Loop upgrade (CPU + GPU loop).

Emjay86

Emjay86

Emjay86

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2 Apr 2011
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Wales
Hey guys.

Ive had some advice previously and its all been great. Im still trying to figure out exactly what I want and im in need of more advice (sorry!).

I have drawn up a very simple image to show how im thinking of setting my system up.

[URL=http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g130/Sparkeh86/?action=view&current=corsair_800d_2.jpg][/URL]

Basically im looking at getting a new dual bay res so I can be as much of a poser as possible and show off some nice fluids. The 360 rad is cooled by an intake of 3 140mm fans and ive currently got this set up so ill not need to change anything there. Theres an outtake 120mm fan at the back and the CPU is the first stop for the newly cooled fluid. From there my loop stops but I want to include my 2 GeForce 580 GTX cards. The idea is to run the fluid through the two cards and then back up to the reservoir where the fun starts all over again.

Going by that am I cooling things efficiently and do I need to include another rad to keep my GPU's cool.

If any of you guys could give feedback on this that would be most appreciated.

Also if you could suggest potential gear that would also be awesome. Things like the reservoir and whatever else id need to add to the loop would be great.

Thanks in advance guys :D
 
Sorry the top 3 fans are 120mm fans. They are Xigmatec purple LED fans. I chose them over looks rather than performance although they are apparantly fairly decent anyway (apparantly!).

Im not entirely sure what the radiator is as I got the current loop pre-built by OcUK and have no record of what was used (Ive misplaced it since moving!)

In regards to specs I was going to say just the reservoir and whatever extra I needed on top of that but since I don't know what model rad I have and ive noticed its a little damaged ill need to invest in a new one of those too.

The only thing id like to keep really are the fans (although if there are better fans available that can accommodate LED's or already come with purple LED's then that would be awesome!)

The tubing will be changed too as its become a little cloudy and generally grubby over time.

I guess based on all that then yes a full spec would be awesome!

Thanks in advance :P

Also if you could tell me where to put what that would be great.

P.S. Im looking to achieve a fairly effective cooling system with as little mess as possible. I.E. I don't want tubing to be everywhere inside my case causing it to look like an intestinal explosion. Something nice and neat would be ideal.

Cheers again.
 
Love the look of that res.

What do you mean by parallel loops?

My current rad is 1.5 inch thick and it doesn't seem to have any labels on it.

Im thinking perhaps getting one of those hardware labs stealth rads might be a good idea.

Anyway your feedback is much appreciated.
 
Cool.

So what would you recommend me buying for the loop.

An XSPC EX 360 rad for the top, new tubing and 2 blocks for GPU.

What would you suggest for reservoir Cleecloo?

That danger den res looks awesome but I didn't understand the comment on parallel loops.

Cheers!
 
Any chance I could get a full spec?

Im aiming for good, efficient cooling that can put up with high end graphics and long gaming hours.

Cheers!
 
Cleeecooo said:
Oh dear, I'm getting all my threads confused!

Thought I'd already specced you!:p

Budget?
Click to expand...

I dont necessarily have a budget as it will be a work in progress where need be.

Thanks dude very much appreciated!

If I had a cookie you'd be receiving it right about.... now!
 
A quick question regarding the fans.

Ive noticed the scythe fans are apparantly the best on the market for cooling and noise performance and as such I have been tempted to get these anyway. I do however love my current xigmatec fans, purely because they are purple and im going for a purple colour scheme with my final build (already have my G19 and Naga on purples alert!). With that in mind is it worth me getting the 3 scythe fans and placing them beneath the radiator so as to use a pull/push system for my rad?

Would having slower fans being the first pull for cool air hamper the performance and basically waste the whole point of using scythes?

If so is there some way in which I can mod these scythes without again hampering their performance but allow me to add purple LED's to them?

Thanks again!

Also in regards to that reservoir, would it be considered the better of the bay reservoirs out there? I will most likely be able to show off my fluids the most from the front of the case so im looking for the most aesthetically pleasing (or fluid exposing) res while retaining a decent level of functionality and efficiency.

Yes im a fussy bugger :p

Thanks again!
 
Thanks cleecloo your helping me narrow my list down massively.

You should be knighted!

Or something along those lines anyway!

Thanks old chap!

Edit:

By the way I just noticed there isn't a second, smaller rad in that suggested list. Is that because the listed components would be enough to cool the 2 GPU's and CPU or has it been left out by mistake?

Thanks
 
lol cheers.

Would using a slim "Hardware Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 120 Radiator". Be sufficient to add to the loop?

Its placing would be on the back exhaust fan so I have a feeling ill need a smaller rad (which is why I ask).

On that thought how would I do the loop?

RES -> 360 RAD -> CPU -> 120 RAD -> GPU -> GPU -> RES
 
Ok thanks guys.

How about the loop itself?

Does what I have written down seem to be correct? That being:

RES -> 360 RAD -> CPU -> 120 RAD -> GPU -> GPU -> RES

Also how should I go about cooling the radiators? Currently my 360 rad is using an intake flow of air and the back fan (the one which ill be placing the 120 rad) as an exhaust. With the 120 rad there this probably wouldn't be the best place to have an exhaust or will it not matter?

Thanks again in advance
 
Ok so ive pretty much got everything sorted for my list but im still yet to decide on a reservoir. I do like the look of the danger den res that was suggested so that may well be the winner. Ill do some more window shopping in the meanwhile to see what I can get.

No doubt ill be asking about something else in the near future but thanks for all the advice and help so far!
 
After looking around I think the danger den reservoir is the best one for me. Ill be looking for a retailer to get that (why don't you stock it OCuK... I feel like im having an affair! :( ) and at the same time I was thinking of getting a quick disconnect shutoff coupling.

Have any of you had any dealings with these and if so are they worth getting?

I was thinking of getting just the one for the time being for when I drain the system. That being said if any of you can come up with better suggestions to how then ill happily listen!
 
Thanks for the pic dude. Definately what I'm aiming for. Nice and simple. I hate seeing tubing everywhere.

I'm pretty much decided on getting the danger den monsoon bay res however. Just to please my inner tart.

I like the suggestion on airflow too. Makes a lot of sense. The one thing I do have to ask though is what kind of temps are you getting with just that 360?
 
Cheers for the advice dude.

Im prepared to pay for top quality stuff and ill slowly add to the loop. Im in no rush to get everything at once.

As for fans I was going to go with the Scythes and if I can't figure out how to mod them (it looks a bit complex for me!) then ill simply have them on the other side of the rad doing their thing while my xigmatec's look pretty (ill probably reduce their workload so as to reduce the noise, 3 120's and 1 140 turns out to be fairly noisy!).
 
absolutely. I dont currently have any temp sensors so I keep the fans running 100% at the moment as I'm a little paranoid with temps. I managed to fry a 580gtx somehow a few months ago (although I think it was psu related)
 
As im pretty much overhauling my whole loop ill be looking at getting new tubing and connectors. What should I be looking for in regards to this?

Also on a side note regarding the actual tubing (not size) what are the pros/cons for clear tubing with UV fluid vs UV tubing?

Thanks in advance!
 
Ok cheers buddy much appreciated.

I still may go with UV tubing though as im planning on using Mayhems Aurora fluid. Ive got a bottle of the purple galaxy fluid sat next to my desk and im dying to use it!
 
You have a point but the aurora doesn't have uv properties and within tubing it just looks like a normal fluid. It's in the bay reservoir where it will really shine most.
 
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