Help me setup my WC loop (please!)

[nipplefish]

Hey all, I'm gathering my equipment to setup a WC loop on the rig in my sig. I currently have, or plan to buy, the following items:

Swiftech Apogee XT CPU block
Swiftech MCW60 GPU block
Swiftech MCR220 2x120 Rad
Swiftech MCP350 pump
XSPC dual bayres for DDC pump
7/16" Tygon tubes
Bitspower 1/2" fittings
Feser One coolant
Scythe UltraKaze fans w/ Scythe Kaze Server controller

I already own the pump, radiator, fan controller, and GPU block. I'm thinking to run the loop like this: Pump/res -> Rad -> CPU -> GPU -> Pump

Now my question: Is the pump powerful enough for a loop like that? I've read that it can be voltmodded to increase output, would this be worth doing? Also, what about sticking a 1x120 radiator between the CPU and GPU? Good idea? I plan to OC the hell out of the CPU... not as concerned about the GPU, I'll OC it a bit, mostly I just wanted to get rid of that jet engine of a stock fan.

Thanks for advice!

 

[Schmide]

Your pump is sufficient, your rad to wattage ratio is a bit lacking.

Overclocking your i7 4ghz+ is going to put out 200w+

The 4890 is 140-190w.

So you're in the 350-400w+ range.

For a MCR320, you're looking at very high speed fans to cool it. More for a MCR220. Edit: I made a mistake in this calculation. A MCR320 should be able to handle 450w with 1500rpm fan for a 10c water out air in delta. MCR220 see below.

If you have width around the planed space for your radiator, you could add a MCR220-QP-STACK Stackable Dual 120mm Radiator to give you enough radiator for what you're cooling.

Edit: The only place I found the MCR220-QP-STACK in stock is performance-pcs.

 

[nipplefish]

Thanks, good thing I asked, heh. MCR320 isn't feasible, I want to keep everything inside the case. I don't think the double-stack rad would work either, clearance issues. What about a pair of 1x120 rads on the side and bottom? Something like this:

(that's not my machine, I stole that from the web, but it's basically the same as my setup)

 

[Schmide]

Your MCR220 with 1500rpm fans can handle around 300w and keep a 10c water out air in delta. An XSPC RS120, can handle 145w under the same conditions. This would give you around 450w of radiator. Edit: Extreme performance for this radiator combination would be about 225w 1500rpm fans 5c air water delta.

One nice thing is you could get an XSPC R120-S which has top mounted ports making it easier to place in the bottom of your case.

I would wait for aigomorla to post just to see what he has to say.

 

[nipplefish]

OK, so you think a single 120 rad will be enough in conjunction with the MCR220? The fans are 3000RPM 38mm, the fan controller should keep the noise to a minimum with the option to crank them to max if necessary. I think I'll probably go that route, those XSPC rads look good. Thanks for the link, BTW, very in-depth.

In hindsight I probably should have bought a larger case

 

[WoodButcher]

Remember heatsinks for your vid card, ram and vrms', I use these on my mobo for goodies that are not underwater. I have modded a unisink to go with my MCW60 on my vid card as water blocks like this leave the rest of the card hot. Depending on your OC and usage many items will get hot. Don't forget your SB and after your up and running test around the entire rig. If you have an IR gun use it, if not your finger wouks too.
The pump you have chosen will work fine but I would get the 355 with a top. When you buy WC parts it is advisable to overkill, your next upgrade will appreciate it. If you can fit the XSPC extreme rads go for it, they are thick.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=25387
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=25388

 

[nipplefish]

I just had the 350 laying around... apparently it can be turned into a 355 with a simple mod, so I think I'll do that (maybe even add a switch so I can adjust the speed setting). The reservoir is basically the top, so I assume it will perform somewhat closely to the XSPC res top.

As for the SB... it's a P55, I thought those don't put out much heat. I kinda wish I had an X58 but I got a crazy deal on the i7-860 ($110) so I went that route.

Oh, know anything about these? http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/cuiati48mevr.html

 

[Schmide]

I just had the 350 laying around... apparently it can be turned into a 355 with a simple mod, so I think I'll do that (maybe even add a switch so I can adjust the speed setting). The reservoir is basically the top, so I assume it will perform somewhat closely to the XSPC res top.

The pump is fine. It gains near 11% improvement with the reservoir top. In a restrictive setup it produces 0.85gpm, an average restriction gains near 32% for 1.78gph flow. Edit: (gpm -> lpm error) Every performance curve flattens out after around 1.5gpm so you should have enough pressure restriction to play with.

 

[nitromullet]

Thanks, good thing I asked, heh. MCR320 isn't feasible, I want to keep everything inside the case. I don't think the double-stack rad would work either, clearance issues. What about a pair of 1x120 rads on the side and bottom? Something like this:

(that's not my machine, I stole that from the web, but it's basically the same as my setup)

Your rad will fit in the drive bay area. I managed to squeeze a Swiftech 420 in the top of my case. It runs pretty much from the back of the machine all the way to front, and barbs are in the rear. Right now I'm using straight barbs, but I plan on replacing them with swiveling 90 degree angle barbs which will make tubing management a little easier.

IIRC, the Swiftech + 120/25mm fan is just ~60mm thick, so you only lose a single drive bay. Of course, ideally you'll want either nothing or something shallow in the bay below the rad to prevent the airflow from getting obstructed.

Also, you might also want to consider mosfet cooling. I originally placed a 120 rad in the rear as you propose, but I had issue with the mosfets overheating the throttling my OC. I removed the rad from the back, used the fan for the mosfets Asus included with the motherboard, and my problems were solved. I'd like to put the motherboard under water, but the options for my motherboard are not cheap. I'll probably replace my cpu block before I do that.

Here's a picture of my loop for reference:

Enzotech Sapphire Rev. A cpu block
XSPC RX120 rad
Swiftech MCR420 QP rad
Swiftech MCP655 (D5) pump
XSPC single bay reservoir

 

[nipplefish]

That's a different case than mine, though. The HAF922 has a mount for 2x120, you'd have to cut holes to fit anything larger. That wouldn't be a problem, but this case has a big plastic piece containing power buttons & front panel IO right in front of the 2x120 mount. Plus I don't really want to lose a 5 1/4 slot... my case is fully loaded.

I'll have a 200mm fan blowing straight down on the motherboard when I'm done with this, so I think the MOSFETs will be OK. We'll see.

 

[WoodButcher]

I just had the 350 laying around... apparently it can be turned into a 355 with a simple mod, so I think I'll do that (maybe even add a switch so I can adjust the speed setting). The reservoir is basically the top, so I assume it will perform somewhat closely to the XSPC res top.

As for the SB... it's a P55, I thought those don't put out much heat. I kinda wish I had an X58 but I got a crazy deal on the i7-860 ($110) so I went that route.

Oh, know anything about these? http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/cuiati48mevr.html

That 350 is the kind of spare part I like having around, as Schmide so thouroughly explains it will do fine.

I haven't used that sink you posted but can say if iandh backs it your good to go. His reputation is well founded.

I haven't seen that res before but googled and found this http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=233399
might be a good read for you if you haven't seen it yet. IMO that would be my choice for res /pump combo.
Looks like something I might build only better.
ROFL!
I built that box in the spring of '08, here you'll find more pics and info.