Coolermaster Cosmos: decent for watercooling?

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

I coulndn't agree more but, he seem spretty set on a single loop. So you don't like the rear intake front exhaust? I'd be worried about the heat getting trapped in the case if it was sucking cold air in. An MCR 220 front and back as intakes with top mounted exhaust then? That could be pretty wicked looking especially with two colors of fluid and a pair of MCP355's with OC labs tops? Dtek on the CPU and the dangerden full cover on the video card. Use the rear as the CPU since it'd be up so high and the front for the GPU mounted just high enough that the resevior fill port is higher than the graphics card? Top mount the pump for the CPU loop and cage mount the pump for the VGA loop so all you'd really see through the window was tubing. Green and blue fluid maybe?

heh...

were talking about a STACKER here dude. Not a Microfly. 😛

hardy-har-har, what's wrong with that plan? Not enough nifty equipment? It should work good though, no? He specifically bought the 810 for the black and the window, might as well use it.

😛 need to give me 5 min to edit posts. sometimes i hit reply b4 double checking or finishing.

no.

 

[Rodknock]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
what im kinda lost on this thread.

So you bought the stacker 810?

Okey... now you want to know what to do? Your going to verticle mount a radiator up front? How large of a radiator? a 120x3 will kill almost all your bays. A 120x2 wont be enough for a CPU + GPU unless you like having really high idle temps with slightly better load temps then air.

Actually if i use your hardware profile in sig, a MCR220 will most likely DIE from heat stroke on you. :this is a pun

But i really DONT recomend this.

Edit: missed the post where you said radiator. This is why i kept quiet... i hate jumping in the middle, and i trusted derwen cuz he started giving out good advice..

Okey... you want the RAD to suck the coldest air possible first. Your reversal would not allow that. Did you decide on how your going to mount your hard drives? And are you really happy with only 2 optical bay free?

A MCP-655 will be more then enough for his system unless he's running a EK block or D-tek with small nozzles..


I really would like your budget on your h2o project. Maybe a dual loop system might be more viable, and allow better flexability. You could run 2 mcr220's/w built in res's instead of 1 large class radiators if you went dual loop.

Also for the GPU loop you could hang the radiator on the rear 120x2. Remember you dont get better oc's on gpu if there colder unless you vmod. And they will be way cooler then stock air.

Calm down there quickdraw, I'm just tossing around ideas. Everyone is saying "well this won't work" or "I wouldn't do it like that." All along I've been asking "how would you guys do it?" and no one has really said much.

I have CM Stacker 810. I'm not completely averse to a double loop, I just thought a single loop with a capable triple 120 radiator like the PA120.3 would keep things simple since this is my first watercooling setup. I'm a little confused about a double loop, I'm assuming I would need an entirely separate pump, reservoir, and obviously radiator for it.

I know mounting a triple 120 would eliminate most of my front bays, but I don't have any fancy bay devices or card readers so that really isn't an issue for me. I was simply trying to take the path of least resistance, ie little to no modification.

So, watercooling grandmasters, how would *you* do this? I want to cool both the CPU and GPU, in a Stacker 810. Simple setup. Let's hear it.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Rodknock

Originally posted by: aigomorla
what im kinda lost on this thread.

So you bought the stacker 810?

Okey... now you want to know what to do? Your going to verticle mount a radiator up front? How large of a radiator? a 120x3 will kill almost all your bays. A 120x2 wont be enough for a CPU + GPU unless you like having really high idle temps with slightly better load temps then air.

Actually if i use your hardware profile in sig, a MCR220 will most likely DIE from heat stroke on you. :this is a pun

But i really DONT recomend this.

Edit: missed the post where you said radiator. This is why i kept quiet... i hate jumping in the middle, and i trusted derwen cuz he started giving out good advice..

Okey... you want the RAD to suck the coldest air possible first. Your reversal would not allow that. Did you decide on how your going to mount your hard drives? And are you really happy with only 2 optical bay free?

A MCP-655 will be more then enough for his system unless he's running a EK block or D-tek with small nozzles..


I really would like your budget on your h2o project. Maybe a dual loop system might be more viable, and allow better flexability. You could run 2 mcr220's/w built in res's instead of 1 large class radiators if you went dual loop.

Also for the GPU loop you could hang the radiator on the rear 120x2. Remember you dont get better oc's on gpu if there colder unless you vmod. And they will be way cooler then stock air.

