Time to get wet ...

Soldato
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I'm looking at picking up a HD 6990 and a waterblock for it. However, the twist is that my system is perfectly silent currently, so I will be constructing a single water loop JUST for the HD 6990.

I have a HAF-X case (as seen in sig) and am weighing up the best quality system for zero additional noise (system is probably ~25dB) which would very comfortably fit in my case and provide super low, super quiet temps with minimal risk of leaks but also allow easy access to the reservoir and minimal pump vibration noise.

I have watercooled before in the past (~10yrs ago) and once since then, using ThermalTake Big Water (lazy mode), so I am a little out of touch with current trends.

What sort of system would be sufficient to cool the dual GPU HD6990 ?

Thanks :)
 
You can fit a 360 radiator in the top of the case.

I've done it on mine.

I purchased the extra 200mm fan to fit in the top so I have 2x200mm fans cooling the radiator.

I also put a 120 radiator in where the rear exhaust fan is.
 
Might you have any photos of your W/C setup please Surveyor?

Thanks

Unfortunately not at this time.

Some things interest me, like PC's, and I try to keep up to date.

Other things like digital cameras and phones with cameras don't really interest me so I don't have them. My mobile phone is about 10 years old!

If I can sort something out I'll try and take a snap or two.
 
No worries - did you have to remove the existing fans and place the Radiator where they are?

Or did you mount the radiator underslung - leaving the fans in situ pulling air through the radiator?
 
It started off as the http://www.swiftnets.com/products/H20-220-APEX.asp years ago cooling my qx6800 changed cpu block to the EK-Supreme HF - Full Nickel CPU Water Block

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-080-EK

when i got sandy bridge then added the EK block to the 6990

when i got the card i ran it on stock cooler while waiting for the block to arrive and using the fast bios it would idle at 48c and hit 90c load running heaven looped a few times.

Now with water block idle temp is 33c and hit 60c load running heaven this is with the cpu in the loop and running the rad fans turned down so its silent.

The 2600k is @ 4.5 gig for my 24/7 clocks and thats around low 20s idle and will hit around 60c running prime and the highest ive seen it was when i ran prime @ 5 gig it hit 74c on the hottest core.

With the stock cooler on the 6990 it locked up trying to run the core at 950 but was fine at 930 but the cooler could sound like hoover now with water block i ran 3dmark 11 with the core at 1000 ran fine and is silent.

P10985 3DMarks

http://3dmark.com/3dm11/1010749

If i was starting a new ig just get the whole EK block rad and res as for pump this one in my kit seems very good dont feel the need to change it.
 
No worries - did you have to remove the existing fans and place the Radiator where they are?

Or did you mount the radiator underslung - leaving the fans in situ pulling air through the radiator?

The radiator is fitted underneath the existing fans and the fans pull air through the radiator.

The fans have to be removed to get at the screw holes for the radiator but they can be put back in the same place.
 
Righty...

So i'm thinking of:

H6990
EK 6990 waterblock
360 EK Radiator (unsure which spec - LT, HF, XT)
750l/h pump
+ modest reservoir

And for case, i'll stick a viper in the bottom vacant slot intaking and get a 20cm exhaust fan for the top (which will ultimately be extracting through the radiator).
 
If you want silence look at low fpi rads like the sr1 and pair it with sub 1000 rpm fans. I have this combo on my loop and it is near inaudible to me. Also don't scrimp on the pump, many cheaper pumps are noisy.
 
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If you want silence look at low fpi rads like the sr1 and pair it with sub 1000 rpm fans. I have this combo on my loop and it is near inaudible to me. Also don't scrimp on the pump, many cheaper pumps are noisy.

Recommendations for the pump :) ?

Was contemplating whether or not I needed the rear exhaust fan as an additional radiator too - and what knock on effects this would have with temps and pump pressure.
 
