WC Project

[djnsmith7]

I'll be taking on my first WC project this week. Curious what you guys think about my proposed loop for Phases I & II. System specs are in sig. I'll be custom fitting the 420 to the Cosmos II.

I may be a WC novice, but I've been a system builder for quite some time.

WC parts on order consists of the XSPC Raystorm D5 EX420 kit, which includes the EX420 rad, 3x 140mm fans, Raystorm CPU block, D5 pump / res. dual bay combo, tubing, barbs & comp. fittings. Also purchased the Swiftech Komodo 7970 WB with barbs & comp. fittings.

Phase II will be down the road.

Phase I:



Phase II:

 

[dma0991]

Your diagram doesn't take into consideration that your radiator has inlet and outlet on one side, not both. This makes Phase II and its placement of the RAM block after GPU is strange. Always aim for the shortest path for performance and aesthetics.

I don't think RAM waterblocks would be necessary but if you do want RAM waterblocks in your loop, do D5/reservoir > RAM > radiator > CPU > GPU. Additionally for Phase II you could put a 240mm radiator at the bottom of the case, after it exits the GPU.

 

[BrightCandle]

A few things:
1) RAM waterblocks aren't worth the hassle. Not only do they dramatically increase the resistance of the loop but watercooling RAM doesn't bring any higher performance at all. RAM isn't limited by its thermal output, thus watercooling it doesn't help.
2) Right now the 7970's in crossfire is pretty badly broken. Hopefully a fix will come out soon but I wouldn't plan to get a second until we know the fix is good and works reliably across a range of games.
3) A 420 isn't really sufficient for cooling 2x 7970's and an overclocked 2500. Your total thermal output is going to be somewhere around 150 + 2x210 = 570 Watts you would need to cool. From the tests I have seen of 140mm radiators they perform somewhat better but not as much as their area would suggest as the 140mm fans are not really as good. Don't expect more than about 20% from that fan increase.
4) XSPC's RX series of radiators was one of the worst reviewed of the 360mm radiators, the EX is a thin variant of basically the same design.
5) Your waterloop probably only provides 10C cooling to around 300-330W maximum. Barely sufficient for phase 1, completely inadequate for phase 2.
6) A D5 pump is a slow low pressure work horse pump. Its good for short loops but not long ones.

 

[djnsmith7]

Thanks for the feedback. The RAM WB has been removed from the loop & 2x EX240 rads have been added to Phase II.

 

[dma0991]

I forgot to ask, are you certain that a 420mm radiator would fit at the top of the Cosmos II? Use the dimension of the radiator and do some measurements to ensure that it will fit. After making amendments to your Phase II, where would the 240mm radiator(between the CPU and GPU) fit?

 

[djnsmith7]

I have enough clearance from the MB, so that shouldn't be an issue. Going to extend the 3rd 120mm cutout & drill the necessary holes to accommodate the 3rd 140mm fan.

I'm thinking about integrating part of Phase II into Phase I, as I'd like to improve efficiency in the equalization process. I decided to go with a single EX360 vs 2 EX240s in Phase I.

The EX360 will be installed at the bottom of the case. Will update the diagram later.

Order of operation looks like it will be: Pump / Res. > EX420 > CPU > GPU > EX360 > Pump / Res.