Water cooling Loop Design

RabidSnail

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I Have been trying to design my cooling system for my next build. I will be using NZXT H630 case, and am thinking about this design...
NZXTH630LiquidCooling_zps53fb7c2a.jpg

Liquid Cooling
So basically I have 3 loops running in parallel, GPU1, GPU2, and the CPU and Ram in series as the last part.

NZXTH630AirCooling_zps9b0c82ee.jpg

Air Cooling
Here I have the two front fans as intakes, and only one fan as exhaust to create a positive pressure.

Componets:
LGA 2011
8x 1866 DDR3
2x HD 7970


Any Thoughts?
 

toolmaker_03

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I like it, and hopefully we will get the chance to see it work well for you. The only thing that troubles me is the CPU block creating a low flow situation, but I do not know, so get it running, and let us know how it is operating.
 

Buzz247

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I'd be more worried about yhe ram blocks creating low flow than the cpu block. Far more restrictive. Loop like that would do well do run off a dual DDC pump for max head pressure. Remove ram block and can suffice with a single D5.
 

RabidSnail

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what size pump would you recommend for this? I was going to use Swiftech MCP655 but if you think that will struggle with as many componets as i am trying to include, I would rather change it now, then have it not work and have to buy a new one down the road
 

RabidSnail

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As for the GPU setup, I was wondering if it would work. I did a little googling on ways to set up GPU blocks, and from what I found, the way I showed it would be the GPUs in parallel. It is only one loop, with the intakes on one half, then the outputs on the other half.

I referenced this image and a forum that discussed the setup:
900x900px-LL-95fb4a1c_serialorparrallel.jpeg
 

toolmaker_03

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What makes you believe that ram blocks are restrictive? Have you ever owned any, the reason that I ask is simple, I have owned three different types of ram blocks, and all of them are less restrictive than a CPU block or for that matter a new video card block is more restrictive than any of the ram blocks that I have owned.

 
Ahh OK, I'm seeing it now.

If I were you I would only have the GPU's in parallel with each other, then the flow joins up and runs through the CPU and RAM in series. Although paralleled blocks leads to a reduced restriction, it can also send disproportionate amounts of flow each direction based on the restriction they offer. If the GPU's are an easier path for the water to flow, more water will go through them than through the CPU and vice versa.
So IMO, its best to only parallel the same blocks to avoid this issue, as you can be assured of equal restriction through both paths and therefore equal water flow through them.

As for pump's, a Laing D5 or DDC is about the best you can get unless you can find an Iwaki pump. Your only option from there is too get multiple pumps.
 

toolmaker_03

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Yea I figured that you had gotten the Corsair type of memory blocks I have the GT edition blocks they are basically the same design and not restrictive at all when compared to the other hardware on the loop.



here is a pic of the blocks that I have.
 

RabidSnail

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If I were to do Multiple pumps, would I just place them in series? And is it the kinda of think that i should test the loop with one and then determine the water flow and see if i should put another in?
 

toolmaker_03

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come to think about it they are in parallel with each other already the way you have it now. I just woke up so my brain is not working yet, that is a really good design you have come up with it, has taking me awhile to fully understand it, but now that I have taking the time to connect a test loop up as you have proposed it should work fine for you.
 

RabidSnail

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Maybe its my misunderstanding of my own loop, but I thought I did have the CPU in parallel with the video cards?

And is there any CPU waterblock that you might recommend as having a low flow drop?
 

toolmaker_03

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The issue is the grove matrix or pin matrix that is utilized today in block design. Trying to force water through this will cause a restrictive situation. Old CPU blocks had a open design with only dips in the bottom of the block on the inside to cause turbulent flow within the block, but this design can not remove as much heat from a component as the blocks of today do. So for the systems of today, a change in configuration must be made and it is what you have designed, it is the evolution of the water cooling system, to parallel the components together with thick radiators to keep the total system flow as high as possible.

I do not have two thick rads to link in series with each to check how the flows might be affected so you still have that option open as well of paralleling the rads if need be.
 

Buzz247

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Nope - just randomly post things with no personal experience or research. .. (sic)

Anyway, block I have used previously have led my experience to develop this understanding. Obviously you have had different results. Although, a number of posts have made suggested changes along the same lines, up to and including placing ram and nb blocks on a separate loop to alleviate restriction issues. Suppose a lot depends on what block and internal design you prefer using. I'll move along and not disturb the discussion further
 

RabidSnail

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regardless of whats causing restrictions, there seems to be a general concern with overall pressure in my loop somewhere from start to finish. I kind of have my heart set on this loop so I think I would like to try the loop and am willing to ass a second pump if necessary. So my questions from here out are:
1) How would i tell if there is too much pressure drop somewhere in my loop?
2) If there is too much pressure drop somewhere, is there a tool/ component i can buy to determine where the largest pressure drop is occurring? (similar to a voltage meter?)
3) If i were to add a second pump in, could I just place it in series after the first pump?
 

toolmaker_03

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Pressure can be directly related to the total flow of the system so a simple flow meter(bitspower and koolance make nice ones) can be used to determine if the system is functioning properly with the hardware you have I would be looking for flows of 4000RPM+ for the total system flow.

I have never placed two pumps in a loop in series with each other, one right after the other.
If I added a second pump to this loop it would be at the point where the loop comes out of the bottom video card.
 

RabidSnail

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I was rethinking my airflow through the case, And originally I was planning on having all the rad fans set up as push, and having them exhaust, but the more I think about it Im debating on having the bottom ones intakes. I would flip the fans around to make them push still, but have them push air into the case, and out the top. Good idea or bad?
 

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