Decided to Open Loop cool my system... pls help

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Candan

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Jul 27, 2014
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Hi all

Due to the bloody earsplitting noise of my 2 GTX 980 GPUs when gaming (assuming the top one is the loudest as it's eating the heat of the bottom one) I have decided - I think - To go with an open loop system. Trouble is, I'm a virgin for open loops and don't know where to start or what to buy. Newegg blew my brains with options.

Currently, I have a case full of fans and other than the GPUs, it runs pretty quiet.

I want to at least watercool the GPUs, but wonder if it makes sense to loop in the CPU at the same time, or never bother as the air is doing an OK job, or add later. I assume if I decide to add later it will be more costly as I'll need to make changes to what I've built?

Current system...
i7 - 6700k with EVO 212
2 x EVGA GTX 980 FTW (not reference so closed loop is out of the question pretty much)
NZXT H440 (not the coolest of cases)
Seasonic 750w 80+ Gold

I'm not looking for a cheapo "that'll do" solution, but I also am not showing off the system. It just needs to work and work well.

I'd really appreciate some decent guidance and recommendations of the parts I need to make this work!

Thanks a bunch!
 
Solution
jossrik
Ok, to start... You'll need
Radiator to get rid of heat You can get them under 100$, I think I paid 80 for mine
Blocks for each card, you're probably looking at 100$ or so a piece X2 cards
Pump, Huge range of pumps prices, 50$ - 250$
Reservoir, 50$ or so depending on what you get
Then the incidentals, Hose, fittings, Coolant.
2X fittings per part, one in one out
If you want more specifics after this I can help you as well as many others on the site.. It's a big step though going full custom.

I like Performance PCs, I live in FL and they're right down the street, good selection and pretty much all they do is fast or quiet or both.
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jossrik

jossrik

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Sep 26, 2002
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Ok, to start... You'll need
Radiator to get rid of heat You can get them under 100$, I think I paid 80 for mine
Blocks for each card, you're probably looking at 100$ or so a piece X2 cards
Pump, Huge range of pumps prices, 50$ - 250$
Reservoir, 50$ or so depending on what you get
Then the incidentals, Hose, fittings, Coolant.
2X fittings per part, one in one out
If you want more specifics after this I can help you as well as many others on the site.. It's a big step though going full custom.

I like Performance PCs, I live in FL and they're right down the street, good selection and pretty much all they do is fast or quiet or both.
 
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Solution
coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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As Jossrik says, it's a big job you have in mind, so be prepared to take a fair amount of time over it, the learning curve is as steep as you make it but there's a LOT to learn so take it at your own time and 'if in doubt, ask!'.

Couple of good points: The '440 supports some big radiators out of the box, 360mm front and top so there's plenty of potential there to be exploited.
Again, the '440 has room for a decent pump and res.

Some bad points:
Cost; It's going to be expensive, we're into a several hundred dollars minimum here.
Time; Apart from the long learning curve getting a liquid loop 'just right' takes time (and can become an obsession...Beware! ;) ).
Parts supply; before trying anything else you'll NEED to source the GPU water blocks and SLI cooling bridge connector FIRST, you can get around the SLI connector with a little careful work but without those all important GPU blocks the project is dead in the water.

Some other general points: Looks like the case won't support thick radiators, so look for 30 or 25mm ones.
Aim for a 360mm radiator, and mount it in the roof with the fans blowing OUT, in this configuration you won't need additional intake fans in the front nor any exhaust fan in the rear of the case.
With a fair amount of heat to dissipate, look for a rad with dense fins-over 9 FPI-and use high static pressure fans (usually marketed as 'SP' or 'static pressure' rather than 'high flow' or 'AF').
A massive pump and huge pipes aren't really required, 400l/Hr from the pump with a 2 metre head and 10x13mm (3/8x1/2") hose will be plenty, even if you add the CPU into the loop.
All the above sounds daunting, but it's possible with some homework, time and planning.

As an alternative: Drop the SLI 980s' and get a single GTX1070, selling the 980's will greatly offset the cost and while a single GTX1070 isn't quite as fast it'll be a great deal quieter and, overall, probably cheaper.
 
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Candan

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Jul 27, 2014
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Thanks guys, this is some great info to get me started and pointed in the right direction. I'm a bit concerned about the obsession bit. I can definitely see that! I'm already crazy about this crap and it drives the misses batty! HAHA!

coozie7, please advise what you mean by sourcing the GPU blocks first and the SLI cooling bridge. Forgive my ignorance but I don't know what a cooling bridge is. Is that something to do with the SLI connector? In which case, I can't use the one I have?
 
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jossrik

jossrik

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Cooling bridge, I believe he's talking about the connect for the two GPU blocks, because the blocks are the same and there's not much room between graphics cards, you have to get Blocks and connects that will work with your motherboard spacing.

Check out the EK blocks, and their dual card bits... https://www.ekwb.com/custom-loop-configurator/
That should start to point you in the right direction.

Oh ya, I know it sounds silly, but plan out your loop ahead of time. Take a piece of paper draw out your case approximately, where all the stuff that you want to cool is, plan out tubing and mounting and everything you can ahead of time.

Here's a sample of an EK interconnect for GPUs. http://www.performance-pcs.com/ek-fc-terminal-dual-parallel-1-slot-plexi.html
When I checked for an EK block though for the FTW card, didn't see one, said they don't make one. So ya, have to find a block...
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Yep, that's what I meant about the cooling/SLI bridge, some companies sell specialised connectors that make it a little easier to use dual cards by providing a part that connects two (or sometimes more) cards to the same loop.

Right now, I can't find any photos for your cards, you'll need to do a little research to find out what circuit board layout they use, it is ESSENTIAL to cool both the main GPU chip and the VRMs, failure to cool the Voltage Regulator Modules will kill the card!
 
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