Dual Titan build

Loonybean · 14 Mar 2013 at 21:49

Evening all, I'm just embarking on my first proper watercooling build, although I've been building PCs for years. I wanted some advice on the watercooling bits and pieces I'm thinking about getting.

As far as components go, I'm going with a 3770K, an Asus P88Z mobo, 32Gb DDR3 2400 RAM and a 480Gb SSD, along with the 2 EVGA superclocked Titans. Those bits I'm fine with, but I'm not too sure whether the loop I'm thinking about is man enough for the job.

The case I want to use is a Shinobi XL, reservoir/pump combo is the XSPC Twin D5, 2 Black ICE SRI radiators, a 240mm and 360mm, 5 Scythe Gentle Typhoon fans, an EK supremacy CPU waterblock, 2 EK-FC Titan blocks, and the EK PSC compression fittings with XSPC 3/8" hose to connect them all.

I am thinking of running from the D5 combo to the CPU, from there to the 240mm radiator, then from there to the GPUs, then to the 360mm radiator, and back to the reservoir. Does that sound like the best way to do it?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer, there appears to be a LOT of experience in here!

Something Else · 14 Mar 2013 at 23:00

for the money your spending have you considered an x79 setup instead? has a lot more life in it than the 1155 socket. im not a watercooling guru so ill leave that to others

Loonybean · 14 Mar 2013 at 23:28

I did look at X79, but this is purely for gaming, and I don't think I'll see any extra benefit with it, the board I'm thinking about has nearly as many PCIe lanes available, and I'm not paying extra for a hex core CPU, which (probably) won't clock as high as the 3770K.

Kaapstad · 14 Mar 2013 at 23:54

Loonybean said:
I did look at X79, but this is purely for gaming, and I don't think I'll see any extra benefit with it, the board I'm thinking about has nearly as many PCIe lanes available, and I'm not paying extra for a hex core CPU, which (probably) won't clock as high as the 3770K.

A hex core normally clocks higher than a 3770k.

Something Else · 15 Mar 2013 at 00:02

just seems to me that because 1155 has no further upgrade path an x79 and 3820 is a better option as when ivybridge-e comes out you can stick one of the more powerful chips in. games are going to use more cores eventually and with x79 your set for a good while. i hear the new crysis likes a few cpu cores already

Loonybean · 15 Mar 2013 at 00:46

Good point, well made. X79 it is. Is the rest of the cooling looking OK, I don't think I need to change the waterblock?

Something Else · 15 Mar 2013 at 00:51

make sure your cpu block is socket 2011 if going x79

SpeckleD · 15 Mar 2013 at 12:28

I would read this prior to going socket 2011, as Ivy Bridge isnt getting an "E" release:
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2013/02/28/intel-haswell-e/1

sick-lizard · 15 Mar 2013 at 15:49

Kaapstad said:
A hex core normally clocks higher than a 3770k.

really, can you show some examples? I was of the impression the socket 1155 clocked higher, I haven't noticed a 5ghz socket 2011 thread but maybe I'm blind...

ignore me seen some around, wouldn't say they seem a better clocker though...

andybird123 · 15 Mar 2013 at 16:01

sick-lizard said:
really, can you show some examples? I was of the impression the socket 1155 clocked higher, I haven't noticed a 5ghz socket 2011 thread but maybe I'm blind...

go and check a lot of the benchmark threads in the GPU section... most of the top scorers in say the 3Dmark11 thread are running 5ghz+ 2011 chips

8 Pack · 15 Mar 2013 at 16:42

For gaming with two cards the 3770K is easily good enough. 4.6ghz+ and your fine.

Andy 2011 suits hex core as the physics score is much better. Unigine, Valley etc prefer RAW CPU power so the 3770K etc are better.

OptimaLnrg · 15 Mar 2013 at 16:48

Too much EK Guff

In all seriousness the airflow on the Shinobi XL isn't amazing.

Loonybean · 15 Mar 2013 at 17:03

Afternoon all, thanks for all the hints and tips, the main reason I went for the Shinobi case is that it'll take the 2 radiators I want to use, I can mod the front of the case a bit (I think) to improve the airflow. Quick question though : should I mount the 240mm radiator vertically in the front of the case, or horizontally in the bottom?

Loonybean · 25 Mar 2013 at 18:24

OK chaps, sorry for bumping this one, but I've got a quick question. All the bits have arrived, Titans have now got the blocks on them, and the loop is all in place. What's the best way to fit the XSPC Dual bay resevoir/pumps in the front of the case. I'm a bit of a noob, and I can't work it out for the life of me. Thanks.

Nickolp1974 · 25 Mar 2013 at 18:31

sick-lizard said:
really, can you show some examples? I was of the impression the socket 1155 clocked higher, I haven't noticed a 5ghz socket 2011 thread but maybe I'm blind...

ignore me seen some around, wouldn't say they seem a better clocker though...

my 3820 gets to just shy of 5.2GHz which will run benchmarks (and its not that good a one) and with same cooling my 3770 just got to 4.9GHz

Loonybean · 30 Mar 2013 at 18:51

Right, everything's in and bled, windows installed, and I've got 4.6Ghz on the 3770, with temps around 70 with Prime95. GPUs are running nice and cool, haven't seen over 40 yet running Valley or 3D Mark. BUT. I can't get any kind of overclock on them. I'm using EVGA precision, and it seems fine with the built in stress test, getting 35ish degrees, but the minute I launch Valley or 3D Mark, I get a graphics freeze, and the whole thing locks up, needing a reboot to cure. I've noticed on GPU-Z that card 1 is running Gen 3, but card 2 is running 1.1. I've tried forcing them both to Gen 3 in BIOS (running am Asus P8Z77V Premium mobo), but I'm still having the problem, and card 2 is still showing gen 1.1. Any ideas?

whyscotty · 30 Mar 2013 at 19:13

SpeckleD said:
I would read this prior to going socket 2011, as Ivy Bridge isnt getting an "E" release:
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2013/02/28/intel-haswell-e/1

Nice link - did you read all of it?

Last paragraph

"Intel, naturally, has refused to comment on the source's claims, reiterating only that it does not comment on what it calls 'industry rumour or speculation regarding unannounced products.' The presence of engineering samples, plus rumblings from industry sources of a confirmed 2013 launch for X79-compatible Ivy Bridge E parts, however, mean this particular rumour should be taken with a grain of salt"