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Going liquid cooled. Experts chime in on parts!

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Below is a disorganized build log of my computer since March 2011. It was during the time of big bitcoin mining profits, but also the time of GPUs running at 100% load 24/7. My 6970s were quite loud and annoying, so I decided to finally achieve my dream of owning a liquid cooled machine and not have to listen to GPU fans running a high speed all the time.

Hopefully this thread can serve as a resource for anyone new to liquid cooling. A lot of very intelligent and knowledgeable members offered their opinions and helped me get started on the right foot.

OP:
My system is in my sig. The parts I want to put in my loop are my dual 6970s (really flashed 6950s). I have recently started doing some distributed computing, which fully loads the cards and at 65% fan speed they are running between 90-95C. This displeases me as I worry about the VRMs, also the fan noise is starting to get on my nerves. If possible I'd also like to overclock, but my main goal is silence, stability, and longevity of the cards. The case I have is a HAF 932, so I have plenty of space to work with and am thinking about going 3x120mm radiator on the top.

Here are my parts:
updated part list in post 16

Also coolant? I'm willing to make my own, I'm just not sure what additives are required to turn distilled water into proper coolant.

Thanks guys.
<3

Status: Done. Load temps from 90C to 45C and very quiet 😀 Pics:

Aftermath: 3/25/11
Reversing the loop hasn't happened yet. I have started working on overclocking the video cards. Been able to get my 6970s up to 970 core @1.240V. Temps are around 45-50C. Hopefully I can break the 1GHz barrier 😀

3/26/11
The tweaking begins, aigomorla was right.
Just ordered:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10...ack.html#blank
and
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10..._D14SM-12.html
When these arrive the loop will be reversed, going:
pump -> CPU -> 140mm Radiator -> GPUs -> 3x120mm Radiator -> Res -> Pump

4/5/11
new loop up and running:


7/16/11
Separating my loop. Having my heavily overclocked 6970s heat my CPU is going to get old, especially later this year when I switch platforms and go for a tri-fire setup of 7xxx series. I am removing my 140mm radiator and adding 2 slim 2x120mm radiators on the side panel of the HAF. I took measurements, and two of these radiators will fit on the side panel of the HAF.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12...W4u6&amp;mv_pc=153
Then using these fans
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/91...W4u6&amp;mv_pc=157
I'm able to keep everything in the loop internal. At least by my measurements. I'll be copying Vivi and using this Res from Koolance to fit both of my 655s.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12...W4u6&amp;mv_pc=154

Loop 1, CPU
2x120mm radiator, MCP655 pump, Swiftech Apogee XT, Koolance Res.
Loop 2, GPU
2x120mm radiator, 3x120mm radiator, MCP655, EK-FC6970, Koolance Res.

I'll be getting rid of my HW Black ice SR-1 140, so pm, or check for it on FS/FT

7/29/11

New loop up and running.
CPU loop: Max 40C
GPU loop: Max 45C on both cards
Both loops idle just slight above ambient.

(Ran out of pics in the post. This setup was stupid. Don't mount radiators on the side of your case without quick disconnects)

11/16/11
I dropped my case and it bent badly. Picked up a 800D on sale. Just finished building in it:


1/9/12
New radiators! Sticking with the RP-452x2. It works, it just is annoying initially. So assuming you keep your rig assembled for long periods of time, it doesn't matter that much. Maybe after this I won't feel the need for more tweaking. (yeah right..)

1/10/12
RP-452x2 Rev 2.0 on its way!
https://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=2025
3/25/12
140mm rad mounted on the bottom! NB PK-3 on its way to replace slow stock fans.
n7ZB6.jpg


7/20/12
Caselab M8 update

GPU Loop: D5, EK XTX 360, Swiftech MCR320, EK FC-7970 Copper/Acetal, 6x ap-15
CPU Loop: D5, XSPC Raystorm, Magicool Slim 240, 2x Ap-14

9e8sK.jpg


FWwx8.jpg


JlFFQ.jpg


Eventually going to add my EK XTX 120mm in there and connect it to the CPU loop. Just gotta plan the tubing and get the necessary fittings. Also need another GT. Also planning to replace that slim 240mm rad with an EK XTX 240.
 
