Radiators

[predatorx2]

Hi All,

I'm just putting together my new system. I think I'm going for a i7 920 D0 and a Rampage II GENE. I already have a 8800GTX (cant really arrord to upgrade both CPU and GFX together sadly), and I'm sticking with my trusty Lian-Li PC-V1000.

I want to watercool this system, and I want to watercool both the CPU (with a 4GHz overclock) and the GPU. But this is my first water cool, so I'm in need of some pointers. I've read some guides (including aigomorla's excellant newbies guide) so I know alot of the basics, but I still have some questions...maybe someone who knows what they're doing can help me

Ok, first off, I'm going for the Rampage II GENE for two reasons, 1 its nealry as cheap as a MSI X58 Pro or the SE version of the P6T but with way more features and OC ability, and 2 it gives me a ton of room left at the top of my V1000 to mount a radiator What I dont know is what size of radiator I need to cool an OC'd i7 920 and the 8800GTX. I already have a couple of 80mm blow holes in the top, so I'm gonna bore these out to 120. But do I need 2x120 or 3x120?

And, what is the benifit of having a full gfx card block vs a gpu only? Does the RAM generate that mcuh heat that you cant cool it with some heat sinks? Its a big case so where will be air flow.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[WoodButcher]

3X120 MINIMUM. If you can add a 1 or 2x120 as well to the loop your cpu will be much happier. I use a gpu block w/ ramsinks and it works well. The biggest reason for me not to use full cover is the fact they are card specific. In other words when I upgrade or change gpu I don't need a new block.

 

[PCTC2]

Indeed at least a 120x3. I have an my i7 920 @ 3.93GHz with a GTX260 on my PA120.3 and they idle happily in the mid 30's and load in the 50's. I'm adding a 120.2 to my system and putting my second GTX 260 under water to make everything happier.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the latest XSPC triple rad gives nearly identical performance as the top of the line Thermochill PA120.3. and it much cheaper than that http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-R...-radiator-pr-4384.html
if you're planning to mount externally and want to add in the gpu later, you can get that 120x4 version of the XSPC here http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-R...-Radiator-pr-4430.html
if you want to do the cpu alone, just stick w/ the 120x3 as you won't see much diff doing from x3 to x4 for cpu only.

full cover blocks are expensive, but they look awfully good. if you're into looks. there is also more copper on the FC blocks so there is more potential for lower temps with them. it also saves you the hassle for looking for the correct ramsinks mosfet sinks for your video card. on the negative side, FC Blocks are heavy as fck and may bend your card a little bit when mounted, but the PCIx16 slot holds it up well. if you can have a quiet fan pointed directly at your video card to cool the heatinks, you can just get heatsinks for the memory and mosfets and save some money, but make sure they get airflow.

let us know if you have anymore questions, i was in your same position not too long ago

 

[jkresh]

as everyone else has said, go for at least a 3*120, depending on how quite you want it you might even want an additional 1 or 2 by 120. For gpu cooling, a good full cover block would cost you >$100 and wouldn't work on anything but your 8800gtx, so I would either look for one used, go for a universal, or wait till you can upgrade your gpu and get a full cover block then.

 

[thatguyx]

sorry to hijack, but is the recommended minimum of 3x120 because he's planning to OC to 4Ghz and have the GTX8800? I was looking at a PSU load calculator and it seems that OCing will up his heat by 100W? I'm currently working on expanding my GPU only loop to a GPU and CPU loop. I'd be running an XSPC RX120 and RX240 on a GTX285(185 TDP) and the i7 920, no overclocking yet. If I don't plan to overclock, will I be ok with my 3x120? What if I try to overclock to 3.2Ghz ?

 

[thilanliyan]

I use a 1x120 and a 2x120 for my Phenom 9850 @ 3GHz (1.35v) and my 4870 1GB. My CPU keeps at 30 idle and 50C load under a CPU only load.

My GPU is cooled by a GPU only block (DD Maze4...first used on a X1800XL back in 2006) and I left the backplate on to cool the ram and VRMs. If you have the funds to change blocks every time you buy a new card then go for a full cover block. Otherwise go for a universal block and all you have to change is ramsinks/VRM sinks which are fairly cheap.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: thatguyx
sorry to hijack, but is the recommended minimum of 3x120 because he's planning to OC to 4Ghz and have the GTX8800? I was looking at a PSU load calculator and it seems that OCing will up his heat by 100W? I'm currently working on expanding my GPU only loop to a GPU and CPU loop. I'd be running an XSPC RX120 and RX240 on a GTX285(185 TDP) and the i7 920, no overclocking yet. If I don't plan to overclock, will I be ok with my 3x120? What if I try to overclock to 3.2Ghz ?

It's because the heatload of those, combined, are near the top end for a 120x2 radiator, and at that point it is not worth the migration. You'd be fine with those two radiators.

 

[predatorx2]

Thanks for all the replys guys, very informative!

Unfortunatly, my TV just died!!!!!! Bang goes all the money I was gonna invest on my WC stuff!

fing typical...

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: predatorx2
Thanks for all the replys guys, very informative!

Unfortunatly, my TV just died!!!!!! Bang goes all the money I was gonna invest on my WC stuff!

fing typical...

Perhaps under warranty?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: predatorx2
Thanks for all the replys guys, very informative!

Unfortunatly, my TV just died!!!!!! Bang goes all the money I was gonna invest on my WC stuff!

fing typical...

Perhaps under warranty?

Cheap TV on Craigslist

 

[aigomorla]

i wouldnt recomend anything less then a 120x3 and thats with acceptable noise coming from fans.

Anything smaller is going to require screamers, and that defeats the point in h2oing.