Water cooling loop order, GPU or CPU first?
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Overclocking
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GPUs
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CPUs
- Water Cooling
Last response: in Overclocking
Perriwing
June 18, 2013 11:38:14 AM
I have looked at the WC sticky 2.0, but it never mentioned if I should cool the CPU or GPU first. I plan on building a new PC and thought about trying out WC.
My build:
-Maximus VI Formula [For the cross-chill heatsink as it supports WC]
-I7-4770K
-16 GB Vengeance Pro ram 1866 Mhz
-Asus GTX 780 OC, GTX Titan or ROG Poseidon [For the Air/WC hybrid cooling option]
-EKWB 480mm Coolstream XT or XTX [not sure which is better]
-Corsair SP120 Quiet edition fans
-EK-Supremacy - Acetal + Nickel
-Solid tubing
-Corsair 800D/900D
My questions:
-What should the order be? currently, its
res---->pump---->rad---->CPU---->cross-chill VRM heatsink---->GPU
-Which rad is better? between the two, as my country only has EKWB
-What type of GPU water block is best? full cover or GPU only?
-What res and pump do I need for a single GPU and CPU loop?
-To do a loop with solid tubes, what thickness must they be? As most guides use standard tubing.
-On EKWB CPU blocks, whats the difference between the acetal, nickel and copper blocks?
-Should I add the chipset or ram to the loop?
-Are there decent alternatives to distilled water? Most of it in my city is actually de-ionised even the batch from the school's labs.
I may have more questions as I come to understand more about WC, and before you refer me back to the WC sticky, I HAVE READ IT BUT THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS WHICH I PREFER A DIRECT ANSWER FOR. Caps just to emphasize my point.
To those who respond, thanks for any assistance rendered. Thanks for the help.
My build:
-Maximus VI Formula [For the cross-chill heatsink as it supports WC]
-I7-4770K
-16 GB Vengeance Pro ram 1866 Mhz
-Asus GTX 780 OC, GTX Titan or ROG Poseidon [For the Air/WC hybrid cooling option]
-EKWB 480mm Coolstream XT or XTX [not sure which is better]
-Corsair SP120 Quiet edition fans
-EK-Supremacy - Acetal + Nickel
-Solid tubing
-Corsair 800D/900D
My questions:
-What should the order be? currently, its
res---->pump---->rad---->CPU---->cross-chill VRM heatsink---->GPU
-Which rad is better? between the two, as my country only has EKWB
-What type of GPU water block is best? full cover or GPU only?
-What res and pump do I need for a single GPU and CPU loop?
-To do a loop with solid tubes, what thickness must they be? As most guides use standard tubing.
-On EKWB CPU blocks, whats the difference between the acetal, nickel and copper blocks?
-Should I add the chipset or ram to the loop?
-Are there decent alternatives to distilled water? Most of it in my city is actually de-ionised even the batch from the school's labs.
I may have more questions as I come to understand more about WC, and before you refer me back to the WC sticky, I HAVE READ IT BUT THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS WHICH I PREFER A DIRECT ANSWER FOR. Caps just to emphasize my point.
To those who respond, thanks for any assistance rendered. Thanks for the help.
More about : water cooling loop order gpu cpu
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Best solution
-What type of GPU water block is best? full cover or GPU only?
Full cover!
-What res and pump do I need for a single GPU and CPU loop?
Don’t matter but more water = longer for it to heat up.
-To do a loop with solid tubes, what thickness must they be?
As most guides use standard tubing. Soild tubes are like Bits Power Crystal Link there like crazy expensive.
-On EKWB CPU blocks, whats the difference between the acetal, nickel and copper blocks?
Acetel is that black material most water blocks use for the top. The sticky covers whats types of metal to use. Copper.
-Should I add the chipset or ram to the loop?
Only if you want to be fancy or want to super overclock.
-Are there decent alternatives to distilled water? Most of it in my city is actually de-ionised even the batch from the school's labs.
de-ionised can causes metal fatigue and brake down but only on some types of metals, I would and only use distilled water if at all possible.
Full cover!
-What res and pump do I need for a single GPU and CPU loop?
Don’t matter but more water = longer for it to heat up.
-To do a loop with solid tubes, what thickness must they be?
As most guides use standard tubing. Soild tubes are like Bits Power Crystal Link there like crazy expensive.
-On EKWB CPU blocks, whats the difference between the acetal, nickel and copper blocks?
Acetel is that black material most water blocks use for the top. The sticky covers whats types of metal to use. Copper.
-Should I add the chipset or ram to the loop?
Only if you want to be fancy or want to super overclock.
-Are there decent alternatives to distilled water? Most of it in my city is actually de-ionised even the batch from the school's labs.
de-ionised can causes metal fatigue and brake down but only on some types of metals, I would and only use distilled water if at all possible.