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You actually have a decent selection of parts. You might want to opt for some fans that will allow you to mount them in between the case and the radiator, which seems a little tricky with the fans you selected. If you want good, quiet (but not cheap) fans, check out the Scythe Gentle Typhoons. Otherwise, just get some cheap Yate Loons.

As far as coolant goes, just stick with distilled and a silver kill coil. http://www.jab-tech.com/Antimicrobial-Silver-Strip-pr-4530.html
 
you might also get a fan controller like this to adjust the noise on more powerful fans, such as this one:

http://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-KAZE-MASTER-ACE-5.25-Bay-Fan-Controller-Black-pr-4354.html

and get something like this for fans:

http://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-Gentle-Typhoon-D1225C12B5AP-15-1850rpm-pr-4501.html

I've heard good thing about them tho i don't have any myself, hook them up to baybus and you can turn them up for gaming and down for quite.

the fan you have linked to is more or less for heatsink use and to be quite. not sure how they would perform on a radiator.
 
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i would go koolance gpu because they offer a swapable vrm portion, which might help you if you ever have to do an RMA and they change revisions.

http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=2021

You see that plate on the right? Koolance made that swapable, because vendors like to monkey with the VRMs on ATI gpu's and pop a GPU revision on us like Candy.
vid-ar697_p2.jpg


Swiftech also does that too, so i would go with either swiftech or Koolance, IMO.


While were still at koolance:
No One makes better clamps then koolance :
http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=715

And honestly the GTX aint that great.
Seeing how your just doing a GPU loop, i would conserve funds and get a MCR320 from swiftech.
 
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And honestly the GTX aint that great.
Seeing how your just doing a GPU loop, i would conserve funds and get a MCR320 from swiftech.

What if you wanted to do add a CPU loop to the future, would you still recommend getting the MCR320 instead? I might just add the CPU now since the Xigmatek cooler I have is huge and will just be in the way of my tubing.

When you are referring to the GTX are you referring to the radiator? I have a black viper GT selected, what would you recommend instead? Is 120x3 good size?
 
What kind of temps would you see with the setup?

I am going to follow this thread ... because I have the same setup as you (6950's in xfire flashed to unlock shaders)..and I hit 90-95C with little OC.

Why not cool your CPU as well? Would that require a bigger pump?

Why not get a universal GPU mount as well?

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw80.asp

Then some cheaper VRM/Memory blocks/sinks?

Can that pump handle 2 GPU's + i5 CPU?
 
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What if you wanted to do add a CPU loop to the future, would you still recommend getting the MCR320 instead? I might just add the CPU now since the Xigmatek cooler I have is huge and will just be in the way of my tubing.

When you are referring to the GTX are you referring to the radiator? I have a black viper GT selected, what would you recommend instead? Is 120x3 good size?

I had not noticed that your rad choice was a high FPI (fins per inch) rad.. If your intended goal is silence you need to go with a radiator that has a low fin density because rads with a high FPI require higher RPM fans to move the air through them. A good, cheap low FPI rad is the XSPC RX360. If you really want a Black Ice rad, you would want to go with one of their SR-1 series (9 FPI) as opposed to their GT series (30 FPI). High FPI rads are for people who run Delta and San Ace fans who are looking for the highest performance at the expense of noise.
 
I had not noticed that your rad choice was a high FPI (fins per inch) rad.. If your intended goal is silence you need to go with a radiator that has a low fin density because rads with a high FPI require higher RPM fans to move the air through them. A good, cheap low FPI rad is the XSPC RX360. If you really want a Black Ice rad, you would want to go with one of their SR-1 series (9 FPI) as opposed to their GT series (30 FPI). High FPI rads are for people who run Delta and San Ace fans who are looking for the highest performance at the expense of noise.

