the bigger, the better. Mostly. Good luck, I won't crap up the thread any more.

Perhaps you should spend more time developing some maturity, instead of wagging your tongue like a buffoon. Learning how to offer REAL assistance instead of publicly slapping yourself on the ass for regurgitating hearsay might just be in order too.

EDIT: Read the emboldened, please.

Yeah, and this makes about as much sense as everything else you've said.