Planning out a water cooling system

[phoenix777]

I will be using the HAF 932 full tower case, gonna try to fit everything inside to make it look nice and neat.

here is a list of parts I will be using: (3/8 ID tubing)

Plus: coolant, clamps, fittings, ect.

I'm thinking of routing the flow this way:
Pump-->Rad-->CPU Block-->GPU Block--->GPU Block -->Res.--> Back to pump
btw, is it a good idea to plit the water route into 2? like this

I'm also considering of putting a small Rad between CPU and GPU blocks, but I don't think there is a place to fit it inside the case. Is it even necessary?

edit: The CPU is i7-930 no OC, the GPU is EVGA GTX 470 in SLi

suggestions or comments are appreciated. This will be my first water cooled system, hopefully I didn't miss anything.

 

[wolfram23]

A single 360 rad isn't enough for a CPU and two GPUs. You'll need two 260 or 360.

To keep everything as cool as possible, you could go
res>pump>rad>cpu>rad>spit into both gpus>merge into res

I think if you add another rad and 2 gpu blocks, you might need a bigger pump as well.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

on mobile so sorry for short answer,
Res,pump cpu,gpu rad return to res
it may be better to consider a seperate loop for the gpu's though
Moto

 

[phoenix777]

A single 360 rad isn't enough for a CPU and two GPUs. You'll need two 260 or 360.

To keep everything as cool as possible, you could go
res>pump>rad>cpu>rad>spit into both gpus>merge into res

I think if you add another rad and 2 gpu blocks, you might need a bigger pump as well.

hmm... u sure it's not enough? I've seen many water cooled systems online with only one 120mm triple rad supporting one CPU and two GPUs. I guess I can also mount a 120mm single in the back for the CPU if I have to.

 

[simon12]

You have 1 of the hottest running processors and 2 very hot running GPUs, I am no expert but I think you need a 240 for the CPU and a 360 for the cards.

 

[rubix_1011]

^Yep. Here is a simple breakdown of what you will need per component:

Surface area in 120mm rad area:

CPU minimum of 1.5x120mm...better to make it 2x120

GPU minimum of 2x120mm per GPU. If you run SLI or Crossfire, double this.

If you run a dual-GPU card, each GPU needs 2x120mm...even with a full coverage block. (duh)

 

[wolfram23]

If you're looking for a 5C delta, here's chart on that Black Ice rad

http://www.skinneelabs.com/hwlabs-gtx360.html?page=4

So not sure quite how much wattage you need to dissipate, but it's probably ~500W, which means you could pull it off on this RAD but you'd need 3 super high flow fans and it would be loud.

 

[rubix_1011]

For about $55 each, you could run 2x Swiftech MCR320's (which is what I run) with lower speed fans. You'd need 2 radiators, but you wouldn't be pushing the limits of a single rad using jet engine fans to cool it.

 

[phoenix777]

the fan in the picture is this one, which has 63CFM
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_49&products_id=27010
or I can go for one of these even faster fans...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185065&cm_re=Scythe_fan-_-35-185-065-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185059&cm_re=Scythe_fan-_-35-185-059-_-Product

A review I read says that Black Ice radiators work extremely well with high CFM fans. So I think I will just use a 3x120mm rad for the GPUs and a 2x120mm rad for the CPU. The 3x1200mm rad should fit inside the case, the 2x120mm rad will have to be mounted out in the back.

Any suggestions on which fan I should use?


Thanks again

 

[rubix_1011]

You are going to want something that moves 70cfm or more for those BIX rads. If you are running 2 rads anyway, just use Swiftech rads...they are cheaper and perform great for the price. Plus, you don't need turbo fans on them, just modest CFM ones.