Calm down there quickdraw, I'm just tossing around ideas. Everyone is saying "well this won't work" or "I wouldn't do it like that." All along I've been asking "how would you guys do it?" and no one has really said much.

I have CM Stacker 810. I'm not completely averse to a double loop, I just thought a single loop with a capable triple 120 radiator like the PA120.3 would keep things simple since this is my first watercooling setup. I'm a little confused about a double loop, I'm assuming I would need an entirely separate pump, reservoir, and obviously radiator for it.

I know mounting a triple 120 would eliminate most of my front bays, but I don't have any fancy bay devices or card readers so that really isn't an issue for me. I was simply trying to take the path of least resistance, ie little to no modification.

So, watercooling grandmasters, how would *you* do this? I want to cool both the CPU and GPU, in a Stacker 810. Simple setup. Let's hear it.

Single Loop: as easy as i could do it:
Front mount as an intake with a swiftech MCR320 radiator, Swiftech Micro-res, Swiftech MCP655-b pump, a D-tek Fuzion block with no accelerators, and a Danger Den maze5 gpu only block. Maybe the d-tek GPU block but, haven't heard much about it. Running Pump>CPU>GPU>Radiator>Resevior>Pump

Dual loop: as easy as I could it:
First(CPU) loop:
Rear mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355 pump with OClabs top, D-tek fuzion block with accelerators. Running Pump>CPU>Radiator>Resevior>Pump
Second(GPU) loop:
Front Mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355pump with OClabs top, Danger Den full cover VGA block. Running Pump>VGA>Radiator>Reseviour>Pump

Dual loop:If it were mine:
First(CPU) loop:
Top mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355 pump with OClabs top, D-tek fuzion block with accelerators. Running Pump>CPU>Radiator>Resevior>Pump
Second(GPU) loop:
Rear Mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355pump with OClabs top, Danger Den full cover VGA block. Running Pump>VGA>Radiator>Reseviour>Pump

 

[Rodknock]

Thanks for the info🙂 That's what I want, people with experience with this to post up what they'd do so I can get an idea and then basically pick and choose to suit my needs. I'm curious about something in your post though... your dual loop versions aren't really different from each other at all except for the 1st radiator placement. If I do dual loop, I like your first version, as I don't really want to cut up the top of the case. Aside from that the two are identical, which I like, hehe. Mounting a dual 120 up front will only take up 6 of the front bays, which leaves another 6 for the reservoirs and CD drive(s). Excellent🙂

Is the MCR220 better than the PA120.2 or something? Would a dual loop utilizing two PA120.2's perform better than two MCR220s? I had assumed that Thermochill's stuff was the best available.

What is the "OClabs top"? Pardon my ignorance🙁

Obviously there is more research I need to do before getting knee-deep in this, which is why I continue to bug you guys:-D Thanks again.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Thanks for the info🙂 That's what I want, people with experience with this to post up what they'd do so I can get an idea and then basically pick and choose to suit my needs. I'm curious about something in your post though... your dual loop versions aren't really different from each other at all except for the 1st radiator placement. If I do dual loop, I like your first version, as I don't really want to cut up the top of the case. Aside from that the two are identical, which I like, hehe. Mounting a dual 120 up front will only take up 6 of the front bays, which leaves another 6 for the reservoirs and CD drive(s). Excellent🙂

Is the MCR220 better than the PA120.2 or something? Would a dual loop utilizing two PA120.2's perform better than two MCR220s? I had assumed that Thermochill's stuff was the best available.

What is the "OClabs top"? Pardon my ignorance🙁

Obviously there is more research I need to do before getting knee-deep in this, which is why I continue to bug you guys:-D Thanks again.

The MCR220 isn't better but, it's really really close to as good and about 1/4 the price and notably thinner. Plus it gives you the option, space permitting, to buy it with an integrated reseviour which, you don't really need and does hurt flow ever so slightly.

This is the OC labs top. It allows you to use full 1/2" barbs instead of the stock 3/8" that come built into the top of the MCP-355 and it boost flow and head pressure notably. It still won't touch the MCP655 for flow though, and at the $70 sale price at sidewinder I would probably try that out, we'll have to see what aigmorla says as I've never used a D-tek fuzion but, they are teh best out there right now, especially with accelerators, unless the new DD is working out better than expected. I'll pop over to XS and see what they're saying. You should check it out there too, lot more info with people a lot more experienced than even me.

