Setup Opinions?

[Lurid]

My previous case modification was put on hiatus due to some issues, things like size and weight to name a few.... Therefore i'm looking into doing something thats completely internal within my PC-7B Plus (normal sized midtower), while keeping the overall look of the case the same, as I love the looks. It mounts a few small set of problems, namely radiator placement and limitations to the size of the radiators I can use, therefore I chose the radiator I did, and what not. That being said below is what i'm thinking of so far, any comments / critisisms are appreciated.


AquaXtreme MP-05 SP Limited Edition

AquaXtreme MP-1 & RAM Sinks

Liang DDC+ & Modified Top

Swiftech MCR-320 & Swiftech MCB-120 Radiator Box
3 x Yate Loon D12SM-12's (1 x More for case fan) & Sunbeam Rheobus

MasterKleer 7/16"
Delrin Fillport
T Fitting


That being said, I think its about the highest performance I could get within my $300 budget range. That is the largest radiator I could get to fit within the top of the case. I'll get a discount, by buying 4 of the same fans, and since I want the D12SM's for case fans, I figure putting them on a fan controller and running 4 should for fine. I didn't want to skimp on performance, so I decided I would cool the GPU via water alittle later with the money I have left over + more, that is so long as my case sufficiently accomodates everything.

Hopefully by the time i'm able to order, (over the next week or two) Petra's will have their version of the top in stock. As of now I know of two tops avaiable for the pump, which of the two would be best? Also, what is the head pressure / flow rate of a modified DDC+?

[Grinch]

mount rad on the top of case or perhaps bottom of case?

[septim]

picture with mobo on so we could all visualize properly.

if on top sacrifice some drive bays...
if on bottom some pci slots...

[KaptCrunch]

use a rad box an mount on the rear of case with barb's on bottom(iknows it's pain to bleed, heat rises) the PA120.3 has a bleeder for that reason

[Lurid]

I'll be mounting it internally, and sacraficing a top 5.25" bay. I can't get pictures right now, as I don't have a camera.

[Lurid]

After checking the triple radiator results sticky, I think i'll keep the above setup, but change the radiator to a MCR-320 QP. Gonna edit the original post to reflect this change. Just a few other small things:

1. The MCR-320 QP is said to be around 1.5C less than the ThermoChill PA120.3, results shown from the testing done by Marci, so the actual performance difference real world wise, should be small, is this correct?

2. The DDC+ modded should be more than enough for this small loop, shouldn't it?

3. Will the Swiftech MCB-120 radiator box accomodate the MCR-320 QP well? Is there a specific orientation the radiator must be mounted according to, when using the MCB-120? For example, could I mount the radiator via the middle fan, as oppose to the top or bottom fans?

4. Can I use G1/4 High Flow barbs for the CPU and GPU blocks, aswell as the pump and radiator? I like the look of them, they're relatively cheap, and I feel more secure with metal as oppose to plastic.

Thanks :)

[eXa]

1&2 Yes!

[Lurid]

Ok good, those are the only two that are super important. The other two or more cosmetic than anything :p

Just a few small other things, if you don't mind.

* Whats the best, preferably clear, anti algae precaution? If Iodine will it affect the overall color of the loop? As i'll probably use alittle red food dye for color.

* The 7800GT has a heat load of around...80w from what i've found, and the Opteron 144 is what, like 90ish watts? I know the averages will change when overclocked, but i'm getting a rough idea of temps based on the thermal copacity of the radiator (400w) and my ambient temperatures (21c) :D

* Where do you put a GPU / CPU temperature probe?

[eXa]

1 A few drops of iodine will not affect color at all. Red food die? no no no. escpesially with your blocks!

2 Temp, hard to tell. i got pro3 and mcr is better. but with x1900xt and opt 165 @
3ghz with 1,7v (yeah that was a huge mistake from my side) @ load (dual F@H)
and only 2yates @ the rad the delta between air\water was only 7-8k

3 dont know

[Lurid]

Ah ok, well if nothing else I can leave the water nice and clear. I won't be using a side panel window anyway, so I don't guess it will really matter. One good thing is I can just use the nice distilled jugs of water, and alittle iodine, no worries about corrosion inhibitors.

Yea, I know that the temp can't really be fully estimated, just trying to kill alittle time, as i'm having to play the waiting game over the next 2 weeks :( Not bad for the ambient to only be 7 - 8k from the load, especially on a load that high. The MCR-320 is supposed to be able to disapate 400w of heat, which my setup shouldn't get close to, so only time will tell :)

[eXa]

Yes bling is overrated. doesnt get you more fps, more like the opposite!
Just remember to clean the rad thorougly(?)... eh well!

days and countless runs with vinegar! (boooooring but u will not regret)
i want to get my hands on some scrubbing bubbles cus it seemes to speed things up really fast. but dont think we have any in norway.

[Lurid]

I'm sure someone would be willing to ship you some, its not like its very expensive, atleast not here anyway. Thanks for the help with everything :D Now, just to figure out where those little temp probe buggars go, hehe. Can't trust software readings with things of this nature, lol.

[eXa]

isnt it a preassure can?what ever.. yeah shure id be happy is someone would ship me some cans (i will pay all cost ofcourse)

[Lurid]

Yea, its a pressurized can, is that a problem? I'm not sure on shipping regulations, so that may or may not be possible...