Hi there guys!
Well, I've got 2x GTX 570s that run hot, frequently overheating. Probably a result of them being factory overclocked and being placed next to each other due to the design of my motherboard. I've been unable to find any after-market coolers that won't make the card take up an extra slot, so I'm thinking at this point that water cooling would be my best choice for getting these two beasts a little less hot under the collar. I've also been overclocking my CPU (Intel i7 980 Extreme), but it seems to be limited by my self-contained water-cooling system. And hey, it's unlocked, so why not take it to it's full potential?
OK, so the plan at the moment is a CPU, and 2x GPU water-cooling loop. My case actually has a little tray for a radiator, so I figure I should be putting it to use To begin with, SAFETY IS JOB ONE! I want to make sure this this doesn't put water anywhere it shouldn't. Since my case doesn't have any windows on it, looks are not important, what's more important is that the system is rock solid and doesn't case trouble. Here's my thoughts on this based on research, feel free to add anything or correct me:
1) I won't be using coolant with dyes in it. I will only occasionally see the liquid, so I'd rather avoid the possibility of the dyes causing trouble.
2) I will be using a barb and worm clamp combination. At first, I was going to use compression fittings, but then I saw how they only *just* hold the tubes in place, and they apparently have a habit of occasionally coming loose. I figure a barb is better, since the tube is stretched out over the fitting, rather than just being held in place. And I figure if I add a worm clamp to the thin end of the barb, the tube won't be going anywhere! I was also considering using some of tubes that you heat up which tighten when they cool.
3) I won't be using waterblocks that have clear Perspex parts. I've seen a few examples of the Perspex cracking in a few spots and leaking. Now that I think about it, all the clear Perspex parts of some of the tools we use at work have cracks in them too, seems to be the nature of the beast
4) The system will be tested outside of the case. Don't want to risk any parts getting wet, even if the system is off. As I mentioned, my case has a removable radiator tray, so I'm assuming installing the fully-built water loop shouldn't be much trouble.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on the basic safety of water-cooling, as to parts I was thinking:
XSPC Rasa 750 RS360 WaterCooling Kit - Seems to be a good kit for the price, though the kit only comes with a CPU block, so I'll need to add a few more parts. It comes with a three fan rad, which is the maximum size my case supports. I also like the res and pump are a combo, and it slots into a drive bay. How's the vibration on these things? As a long time aquarium owner, it's my experience that pumps like to vibrate themselves into just the right place where they can make annoying noises. Should I use silicon or something to dampen it? Also, would the design of this res cause problems with my case since it's drive bays are tool-less (i.e no screws holding it in)?
2x VGA water blocks - I'm thinking either the EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC570 GTX SE or the EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC580 DCII (Apparently my EVGA GTX 570 is compatible with the FC580 according to EK). They're almost the same price, what's the real difference between the two?
2x EK-FC Link Nvidia GeForce - I need these for SLI watercooling.
EK-FC Bridge Dual Serial 2-Slot - And one of these
Tubing: I'm still not sure what size I should use. 3/4 maybe? But I think this choice will be influence by the following...
Anti-kink coils - I really want to use some of these, not just for safty's sake, but I think they also look cool! I've found an online store that has some in appealing colors, but there's only a limited number of sizes, which is why I think my choice in tube size will be influence by what anti-kink coils are available.
Fittings - I'm not sure! There's so many to choose from! As I've said, I'm probably go for a barb and worm clamp combo.
Fluid - I've been reading about pre-mix vs simple deionised water with additives. But I think I'll still choose a pre-mix, namely the EC6 Non-Conductive Coolant (Clear), mostly for it's claims of electrical non-conductivity. Yes, pure water is technically non-conductive, but the description on the product claims it's less electrically conductive than other coolants, which makes me think you can add ingredients that make coolant less electrically-conductive. I dunno, but it's not that expensive.
So that's the list of hardware I'm thinking. I'm looking to buy them from the following online Australian stores:
PC Case Gear - These guys seem to be the cheapest.
GA Mods - They have a better selection, but are more expensive. I'm thinking I'll only buy what I need from these guys.
The Kool Room - They also have a nice selection of products.
So what do you guys think?