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Perriwing
June 18, 2013 1:42:29 PM
I read that certain brands of mineral water can be used in replacement for distilled water? And why copper? nickel appears to be the most expensive, so is there a reason for that?
Finally, for the solid tubing, I cant just use acrylic tubes? If so I have plenty lying around. For the pump and res, there is no fixed pressure or volume needed to maintain the loop?
Thanks btw
Edit: Just read that the difference is that its a nickel plated copper coldplate on the block, to prevent oxidation it seems. It mentioned that it would have problems with nuke and killcoils?
Finally, for the solid tubing, I cant just use acrylic tubes? If so I have plenty lying around. For the pump and res, there is no fixed pressure or volume needed to maintain the loop?
Thanks btw
Edit: Just read that the difference is that its a nickel plated copper coldplate on the block, to prevent oxidation it seems. It mentioned that it would have problems with nuke and killcoils?
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Perriwing
June 18, 2013 2:01:53 PM
I read that certain brands of mineral water can be used in replacement for distilled water?
ABSOLUTELY NOT EVER.
And why copper? Nickel appears to be the most expensive, so is there a reason for that?
Too long to explain. Just type it in google you saw why and Ek is famous for nickel failure.
Finally, for the solid tubing, I can’t just use acrylic tubes?
Acrylic brakes down with a few additives I don’t recall one at the moment. So unable to help there.
If so I have plenty lying around. For the pump and res, there is no fixed pressure or volume needed to maintain the loop?
Not really the difference from the smallest tubing to the largest tubing is like .01 degree.
Some people may disagree. There is also aesthetics to think about.
ABSOLUTELY NOT EVER.
And why copper? Nickel appears to be the most expensive, so is there a reason for that?
Too long to explain. Just type it in google you saw why and Ek is famous for nickel failure.
Finally, for the solid tubing, I can’t just use acrylic tubes?
Acrylic brakes down with a few additives I don’t recall one at the moment. So unable to help there.
If so I have plenty lying around. For the pump and res, there is no fixed pressure or volume needed to maintain the loop?
Not really the difference from the smallest tubing to the largest tubing is like .01 degree.
Some people may disagree. There is also aesthetics to think about.
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Bottled water is mineral water - that is addressed. Do not use. States use distilled or manufacturer coolant (which notes possible issues.
Cu has better thermal properties than Ni - also addressed. Nickle plating is asthetic and outer surface protection. EK issue is also addressed as an issue caused by a previous method of plating no longer used.
Tubing doesn't matter as long as fittings work with it, and ID not recommended below 3/8 - also addressed. Principles of silcone tubing apply to acrylic even if not mentioned. Tubes is tubes. Glycol, as in antifreeze breaksdown acrylic. Also addressed
Yes, your specific questions may not have been answered in direct form. But all the parts are there in relevance to them. I was just trying to determine if rhere was something outside of that
Cu has better thermal properties than Ni - also addressed. Nickle plating is asthetic and outer surface protection. EK issue is also addressed as an issue caused by a previous method of plating no longer used.
Tubing doesn't matter as long as fittings work with it, and ID not recommended below 3/8 - also addressed. Principles of silcone tubing apply to acrylic even if not mentioned. Tubes is tubes. Glycol, as in antifreeze breaksdown acrylic. Also addressed
Yes, your specific questions may not have been answered in direct form. But all the parts are there in relevance to them. I was just trying to determine if rhere was something outside of that
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Perriwing
June 18, 2013 7:41:32 PM
Perriwing
June 18, 2013 8:29:56 PM
Perriwing
June 18, 2013 10:58:17 PM
No - said it breaks down with certain additives, which I identified as glycol based such as antifreeze. Use distilled water - no problems to be had.
Premptive answer to a question you likely will pose - only Bitspower Crystal Link fittings are suitable for use with acrylic tubes without mod hassle. So your tubes must have ID 12mm to fit. Monsoon was working on some but I don't know if they released them yet
Premptive answer to a question you likely will pose - only Bitspower Crystal Link fittings are suitable for use with acrylic tubes without mod hassle. So your tubes must have ID 12mm to fit. Monsoon was working on some but I don't know if they released them yet
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Perriwing
June 19, 2013 1:18:31 AM
Dont use Mineral water in a water-loop, the whole point of using Distilled is to get rid of those minerals. Also the Distilled water you can buy at any supermarket is fine, usually in the cleaning isle. Theres no need for "Premium" distilled water, once it hits your loop its all the same anyway.
Copper has the highest thermal conductivity of the typical water-cooling metals.
Solid tubing can be done, and acrylic is a common choice for this. The packaged option is Bitspower Crystal Link's however for something like th pictures show then chances are you will need to be making your own.
Acrylic does break down and crack when it makes contact with Ethanol (alcohol), so running something like Ethelyne Glycol (anti-freeze) isn't a good idea. This also applies to most reservoirs and blocks which use Acrylic covers.
