Is this possible:

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Is it possible to instal another rad into a single loop setup?

Pump/Res > triple rad > CPU > Double RAD > GPU > and back to Pump/Res

Pump/res details
XSPC

• Model : Dual 750 clear Bay Reservoir with pump

• Pump Speed : 750 LPH

• Delivery Head : 1.8m

• Voltage : 12V 4pin Molex

• Power consumption : 10W
 
because that 750L/PH is more like 540L/PH and two radiators plus three blocks is going to slow the flow rate to a crawl
 
The 750LPH will be an accurate measurement, but likely to be the value for zero peripheral resistance. It'll decrease as the resistance increases until the pump stalls. I'm confident that adding another radiator will decrease, but not halt, flow rate.

Radiator resistance is very low compared to other things in the loop. Adding another gpu block would significantly decrease flow rate, but another radiator wont make much difference. I'm certain that it'll be fine. I should be able to find a reference for this.

Note that your temperatures may be high because flow rate is too low, not because you need more radiators. Cpu blocks tend to be sensitive to flow rate. A really useful measurement here is the air-water temperature difference for obvious reasons.

Feser triple 0.16psi
Elbows 0.05psi
Water blocks 1.8 to 3.6psi
EK 8800GT 1.05 psi, post 11 of the above

Or in other words, you'll need over 15 triple radiators to achieve the same pressure drop that a single ek supreme causes.
 
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So, if I'm reading your post correctly JonJ678, adding a double rad between the CPU and GPU may be beneficial since the rad won't hardly effect the flow rate?
 
Exactly so. Emphasis on the "may" however, if you're looking for better temperatures its worth establishing if you need more cooling surface area or greater flow rate. If a water thermometer is unavailable then the following (inaccurate and subjective, but quick) tests may be worthwhile.

1/ If slowing the fans down/switching some off has little to no effect on temperatures, you wont benefit from another radiator.
2/ If decreasing flow rate, say putting a clamp on the tubing, has a dramatic effect on temperatures, this suggests you're flow rate limited.
3/ Temperature difference between cpu and gpu with comparison to a similar set up, if cpu load temps are disproportionately high this suggests flow (smaller die => impingement blocks, which are only effective at high pressures)
4/ Touch the radiators, and stick your hand in the airflow from them. If either is noticeably hot it suggests you'll benefit from another radiator. Ideally the water temp should be low enough that you can't really tell that the radiator is warmer than the room, and the airflow feels fairly cool.


Using my current loop as an example. I have an ek supreme, two gpu blocks, a chipset block, three radiators, and two quick disconnects. A few 90 degree barbs too. Adding a forth radiator had no effect whatsoever on temperatures, however going from one 18W DDC to two in series took ten degrees off my cpu temperature. GPU temperatures were unaffected by either another radiator, or by the second pump.

This loop is rather more restrictive than yours, but equally the pumps involved have higher head pressure so are better suited to multiple block loops. Flow rate limited systems rarely come up in computer watercooling, as multiple loops are fashionable and people tend to over-specify pumps. Loop order doesn't matter if flow rate is within normal bounds, but it will matter if you're flow rate limited as the temperature drop across a radiator will be higher.

If you can list components (processor, water blocks etc) it should be possible to deduce the temperatures you'd see at normal flow rate, and from that + your temps where the bottleneck is. Radiators (with known fans) have known C/W values, and waterblock testing tends to give a graph of cpu - water delta vs flow rate. Power consumption of processors/graphics cards/pumps is generally known. Its probably easier to stick a thermometer in the reservoir though.
 
Very well constructed post and a good read. Thanks for your time. Some good point there and I has actually never thought about reading the ambient temperature of the reservoir so will have a go at that tonight along with some other tests you have suggested.

My proposed setup is.

Dual 750 clear Bay Reservoir with 10w pump >
MCR320 - Triple Rad 120mm >
Q6600 with XSPC Edge Acrylic CPU Waterblock >
XSPC RS - dual 120mm rad >
ATI 5870 with EK 5870 Plexi >
back to Res >

1/2ID 3/4OD tubing, with compression fittings
 
Thanks, more than happy to help.

You have my envy for the waterblock, that's about as good as low flow blocks will ever get. It rather suggests that the pump isn't the issue though.

As far as noise per watt dissipated is concerned, the newer 60mm thick radiators are considerably better than the 30mm thick ones you're using. Not enough of an improvement to be worth replacing them for unless the noise is getting to you, but certainly worth it if buying another one.

How did the testing go?

Cheers
 
Is it possible to instal another rad into a single loop setup?

Pump/Res > triple rad > CPU > Double RAD > GPU > and back to Pump/Res

Pump/res details
XSPC

• Model : Dual 750 clear Bay Reservoir with pump

• Pump Speed : 750 LPH

• Delivery Head : 1.8m

• Voltage : 12V 4pin Molex

• Power consumption : 10W

Been wondering the same TBH

Currenty have:

120.3 RAD > Swiftech GTz > R2E NB > Res > Swiftech MCP655 (D5 Vario)

Have 2 X EK GTX 480 Nickel blocks sat waiting for cards :D
 
Well. I've installed my new 5870 with stock cooler this weekend just to make sure it's ok out of the box leaving the CPU on it's own WC loop.. I'll give this a month or so then install the 5870 water blockand fit the extra rad on one loop and see what happens. Will post a log about this nearer the time.
 
Well. I've installed my new 5870 with stock cooler this weekend just to make sure it's ok out of the box leaving the CPU on it's own WC loop.. I'll give this a month or so then install the 5870 water blockand fit the extra rad on one loop and see what happens. Will post a log about this nearer the time.

Good stuff :)
Subscribed :)
 
Ive had three RADs in a single loop, you just need a decent pump ( i had 2 ddc ultas with a double top)
 
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