EDIT:
Yeah, I'm sticking to my last post. MCP355 w/ Top, MCR220's, D-tek Fuzion for CPU and Danger Den full cover for VGA card.

Oh, don't forget to T in a line at the lowest point after your blocks for draining. With the Micro-Res you don't really need an external fill port but, if it was mine, i'd have them. I'm trying to find out what the thread size/pitch on the fill port are so I can make a barb reccomendtion for attaching a DD fillport.

 

[Rodknock]

Wow I had no idea the MCR220's were so cheap... 40 bucks! Odd as it sounds it's looking like the dual loop setup with the 220s and the 355 pumps will come out cheaper than a single loop with a pa120.3 and 655 pump, haha...

So that D-Tek fuzion cpu block, is that the best performing-block right now or the best buy, etc.?

Also, one important question: If I have a mcr220 in back and another in the front bays, how should I set up the airflow? Seems like I'm going to have to sacrifice the cold-air intake charge over one of them to maintain a unidirectional air flow...thoughts?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Wow I had no idea the MCR220's were so cheap... 40 bucks! Odd as it sounds it's looking like the dual loop setup with the 220s and the 355 pumps will come out cheaper than a single loop with a pa120.3 and 655 pump, haha...

So that D-Tek fuzion cpu block, is that the best performing-block right now or the best buy, etc.?

Also, one important question: If I have a mcr220 in back and another in the front bays, how should I set up the airflow? Seems like I'm going to have to sacrifice the cold-air intake charge over one of them to maintain a unidirectional air flow...thoughts?

Yeah, the MCR's are teh absolute best value, period.

The d-tek fuzion with accelerator nozzles is the best out right now. You cannot however use accelerator nozzles on anything but a CPU only loop.

As for the airflow, directionality and turbulence don't really matter with water cooling like they do with aircooling. And for some idiot brained reason it just occured to me that you're getting the windowed stacker 810. that does make it just a wee bit more complicated as you won't have that giant hole in the side to vent the air. If I remember corretly there is already an 80mm fan at the top, that will probably need to be converted to a 120mm and a second top 120mm exhaust would be closer to ideal. I don't suppose you're comfortable drilling or cutting plexiglass are you?

Very fortunately VGA cooling is a secondary priority so if we need to use that as an exhaust we quite certainly can. I may at that point suggest using the front for the cpu and the rear for the video card. It will lengthen the tubes just slightly but, with teh mcp355's with tops it won't really matter as they have like 12ft of head.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Dual loop:If it were mine:
First(CPU) loop:
Top mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355 pump with OClabs top, D-tek fuzion block with accelerators. Running Pump>CPU>Radiator>Resevior>Pump
Second(GPU) loop:
Rear Mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355pump with OClabs top, Danger Den full cover VGA block. Running Pump>VGA>Radiator>Reseviour>Pump

+1 😀

Only the radiator would be more helpful up front b4 the pump on a small rad like this. The difference tho is only like 2-3C on the coolant side MAX. But im an xtremer. :X

This would most likely yeild the greatest performance. And also offer the most control.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Dual loop:If it were mine:
First(CPU) loop:
Top mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355 pump with OClabs top, D-tek fuzion block with accelerators. Running Pump>CPU>Radiator>Resevior>Pump
Second(GPU) loop:
Rear Mount MCR220, Swiftech Micro-Res, Swiftech MCP355pump with OClabs top, Danger Den full cover VGA block. Running Pump>VGA>Radiator>Reseviour>Pump

+1 😀

Only the radiator would be more helpful up front b4 the pump on a small rad like this. The difference tho is only like 2-3C on the coolant side MAX. But im an xtremer. :X

This would most likely yeild the greatest performance. And also offer the most control.

So Pump>CPU(GPU)>Res>Rad>Pump?

 

[aigomorla]

that would work.

Cuz the water is brought back down to near ambients while it sits in the rad. Then once it goes though all your blocks, the delta will be around 3-7C unless your lacking in the rad department. And repeat.

Also pump always b4 radiator or after radiator b4 cpu block. You want to conserve as much headpressure until you hit your blocks.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
that would work.

Cuz the water is brought back down to near ambients while it sits in the rad. Then once it goes though all your blocks, the delta will be around 3-7C unless your lacking in the rad department. And repeat.

Also pump always b4 radiator or after radiator b4 cpu block. You want to conserve as much headpressure until you hit your blocks.

