Planning WC layout - Help meh!

jinxpad

jinxpad

jinxpad

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12 Nov 2009
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Hey Guys,

I've found this place by far the best place for advice on setting up my new rig.

First off this is the Planned purchase list (Definitely subject to change based on requirements and recommendations).




Before I actually go ahead with my purchase, there are a couple of things which I am sure I'll need to change in terms of quantities of certain products on the list such as the fittings.

I want to have an internal setup, I mean... it's one of the big reasons I got the 800D in the first place.

As such, I'll only be cooling the GPU and CPU. I only have a single 480, but I want to keep it nice and cool (I've seen the benchmarks of watercooling these cards and it seems amazing to see an OC'd 480 on load to peak at 55-60oC).

What I really want to know is the best way to setup this system once I have it all ready to go, such as waterflow routes etc as I want to make it as efficient as possible.

I also want to (as I'm sure you can understand) want to keep everything as tidy as possible. I'm planning on drawing up a little schematic on my intended setup but if anybody has any suggestions on either the layout of the kit or indeed some of the components I have chosen, I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks!
 
Thanks for the heads up.

I just had a good read on that Rjkoneill build thread. Very interesting stuff, I do have a spare 240 Black Ice Radiator (although some of the fins are slightly damaged :( ) which Ive had for a while.

I'm constantly doing some research or some other but its always great to hear feedback as well, so much appreciated.

I did notice though that Rjkoneill was using 2 pumps and cooling the motherboard as well, which I won't be doing as I've heard is mainly for aesthetics and just adds heat to the loop.

I'm going to be going over to a friends place this weekend to checkout his loop, and has a similar rig to mine, but has a 5970 instead of the 480, so I'll see how he has his loop setup as well.

more advice is appreciated as always :)
 
I'm actually thinking of getting the D5 now. And if I did get a second Radiator, would I use the 120.2 for the GPU or CPU?
 
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Thanks for the info Jeff, (although Im not quite sure what the delta temperatures actually mean >_< ).

Essentially I'm really looking to reduce noise and heat, however more heat than noise especially on the 480. I'm very much leaning towards getting a second radiator, maybe a 240 to stick in the loop just for the graphics card, but im not sure where I'd put it in the loop.

Res > Pump >240 Rad > GPU > 320 Rad > CPU > Res

Would that be a good loop? I've been trying to find the Thermochill 120.3 but everywhere seems to be sold out :( I didn't realise I'd need more powerful fans however which kind of puts me off. If a secondary Radiator to deal with just cooling the GPU would mean I could use lower RPM fans and provide good cooling, it's a route I'd much prefer.
 
Excellent, I'll grab the SR-1 360 and add a the EK 240 to my loop, as I do want to keep this as quiet as possible, I can handle noise from my PC, but the 480 @ 100% is just absolutely ridiculous, and when it tops 89oC, that noise just doesn't cut it.


Thanks so much for the help guys, I'll get a work log going once I grab all the gear. In terms of the pump, would I be best going with the D5 then for this dual loop setup? Or would the 18W version of the swiftech be sufficient?


Edit: Looks like the 18W Swiftech it is then :)
edit 2: GAH!!! Can't find the 18W in stock anywhere!
 
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gahhhh decisions decisions, I know the pump is a very important part, so i want to make the best decision especially on this part of the setup.

So it's definitely a split between the 18W DDC and the D5... just which one now to get....
 
nice one dave, I like the layout, surprising how much space you still have spare ahaha!! Think I'll have my second radiator at the bottom though.
 
gonna be going for the D5 mainly because of the speed control option and from what I've seen the noise level is definitely within acceptable limits.
 
Hmmm after reading around, looks like the only way I'm going to get a second 240 Radiator effectively in the 800D is to mod the case by removing the lower HD bay.

Never done any case modding before and I have to say that this has got me a little worried as I wouldn't want to screw up this case hehe. Any tips?
 
I'll be honest I'm still a bit apprehensive about cutting into my case. I'm gonna pay a visit to my friends place tomorrow who has a single loop setup which cools his motherboard, 920 D0 and a 5970. Would like to see what kind of temps he gets under load and such.

Im not planning on overclocking my 480 to extreme speeds, and I'll be happy to have it running at sub 65oC in all honesty, which I've read, is very well within the safe operating limits of the card.

Currently with my Noctua my CPU during stress tests hit about 75oC, and has been running fine for the past 4 months without a single hitch (thanks OCUK for the great bundle btw).

I've read from a few places that under load the 5970 has similar temps to the 480 so as long as it's below 65oC I think I'll be happy with a single loop. But if push comes to shove, I'll definitely take the plunge and get a second radiator fitted.

Will get a work log going once I get all the components. Just wanna take the opportunity again to thank everyone who's replied and for all the input.

Been a great help :)
 
Decided to stick with a single SR1-360, after visiting my friends place on Sunday and seeing his kit in action, I've pretty much been convinced that I won't need the second radiator.

He was cooling a pretty much identical system to mine except he has a 5970 instead of the 480, and is also cooling the chipset which I dont plan on doing.

After running some games and such, both GPU's hit 99% for a good amount of time, and the temperatures never rose above 48oC. I was very impressed.

So yep, gonna be ordering my gear at the end of the month and will get a work log up.

By the way, can anybody suggest tips for doing leak tests, and powering up the pump for filling without turning on the rest of the system in order to conduct the leak tests.

tar!
 
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