Thanks nitromullet, I hadn't even considered FPI as a variable. Like I stated earlier my goals in order are silence, stability, then performance. I'll take a look at the XSPC.

Also maybe this will be good? I don't know the FPI on it, but it fits the description and costs less than the RX360
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-Matt-Black-pr-3320.html

I think I am going to add my CPU to the loop, the block isn't too much more. Do you think my pump and radiator will be enough?
 
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What kind of temps would you see with the setup?

Why not get a universal GPU mount as well?

If I go through with it, I'll let you know my temps 🙂

I want active VRM cooling. The software I'm using for my DC seems to load the card up like furmark, so the VRMs are ~105-110C which is no good.
 
I had not noticed that your rad choice was a high FPI (fins per inch) rad.. If your intended goal is silence you need to go with a radiator that has a low fin density because rads with a high FPI require higher RPM fans to move the air through them. A good, cheap low FPI rad is the XSPC RX360. If you really want a Black Ice rad, you would want to go with one of their SR-1 series (9 FPI) as opposed to their GT series (30 FPI). High FPI rads are for people who run Delta and San Ace fans who are looking for the highest performance at the expense of noise.

I agree, this is important to note.


As someone mentioned earlier, distilled water with silver is the way to go. Any piece of fine silver will do (e.g. jewelers silver).


To those of you suggesting the MCW80 for the GPU. What heatsinks would you use on the memory and VRMs? Swifttech doesn't produce a heatsink for the 6900 series as far as I can tell.
 
What if you wanted to do add a CPU loop to the future, would you still recommend getting the MCR320 instead? I might just add the CPU now since the Xigmatek cooler I have is huge and will just be in the way of my tubing.

When you are referring to the GTX are you referring to the radiator? I have a black viper GT selected, what would you recommend instead? Is 120x3 good size?

your honestly talking about a few C's in coolant temp vs. one or the other.

The GTX is a high performance radiator meant to be paired with high performance fans.

The MCR is like the camry of radiators.

The question is best answered by objective.
If your going to pair that rad up with high noise high static fans, then hands down the GTX is king.

However the moment u lose static, the MCR will beat it, and so will all the other rads.
 
your honestly talking about a few C's in coolant temp vs. one or the other.

The GTX is a high performance radiator meant to be paired with high performance fans.

The MCR is like the camry of radiators.

The question is best answered by objective.
If your going to pair that rad up with high noise high static fans, then hands down the GTX is king.

However the moment u lose static, the MCR will beat it, and so will all the other rads.

What do you mean by high static fans?
 
What do you mean by high static fans?

You know the fans which we warn on using because if not careful it can take your finger off or leave a deep cut... high static fans. 😀

Scythe Ultra Kaze's are a example.
 
I think I have all the answers I need and am settled on my part list. Here it is:

https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-Matt-Black-pr-3320.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/EK-Radeon-...ng-Block-Acetal-EK-FC6970-Acetal-pr-4787.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP655-B-12-VDC-Pump-Without-speed-controller-pr-3803.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCRES-Micro-Rev-2-pr-4312.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/PrimoFlex-Pro-LRT-UV-Red-Tubing-1-2in.-ID-X-3-4in.-OD-pr-4117.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Storm-Universal-Waterblock-Rev-2-pr-3022.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-KAZ...0mm-Case-Fan-SY1225SL12M-1200rpm-pr-3943.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Tuniq-TX-3-thermal-compound-pr-4479.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Antimicrobial-Silver-Strip-pr-4530.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Plastic-Tubing-Clamps-Black-pr-3522.html

If you guys notice anything that is complete fail with sizing, let me know.

Also, I added up that I'd need 12 clamps, and 8 Barbs. If that isn't correct or I am failing at anything else please let me know. Also I was thinking 10 ft of tubing, so I have some room to make mistakes.