Im not entirely sure how Acrylic tubes are mounted, I imagine some kind of threaded compression would do but you will want to look into it.
Copper has the highest thermal conductivity of the typical water-cooling metals.
Solid tubing can be done, and acrylic is a common choice for this. The packaged option is Bitspower Crystal Link's however for something like th pictures show then chances are you will need to be making your own.
Acrylic does break down and crack when it makes contact with Ethanol (alcohol), so running something like Ethelyne Glycol (anti-freeze) isn't a good idea. This also applies to most reservoirs and blocks which use Acrylic covers.
Im not entirely sure how Acrylic tubes are mounted, I imagine some kind of threaded compression would do but you will want to look into it.
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Perriwing
June 19, 2013 4:01:56 AM
As I mentioned the most common is Bitspower Crystal Links. They "bite" into the tube which is why they also work for copper tubing. Compression or barb fittings can be used, but require heating tube ends and forming over fitting. Only options - up until 5 days ago!
(Drum roll please!) Enter Primochill Rigid Tubing and Fittings! Multi color options, 3/8ID 1/2OD sold in 4pk 24" or single 36". Fittings specifically designed for acrylic tube use with true compression o ring seats. Goto frozencpu.com, tubing, rigid tubes, check em out - and watch vids. I smell a redesign coming for my mountain mod!
(Drum roll please!) Enter Primochill Rigid Tubing and Fittings! Multi color options, 3/8ID 1/2OD sold in 4pk 24" or single 36". Fittings specifically designed for acrylic tube use with true compression o ring seats. Goto frozencpu.com, tubing, rigid tubes, check em out - and watch vids. I smell a redesign coming for my mountain mod!
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Perriwing
June 19, 2013 8:07:48 PM
Perriwing
June 19, 2013 10:48:57 PM
Perriwing
June 20, 2013 5:04:41 AM
Short answer, yes it makes a difference.
But the difference is so small, that you would need 30 right angle adapters before it makes any noticeable difference, and even that's fairly insignificant.
Long answer.
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/01/30/fittings-and-elb...
But the difference is so small, that you would need 30 right angle adapters before it makes any noticeable difference, and even that's fairly insignificant.
Long answer.
http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/01/30/fittings-and-elb...
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Perriwing
June 20, 2013 5:33:02 AM
Perriwing
June 20, 2013 5:38:36 AM
40% more flow restriction on a CPU block (which is designed to be high flow, so already a low restriction) compared to a straight tube, not 40% less flow.
Also consider that his test bench is just a pump, that CPU block and a pressure gauge, its not too representative of an actual loop. In an actual loop, I think you wouldn't even be able to measure the difference.
Also consider that his test bench is just a pump, that CPU block and a pressure gauge, its not too representative of an actual loop. In an actual loop, I think you wouldn't even be able to measure the difference.
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Perriwing
June 20, 2013 8:02:18 AM
@manofchalk My friend was suggesting that I should just stick to standard tubing not solid tubing. Right now, I'm slightly worried that having too many elbow fittings in a row would stack up to reduce the effectiveness of my loop as there will be alot of them in it.....any opinions on which I should use?
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Solid tubing can be bent any shape, angle, soft or sharp you realize right? So whole loop can be done with zero right angles. Even so, if you have more than 12 in a basic loop (which has negligible impact), probably should be looking at component placement anyway. Bottom line - opinions are just that. If you aren't comfortable with solid tubing don't do it! Go with what you are comfortable with and will keep you happy down the road.
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Perriwing
June 20, 2013 10:02:44 AM
Problem is I like the clean look of solid tubing, but I'm not comfortable with bending the acrylic [had some trouble with heating strips and acrylic in the past]. So I prefer to use 90 degree fittings to align the tubes to the parts, hence the high of elbow joints.....trying to find out how many is too many.....on a side note, I may just go for the standard tubing if this proves too inefficient......
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Martin said:
If you are building a piece of art which many people do….by all means add the fittings as needed for the cleanest possible look. Sure some extra fittings will add restriction, but it’s very minor. As the chart shows, it would take almost 30 each 90 degree elbows to add up to 1 degree in CPU temp rise. Half a dozen to get to aesthetic perfection is perfectly fine from an art priority perspective. So don't worry about it.
I get that your friend in an engineer but in science most experiments end up contradictory to the established theory we because of unknown factors- in this case there only so hot your water will ever get. Because do to the radiator cooling it off your using as such the water temp never really changes.
In my system pump setting 1 and pump setting 5 on a D5 pump is maybe like 5 degrees in temps
Hell even when I had the pump clogged and it still was adding rumbling to the line keeping my temps low.
I would also like to note I am using a sub ambient system so my temps are normally 10-20 degrees below room temp.
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Perriwing
June 20, 2013 8:13:55 PM
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