Well, I've got 2x GTX 570s that run hot, frequently overheating. Probably a result of them being factory overclocked and being placed next to each other due to the design of my motherboard. I've been unable to find any after-market coolers that won't make the card take up an extra slot, so I'm thinking at this point that water cooling would be my best choice for getting these two beasts a little less hot under the collar. I've also been overclocking my CPU (Intel i7 980 Extreme), but it seems to be limited by my self-contained water-cooling system. And hey, it's unlocked, so why not take it to it's full potential?
OK, so the plan at the moment is a CPU, and 2x GPU water-cooling loop. My case actually has a little tray for a radiator, so I figure I should be putting it to use
To begin with, SAFETY IS JOB ONE! I want to make sure this this doesn't put water anywhere it shouldn't. Since my case doesn't have any windows on it, looks are not important, what's more important is that the system is rock solid and doesn't case trouble. Here's my thoughts on this based on research, feel free to add anything or correct me:1) I won't be using coolant with dyes in it. I will only occasionally see the liquid, so I'd rather avoid the possibility of the dyes causing trouble.
2) I will be using a barb and worm clamp combination. At first, I was going to use compression fittings, but then I saw how they only *just* hold the tubes in place, and they apparently have a habit of occasionally coming loose. I figure a barb is better, since the tube is stretched out over the fitting, rather than just being held in place. And I figure if I add a worm clamp to the thin end of the barb, the tube won't be going anywhere! I was also considering using some of tubes that you heat up which tighten when they cool.
3) I won't be using waterblocks that have clear Perspex parts. I've seen a few examples of the Perspex cracking in a few spots and leaking. Now that I think about it, all the clear Perspex parts of some of the tools we use at work have cracks in them too, seems to be the nature of the beast
4) The system will be tested outside of the case. Don't want to risk any parts getting wet, even if the system is off.
As I mentioned, my case has a removable radiator tray, so I'm assuming installing the fully-built water loop shouldn't be much trouble. Anyway, that's my thoughts on the basic safety of water-cooling, as to parts I was thinking:
XSPC Rasa 750 RS360 WaterCooling Kit - Seems to be a good kit for the price, though the kit only comes with a CPU block, so I'll need to add a few more parts. It comes with a three fan rad, which is the maximum size my case supports. I also like the res and pump are a combo, and it slots into a drive bay. How's the vibration on these things? As a long time aquarium owner, it's my experience that pumps like to vibrate themselves into just the right place where they can make annoying noises. Should I use silicon or something to dampen it? Also, would the design of this res cause problems with my case since it's drive bays are tool-less (i.e no screws holding it in)?
2x VGA water blocks - I'm thinking either the EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC570 GTX SE or the EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC580 DCII (Apparently my EVGA GTX 570 is compatible with the FC580 according to EK). They're almost the same price, what's the real difference between the two?
2x EK-FC Link Nvidia GeForce - I need these for SLI watercooling.
EK-FC Bridge Dual Serial 2-Slot - And one of these
Tubing: I'm still not sure what size I should use. 3/4 maybe? But I think this choice will be influence by the following...
Anti-kink coils - I really want to use some of these, not just for safty's sake, but I think they also look cool! I've found an online store that has some in appealing colors, but there's only a limited number of sizes, which is why I think my choice in tube size will be influence by what anti-kink coils are available.
Fittings - I'm not sure! There's so many to choose from! As I've said, I'm probably go for a barb and worm clamp combo.
Fluid - I've been reading about pre-mix vs simple deionised water with additives. But I think I'll still choose a pre-mix, namely the EC6 Non-Conductive Coolant (Clear), mostly for it's claims of electrical non-conductivity. Yes, pure water is technically non-conductive, but the description on the product claims it's less electrically conductive than other coolants, which makes me think you can add ingredients that make coolant less electrically-conductive. I dunno, but it's not that expensive.
So that's the list of hardware I'm thinking. I'm looking to buy them from the following online Australian stores:
PC Case Gear - These guys seem to be the cheapest.
GA Mods - They have a better selection, but are more expensive. I'm thinking I'll only buy what I need from these guys.
The Kool Room - They also have a nice selection of products.
So what do you guys think?
(I'm just a network/Windows/Linux Sr. Engineer) I haven't heard of these kinds of blocks leaking, and if they do, it's due to user error such as over-tightening fittings (can happen on any block or rad), using an incorrect o-ring for the block application or simply not seating the block top correctly after flushing.
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