Noobie Advice Please

norris900

norris900

norris900

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24 Jun 2013
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6
Hi i'm looking to do my first water cooling setup and i could really use some input on what i'll need.

I have a Full ATX NZXT Phantom case http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-022-NX

with 2x GTX 470's in SLI and an I7-4770K on a gigabyte Z87X-D3H mobo.

The issue is i cant get the airflow right as the GTX 470s sit only a few mm apart.
So when gaming i have to set custom fan speeds on them that make my system sound like a faulty vacuum cleaner to prevent them burning out.

I'd like to over clock them and really get all i can from them and my processor too but the heat of it all with 4HDD is just too much to get even close.

So a friend suggested i finally go for water.

To my question, if i get a block for each of the 470s and the cpu how many loops will i need as i assume just 1 loop wont cut it.

Also i have been looking at the kits but due to my case choice i suspect i need to work it out myself as the v12 kit here is probably bigger than i can fit easily. so i was thinking to fit a small 120mm rad and a 240mm rad daisy chained with a XSPC D5 Dual Bay Reservoir/Pump Combo.

I think this would let me run two loops if i understand what i've just read but i cant think how i could link it all unless i had a radiator in each loop.

Can anyone advise me on a sensible setup or even if i should just ditch the water idea which really interests me and spend the money on a new gpu instead of cooling gear.

Thanks for reading and any advice offered
 
Quick bit of googling suggests your GPUs and cpu output 515w. You can use it as an estimate to radiators needed.

Now you say youd like to overclock so lets add another 100w (maybe overkill but better to buy once than have to buy more later on).

I think you'd have to consider an external rad to dissapate that sort of heat.

Or a bigger case.

The 470s are still very capable cards but they don't half run hot.

I'd suggest a 360+240mm rads to be sure I don't think 360mm total will cut it.

You could run them in one loop if you wish to.

Do you have a budget? Hopefully can find somthing suitable for you :)
 
As a budget i was looking to spend around £450 but i'm pretty flexible on that.

Thanks for the information, i spent hours looking for radiators and what sort of watt/heat dissipation they can achieve at various fan speeds. It seems i need to a lot of maths.

Going through some power calculators i'd say your estimate of 615W is spot on.

I don't like the idea of an external Radiator as i have a clumsy cat that would undoubtedly attack any moving parts or bump into tubing.

I may go wild and build myself a custom case if i'm going to need as much radiator space as you think.

Thanks again
 
Oh and another though as now i'm mentally designing a case, Does the reservoir size act as a buffer. Obviously you need to cool the water as fast as the components are heating it, but with an increased volume of water wouldn't it heat the over all volume of water more slowly?
 
My advice would be to sell the 470's and buy a new card that performs as well (or better if you can justify the cost) as that way not only would you only have to buy one waterblock but the new card will put out less heat than a single 470 meaning your rad space and fan speed requirements will drop.

For comparison you could run your CPU and a GTX680/HD7950 off a single thick 360mm rad and it would get better temps than running your current setup off a 360+240.
 
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why not just sell the 470s, add £200 and buy a 7970 / gtx 680 or so? loads less heat & power used.

edit- the above replyed at the same time lol
 
Corsair Carbide 540 would take a 360 and 240mm rads. You may need a few 90 degree fittings but they do fit. Only case really, apart from maybe the TJ07 that springs to mind that would fit these in fairly easily.

The water does act as a buffer in a way yes, but id suspect the effect is small. Id personally say you could get away with having two 240mm rads, fan speeds may be slightly higher though. Swings and roundabouts really.

£450 is enough for the case and a custom designed loop with 2 240mm rads, just about anyway.
 
Pricing it up in my head mate, if you did what Oz and myself said and sell the 470's then that money combined with the money saved by not having to buy a second block, plus the money saved by not needing as much rad space would cover the cost of a HD7970 or GTX680.
 
So my revised plan, ditch the 470's and get a 670, run on air for a month while I build a custom case that will take some massive radiators, then upgrade to SLI on the 670s

Yup I'm going all out and building a case, as personally I find all of the cases large enough for the radiators are hideous.
 
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