External Rad Question

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 10:20

So I've been toying with the idea of using an external rad setup, which will be positioned on my my window bay. Unlike the conventional way using the MO-RA 420, I'm going to be using a Liquid Haus stand, that can support a twin or triple rad setup (with some basic modding).
I ideally want to keep it as cheap as possible, so will be using some exisiting 360 rads. Currently I have the V1 011d XL, along with the EK distro plate using the D5 pump and two 360 rads for the cpu (currently the 5900x) and the GFX (Red Devil 6950xt with EK block).

My questions are;

as I'll be running the rads externally, I'll be using 6 fans in push. I was thinking of using the powered splitty 9 to hook up the fans, and then run SATA power cables daisy chained back to the case. I'm assuming the SATA Power can do this (run length will be approx 1.2 - 1.5m)
For now, I plan on using the distro plate as the res/pump combo, though in the future I'd like to upgrade and get a pump/res combo for the external setup when funds allow. What is the best way to do this for power? I'm assuming that I can do just the same with the above and get 60cm SATA power extensons?
Given that i'm using the D5 pump, will the D5 pump be ok to run an external set up like this? I'll be using Koolance QD3 disconnects (2 female/2 male).
Finally, I'm going to be likely moving to either a 14700k or 7900x3d - would I still be ok with decent temps with 2 x 360 rads, and low fan noise, or would I be better off getting a 240 or another 360?

Thanks in advance for all replies

darkblade · 15 Nov 2023 at 10:51

teejay73 said:
[*]Given that i'm using the D5 pump, will the D5 pump be ok to run an external set up like this? I'll be using Koolance QD3 disconnects (2 female/2 male).

One key question will be where the location of the case is to the radiator? Is it at a similar height, or is the case on the floor? If it's on the floor, that will put additional work on the pump, which you are already asking a lot, with two or possibly more rads, two blocks and the restrictive disconnects.

If you want to run all this outside of the case on one loop, you really need to be looking at that MO-RA 420.
Alternatively, run two loops (one for CPU, one for GPU), which means an additional pump, reservoir and tube and fittings.

Trying to do this on the cheap is just going to cause additional problems.

Mcnumpty2323 · 15 Nov 2023 at 11:22

Have used 2 feet (60cm)
Sata extensions before with no issues
Believe I even daisy chained 2 of them

Have run 3 rads,2 blocks and using
4 koolance quick disconnects
With a d5 before
Though rads were internal

I would add the third 360mm rad
More radiator is always better
And usually easiest to just do it to start with
Rather than add one later

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 11:29

darkblade said:
One key question will be where the location of the case is to the radiator? Is it at a similar height, or is the case on the floor? If it's on the floor, that will put additional work on the pump, which you are already asking a lot, with two or possibly more rads, two blocks and the restrictive disconnects.

If you want to run all this outside of the case on one loop, you really need to be looking at that MO-RA 420.
Alternatively, run two loops (one for CPU, one for GPU), which means an additional pump, reservoir and tube and fittings.

Trying to do this on the cheap is just going to cause additional problems.

To be honest, I haven't really made up my mind on ideal location, though desk space is at slight premium. I have two D5's, one brand new and the other in my system, so I could look into utilising two pumps, however, I was under the impression that the head pressure for D5's was over 3 metres, though I could be wrong on that?

The MO-RA 420 is still a possibility, and I've not ruled it out as a possibility, but surely using the MO-RA would make it no different with regards to a restricted loop? I have also thought about two loops, but that adds extra costs with res/pump tops.

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 11:35

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Have used 2 feet (60cm)
Sata extensions before with no issues
Believe I even daisy chained 2 of them

Have run 3 rads,2 blocks and using
4 koolance quick disconnects
With a d5 before
Though rads were internal

I would add the third 360mm rad
More radiator is always better
And usually easiest to just do it to start with
Rather than add one later

That's good to know with regards to the SATA power extensions. That's def my go to option, as running a seperate power brick to power an external set up just adds something else to the potential problem of forgetting to turn it on. I'm also thinking that 3 rads would be optimum, though I need to determine if going the MO-RA 420 would be the best option or not before then.