I promise pics, temps, overclocks, etc etc when its all put together 😀

and my undying love to nitromullet and aigomorla. My water cooling dream (been wanting do to this for years) is finally coming together 😀
 
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Where are you checking your temps on the memory and VRM's?

I was recomended these :

Swiftech MCW80 x2
Enzotech MOS-C1 - 10 piece x2
Enzotech BMR-C1 - 8 piece x2

For my 6950x2 setup.

What fans are you getting for your rad?

pump seems loud, or is that me?


Our noise measurement (non lab environment) 33 ~ 34 dBA in a quiet room @ 2'
 
where are you getting temps on your VRMs? Something physical, or software?

Those full covers are just soo pricey! What brand 6950's?
 
where are you getting temps on your VRMs? Something physical, or software?

Those full covers are just soo pricey! What brand 6950's?

there worth every penny tho.. 😀

dont get me started on how painful i recall putting ram sinks on ram especially if it had that oily residue on them.

OP just so you know... koolance gpu blocks are easier to mount, because u dont have to use optional spacers... on koolance's block the spacers are built in.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=267878

not to sound like im tooting a horn, but i highly recommend u get a koolance over eK.
The ease in mounting will make u smile... trust me on that.

What kind of temps would you see with the setup?

I am going to follow this thread ... because I have the same setup as you (6950's in xfire flashed to unlock shaders)..and I hit 90-95C with little OC.

Why not cool your CPU as well? Would that require a bigger pump?

Why not get a universal GPU mount as well?

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw80.asp

Then some cheaper VRM/Memory blocks/sinks?

Can that pump handle 2 GPU's + i5 CPU?


Vivi typical reductions is HALF your load temps.

So if your saying u hit 90-95, on water, unless u did something terribly wrong it would be 45-48C.

580GTX on Stock Air:
air.png


580GTX on Koolance gpu block:
koolance.png



this is about normal.. half your reductions.

Watercooling the gpu has yet to make someone sad.
When they see the /2 factor they usually go "OMG i can haz more voltage??"
 
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I think I'm going to suffer with the EK's. They are $25 cheaper each, so my suffering during install is worth $50 to me.
 
I think I have all the answers I need and am settled on my part list. Here it is:

https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-Matt-Black-pr-3320.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/EK-Radeon-...ng-Block-Acetal-EK-FC6970-Acetal-pr-4787.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP655-B-12-VDC-Pump-Without-speed-controller-pr-3803.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCRES-Micro-Rev-2-pr-4312.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/PrimoFlex-Pro-LRT-UV-Red-Tubing-1-2in.-ID-X-3-4in.-OD-pr-4117.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Storm-Universal-Waterblock-Rev-2-pr-3022.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-KAZ...0mm-Case-Fan-SY1225SL12M-1200rpm-pr-3943.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Tuniq-TX-3-thermal-compound-pr-4479.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Antimicrobial-Silver-Strip-pr-4530.html
https://www.jab-tech.com/Plastic-Tubing-Clamps-Black-pr-3522.html

If you guys notice anything that is complete fail with sizing, let me know.

Also, I added up that I'd need 12 clamps, and 8 Barbs. If that isn't correct or I am failing at anything else please let me know. Also I was thinking 10 ft of tubing, so I have some room to make mistakes.

I promise pics, temps, overclocks, etc etc when its all put together 😀

and my undying love to nitromullet and aigomorla. My water cooling dream (been wanting do to this for years) is finally coming together 😀

Don't get that block unless you're looking for a museum piece. https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Storm-Universal-Waterblock-Rev-2-pr-3022.html

If you want a less expensive block go for the XSPC Rasa https://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Rasa-Black-CPU-Acetal-pr-4752.html or Swiftech Apogee XT Extreme https://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-Apogee-XT-Extreme-Performance-CPU-waterblock-pr-4568.html
 

Anything particularly wrong with that block besides it being old?

Besides that the rest of the stuff looks good to go?
 
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