Comment on a new system

[CKLayoka]

So I've been researching water cooling for a few days now, and here is a possible system (I think):

Pumps: 2x Swiftech MCP350's inside the EK-DDC Dual TOP V.2
Reservoir: Attached to Pump (RES Combo); 140 mm tube with EK-Multioption Top and EK-Multioption Link
Radiators: 2x Airplex Revolutions with 3x 140 mm fans each (pull only, Cooler Master R4-24S 1000 RPM)
CPU Block: Koolance CPU-370
GPU Block: EK-FC6990 Acetal + Nickel

Flow plan: Pump->CPU->GPU->Rad #1->Rad #2->Res->Pump

I plan to put the pump and res inside the case but the radiators (obviously) outside.

This is system is for cooling an overclocked Phenom II 955 and an overclocked Radeon 6990 (with a possible second 6990 in a future year).

I have 2 questions:
1. What do you guys think about my plan so far? Solid?
2. What brand of tubing/fittings should I use to make my loop? I know I need something thick and flexible, but more than that I have no idea.

Thanks!

 

[bejabbers]

you don't need 2 pumps.
I use primochill tubing with compression fittings, but you could use barbs, they work equally as well.

 

[rubix_1011]

Why the MCP350's and not a 355 or 35x? You'd be better off with one of the latter unless you are running the 18v version of the 350.

 

[CKLayoka]

What about the 655?

 

[rubix_1011]

I own a D5/MCP655- they are also great pumps. Higher flow rate than the DDC/MCP pumps, but not as much head pressure (which is ideal for multi-block loops), but either way, they are all excellent pumps for under $200.

 

[CKLayoka]

So what would you recommend for more head pressure?

 

[rubix_1011]

Any of the pumps listed above would be fine...just no real reason to run 2x of them ...unless you wanted redundancy or really good flow rates (or a dual/hybrid loop).

 

[CKLayoka]

How does this look with a 355?

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7272/ex-pmp-63/XSPC_Laing_DDC_Reservoir_Pump_Attachment_w_MCP-350355_No_Fittings.html

 

[rubix_1011]

It looks just like it would in the photo.

Seriously though...would work well.

 

[CKLayoka]

Haha thanks. Well that's settled.

But what about my radiators? Good plan?

And then, I assume I should be using 3/8" tubing because of the pump barbs?

 

[rubix_1011]

If you are using that top/res, you can use any G1/4" fitting barbs you want. The 3/8"ID is the stock top size, but since you're replacing it, you aren't limited to this. See the WC sticky if you are confused about G1/4" and barb sizes, there is a description in there.

I'd say rads are fine...should be good to go there. However, if you are running a CPU and single GPU loop, you probably only need 1 of them.

 

[CKLayoka]

The reason I like 2 rads is because there's a possibility of a second GPU in the future and I plan to overclock both the CPU and GPU--better safe than sorry?

I was looking at the skinneelabs data and it seemed to indicate that 1 airplex rad would not cool the wattage that my system would produce with a strong OC.

I've been using your sticky as a guide and I have to say it has been enormously helpful--my hat is off to you. I've think I've had it open in Chrome for like 4 days now.

As for the tubing, I'm looking at this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12795/ex-tub-829/PrimoChill_PrimoFlex_PRO_LRT_Tubing_38_ID_58_OD_with_18_Wall_-_10ft_Retail_Pack_-_Black_PFLEXP10-58-BK.html#blank

Sound good?

 

[rubix_1011]

If you are going to run 3/8"ID all around, sure thing, it's good stuff.

If you are going to add to the loop later...extra rads are always good; I liken it to a small car with a lot of power...you could get away with less, but more is a lot more fun...is it not?

 

[CKLayoka]

Well then I guess that just leaves the blocks. I picked the Koolance block based on Skinneelabs; they were full of praise and it seemed to do well in the charts. The GPU block looked the most legit out of the list:

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g30/c309/s1389/list/p1/Liquid_Cooling-Water_Blocks_VGA_-_Card_-_ATI-HD_6990_Water_Blocks-Page1.html

But I really don't know how to tell.
The blocks good then?

 

[Homeboy2]

The reason I like 2 rads is because there's a possibility of a second GPU in the future and I plan to overclock both the CPU and GPU--better safe than sorry?

