Antec 1200 watercooled setup help......

[AeoNGriM]

Hi chaps, this is my current setup:

Antec 1200 Case
Antec 850w Modular PSU
Asus Rampage II Extreme Mobo
Intel i7 920 DO@4Ghz CPU
6Gb Corsair XMS3@1600Mhz RAM
Asus Xonar D2X PCI-E Sound card
2 x XFX Radeon 5870 GPU's
2 x 160GB WD Caviar Blue HDD's (not raided)
1 x TSSTCorp CD/DVDRW Optical Drive

On the CPU I've got a Prolimatech Megahalems HS with 2 x Akasa Apache Super Silent 120mm fans in push/pull, and I've also got a 120mm Akasa Case fan in the window slot, blowing air onto my CF setup.

Put together last September, this machine is an absolute beast as it is, but I'd like to push everything further so this means going down the watercooled road. Since this is my first ever attempt at watercooling, I feel that I would benefit enormously from some advice from the more experienced tech chaps here, if you can spare some time to help a noob!

The w/c setup I'm looking at is a fairly simple loop going from Pump/Res to GPU2 to GPU1 to a 240mm Rad to CPU back to Pump/Res. On a friends advice, and because they look super smexy, I'm looking at EK Waterblocks for everything. Here's what I'm thinking of buying:

1 x EK-Supreme HF Full Nickel Universal (CPU block)
2 x EK-FC5870 Nickel (GPU Blocks)
2 x EK-FC5850/5870 Nickel plated RAM Backplate
1 x EK-FC Bridge DUAL Parallel (Crossfire Connector)
1 x EK-CoolStream RAD XT 240 (Radiator)
1 x EK-DCP 4,0 (Pump)
1 x EK-Reservoir for Phobya DC12-400 / EK DCP 4.0 (Reservoir)
+ assorted tubing and fittings

The idea is to put the Pump/Reservoir in the bottom of the Hard Drive bay, just behind the 3 x 120mm front case fans, and tack the Radiator inside the case onto the rear pair of 120m case fans. Since I'll then have the 2 x Apache's spare and to save me from having to buy any more fans, I was planning to mount them onto the Radiator for extra cooling and then setup the loop as I described above.

This is probably as simple a loop as I can think of for my current setup. I have a couple of concerns though, firstly, will the single 240mm Radiator be enough to cool everything sufficiently, secondly, are the rear 120mm case fans and the Apache's ok to use with the Radiator or should I buy different fans plus a fan controller in their place? My main concern is having to modify the case itself. Everything looks deceptively simple to install without having to make any major modifications to the case save for a few screw holes.

I'd really welcome any advice on the setup I'm planning, on modifying my case, or on watercooling in general. The last thing I want is to end up blowing up my system. Thanks for your help!

 

[MameFX]

you want to cool 2 gpus and a cpu all on a Dual rad?You must be joking arnt you?Your temps will probably be better off as they are on air compared to that.

What you need to do is have 1 dual rad in the HD bays just for the cpu(you can actually fit triple in there btw which is better)then you have to buy a Radbox and mount the 2nd Triple rad on the back for the gpus if you want the best results.

Radbox on Antec 1200
http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/666121-antec-1200-external-rad-questions-general.html

if i was you i would get rid of the antec 1200 case and get a corsair obsidian if your plainng on cooling gpus also as its easier to do in the corsair case,even though it can be done in the antec.It is possible to have 3 triple rads in/on a corsair obsidian with a radbox.

As a rule in my opinion i would have a triple rad on cpu and chipset(optional) alone and triple on gpus alone.No less for the best reults!

 

[MikeTimbers]

Two 5870s is 376W. An i7 @4GHz will be a lot depending on the voltage required. I think you should just do the two gpus and leave the cpu on the megahelem for the moment. see how much difference it makes to your gpus first.

 

[AeoNGriM]

you want to cool 2 gpus and a cpu all on a Dual rad?You must be joking arnt you?Your temps will probably be better off as they are on air compared to that.

What you need to do is have 1 dual rad in the HD bays just for the cpu(you can actually fit triple in there btw which is better)then you have to buy a Radbox and mount the 2nd Triple rad on the back for the gpus if you want the best results.

Radbox on Antec 1200
http://www.overclock.net/water-cooling/666121-antec-1200-external-rad-questions-general.html

if i was you i would get rid of the antec 1200 case and get a corsair obsidian if your plainng on cooling gpus also as its easier to do in the corsair case,even though it can be done in the antec.It is possible to have 3 triple rads in/on a corsair obsidian with a radbox.

As a rule in my opinion i would have a triple rad on cpu and chipset(optional) alone and triple on gpus alone.No less for the best reults!

I don't think I'll have the option of switching cases, I'll look into it, but for now I'm stuck with the Antec 1200. So, you are recommending I go with two rads for best results, mounting a dual rad internally in the HD bays and then a triple rad externally via a Radbox. I don't think that will leave me enough room to fit the Pump/Res, any suggestions what to do about this? Thanks for your advice so far!

Two 5870s is 376W. An i7 @4GHz will be a lot depending on the voltage required. I think you should just do the two gpus and leave the cpu on the megahelem for the moment. see how much difference it makes to your gpus first.

My CPU is at 1.31 Vcore atm if that makes any difference. You think my PSU won't be up to the job if I clock both my cards and the cpu higher?

Pretty good suggestion just doing the cards for the moment, that's given me something to consider. Thanks guys.

 

[MikeTimbers]

My CPU is at 1.31 Vcore atm if that makes any difference. You think my PSU won't be up to the job if I clock both my cards and the cpu higher?

Pretty good suggestion just doing the cards for the moment, that's given me something to consider. Thanks guys.

The wattage I was referring to is nothing to do with your PSU. That energy draw gets turned into heat which your radiaror must then be capable of removing.

 

[MameFX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QcKCidMa8
-Antec 1200
-CPU waterblock Swiftech Apogee XT
-Pump MCP655 + EK Top
-Rad Feser One Xchanger triple 360 (in front)
-Fluid Feser On Blue

VGA - 2x Asus 5870 OC to 1000/1250 v:1.35 (Red loop):
-VGA block EK
-Pump Swiftech MCP655 + EK top
-Rad Swiftech MCR220 (back)
-Denger Den crossfire fitting
-Fluid Feser One Red

 

[AeoNGriM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QcKCidMa8
-Antec 1200
-CPU waterblock Swiftech Apogee XT
-Pump MCP655 + EK Top
-Rad Feser One Xchanger triple 360 (in front)
-Fluid Feser On Blue

VGA - 2x Asus 5870 OC to 1000/1250 v:1.35 (Red loop):
-VGA block EK
-Pump Swiftech MCP655 + EK top
-Rad Swiftech MCR220 (back)
-Denger Den crossfire fitting
-Fluid Feser One Red

That looks awesome, MameFX. I might very well go with a similar setup. I've got a bunch of questions about this, I'm going to do a bit of research and chat with a friend. Thanks for the help guys!