help with rad cooling requirements

mrt88 · 4 Oct 2016 at 22:35

Hi all.

So I'm about to order my bits for my latest build. Im looking to build a loop for 1 6700k and a 1070. According to the Ek configurator one slim 360 rad should be more then enough for me.

Im going to build in the Phanteks Evolve ATX. My confusion is most build in that case look like they use 2 slim 360 or a 360 and a 240. Are these just overkill or is one 360 not enough for me ?

Because the case is limited i wanted to go with the EK SE 360 rad.

Thanks all.

archerz · 4 Oct 2016 at 23:11

as much as you can fit and afford in your case

Nichrome · 4 Oct 2016 at 23:19

Hi

To be fair, someone smart told me that you should always add a 120/140mm for each component. ie. 120mm for CPU only, 240mm rad for CPU+1GPU.
I had 240mm rad for CPU+1GPU and that was perfectly fine.

Aberfala · 5 Oct 2016 at 07:09

The general rule is 1 fan rad space per component plus 1 extra so for a CPU & GPU you'd be looking at a 360 Rad as EK recommended.

Of course temps will all depend on the rad thickness and the speed the fans are run at, if you want to run the fans slow then you're better off adding extra rad space to compensate.

Bluntwrapped · 5 Oct 2016 at 08:29

I'd recommend going with a Black Ice Nemesis 360 rather than the EK one. They're pretty much on top in terms of scalable fan speed performance.

Greebo · 5 Oct 2016 at 12:43

archerz said:
as much as you can fit and afford in your case

Nichrome said:
Hi

To be fair, someone smart told me that you should always add a 120/140mm for each component. ie. 120mm for CPU only, 240mm rad for CPU+1GPU.
I had 240mm rad for CPU+1GPU and that was perfectly fine.

Bluntwrapped said:
I'd recommend going with a Black Ice Nemesis 360 rather than the EK one. They're pretty much on top in terms of scalable fan speed performance.

All true. But always go for more. Reasons

1. You can run the fans at less rpm and get the same cooling performance as with a smaller rad so quieter
2. If your items change then you don't need to change/add to the loop.
3. A thicker 360 or a 480 rad vs a slim 360 barely cost much more esp compared with the total loop cost.

Lastly I find cpus need much more rad cooling space than cpus.

My current overkill system keeps my titan at 29C but the cpu still hits high 50s. (both overclocked)

And the black ice nemesis rads are amazing (but note they are wider than most rads so check size first)