First WC - please help

qbazdz

qbazdz

qbazdz

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Sooo...
It's been long time coming and I always wanted to WC my PC :)
Finally I have the resources and the kit to do it :)

Let's start with the system spec:
2500K @4.8GHz
MSI 6950 Frzr III
650D case

What I would like to put in here:
XSPC Raystorm on CPU
XSPC Raystorm on GPU
SR-1 240 rad on top of the case + 2x GT15
Phobya 200 rad in fronm of the case +1x Spectre Pro 200 (or 230 if I will want moooar powr :) )
Koolance 450 pump (D5 Vario)
Koolance 450 top

Now... As I'm completely new to WC I am not sure how to get best efficiency from the system.

The plan was to have: Top rad -> Front rad -> Res -> pump -> GPU -> CPU setup.
Could this be more efficient: Top rad -> Res -> pump -> Front rad -> GPU -> CPU

Does any1 know if the d5 Vario works better in one orientation? (Koolance top can have the res added, whereby the pump is in vertical orientation).

Does it matter if for the front rad I have the ports on the bottom or top?

Does the pump have to be below the rads? Will it improve efficiency?

I'll draw up the plan and current setup when I get home - gotta take the pic first :)

I want to get a yellow/black/gray theme in and wonder if Mayhem Pastel in Yellow would be a good idea (will it clog up the system fast?)
What tubing (quality, clear, no uv) should I be looking at?
Anything else I might need?

Thanks!
 
order doesnt matter as long as the res is immediately before the pump.
for easier bleeding I find it better to have the res as high as possible and the ports on the rads at the top, doesnt matter really though.
 
Managed to get the layout drawn up.

image.jpg


A little legend ;)
Yellow - Koolance res/top/d5 vario pump combo
Red - GPU/CPU blocks
Blue - rads
Green - fans
Red rectangles (small) - outlet ports
Orange rectangles (small) - inlet ports

I thought about using 30deg connectors + compression fittings (to get better flow than on 90deg elbows) on CPU out, GPU in& out, Pump in & out, Front rad in but don't know if this won't be an overkill... would also bankrupt on the fittings lol ;)
 
Hmmm.. point taken.
Wouldn't the GPU temp be lower than CPU one?

I know that the tubes bend but which clear one is good to go for (1/2" fittings)?

I am also wondering about not using the Koolance combo (only pump as it has RPM readout) and get a nice res and a different top (which one?)
I'm worried about the way the combo would be positioned (ports towards the open side of the case) as it introduces unnecessary bends.

Wouldn't reversing the flow in this setup (as per picture) be worse in terms of flow? pump would have higher restriction parts (rads) than in the clockwise setup? Would it make a difference or the system will reach equilibrium anyway ?
 
use the easiest or neatest route to put your tubing! It doesn't matter(or matter very little) if CPU comes first or not. Eventually water temp in the loop will come to its equilibrium(if I had a pound for every time I have said that in here....).
I used XSPC clear tubing just recently and they do bends very well(1/2" ID 3/4" OD).
Koolance pump is not the only one with the RPM(techo signal) readout! I have an Alphacool pump with top which has RPM(Aquacomputer also does it).
 
general thinking is that because the CPU will be overclocked more often than not and reach a higher temp if not cooled first they are ussually first in the loop, as this is more critical to keep cool than the GPU however itll still work as in the diagram just your coolest water wont be hitting the CPU block first

if it were the other way the hot from the CPU would have the same detrimental effect on the GPu block (hence why some people have dual loops) so its a sort of catch 22 in some repects i guess.

tubing wise masterkleer or tygon i think are the best but theres lots of choice on that one and everyone has their favs

i wouldnt reverse the flow in the setup. if anything just go thru the cpu b4 the gpu however itll still have the same basic restrictions eitherway i would say.

and yes eventually it reaches a sort of equalibrium there will be minimal diference in the end between temps at the highest and lowest in the loop that will depend on your room tamp and air across the radiators.

the direction is fine as is just some will say go to the cpu b4 the gpu no need to reverse the direction of your set up tho
 
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qbazdz said:
Thanks!
Any real differences between them? (bare pumps) or they are just a different label?
Click to expand...

Slight difference in the top, but not enough change any real performance gain/loss. Pump is actually made by swiftech(MCP655).

Do not use tygon or primochill(unless you want the clouding effect) in case if you or any one else missed it have a read about the thread where Mayhams did a series of tests for lot of tubing for their clouding effect.
 
Avathar77 said:
Slight difference in the top, but not enough change any real performance gain/loss. Pump is actually made by swiftech(MCP655).

Do not use tygon or primochill(unless you want the clouding effect) in case if you or any one else missed it have a read about the thread where Mayhams did a series of tests for lot of tubing for their clouding effect.
Click to expand...


oooh didnt realise tygon was having probs if so forget that then so far my masterkleer has been fine tho
 
So.. what do you think about the revised spec:
XSPC Raystorm on CPU
XSPC Raystorm on GPU
SR-1 240 rad on top of the case + 2x GT15
Phobya 200 rad in fronm of the case +1x Spectre Pro 200 (or 230 if I will want moooar powr )
Alphacool 655 D5 Vario
EK D5 X-Top V2 Top
Feser 1 UV Yellow Fluid

Now... I need to make up my mind about the res ;)
Bitspower Z-Multi 150mm or Phobya Balancer 150...

What does this plate in Phobya Balancer do?

If I go for Koolance 1/2" fittings I have two options - 19mm and 16mm, what would be a better size tubing for flexibility without kinking - thinner 16mm?? How stiff is 19mm with 3mm wall?
 
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swap the coolant for a Mayhams X1 or Thermochil EC6.
I think y the "plate" in the res you mean an anti cyclone?(it stops the cyclone effect in side a res).
As I said above, I use XSPC 1/2"ID 3/4"OD tubing(which has 3mm walls) and it is very flexible without kinking.
 
craarc said:
f

anyways itll work fine only thing is some people prefer cpu block b4 gpu block

cause your hitting the cpu with preheated water like that way itll work tho as far as flow is concerned
Click to expand...

makes no difference, the water temp in the whole loop will equalise very quickly

shortest root = best flow = best performance

I also use 3mm thickness tube (albeit 10mm/13mm) and it is very kink resistant

90, 60 or 45 degree bends will make almost no difference either, unless you are planning on having 20 of them, if having a fitting or 2 in there helps keep the routing tidy then it's better to have it than not, having said that, looking at your routing you will have no problems getting tubing to hold those curves without kinking so you shouldn't need any bent fittings as far as I can see
 
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