Scratch that. Don't know what I was thinking. because there is an active pumping source the head pressure will be dynamic throughout the loop with indiidual pressure drops at each piece in the loop which will be basically refreshed to the pumps headpressure at the pump on each cycle.

 

[Rodknock]

So aside from fittings and tubing, this would be a satisfactory parts list?

Swiftech MCR220 Radiator x 2
Swiftech MCP355 Pump w/ OCLabs Top x 2
Swiftech Micro-reservoir x2
D-Tek Fuzion CPU Block w/ Accelerators x 1
Danger Den 8800GTX GPU Block (Full cover) x 1

So these are all compatible with regards to ID/OD size tubing, fittings, etc? Am I going to need to order any specific adapters or anything of that sort? Are the swiftech micros preferable to 5.25" bay reservoirs for one reason or another? I had been thinking all along to just use a bay reservoir of that style. I'm just worried where I'm going to mount all this stuff (aside from the radiators, which we know already).

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
So aside from fittings and tubing, this would be a satisfactory parts list?

Swiftech MCR220 Radiator x 2
Swiftech MCP355 Pump w/ OCLabs Top x 2
Swiftech Micro-reservoir x2
D-Tek Fuzion CPU Block w/ Accelerators x 1
Danger Den 8800GTX GPU Block (Full cover) x 1

So these are all compatible with regards to ID/OD size tubing, fittings, etc? Am I going to need to order any specific adapters or anything of that sort? Are the swiftech micros preferable to 5.25" bay reservoirs for one reason or another? I had been thinking all along to just use a bay reservoir of that style. I'm just worried where I'm going to mount all this stuff (aside from the radiators, which we know already).

need barbs on the top.

i dont remember mine coming with it.

Heres how the oclabs top looks like. Petras' top is bettr but more expensive at 10 dollars more.

I wanted to try a color top so i gave the oclabs a try. Its not bad for its price.

http://i125.photobucket.com/al...aigomorla/IMG_0856.jpg

 

[Rodknock]

Another question: since most of the stuff on that list is fairly inexpensive, what would you recommend if I wanted to bump up the quality of the parts a bit here and there? Is the above list pretty much the best I can do for my setup, or were you taking price into consideration? I just want to make sure I do it the right way the first time, rather than have to retrofit different stuff in at a later date because it's not good enough or something.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Another question: since most of the stuff on that list is fairly inexpensive, what would you recommend if I wanted to bump up the quality of the parts a bit here and there? Is the above list pretty much the best I can do for my setup, or were you taking price into consideration? I just want to make sure I do it the right way the first time, rather than have to retrofit different stuff in at a later date because it's not good enough or something.

The only way you coudl really upgrade it would be to do a 120.3 in the front and do full motherboard cooling as well, northbridge, southbridge, memory and even mosfets depending on your board. It looks really cool but, gets VERY complicated and realistically doesn't give more than a 5-8% overclocking advantage.

Up from there is a chiller set-up of some kind. check out aigomorla's tripple TEC post rad chiller he and martin are working on. it's got a TON of potential above and beyond what he needs or is using it for. The design is just beautiful.

 

[Rodknock]

Last question about the radiators I swear:

So the airflow will be ok if I have the front two 120mm fans over the CPU-loop rad as Intake, and the rear 120mm fans over the GPU-loop rad as Exhaust? Could I have both as intake and cut up the top to accomodate two 120s? How would I go about making that look 'stock' after cutting it? Is there anyone that sells covers or something of that kind for this situation that makes it look 'normal'?

One more thing: would it be okay to get the MCR220s with the built-in internal reservoirs, o would that be compromising performance too much? Seems like it would save a lot of space, which might be at a premium considering this is looking like it's going to be a dual loop system.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Last question about the radiators I swear:

So the airflow will be ok if I have the front two 120mm fans over the CPU-loop rad as Intake, and the rear 120mm fans over the GPU-loop rad as Exhaust? Could I have both as intake and cut up the top to accomodate two 120s? How would I go about making that look 'stock' after cutting it? Is there anyone that sells covers or something of that kind for this situation that makes it look 'normal'?

One more thing: would it be okay to get the MCR220s with the built-in internal reservoirs, o would that be compromising performance too much? Seems like it would save a lot of space, which might be at a premium considering this is looking like it's going to be a dual loop system.

