Crazy watercooling idea

macmodder · 9 Jun 2011 at 10:57

As part of my ongoing (and possibly never ending) custom case project I've decided to go watercooled, and I plan to have 2 loops to boot. I have a nice space along the top of the case for a triple rad, but I was struggling to find a place for a second rad. Then I had a brainwave:

I've got a bit of space at the front of my case that's about a cube in shape. what if I had the following setup:

fan > rad > fan > rad > fan

intake from one side of the case and exhaust out the other.

So my question is: is the second rad any benefit at all? Will I see better temps, or will the fact the hot air from the first rad mean that the second rad will be redundant?

Just throwing it out there!

paradigm · 9 Jun 2011 at 11:06

Exhausting a radiator onto a radiator will do nothing to aid cooling of the loop. If both rads were in the same loop, then the temperature would even out to be around that of the single rad. If one rad per loop, then one loop would be cool, the other hot. In essence, you are making a heat exchange.

joxang · 9 Jun 2011 at 11:11

Not sure if I'm allowed to link to it, but google 'radiator sandwich testing'.

Summary is that it's basically not good value for money. The main problem is the second radiator totally blocks off airflow from the first set of fans - the hot air itself won't affect temps that much.

If you have absolutely no space in your case, leave about an inch or two inches between the two rads, and make sure your fans are all in push. That way the static pressure requirements for both sets of fans is greatly reduced. Also, you'll need to use low fpi rads.

Reaper 392 · 9 Jun 2011 at 11:28

heres another idea for you: mount the 2nd rad at the back of the 5.25 inch bays:

*link to 5.25 inch bay radiator adapters removed*

macmodder · 9 Jun 2011 at 11:30

googles radiator sandwich testing, interesting reading

I'll probably have a complete rethink now anyway. Maybe 2 radiators each with one fan (in push) drawing air from the bottom and blowing out the side?

Anyway, thanks, that's one idea of the list!

joxang · 9 Jun 2011 at 11:39

Reaper 392 said:
heres another idea for you: mount the 2nd rad at the back of the 5.25 inch bays:

*****

not sure what cases the ones i have linked will work on, but it gives you an idea of what i mean

Would edit that link as it's technically a competitor

. OP - just search 5.25 radiator bracket.

Amidar · 9 Jun 2011 at 16:01

Reaper 392 said:
heres another idea for you: mount the 2nd rad at the back of the 5.25 inch bays:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=332&products_id=21047

not sure what cases the ones i have linked will work on, but it gives you an idea of what i mean

I've used those before they allow you to mount the radiator in 5.25" drive bays in most cases,only problem is they are hard to get hold of in the UK (Luckly i have 5 pairs of them).

rjk · 9 Jun 2011 at 17:21

no - don't do that.
that is a really bad idea

cjgardens · 9 Jun 2011 at 17:59

It will work. But not great results. You would need some good fans for it to work and will end up being louder that if you were to air cool your parts.

Could you not put a rad on the out side of your case

cjgardens · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:00

joxang said:
Would edit that link as it's technically a competitor . OP - just search 5.25 radiator bracket.

Tell him to edit it then quote it lol

rjkoneill Ive seen you twice in a few days telling people not to do some thing with no explanation at all. Just a basic dont do it.... Do you not give reasons when you give comments like that

panyan · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:21

cjgardens said:
good fans for it to work and will end up being louder that if you were to air cool your parts

+1 there is no point watercooling if it is very loud - you might as well air cool

rjk · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:26

no - i dont need to.

if i say that something is a bad idea, it is because i have tried it myself.
i only speak from experience.

check my build log, you will see that i have done it and founf out that it is pointless.

cjgardens · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:33

rjkoneill said:
no - i dont need to.

if i say that something is a bad idea, it is because i have tried it myself.
i only speak from experience.

check my build log, you will see that i have done it and founf out that it is pointless.

put your experience into what your saying. your a mod... are mods supposed to moderate and also guide people.?

not make basic comments that we would get a warning for spamming.

OP is asking for our help not just a no dont do it.

joxang · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:34

cjgardens said:
Tell him to edit it then quote it lol

Lol whoops

.

^ are you guys talking about radiator sandwiching or mounting a rad in the 5.25 bays?

cjgardens · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:44

talking about OP question

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=206829

go for it OP if thats your only option.

rjk · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:48

cjgardens said:
put your experience into what your saying. your a mod... are mods supposed to moderate and also guide people.?

not make basic comments that we would get a warning for spamming.

OP is asking for our help not just a no dont do it.

ok, i will bear that in mind. does the fact that i am a moderator of this subforum not indicate that i may know what i am talking about?

Reaper 392 · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:52

oops, didnt realise it was a competotor.

link removed

@rjkoneill: you might be a moderator, but i'm sure people would like to know why they shouldnt do it. also, being a moderator doesnt make you correct 100% of the time, because as you moderators say, your only human, and you can make mistakes

cjgardens · 9 Jun 2011 at 18:54

so if you say dont do it it must be right without backing it up?

my link says different and the other thread im taking about the other guy showed info different to your dont do it. he also asked for a reason to why. no reply

its not professional.

shadowscotland · 9 Jun 2011 at 19:11

fan > shroud > ThermoChill PA160 > shroud > fan

intake from one side of the case and exhaust out the other.

If you can find one (and it fits) a PA160 would work a treat in that location - other wise a single deep rad would work.

joxang · 9 Jun 2011 at 19:13

cjgardens said:
so if you say dont do it it must be right without backing it up?

my link says different and the other thread im taking about the other guy showed info different to your dont do it. he also asked for a reason to why. no reply

its not professional.

He's already said he'd keep it in mind...you having a bad day or something?

@ OP: what case is it?