Planning WC layout - Help meh!

If it helps I have a 18W DDC on a cpu only loop (adding graphics card end of the year) and I can't really hear it at all. It was really noisy at first but as long as you bleed it properly its pretty quiet. I can hear my fans running at 800rpm more than the pump
 
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.
 
Hey all

Just scanning around for some advice here!

I have a very similar conundrum to sort out, posted down below in the thread "My first watercooled build" - currently attracting tumbleweed probably on page 3 by now so I am gonna come join this thread!

I am also building an 800D W/C rig, w/c gear is almost a carbon copy of the stuff on this thread and I am looking to start about now. Trying to work out wether to have a single big rad one loop system, a dual loop dual rad system, or somehow force two radiators onto a single loop, all the same stuff jinx has going on!

Where do you reckon siting the second radiator if thats the way to go?

I have been thinking a 360 for the predrilled mounts on the 800D cooling the CPU but I dunno where I can fit a second one. Some have suggested you can get it into the lower drive bay with a bit of dremel work.

I have also wondered wether it would be possible to mount three 120's in the pre-drilled slots but with the input-output connectors facing out towards the plexiglass window side of the case, then putting one loop through a single 120 and the other one through 2x120.

I was advised elsewhere that you cannot fit a 120 and a 240 into the pre-drilled mounts 'cause the rads are a little bigger and wont mount neatly next to each other.

Also does anyone know where you can get a detailed schematic of the 800D 'cause I ain't seen one anywhere.

-Ed
 
I was advised elsewhere that you cannot fit a 120 and a 240 into the pre-drilled mounts 'cause the rads are a little bigger and wont mount neatly next to each other.

They wouldnt fit.
Best is to have the 360 in the top.
Then add either a 120 at the rear or a 240 in the bottom (depending on the length of your PSU) ;)

At least, thats imo, someone will correct me if i'm wrong!
 
Genius yeah I just checked the other thread, it hadnt occured to me you could throw a 120 in where the rear case fan sits!
 
So from the look of that theres no need to go for the EK Dual loop reservoir thing - thats what I had been thinking of, at least something sitting in one of the many optical drive bays, which would also have required a bit of tactical dremmelling
 
Genius yeah I just checked the other thread, it hadnt occured to me you could throw a 120 in where the rear case fan sits!

You need the 360 connectors at the drive bay side if you want a 120 at the rear. Plus it makes it a bitch to plug the 8 pin power connector into the motherboard in the top left corner lol :D
 
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.
 
I've got that res/pump combo in my oldest custom LC rig and lets just say it needs replacing now.
 
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?
 
Jinx go have a look over at the hardware canucks site - they have a cracking modded 800D with some videos. I think they replaced the lower drive bay to fit the rad in. Lemme dig up a link. .... here might be a start

Actually .... bit more digging and THIS seems to be the best guide. Although I share your concerns over tactical dremmelling! Mr Handyman I aint!

-Ed.
 
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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?

Measure twice, cut once! :D

Sounds like you are on the right path....
 
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?

As already mentioned, measure twice, cut once.
Let the cutting wheel do the work - otherwise you will wear it out quickly/snap it.
Use masking tape to preserve the finish of your case.
Use a set square to make sure your lines/markings are straight.
Use u/c-channel for any holes otherwise you run the risk of snapping wires if it is a wire hole.
If you don't use u/c-channel, file it down good and use the finger test (lightly!) once you have finish to find any burrs that may be lurking.
 
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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