3x120mm Black Ice Extreme

[badoosh]

Would a single 3x120mm Black Ice Extreme radiator be enough to cool a core i7 950 @3.8Ghz and two MSI HD 6950's or would I have to have two radiators?

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2163/ex-rad-45/Black_Ice_Xtreme_III_Radiator_w_Customizable_Fittings_-_Black.html?tl=g30c95s161

or

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5326/ex-rad-109/Black_Ice_GTX_Xtreme_360_Radiator_-_Black.html?tl=g30c95s161

 

[delluser1]

IMO, you would need 2 rads.
Put the BIX out of your mind, it's a high FPI rad that requires screaming fans to get the job done.
Think about what's important to you, low noise and good temps, or more noise and even better temps, then do a little research.
http://skinneelabs.com/triple-radiator-comparison-v2/

 

[badoosh]

I am thinking of doing a dual loop cooling unit anyways with push-pull fan setup. So what about a 3x120 for the CPU (OC) and one for the GPU's?

 

[delluser1]

I am thinking of doing a dual loop cooling unit anyways with push-pull fan setup.

Why a dual-loop ? You definitely don't want to do that with a BIX

So what about a 3x120 for the CPU (OC) and one for the GPU's?

That's the way to go.
Have you perused thru the sticky and some of it's associated links yet ?
It's a good way to get started.

 

[rubix_1011]

You'd see better temps with a serial, single loop.

And like delluser1 stated...you are going to need something in the ballpark of 2x 3x120 rads for that config. If you go RX or PA TC rads, you can go with a little different config due to their performance.

 

[badoosh]

I have gone to the links and read it and seriously thinking about just what I said about a rad for the cpu and another for the gpu but what would be a good pump for that if I do it all in one loop? Also will a single 3x120 rad cool the cpu and a single gpu ok?

 

[orangejuice789]

A really good pump is the Swiftech MCP35x.

A single 3x120mm rad will likely not suffice to cool an overclocked CPU and a GPU, the rule of thump is about 240mm of rad space per component being cooled. As delluser1 said, two rads is your best bet unless you go with a single rad larger than 480mm.

 

[delluser1]

I have gone to the links and read it and seriously thinking about just what I said about a rad for the cpu and another for the gpu but what would be a good pump for that if I do it all in one loop? Also will a single 3x120 rad cool the cpu and a single gpu ok?

The MCP35x mentioned above is the latest and I guess greatest, haven't used it, just going by specs.
An MCP355 with a restop would do.
A Jingway DP600P would work as well, don't know your budget so just throwing out some options.
With a good low FPI rad ( see rubix's post ) and some medium high RPM fans ( AP GT 15's ) a single 360 should provide decent enough temps.

 

[rubix_1011]

MCP35x outperforms the 655 in flow and the 355 in head pressure...best of both worlds and is PWM capable.