First off, for the top fans, you don't really have to have fans. just a way for the heat to get out so, the easiest way i know of is to use an AC Ryan's Radgrillz 3x13 fan grill. You basically just cut a big rectangle out of the top of your case and mount this grill then, if you so decide, you can mount up to 3 120mm fans to it for more ventilation.

As for the radiator with the reseviour, it's just called the MCP220-QP for quiet power. I'm quite sure you could use one up front but, I don't think one would fit in the rear, for the rear though you could just use a pump mount res on the MCP355, I'll see if I can find you a link for that one.

 

[Rodknock]

Well shit...if it's that easy to do the triple 120s up top why not just throw a PA120.3 up there and do this all in a single loop? GAH I'm going in circles!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Well shit...if it's that easy to do the triple 120s up top why not just throw a PA120.3 up there and do this all in a single loop? GAH I'm going in circles!

welcome to our world. Why do you think aigomorla has so many spare parts sitting around?

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Well shit...if it's that easy to do the triple 120s up top why not just throw a PA120.3 up there and do this all in a single loop? GAH I'm going in circles!

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, up until last week I had checked out some Water Cooling stuff and I knew the very basics. I decided to build a WC rig, I read the noob guide on here and ask aigomorla a ton of silly questions. I know 10x more than I did a week ago. So why do I still feel like I know nothing? I'm not much better off after learning. The process is difficult, everytime I "found what I'm looking for!" something different pops up.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
welcome to our world. Why do you think aigomorla has so many spare parts sitting around?

*sigh* thank you for reminding me of my junk box. I think i even have some TT stuff in there even. :X

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: Rodknock
Well shit...if it's that easy to do the triple 120s up top why not just throw a PA120.3 up there and do this all in a single loop? GAH I'm going in circles!

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, up until last week I had checked out some Water Cooling stuff and I knew the very basics. I decided to build a WC rig, I read the noob guide on here and ask aigomorla a ton of silly questions. I know 10x more than I did a week ago. So why do I still feel like I know nothing? I'm not much better off after learning. The process is difficult, everytime I "found what I'm looking for!" something different pops up.

Thats the beauty about it. In air, anyone can say get a TR120. That will give you the best performance. But in water, you can never say one thing is better then the other. Water is all about application and how you execute it.

Hence why you collect a lot of junk. Because one application, it maybe be awesome, but when you change it to something it wasnt ment for, your results will take a hugh nose dive.

 

[QueBert]

beauty? I don't find beauty in confusion, it is beautiful though that I have so many choices, but it's mind boggling how many different setups I can have. My WC project started as "this will be interesting" and thanks to you and your advice has manifested itself into a full fledged job 😀 I am learning a lot, just doubt any company will go "OHH hire him he knows about water cooling!" hehe I just pray when my box is built I'll be able to post pictures here without being ashamed of my workmanship.

 

[Rodknock]

Well, I know I'm definitely having fun with this. I'm giddy at all the new shit I get to install😀

 

[QueBert]

that's another beautiful thing, a heatsink is boring and easy to install, putting another 120mm fan in a case is also pretty crummy for excitement level. I created a bookmark folder for all the stuff I'm going to need for this mod I'm doing. JESUS it's already long, I'm even researching tubing and clamps so I have the best setup possible. I've built hundreds of PC's over the years but this WC project will be a whole new level.

Best of luck with your box I hope you put up a diary or at least a few pics I always like to see the next nerds work (no offense lol)

 

[Rodknock]

Hey none taken! I love this stuff. What's great is that maybe 2 years ago I was afraid to change out a CD drive. I had a guy I'd known for a couple years do all the major work for me, not to mention charge me out the ass for it as well. I ended up having a big argument with him about how much he charged for how little he did, he would never finish the work properly, etc. So I decided to learn how to do everything myself and, to a great extent, I have. I've built a few systems from the ground up both for myself and other people, delved into the ancient mysteries of overclocking, and now I'm taking the next rite of geekdom by getting into watercooling.

It's a very fun, although expensive, hobby.

I will definitely make up a project diary in a dedicated thread, but I can't guarantee it will be as good as most people's on here who have been doing this stuff for years.

Back to my case, I think I'm going to stick to the dual MCR220s front and back, and just cut out a triple 120mm sized section using the AC Ryan template and throw some low speed fans up there on exhaust duty. As a crude representation, case airflow will basically be --> ^ <-- hahaha😀