Spec me some bits!

[Diddums]

Howdy folks,

'Tis my 30th this month and tomorrow's payday so I'm looking at some me-to-me gifts.

I currently run a 2500k which is plenty for my needs, and 2x290. I realise that the CPU is bottlenecking the hell out of the 290s so I don't run them in xfire. I game on one, and mine on the other, or mine on both. One 290 is more than enough for my 1080p gaming (for now, someone tell them damn manufacturers to make 4k more affordable!)

At least, that's the intention. Unfortunately, these cards have laser eyeballs and instantle cook anything that comes close to them. Very territorial.

They're 290 Gaming cards from MSI. I need to tame these babies, and pronto, especially with the shiny part of the year around the corner.

So here I find myself, hat in hand, asking you guys what you think would be the best course of action. Ideally I'd like to put the lot under water, but I reckon that's going to need some serious grunt.

I've never touched anything LC before but my job involves being a techie so as long as I get the right bits, I'm pretty confident I can get it all playing nicely together without too many fireworks.

So, lovely folks of OcUK, what would you recommend?

PS. I'm currently running my system with 1x290 in a Silencio 550 with a side panel off. I also have a battered old CM690 (first gen) which I intend to bling up a bit and maybe turn it into a project.

Suggestions?

 

[daveip]

I currently run a 2500k which is plenty for my needs, and 2x290. I realise that the CPU is bottlenecking the hell out of the 290s so I don't run them in xfire.

That single sentence is contradictory in my books. That 2nd 290 is being wasted if it's just mining IMO.

Anyways ... be prepared to kiss your wallet and credit card limits good bye. I don't think either case you have listed is suitable to watercool 2x290s and a 2500k. To cool all 3 components comfortably, You're looking at around 5x120mm worth of rad space, especially considering the mammoth amounts of heat generated by the 290s.

Given your sig, I would look at over clocking that CPU to alleviate some of the bottlenecking you're getting and look at cases or mods to your case(s) that will allow you to fit sufficient radiator space first before embarking on a custom loop water cooling journey.

Just want to make sure you've got a good foundation before your chuck wads of money at water cooling, only to get unsatisfactory results.

 

[Diddums]

Thanks for the reply Dave!

As it is now I've only got 1x290 in the Silencio. I'm no stranger to a Dremel so have no qualms scalping a case and starting from scratch. This will also be a long-ish term project so I can spread the cost out a bit, as I realise that this will absolutely hammer my poor wallet.

I'm keeping a close eye on the MM too, there seem to be some good deals on there.

I'm curious as to how many loops would be best as well. I don't mind spending a bit more for a secondary or even tertiary loop if it means better temps. Any ideas?

As for the 2500k, i'll give it a bit more encouragement this week and see how it goes. I had it at 4.4 before but it'd crash during bf3 (but not during prime95, oddly enough).

Thanks once again for your reply, i'll probably be needing loads of advice as this is my first water build.

 

[daveip]

Hmm ... crashing in BF3 but not Prime. That really is an oddity. Sounds more like something to do with your PCIE controller ... possibly need to tweak that down after your OC? Not really familiar with OCing a 2500k I'm afraid so just taking stabs in the dark here.

I found this link, but can't access it as my work has filtered the webpage out
http://www.cmhd.tv/index_blog.php/water-cooling-in-the-silencio-550/2113

For 1 290 and a 2500K, 360mm worth of radiator space to cool comfortably, 480mm to allow for excess just as a general rule of thumb. Part of it will depend on the radiator and also the airflow through the radiators that will affect how well they dissapate the heat. Just go for a single loop and make sure the pump has enough pressure for the coolant to flow well enough as the entire system will equalise.

Not sure how you'd fit 2 loops in to the 550, but I think it's just extra complications for not much gain.

 

[Diddums]

I wasn't aware of any correlation between a CPU OC and PCIE controllers, I'll certainly look in to that, thanks.

I probably should've mentioned that the WC system will end up in the CM690, or I'll buy a new case. I *could* squeeze it all in to the 550 (I've done some googling and found some impressive builds with this case) but I think that's a bit out of my reach for a first time mod.

The fact that this old CM690 is just gathering dust also means I can experiment a bit and if it all goes belly up, I can bin it and replace it without too much hassle (read: missus).

I'm going to start doing some proper research at some point this week (night shifts suck) but if anyone has any more wisdom I'm all ears!

Thanks once again Dave.

 

[daveip]

Seems like the 690 was designed for at least 2x240mm radiators, which would be fine for 1x290 + the CPU. I reckon you could fit a 360mm in the front with a bit of modding. Would be surprised if someone hasn't done it already. Google is your friend

 

[Svack]

The 690 does indeed happily fit 2 x 240 rads! I have just finished doing my first ever attempt at watercooling in that case!



I'm also running a single 290 and its taken the temperatures down from about 89-95c to about 41-45c on load!

I think you could easily mod it to fit a 360 if you really wanted to, but 2 x 240 rads seems like the better option to me!

 

[Diddums]

Looks good Svad! To be honest i'll probably go for a 360 in the top and a 240 at the bottom, that way I can cool 2x290 (right guys? right?) and the 2500k. At least until later on when I get a 4770k or whatever in there.

Another question, is what order would be best for the loop? CPU first or GPUs first? Does this even matter?

Crikey, I think I've been bitten... caught myself doodling a case at work yesterday!

 

[skylineboy]

loop order doesn't matter. Just get pump after the res and your sailing

The 690 case has ports at the back for an external loop. I reckon your best bet would be an external 1080 rad personally. Then your very well equipped to throw heat at the rad.

I say this because the 690 can fit a slim 240 up top and a thick 240 at the bottom. I would then suggest a bayres/ pump combo personally.