I agree with the low fpi rad for the loop, I think the SR-1 is 9 FPI and EK's lowest is 11 but still should be quiet with some slow speed fans. Mine is a 932 not X but similar layout, res has changed but the rest is the same but pichere for reference. You could add a 120 rad on your exhaust but shouldn't be needed, I can't see your gpu running that hot so a 360 rad should be able to cool everything fine. If the HAF X is similar dimensions in the top you might strugle with getting the 120 on the rear, depends on the dimensions of the rads you use and which end you have your fittings but it may fit.

As for pump, I would recommend the Laing D5, turned down to speed 2 so nearly silent. Some people like the DDC's but never used one so I don't know they are like. Either one though would also recommend using a pump top on them.
 
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This seems to cause a lot of confusion, but I assume you are talking about the block being G1/4 fittings? If so that is the thread size on the block which you screw your fittings into. The fittings though can be any size you want though.

Have to match the tubing with the fittings. With barbs the Inner diamter (ID) is important whereas compressions inner and outer diamter (OD) are impotant. You will tend to find fittings being listed something like "Compression fitting G1/4 thread for 1/2" ID 3/4" OD tubing"

As for the D5, it comes with 1/2" barbs so using fittings that take 1/2" tubing would be the easiest, however if you do use the D5, the EK top improves flow and lets you use any fitting that uses G1/4 thread.
 
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HI, it cost me £300 for my loop, both the CPU:4.2GHz + GPU: 850:1700:2000 are overclocked. As for temps CPU never goes over 70'c the GPU peaks at 52'c with a ambient temp of 22'c.

Hope this helps.
OLDPHART.

BI GTS 360 Rad.
Compression Fittings.
Tubbing
HK Rev3 CPU Copper Block.
EK Full Cover 470 GPU Actel+Nickel GPU Block.
XSPC D750 Res:Pump Combo.
Coolent.

012PBKET.jpg
 
The only issue i've found is that the D5 is 1/2" tube yet the EK HD 6990 block is 1/4" tube so not out of the box 'plug n play', for the lazy ones among us (me) :cool:

The ek 6990 block is not for 1/4 tube, it has g1/4 threaded inlet and outlet (g1/4 threads are standard on most watercooling components) which you can screw a 1/2id fitting into and use 1/2id hose with. Alternatively buy the d5 single edition and buy what ever top you want, the tops come with g1/4 threaded inlet/outlet so you can then use whatever size hose and fittings you like.
 
The ek 6990 block is not for 1/4 tube, it has g1/4 threaded inlet and outlet (g1/4 threads are standard on most watercooling components) which you can screw a 1/2id fitting into and use 1/2id hose with. Alternatively buy the d5 single edition and buy what ever top you want, the tops come with g1/4 threaded inlet/outlet so you can then use whatever size hose and fittings you like.

This seems to cause a lot of confusion, but I assume you are talking about the block being G1/4 fittings? If so that is the thread size on the block which you screw your fittings into. The fittings though can be any size you want though.

Have to match the tubing with the fittings. With barbs the Inner diamter (ID) is important whereas compressions inner and outer diamter (OD) are impotant. You will tend to find fittings being listed something like "Compression fitting G1/4 thread for 1/2" ID 3/4" OD tubing"

As for the D5, it comes with 1/2" barbs so using fittings that take 1/2" tubing would be the easiest, however if you do use the D5, the EK top improves flow and lets you use any fitting that uses G1/4 thread.


You wouldn't believe it, but I used to know quite a lot about Watercooling 10yrs ago. It seems to have been replaced with other useless knowledge now!

Thanks for explaining this to me :)
 
HI, it cost me £300 for my loop, both the CPU:4.2GHz + GPU: 850:1700:2000 are overclocked. As for temps CPU never goes over 70'c the GPU peaks at 52'c with a ambient temp of 22'c.

Hope this helps.
OLDPHART.

BI GTS 360 Rad.
Compression Fittings.
Tubbing
HK Rev3 CPU Copper Block.
EK Full Cover 470 GPU Actel+Nickel GPU Block.
XSPC D750 Res:Pump Combo.
Coolent.

012PBKET.jpg

Holy...


Do you have enough fans on that 360?! Impressive nevertheless! :)
 
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