Pump choice for short loop

Bart_Hunt

Bart_Hunt

Bart_Hunt

Associate
Joined
12 Jan 2013
Posts
2,066
Location
Gdansk, Poland
Hello guys

I have a problem with choosing the right pump for my loop.
I am building a new system which is going to have:
i5-4670k
Radeon R9 280x/290x

Its a mini itx case so radiator will be located outside, I wanted to use a 240 or 360, probably Black Ice Gtx or sr1, as I am planing some serious oc'ing.
And now comes the pump problem.
I would like a quiet one, so looked at EK DCP 2.2 pump, but is it strong enough for overclocked Haswell and overclocked high end GPU?
So I looked at Laing DDC 10W, but it looks like I would have to use kink coils on it. I have seen what a faulty one can do to your system, so I am not really interested in that.
Then comes DCP 4.0, but apparently there is a problem with noise.
I may have to buy a D5, which is strong and can be tuned down to make it run quiet, but my budget isn't big, anyway do I need a pump that strong in a mini itx system?
X20 750 isn't an option either as this case doesn't have any drive bays, besides I would like to have a choice of different res.
So I am back to square one.
I will have to make decision soon and would prefer to avoid making a bad purchase.

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Cheers
BH
 
I have three watercooling loops and all with 4.0 pumps. I wouldnt go for the 2.2 because though it will handle two high flow blocks, thats pretty much its limit. In one loop the 4.0 is doing 3 blocks on its own (VRM, RAM and CPU) and in another i have two 4.0s handling a loop with two 240mm Rads and CPU, VRM, GPU and RAM blocks.

As far as noise goes, I wouldnt say they are particularly noisy. My SP 120's are by far louder at 1200 rpm than the pumps, but i have put them on a layer of foam (comes with the pump) and fixed them to the foam with 'no more nails' Velcro to easily remove them from the case if need be. I would describe how loud they are but I am struggling with the words and i haven't actually heard them over my fans for quite a long time.

D5 vario can be turned down but will cost you twice the price when you include the pump top. If you can afford it i would go for it but the 4.0 noise can be handled by some slap dash sound proofing. The alternative is to connect the pump to a fan controller that can handle its output. The 4.0 pump pulls 18 Watts, so if you use a controller, make sure that the channel the pump is connected to can handle 18 watts.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, that explained a lot :)
Other than pump, loop will have:
Xspc photon 170 tube res
xspc rs360 rad or Black ice360 gtx/sr1
3x Gentle typhoon 120mm 1850rpm
ek-vga supremacy nickel (for 280x) or 290x full cover waterblock
ek supremacy cpu block
10/16 hose

Thats pretty much it. I dont plan ram cooling, the case will have pretty good airflow (1x120mm AF fan front intake , 1x 120mm AF fan rear exhaust), at least for mini itx case.
Check the link in my sig, pics will tell you much more about the case than I can in words :) I can only add there is loads and loads of vibration and sound proofing in that case (all walls have at least 5mm).
I'll make a diagram of watercooling I had in mind and post it there tomorrow.

Cheers
BH
 
The 4.0 will handle the loop no problem. As for keeping it quiet, if the case is soundproofed already, you can just put it in there on top a foam platform or something. What you can do is, before you make your loop, make a small loop of just the reservoir (to feed distilled water to the pump) and pump and use the PSU shorting trick to switch the pump on. Then you can tell if it is too loud or not first hand before committing to your actual loop. Hell, i would attach the radiator too just to clean out any manufacturing bits left in it, it will probably save you an aching arm and half an hour of shaking it in the air like a lunatic.

If it is too loud, swap it for another, you have time before the 290x and block is released (hopefully not too much time).
 
I've also got two 4.0's running my loop - I used that eggshell type foam under them and noise is not an issue at all

For the same price as a single D5 you get nearly double the head pressure :)
 
I looked at DDC and I have to say it was one of options, but it looks like they have a built in plastic barbs. That's a big NO for me (I am going for monsoon compression fittings).
 
You do have to add the cost of an aftermarket top with the ddc's to use your fittings. I'm a fan of the 10w ddc myself, good head pressure and a fair bit quiter than the 18w. Not been able to compare to a D5 or DCP 2.2/4.0 though.
 
To be honest, my current project may require making a separate loop for GPU and CPU.
I will probably use DCP 2.2 x 2 + 2 x 240mm rad (1 for each pump), that should give me enough pressure, right?
 
Bart_Hunt said:
To be honest, my current project may require making a separate loop for GPU and CPU.
I will probably use DCP 2.2 x 2 + 2 x 240mm rad (1 for each pump), that should give me enough pressure, right?
Click to expand...

Better to combine the loops to let the hotter component have more breathing room. No reason why you cant connect both pump/reservoir combos int he same loop, i have seen a few people do it.
 
Not if you are planing to have coolants of 2 different colors.
Its this kind of thing that works good and looks even better :)
This is a first custom case I am building, but not last - next year will be packed in my projects here on forums, so I need to accumulate knowledge until then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom