Questions about water cooling...

[BaldAvenger]

I am making a move to watercooling in the next month or so, but I would really like some input on what type of hardware to put into my box. At this point I am planning on a swiftech storm cpu block, hydor L30 pump, black ice xtreme II radiator or similar, and tygon tubing. I haven't yet found a reservoir that I really like for my setup yet, so any suggestions would be appreciated (I prefer clear acrylic . Also, I was thinking of possibly watercooling my 7800gtx, but I haven't seen many blocks for these cards, other than the danger den model. Any thoughts on this? Would flowrate kill me if I tied in the GPU cooler? Thanks in advance.

 

[Nirach]

I used a koolance GPU cooling block for my ATI card, most of the reviews I read seemed happpy with the cooling. They do an nVidea model, too. http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=29_46&products_id=174 That's their block. no idea how compatible it is with your card, I've never used anything but ATI

As for reservoirs, http://www.thecoolingshop.com/index.php/cPath/33_61 there's a few there that might suit your desire for acrylic

http://www.coolercases.co.uk/ They too might stock some reservoirs that might be of interest to you.

As a rule of thumb with most W/C setups, two items per loop is just about fine, three is pushing it unless you have a monster of a pump.

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: Nirach
I used a koolance GPU cooling block for my ATI card, most of the reviews I read seemed happpy with the cooling. They do an nVidea model, too. http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=29_46&products_id=174 That's their block. no idea how compatible it is with your card, I've never used anything but ATI

As for reservoirs, http://www.thecoolingshop.com/index.php/cPath/33_61 there's a few there that might suit your desire for acrylic

http://www.coolercases.co.uk/ They too might stock some reservoirs that might be of interest to you.

As a rule of thumb with most W/C setups, two items per loop is just about fine, three is pushing it unless you have a monster of a pump.

And what would be a monster of a pump here? I'm planning CPU > Chipset > GPU1 > GPU 2. I just want one pump that doesn't make too much noise. Or, would it be a better idea to just do CPU > Chipset > Radiator 1 > GPU 1 > GPU 2 > Radiator 2 > Pump > Reservoir ?

I don't know what GPU, though.

 

[mindwreck]

Nirach, that koolance cooler uses 1/4" tubing and things he wants in the system are either 1/2" or 3/8". so no go with that cooler

Do not get the hydor pump. Its a good pump but noisy. mine produces this impeller noise that can be annoying for you

Get the dangerden D5 or swiftech mcp655 pump (same pump, different names) both are quieter and has better head pressure

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: mindwreck
Nirach, that koolance cooler uses 1/4" tubing and things he wants in the system are either 1/2" or 3/8". so no go with that cooler

Do not get the hydor pump. Its a good pump but noisy. mine produces this impeller noise that can be annoying for you

Get the dangerden D5 or swiftech mcp655 pump (same pump, different names) both are quieter and has better head pressure

:thumbsup:

With the pumps mindwreck recommended, I'd definetely throw a block on the 7800GTX. I was worried my MCP600 (slightly less powerful than MCP655) wouldn't be able to keep up with a San Diego and SLI'd 7800GT's but the gurus over at Xtremesystems assured me it would. So your setup would work for sure.

I had good luck with the Maze4 gpu block from DD with my 7800GTX. It's inexpensive and cools well.

 

[BaldAvenger]

Does anyone have any experience with the NV-78 from Danger Den? I like the inclusion of the ram in the heatsink design, but I can't find too much info on this block.

 

[BaldAvenger]

Ahh, another question...does anyone have any experience with via aqua or eco plus pumps? They have some models that have a higher gph and head than most I have seen used for pc cooling rigs. Just curious.

 

[mindwreck]

People generally choose the maze4 gpu block over the nv-78 or 68 ones because its almost 3 times cheaper and watercooling the ram is almost useless. Don't get me wrong, they are good blocks but the price outweighs the little extra cooling that you get out of it.

I've only seen and read of a few people using via aqua pumps. They're not as popular as the iwaki pumps but they seem to go fairly well. Haven't read of any complaints of them. I would stick to a DC pump. I've had several times where i forgot to turn on my pump since its a AC pump and my computer overheated in like 10 minutes.

 

[racinjimy]

Originally posted by: BaldAvenger
I am making a move to watercooling in the next month or so, but I would really like some input on what type of hardware to put into my box. At this point I am planning on a swiftech storm cpu block, hydor L30 pump, black ice xtreme II radiator or similar, and tygon tubing. I haven't yet found a reservoir that I really like for my setup yet, so any suggestions would be appreciated (I prefer clear acrylic . Also, I was thinking of possibly watercooling my 7800gtx, but I haven't seen many blocks for these cards, other than the danger den model. Any thoughts on this? Would flowrate kill me if I tied in the GPU cooler? Thanks in advance.

STORM CPU block
Laing D5 pump (AKA MCP 655/Danger Den D5)
Maze 4 GPU block
T-line
Tygon (to save $$$$ Clearflex or Primoflex)
Thermochill PA 120.2 (heatercore to save money)

.....................................................

that's your list

 

[BaldAvenger]

Ok, I think I have decided on most of my components for this watercooling project. I am looking at:

swiftech storm cpu block

maze 4 gpu block (with sinks for the ram)

d5/655 dc pump (but I might still go with an A/C pump and tie a relay circuit into my p/s to use the p/s A/C power, not sure yet)

tygon tubing 1/2" i.d.

reservoir...maybe... If I think I need it...

120mm radiator...this is actually where I have a problem. I have a P180 case and nowhere to place a dual fan radiator. Therefore, I am either going to run two separate 120mm radiators, or one 120mm if it is very efficient. Does anyone have a suggestion on a really good 120mm radiator to use? I was looking at the thermochill pa160, untill I saw the size of it (214x166mmx90+fan). It might work, but it would have to go in the side of the case, requiring modding which I want to avoid if possible.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, yet again.

 

[mindwreck]

You could try the black ice extreme.

 

[BaldAvenger]

Ok, I am actually thinking of using two black ice xtreme radiators in my system now. I am planning on separating the flow into two channels, one for the cpu block and one for the gpu. On each channel I will have a radiator. I suppose my question is wether this is a wise choice or not. I plan on having a dc pump that can handle the load easily, but I am not sure where to put the radiators in the channels. Logic dictates mounting them past the water blocks, as this is where the water will be hottest in addition to the fact that putting them in front of the water block will reduce pressure on the block's water flow, at least in my line of thought. Granted, the maze4 gpu block is supposed to be a non-restrictive block, so it really shouldn't affect it. But the storm block is VERY restrictive from what I have read, so flow is important on this channel, at least going into the block. Also, with the cpu block being so restrictive, and the gpu being much less so, should I use smaller tubing on the gpu channel to increase flow to the storm block? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to get this right before I even begin to mount the system. I like being thorough when it comes to researching new things.

 

[racinjimy]

a split loop can work

BUT

if your cpu loop is more restrictive guess where most of the flow will go...........to your other loop

try running everything in series and if that doesn't give you the temps you want get a small second pump for a second loop

BTW the PA 160 is a really nice rad, think about it again

a little modding is quite fun and rewarding

 

[BaldAvenger]

Thanks for that. I'm gonna get my stuff and try it out, then I am sure that I will have a whole slew of new questions for you guys.