Help with loop design

slachev · 6 Feb 2014 at 21:22

Hi guys, i'm fairly new to custom water cooling. Managed to get a simple loop up and running but need your advice on my next stage. Below is my current setup with 1 pump/reservoir, 280mm radiator, MB, CPU and GPU in the loop. I'm adding 2 more GPUs and 1 more 280mm radiator. The questions are 1. do i need a second pump (2nd reservoir?) any recommendations on a model? and where is best to put it if i go for a single loop. and 2nd giving the fact that the XSPC EX280mm is out of stock can you recommend a substitute. The case is Corsair 750D

Thanks in advance

Meoricin · 7 Feb 2014 at 11:58

Is that really enough rad space? I'm assuming you're planning on overclocking a bit - I would be looking to fit a third rad in there, and I definitely wouldn't try to use a 750 pump/res to push through that many blocks.

Perhaps try to pick up a D5 or DDC pump setup?

slachev · 7 Feb 2014 at 13:40

So far the sole 280mm is keeping the overclocked 290 at 51-53 degrees core and 60ish for the VRMs while mining. The 4770K is not clocked and probably won't be as for the moment the only numbers i'm interested in are the kh/s the GPUs are mining with

So i hope 1 more 280mm will deal with 2 GPUs

The only place left for a radiator is the back for a 140mm one but i prefer not to put that much clutter if it can be avoided. The other option is to use thicker radiator at the front but this will call for noisier fans.

I wouldn't dare forcing the current pump through that many blocks, i just don't have the knowledge of what do i need and where to best place it in the loop.

I was hoping that someone dealt with similar setups before and will be able to assist but i guess i will have to go with the overkill and swap the H2O 750 with dual D5s

DanielCoffey · 7 Feb 2014 at 21:04

Do you have ports on the back of the case to add a free-standing external radiator (think Phobya 1080 rads)?

slachev · 7 Feb 2014 at 23:37

I do, but i'm not going to mount an external rad unless absolutely must so. My main concern was about the pump and the loop order. At the end i just went for the overkill of dual D5s. The last components should arrive monday-tuesday and we shal see

Mynight · 8 Feb 2014 at 01:02

Hey bit late to give advise I think but have a look at hardware labs sr1 for an alternative rad or ek coolstream. I prefere the sr1 but either would be a fine replacement.

I must admit I'm surprised at the rad area but if its working I can't contest

As for pumps a single 18w DDC or D5 would be fine but if you've already gone for the dual D5 then bigger = better

you only need one res if your single looping two res would be a nightmare to bleed even with two pumps. If you decide to go with two loops then dual res/pump is a must.

What on earth are you running to need 3x 290?

(I'm jealous).

DanielCoffey · 8 Feb 2014 at 07:26

Mynight said:
What on earth are you running to need 3x 290? (I'm jealous).

He's mining. I just hope someone's paying for the 'leccy.

slachev · 8 Feb 2014 at 10:20

Thanks for the reply, at the end i went for the Hardware Labs Black ICE Radiator GT Xtreme 280 rad, as the XSPC one was out of stock everywhere. I wish i had seen the SR1 as i indeed value silence over performance. But the order is already shipped and i can't be bothered with ordering the SR1 and returning the GTX. Is there a big difference in them?

And yes i will use the cards for mining, even with the leccy bill they will pay for themselves in 2 to 3 months. And another 2 probably for the entire water cooling loop.

I was contemplating a custom water cooling loop for quite some time but couldn't bring myself to it due to the cost and the uncharted waters. And managed to achieve almost perfect quietness with corsair 550D, Corsair hydro H90 and couple of Noctua fans. And the the mining fever took over and there was no more silence. I shipped the mining rigs overseas but still wanted to be able to mine at least a litte bit from home. Hens this water cooling adventure.

Mynight · 8 Feb 2014 at 13:06

Gts is fine you'll just need slightly louder fans to get the cooling. As long as it wasnt the gtx stealth afaik that's a thinner rad.

Wish you the best of luck with mining

slachev · 8 Feb 2014 at 13:40

Any recommendations for the fans? I have 2 leftover Noctua NF-A14 PWM according to the spec they are at Static Pressure 2,08 mm H2O and Airflow of 82.5 CFM which seems decent giving the 25db at full speed. Their biggest downside by far is the hideous colors but...

I'm confident in them when it comes to bushing air in/from the case, not sure how they perform when mounted on radiators. Are there any decent alternatives?