I was looking at the skinneelabs data and it seemed to indicate that 1 airplex rad would not cool the wattage that my system would produce with a strong OC.

I've been using your sticky as a guide and I have to say it has been enormously helpful--my hat is off to you. I've think I've had it open in Chrome for like 4 days now.

As for the tubing, I'm looking at this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12795/ex-tub-829/PrimoChill_PrimoFlex_PRO_LRT_Tubing_38_ID_58_OD_with_18_Wall_-_10ft_Retail_Pack_-_Black_PFLEXP10-58-BK.html#blank

Sound good?

You can get 10 ft for 16 bucks on Amazon.

 

[rubix_1011]

^Yeah, FrozenCPU is one of the more expensive online retailers. They have great selection and is a great place to start your search, but you can often find better prices elsewhere. I'll admit, I've spend a LOT of money on their site, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[CKLayoka]

Thanks, I'll be sure to check other retailers, too. I've just been using frozencpu to reference the parts.

So it looks like I'll be ordering these components, then, not necessarily from these sites:

XSPX Laing DDC Res with MCP355: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7272/ex-pmp-63/XSPC_Laing_DDC_Reservoir_Pump_Attachment_w_MCP-350355_No_Fittings.html
2 Airplex Revolution Rads: http://www.aquatuning.us/product_info.php/info/p8242_Aquacomputer-airplex-Revolution-420-360-G1-4.html
6 140mm fans for rads: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103078&Tpk=r4-s4s
Koolance CPU-370 block: http://www.amazon.com/CPU-370-CPU-1-5mm-Midplate-nozzles/dp/B004QOJ4GW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319075087&sr=1-1
Ek F6990 Acetal + Nickel Block: http://www.aquatuning.us/product_info.php/language/en/info/p11686_EK-Water-Blocks-EK-FC6990-Acetal---Nickel.html/mod_alsopurchased/1
Primochill 3/8ID 5/8OD Tubing: http://www.amazon.com/PrimoFlex-Black-Tubing-8in-10ft/dp/B0047EI7DW/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1319074895&sr=8-20
...and a bunch of 3/8" fittings.

Please let me know if anything looks funky.

I'm just wondering now...
Silvercoil (make/model) or algaecide for the res?
Best kind of thermal paste?

Thanks a lot for your help, everyone.

 

[boiler1990]

So it looks like I'll be ordering these components, then, not necessarily from these sites:

I was gonna say, that CPU-370 is expensive on Amazon. The XSPC Raystorm is one the top 3 blocks for ~$50-60, which basically undercuts everybody else.

I'm just wondering now...
Silvercoil (make/model) or algaecide for the res?
Best kind of thermal paste?

Doesn't matter which one you pick. I've heard some people say use either a killcoil or PT Nuke, and I've heard that using both is ok as well.

Rubix was also testing the effects of putting the killcoil close to your pump.

As for thermal paste, make sure to use a non-conductive paste for the GPU (I use Artic MX-2). EK recommends putting a dab of paste on the VRMs for better heat transfer (explained in the manual), and if you use a conductive paste you'll fry the circuits. You can also use it on your CPU, though I used Arctic Silver 5 just because I had it at the time.

 

[rubix_1011]

Doesn't matter which one you pick. I've heard some people say use either a killcoil or PT Nuke, and I've heard that using both is ok as well.

Yeah, should be just fine using both.

Rubix was also testing the effects of putting the killcoil close to your pump.

Still going...couple more days with the killcoil right next to the pump and sitting on top of the PSU. I'm not seeing anything cloud the tubing- still looks very clear in there.

 

[boiler1990]

Still going...couple more days with the killcoil right next to the pump and sitting on top of the PSU. I'm not seeing anything cloud the tubing- still looks very clear in there.

I just recently sold my X2O and noticed a sparkly film on the bottom of the reservoir. I don't have anything in my loop besides PT Nuke.

I think either there's junk in my rads or my nickel blocks are eroding slowly...

 

[rubix_1011]

Almost a week on the killcoil...tubing is crystal clear.

 

[CKLayoka]

Rubix, what killcoil are you using?

 

[rubix_1011]

The one listed on Petra's:

http://www.petrastechshop.com/sikibyia.html

 

[CKLayoka]

Thanks all for the help! I'll start collecting the parts in the next month!

Cheers.

 

[CKLayoka]

Best answer selected by cklayoka.