Radiator Thermal Budget - First Time Watercooling Design Question

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daveys93

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I am considering doing a watercooling build in the next year (I am the kind of person that needs to really do some research and learn about stuff before I attempt something) and I have a question about radiators.

It seems to me that radiators and fan count/speed/arrangement dictate the amount of heat that can be removed. I was reading this article on radiator reviews (http://martinsliquidlab.org/2012/04/14/360-radiator-shootout-summary/) and I was wondering how you determine that amount/size of the radiators required to cool your components.

I was specifically interested in the XSPC RS360 (360 mm) radiator and how well it would cool a GTX 770. The TDP of a GTX 770 at stock is ~230W and according to the graphs in that article (at least how I am interpreting them) I would need to have the fans running at 1800+ RPMs on a 360 mm radiator just to keep up with the one GTX 770? So if I intended to SLI two GTX 770 & an i7 processor (75-100+ W TDP) does that mean I would need two 360 mm radiators (for the GPUs) and something like a 240 mm radiator (for the CPU) JUST to keep all of that in check WITHOUT overclocking?

I have seen pictures of peoples watercooling builds and I want to say that I have seen people watercool two GPUs and their CPU with less than 3 big radiators.

Can someone straighten me out?

Also I am thinking of doing two watercooled GPUs + a water cooled CPU, with a dual slot 5.25" bay reservoir/pump and room for fans, radiators, tubing, cable management, etc. Please feel free to throw out some case suggestions if you have one. I have been scratching my head the most on that issue and all I can think that would work well is a Corsair 900D but that thing is expensive ($350)!

I appreciate you all taking the time to read this and I look forward to your answers.
 
Solution
rubix_1011
I love it when folks are doing their watercooling prep homework...you are well on track, here. I'll try to help you along with some suggestions of what I would do.

An RX360 could get you more of what you want...the RS360 is a thinner rad, the RX is much thicker. The EX rad is thin like an RS with higher fin and tube density which performs like an RX. If you wanted to run both GPUs and CPU stock, either an RX or EX 360 with 1800-2000 RPM fans would do well for you...or consider a higher-end radiator than XSPC offers. If you decide to overclock, you should consider more radiator space depending on clocks...and I strongly recommend more rad space if you even think this might happen as you are already close to the cooling threshold of...
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kewlguy239

kewlguy239

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unless you are going for world record benchmarking, you don't really need to provide a water loop on your SLI GTX 770s. Most brands have sufficient cooling for a beefy overclock of the 770, especially EVGA's ACX cooler models. If you could eliminate the need for water cooled video cards, you could just get a standard 120mm radiator and set it up with a push/pull fan. Corsair offers very high quality watercoolers for CPUs for cheap prices (Starting at $50) and any of them would give your CPU a lot more overclocking headroom.

but again, if your goal is world record benchmarks, then a more complicated, custom, single radiator waterloop is needed. but with anything "custom" you will pay a lot of money for it.
 
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daveys93

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Thanks for the reply but not exactly an answer to my question.

I want to try watercooling not for the expectation of massive performance gains, but instead just as a hobby. I really like building PCs and reading about all kinds of components and technology and I think this is something that would provide me with a lot of entertainment value. I like to plan stuff out and read about everything that is available, so I just want to make sure that before I move forward I am doing so with a correct understanding of the requirements and recommendations of people with more experience than I.

 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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I love it when folks are doing their watercooling prep homework...you are well on track, here. I'll try to help you along with some suggestions of what I would do.

An RX360 could get you more of what you want...the RS360 is a thinner rad, the RX is much thicker. The EX rad is thin like an RS with higher fin and tube density which performs like an RX. If you wanted to run both GPUs and CPU stock, either an RX or EX 360 with 1800-2000 RPM fans would do well for you...or consider a higher-end radiator than XSPC offers. If you decide to overclock, you should consider more radiator space depending on clocks...and I strongly recommend more rad space if you even think this might happen as you are already close to the cooling threshold of a single, good 360 with proper flow and fans. If you total your loop TDP, you are likely looking at something along the lines of the following (considering GPUs+CPU stock speeds):

230+230+100= 560w

I usually recommend taking 85-90% of this total as you can't have 100% TDP efficiency of power/watts used vs heat/watts as an output.

Now, you have to start thinking of what components to use for this type of loop- something with good head pressure and good flow. Also have to consider the GPU blocks being used in addition to CPU block, etc. XSPC D5 or DDC kit + GPU blocks of choice...or getting 770's with pre-installed blocks?
 
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Solution
toolmaker_03

toolmaker_03

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Hello perspective builder I have been water cooling for some years now and have enjoyed every minute of it both the ups and downs. Ok with that I would also like to warn you that if left unchecked like any big boy toys this can become quite expensive.
As for the purposed water cooling loop with one CPU one GPU not overclocked a single thick 360mm radiator will surface with decent results.
A duel GPU not O/Ced setup I would build a loop for that alone a single 360mm 80mm thick monstra radiator will work, but two thinner 360mm radiators does work better.
The CPU not O/Ced a single 240mm radiator will work.
I hope this helps, and if you’re interested I do have a build log to look at as well, ask questions if you have any others.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274855-29-experimental-radiator-build/page-12
the last four pages are where I am at now.
 
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manofchalk

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Better rads and better fans is the answer to your question.
As mentioned by Rubix, the RS series is a slim, low FPI rad, it wont get you the best performance. Thicker, higher FPI rads like an RX series will get you the better thermal performance. Toolmaker mentioned Monstra rad's before, they are very thick (60 or 80mm) rads that are starting to become more popular as of late. If your case has the room, they are a good option.
Fans are also fairly important in this aspect, the 1650RPM Xinrullians that come with the XSPC kits are fairly good (especially for their price aftermarket, their what I use), but it if your looking for best possible performance you want to be looking a bit higher.

I personally just go overkill with slimmer radiators rather than getting higher performance thick ones. In Australia, an RX360 goes for $85, while an EX360 can be had for $55. Then add that for slim radiators you dont need amazing fans to get their full performance, its far cheaper to go overkill with slim rads then getting thicker rads and trying to leverage their superior performance.
I have an RS360 (came with my Raystorm kit) and an EX360 cooling a 3570k and 7970 using the Xinrullian fans I mentioned before. As I said, fairly overkill but it means I have the thermal headroom to turn my fans down to ~800RPM and have no difference in temps.

But yes, for what you are doing you will need a fair amount of radiator space. For a loop like that, I would estimate a 2x360mm or 360+240mm thick rads. You might have to get creative where the rads are mounted, though there are some cases that can handle that much internally (The NZXT Switch 810 is a good option).

 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

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I'm thinking if he wants to just go stock speeds, he can get by on a single loop with a good single 360 rad and good fans. Delta won't be the best ever, but it would keep the system cooled without needing to build bigger.

Best case scenario, you run dual loops with a 240 for CPU and a 360 for the GPUs.

Intermediate scenario, single loop with 360+240 (or 140mm/120mm)

Bone stock, never push the turbo button on CPU or GPUs- good, quality 360, good 1800-2000 RPM fans

Not sure about loop components, hasn't been answered whether 770's will be factory installed blocks and other purchase components. I have some good ideas, but want to see what OP has come up with so far. :)
 
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