DREAM-MACHINE with Dream WC (Hope..You be the judge)

[morrismeyer]

Hello,
I am seting up a new sistem with the following specs:
ASUS STRIKER EXTREME
INTEL QX6700 QUADCORE
2 BFG 8800GTX WATER COOLED EDITION 1\2 FITTINGS IN SLI
2X1GB RAM PC9200 OCZ FLEX XLC (COMES WITH WATER BLOCK)
2 RAPTOR X 150GB EACH FOR OS
2 SEAGATE 7200.10 750GB EACH
PC POWER AND COOLING 1KW QUADSLI
1 DVD BURNER DVD-DL
1 DVD PLAYER
SWIFTECH APEX ULTRA H20-220 KIT
AN EXTRA RADIATOR FROM SWIFTECH MCR-120

ok, done with that, lets get to the good stuff.
from what i read the order of the loop is not as important as long as you keep it simple.
the problem i have is that in my loop there are three sizes barbs 1\2, 3\8 and 1\4, so it was hard to setup.
below are the plans i think is my best bet, but i am posting it here to see if anyone has ideas of making better or just telling me its ok.
most of the tubing and the parts are 1\2 but the extra rad wich i was told is needed is 3\8 and the heatsink that comes with the ram is 1\4.
heres the best way i could plan it:
reservoir-pump-vga1-vga2-cpu-from here i use a swiftech F fitting that reduces it to 1\4 and another F to go back to 1\2, thanks to the F i dont loose pressure because the 1\2 never get cut off.
From here i go to the the radiators the 2x120 has 1\2 barbs and the 1x120 has 3\8 barbs, so what i did is used a 1\2 Y fitting and one tubing i used a reducer to 3\8 and connect it to the small rad and on the other i went the the big rad, after this i uses another reducer and with another Y it all went back to 1\2 and one tube and from here to the reservoir wich by the way is a 5-1/4 double bay from dangerden.
Well thats about it. here is the upload from the plans to make it easier to visualize, dont mind the way the tubing goes in the case ill probably be different but this way is easier to see.
thanks for your help and hopefully ill be able to post pictures soon.
By the way i dont live in the USA, i did buy all there and took it back home so keep in mind that other fittings would be hard for me to get, i am triying to work with what i have, still any opinions are apreciated.

FOR THE PLANS CLICK HERE: http://s2.supload.com/image.php?get=PLANS.JPG

 

[Zebo]

I would Y it into ram and Y out so you lose no pressure. Way you have it is still quarter inch is your restriction and water will take 1/2" route every time in your scenario never the 1/4.

Like this:

ram

Also another problem is way your rads are set up.. hardly nothing will flow though the 3/8 120mm rad because water will take path of least resistance into the 1/2 2x120's largely ignoring the other despite the Y.

I have mixed system too and this is how it's set up

1/2" Pump > 1/2" CPU > 1/2" VGA1 > 1/2" VGA2 > 1/2" Y to 3/8" Rad 1 and 3/8" RAD 2 and thier outputs meet another Y back into pump.

You're not really gonna have crap hanging off the back of the case on such a high end system right? Just screams GHETTO mod.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Only 1 pump needed for above setup?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: CDC Mail Guy
Only 1 pump needed for above setup?

nno your going to need a dual pump system. Unless you can pull off a single DDC-2 running at the full 18W. Or a Iwaki class.

I have a simular setup on my Opty but your loop order is kinda wasteful.

Heres how my loop goes,

Pump1 -> 120x2 BIGT -> CPU -> Pump2 -> 120x1BIGT -> GPU1 -> GPU2 -> Rez-> Pump1


Dual pump layout was needed due to the sli cards.

Your loop wont work very well because of all the flow restrictions you placed on the entire loop. Each Y bend you make will case a restriction, and watercooling the RAM gains no increased benfits according to tests. Also the Corsiar rams just arent worth it at a crappy 1/4ID tubing. In short, just stick a cyclopse or a Crab fan on it and AIR cool that.


Second your splitting the flow from your rezivour to 2 independant rads. Why? The radiator has to be one of the most restrictive parts in your entire loop, and you just half'd its head pressure going though 2 of them. In otherwords, you KILLED your flow head. Not to mention the reduction from 1/2 to 3/8ths has made your overall system run at almost near 3/8th capacity. Dont mix ID diameters. This is another NONONO in H2O cooling. Keep everything 1 diameter straight though if possible. 1/2 is highly recomended with 7/16ID tubing.


Anyhow, i would honestly have to say this loop order is very poorly researched :X and you should head back and redo it. Go on Xtremesystems.org and hit the stickeys by MaxxxRacer. He's done a great job at explaining the basics.

FYI: some numbers you should realize, 120x3 radiator > 120x2 + 120x1

120x2 Swiftech or Thermochil will in most conditions be able to cool 1 CPU and 2 cards in SLI + 1 DDC-2 pump with no issues. Thermochill wouldnt get stressed until you dropped in 2 8800GTX's.

120x3 Radiator according to Marci is extremely hard to stress, and in most cases, ive only seen TEC setup's that pushed beyond its max capacity.



Also, im assuming you copied that loop layout after looking at my many posts of my watercooling setup. I will state this again, i only added that second radiator because 1. it was just laying around 2. I wanted a little added cooling b4 water hit my GPU's.

Other then those 2 reasons, the second radiator has NO REAL POINT. the 120x2 will be more then enough to cool my 2 7900GT in SLI, and CPU, and i honestly only get 1C better for the added rad.

In short, get a bigger rad, and add a extra pump.

Also PAIR PUMPS!!! or you risk damaging them. Meaning, get a DDC-2 x2 or DDC x2 or D5 x 2 dont EVER MIX!


EDIT: you have the apex kit. GAH, the D5 wont handle that load pressure, not to mention running 2 8800GTX on a swiftech rad might be pushing it. I honestly recomend you copy my opty loop order down to the second radiator and second pump or your not going to get optimal cooling. Or you piece a completely custom kit with a 120x3 radiator, and a DDC-2 pump.