Mcnumpty2323 · 15 Nov 2023 at 11:51

Yeah d5 head is approx 11--12 feet
Though would guess that's in test situation
With absolutely no components
Involved to reduce things

If you already have a second d5
Using 2 in case of pump failure is something
I used to do before changed to a distro
Assuming you have enough space to fit the 2nd
I did like having the redundancy of 2 pumps just in case

Edit
2 pumps in series
Will also increase the head
Though not the flow
Seems counterintuitive flow doesn't increase lol

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 11:59

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Yeah d5 head is approx 11--12 feet
Though would guess that's in test situation
With absolutely no components
Involved to reduce things

If you already have a second d5
Using 2 in case of pump failure is something
I used to do before changed to a distro
Assuming you have enough space to fit the 2nd
I did like having the redundancy of 2 pumps just in case

The more i'm thinking about the more I think that actually using two pumps might be a better solution, and maybe look at something like the MO-RA 420/Alphacool Nova. Just seeing whats possible at this stage, and what gives the best bang for buck.

Mcnumpty2323 · 15 Nov 2023 at 12:02

teejay73 said:
The more i'm thinking about the more I think that actually using two pumps might be a better solution, and maybe look at something like the MO-RA 420/Alphacool Nova. Just seeing whats possible at this stage, and what gives the best bang for buck.

Yeah redundancy is always a good plan
Plus just edited
To say 2 pumps in series increase head
Just at same time you replied

Shilz · 15 Nov 2023 at 15:35

I run an external setup with alpha cool rads 1 x 420mm and 1 x 280mm.
I would try and run 2 D5s, although 1 should do I have 2 and run both of them at level 1 completely silent through a dual D5 top res combo setup.
Also no issue with flow through a Aquacomputer Filter, fair few angled rotarys and Koolance QD3s which just to add are the best things I ever bought.

For the rad fans I made up a nice 1.5m length of cable (2 core mains cable) and wired it up to a molex connector. I then have a fan controller plugged in to the rad setup to control all the fans manually.
Fwiw I run all BeQuite Shadow wing fans and they're really silent so just leave them at about half way on the fan controller dial which is about 600rpm.

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 16:11

Shilz said:
I run an external setup with alpha cool rads 1 x 420mm and 1 x 280mm.
I would try and run 2 D5s, although 1 should do I have 2 and run both of them at level 1 completely silent through a dual D5 top res combo setup.
Also no issue with flow through a Aquacomputer Filter, fair few angled rotarys and Koolance QD3s which just to add are the best things I ever bought.

That's good to know - thanks Shilz! Tbh I did wonder if a D5 would be an issue with head pressure, so I'm looking at dual pump solutions going forward.

Jay85 · 15 Nov 2023 at 16:45

2 x D5's minimum, with everything im running at the moment i can tell you my flow rate isn't anywhere near as good as it should be due to the QD's i have in the loop.

If you can get yourself one of those dual D5 pump tops and mount that to the rad stand, that would be ideal.

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 17:34

Jay85 said:
2 x D5's minimum, with everything im running at the moment i can tell you my flow rate isn't anywhere near as good as it should be due to the QD's i have in the loop.

If you can get yourself one of those dual D5 pump tops and mount that to the rad stand, that would be ideal.

How many QD's have you got in your system, Jay? I was personally only going to go for 2 female, and two male (with the males on a g 1/4 thread for the pass through. I'm def leaning more and more to dual pumps - makes sense as I have two D5's anyway.

Jay85 · 15 Nov 2023 at 17:41

teejay73 said:
How many QD's have you got in your system, Jay? I was personally only going to go for 2 female, and two male (with the males on a g 1/4 thread for the pass through. I'm def leaning more and more to dual pumps - makes sense as I have two D5's anyway.

Currently have 2 as well as the rest of the rig is hardlined. Just with the 2 installed, cpu and gpu block plus the MORA360 its slowing down quite abit. I now have to run 1 pump at 80% and the other is still okay at 60%. If you have distro's etc in the loop too you will probably be running close to 80/90% on both pumps.

Im speaking entirely from experience here, it may differ slightly for you due to tube length and how restrictive your rads are etc. Generally my MORA360 isn't particularly restrictive but the QD's definitely are.

Jay85 · 15 Nov 2023 at 17:42

Something like this would be good for you if you kinda find the TOP only without the pumps.

