New to Watercooling Many ?'s Please Help

[BarrettF77]

Alright, I have been reading for about a month on this and feel I am better informed so I dont seem like a complete idiot to those of you with knowledge in this area. First though, about how much wattage does a 120 mm rad dissipate? And does running a QX6700 OC highly greatly affect the temps going to 2 8800 GTX slis much? Read below for more specs.

I built my computer in April with a QX6700 proc, EVGA 680i A1 mobo, 4x 1 gig ddr 800 xms memory, 2 EVGA 8800 GTX KO AC3 cards sli, XF I elite pro, and a 1 kilowatt PC Power and cooling psu. The case this is in is a Lian Li V 2000 B with side window.

With my specs out of the way, I am looking to WC the 8800's and the QX6700. I currently am at 3.2 Ghz on a Zalman 9500 but wish to go higher and oc the FSB. The parts I am looking at are the Swiftech Apogee GTX Extreme waterblock, 2 EK 8800GTX waterblocks, and the pump I was thinking about the Laing D5 pump which I understand to be quietest and at 317 gallons per min is not bad.

I would also like to put a 120 mm fan and radiator on the back fan behind the Processor and a dual 120 mm radiator in the lower bay of the case by the HDD's. The first two walls are cut mid way allowing me to put a radiator I belive between the PSU and the HDD's. Will this be enough cooling for those three components and how would you route the cabling? 1/2" tubing. And if need be, I could probably mount a third dual 80 mm fan in the back of the Lian Li above the PSU if a third radiator would help, but rasies the ? about hurting flow rate and the pump.

Lastly, what to do on a Resvoir? Looked at the XSPC passive 150 mm resvoir, which is cylindrical with fins, or one that goes into a 5.25" bay at the front of the case clear acrylic. Thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am tired of the vaccum sound in my case, high temps, and would like to OC more.

[billb]

First though, about how much wattage does a 120 mm rad dissipate?

...danger den 8800GTX waterblocks,

I would also like to put a 120 mm fan and

Rez? Use a T-line.

Lastly, what to do on a Resvoir? Dissipate? Depends on water flow, water temp, air flow, air temp, and the efficiency of the rad. Your question is like asking "How much does a cubic foot of blue weigh?"...blue what?

C/W = Delta / CPU Watts
Delta = CPU temp - Ambient Temp

Be aware that getting good contact on the GPU and memory is problematic with full coverage blocks. A GPU only block and some good ramsinks will perforrm equally and will also probably fit the next few video cards you purchase too.

Put a 3 x 120 rad (PA120.3) on the top or rear of the case and be done with it.

And lastly, why do you assume that watercoolimg is quieter than aircooling?
You have to use undervoltd fans to make either quiet, and that causes both air cooling and watercooling to be less efficient (i.e. you will get higher temps with lower performing fans).

[MrToad]

The parts I am looking at are the Swiftech Apogee GTX Extreme waterblock, 2 danger den 8800GTX waterblocks, and the pump I was thinking about the Laing DDC-2 as it pumps a lot, and most important, is quiet. However Also saw the Laing D5 pump. Which would be better and is quieter?

The CPU block is all right. Steer clear of the DD full cover blocks though. EK is the way to go for full cover. Outperforms the DD, is also made of copper, and the finish is better.

IMHO, after having tried both solutions, I would stick with the MCW60, even with all the hassle with the individual heatsinks, but that's your call.

Regarding the pump, the DDC 3.2 with Alphacool/Petra's top gives you smaller footprint, less heat dump and a tachometer signal. Apart from that, you will have to make the choice yourself.

I would also like to put a 120 mm fan and radiator on the back fan behind the Processor and a dual 120 mm radiator in the lower bay of the case by the HDD's. The first two walls are cut mid way allowing me to put a radiator I belive between the PSU and the HDD's. Will this be enough cooling for those three components and how would you route the cabling? 1/2" tubing. And if need be, I could probably mount a third dual 80 mm fan in the back of the Lian Li above the PSU if a third radiator would help, but rasies the ? about hurting flow rate and the pump.

Golden rule: Keep it simple.

Lastly, what to do on a Resvoir? Looked at the XSPC passive 150 mm resvoir, which is cylindrical with fins, or one that goes into a 5.25" bay at the front of the case clear acrylic. Thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am tired of the vaccum sound in my case, high temps, and would like to OC more.

Steer clear of the XSPC rad. The effect on coolant temperature is negligible, and it's made of aluminium. A very bad idea indeed.

Also choose wisely your fans. Cathar is conducting an extensive experiment on the matter. Make sure you read through the thread.