EK Water Blocks EK-XTOP Revo Dual D5 PWM Serial - (incl. 2x pump)

Order EK Water Blocks EK-XTOP Revo Dual D5 PWM Serial - (incl. 2x pump) now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 17:48

Jay85 said:
Currently have 2 as well as the rest of the rig is hardlined. Just with the 2 installed, cpu and gpu block plus the MORA360 its slowing down quite abit. I now have to run 1 pump at 80% and the other is still okay at 60%. If you have distro's etc in the loop too you will probably be running close to 80/90% on both pumps.

Im speaking entirely from experience here, it may differ slightly for you due to tube length and how restrictive your rads are etc. Generally my MORA360 isn't particularly restrictive but the QD's definitely are.

Jay85 said:
Something like this would be good for you if you kinda find the TOP only without the pumps.

EK Water Blocks EK-XTOP Revo Dual D5 PWM Serial - (incl. 2x pump)

Order EK Water Blocks EK-XTOP Revo Dual D5 PWM Serial - (incl. 2x pump) now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

I take your word as gospel, as I've been an admirer of your builds for a good while. I'll def look at 2 x D5's. I'm thinking that I'll probaly ditch the idea to run straight to the distro, as it was only a short term option anyway, but it's def looking more costly as I move forward with ideas, etc. I've actually been looking at that EK dual D5 top literally 20 mins ago - haha. Edit: I actually think it comes as a bare unit too which is handy

Jay85 · 15 Nov 2023 at 17:55

teejay73 said:
I take your word as gospel, as I've been an admirer of your builds for a good while. I'll def look at 2 x D5's. I'm thinking that I'll probaly ditch the idea to run straight to the distro, as it was only a short term option anyway, but it's def looking more costly as I move forward with ideas, etc. I've actually been looking at that EK dual D5 top literally 20 mins ago - haha. Edit: I actually think it comes as a bare unit too which is handy

It's never cheap watercooling, you think it is and make a budget then start buying parts and realise you don't have enough plus contingency planning and you can run up quite a bill :cry:

.

Yeah i had a look, OCUK doesn't sell it but i think another place i use does have the unit in stock thats currently doing 15% off BF offer so well worth picking one up now if you're mind is set.

Edit: the Aqua Computer Dual D5 unit is gorgeous but it costs way too much for what it is.

qbhatti · 15 Nov 2023 at 17:59

I have an alphacool 1080. My pump is externally mounted as well as I don't have fancy distro plates.
I have 9 fans on it. The fans are controlled via a simple 9 10way fan splitter and powered using an external multivolt power brick..I set the voltage to 4.5v and it works perfectly for me.

I only have a 5900x and a 1080ti but I do plan on cooling my router as well at some point.
It works really well.

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 18:03

Jay85 said:
It's never cheap watercooling, you think it is and make a budget then start buying parts and realise you don't have enough plus contingency planning and you can run up quite a bill .

Yeah i had a look, OCUK doesn't sell it but i think another place i use does have the unit in stock thats currently doing 15% off BF offer so well worth picking one up now if you're mind is set.

Edit: the Aqua Computer Dual D5 unit is gorgeous but it costs way too much for what it is.

Ahh mate tell me about it! I started years ago with dual 360 Monsta rads that are still in the garage somewhere. I'm loathed to get rid of the distroplate, as that was over £300, but I'm bored of that now, and ideally want to downsize in the future to a sff, but to do that means to go with an external set up if I want to keep my rig under water. I have noted the other place, and I agree about the Aquacomputer one - lovely, but pricey!

teejay73 · 15 Nov 2023 at 18:05

qbhatti said:
I have an alphacool 1080. My pump is externally mounted as well as I don't have fancy distro plates.
I have 9 fans on it. The fans are controlled via a simple 9 10way fan splitter and powered using an external multivolt power brick..I set the voltage to 4.5v and it works perfectly for me.

I only have a 5900x and a 1080ti but I do plan on cooling my router as well at some point.
It works really well.

I've looked at this option of using a power brick, but I'm totally not sure what I should be looking at - can you link to one if it's not an OCUK competitior?

qbhatti · 15 Nov 2023 at 18:10

Tbh any multivolt powerbrick will do. They all come with multiple tips, and one of those tips is the little green one with two screwed bits that you can connect wire to.i just chopped off one of the plugs on the 3 pin fan cable and popped the cables in.
It's so easy. And you can easily control the fans..I couldnt tolerate them at 13v, but 7.5 and below were perfect. Below 4.5v they wouldn't turn on.

Dalugo is the manufacturer of the one I use..about 12quid Amazon