Need opinion about this loop

[aka_ronin]

Hi people

I would apreciate your opinion about this loop...

...Pump --> CPU --> Rad#1 --> GPU --> Rad#2 --> Res --> (Pump again)


Pump - Laing D5 Vario (MCP655/Danger Den D5)
CPU Water Block - D-Tek Fuzion on a QX9650 (will try to OC it @ 4Ghz)
GPU Water Block - One for a 3870 X2... still don't know which one :rolleyes:
Rad#1- Black Ice Xtreme II (2x120mm)
Rad#2- Black Ice Xtreme II (2x120mm)


My main concerns:

Will 2 rads in the loop slow down the flow?

Is the pump powerfull enough for this loop?

...and will this be enough to cool it down? :D

I would apreciate your opinion on this and any other input is welcome... i'm new at this stuff so any help i can get is welcome...

Thank you in advance.

[kohlersc]

Will 2 rads in the loop slow down the flow?

- Any additional blocks, corners, rads, etc. will slow down the flow...but the real question is if it will hinder flow to the point where it matters. According to multiple posts by Martin and his flow estimator if you are around the 1.0 gpm mark you are in good shape. From what I recal it isn't until you typically hit about 0.75gpm that you really begin losing effectiveness.

As to your other questions, I don't know enough about the Black Ice series of Radiators to be able to comment on if it will be enough or how the pump will work with this loop. However, given a cursary entry into Martin's flow rate estimator using stock D-tek Fuzion (you going to nozzle and or washer it?) dual HW Labs BIX radiators, the D5 Vario on setting 5, and dual MCW-60 (low restriction) just to put something on the video card, I am getting 1.77gpm which is pleanty. Of course depending on what you use for your video card it could drop it quite a bit further...or if you need to use 90 degree bends, adding a res, t-line, etc. I would suggest checking out http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151627 and seeing how your proposed set up will work for you.

Just to note, if you add the quad nozzle for your processor and add the washer to the D-tek Fuzion it only drops your gpm down to 1.49 which would still be a good flow rate. At any rate, flow I don't think will be your main concern. I would be more concerned about the heat dump from those components and if the dual 2x120 BIX will be able to handle it.

Another note, while I am still getting my set-up back up and going, I do know that the QX9650 at 4gig is pretty hot. I am using a PA120.3 to keep just that cooled (also D-Tek Fuzion with washer and nozzle). This is overkill from what I can tell however. I don't know how the BIX compares exactly and only a 2x120 rad. My first impression is that it isn't enough for a 24/7 4gig overclock though. But again I went for overkill rather than looking for the lower threshold. That might be enough to pull it off.

[aka_ronin]

Will 2 rads in the loop slow down the flow?

- Any additional blocks, corners, rads, etc. will slow down the flow...but the real question is if it will hinder flow to the point where it matters. According to multiple posts by Martin and his flow estimator if you are around the 1.0 gpm mark you are in good shape. From what I recal it isn't until you typically hit about 0.75gpm that you really begin losing effectiveness.

As to your other questions, I don't know enough about the Black Ice series of Radiators to be able to comment on if it will be enough or how the pump will work with this loop. However, given a cursary entry into Martin's flow rate estimator using stock D-tek Fuzion (you going to nozzle and or washer it?) dual HW Labs BIX radiators, the D5 Vario on setting 5, and dual MCW-60 (low restriction) just to put something on the video card, I am getting 1.77gpm which is pleanty. Of course depending on what you use for your video card it could drop it quite a bit further...or if you need to use 90 degree bends, adding a res, t-line, etc. I would suggest checking out http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151627 and seeing how your proposed set up will work for you.

Just to note, if you add the quad nozzle for your processor and add the washer to the D-tek Fuzion it only drops your gpm down to 1.49 which would still be a good flow rate. At any rate, flow I don't think will be your main concern. I would be more concerned about the heat dump from those components and if the dual 2x120 BIX will be able to handle it.

Another note, while I am still getting my set-up back up and going, I do know that the QX9650 at 4gig is pretty hot. I am using a PA120.3 to keep just that cooled (also D-Tek Fuzion with washer and nozzle). This is overkill from what I can tell however. I don't know how the BIX compares exactly and only a 2x120 rad. My first impression is that it isn't enough for a 24/7 4gig overclock though. But again I went for overkill rather than looking for the lower threshold. That might be enough to pull it off.

kohlersc thanx for your quick reply and all your input... like i said i'm new at this and all the input and help is very welcome :up:

I know about the D-tek Fuzion quad nozzle... but i don't know what you mean by "washer" and if i'm going to "washer it"... :shrug: could you explain? :confused:

Regarding the radiators i made up my mind and i'm going with some Thermochill PA 120.2 (or 120.3) if i can find them :rolleyes:

From what i understood you have a PA 120.3 and a QX9650 at 4Ghz and it is cooling it properly... did i get it right?

On the 3870X2 i will problably use a EK-FC3870 X2 CF (http://ekwaterblocks.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21_31_42&products_id=233&osCsid=89103f45a56193657944800b22a18a18)...

[kohlersc]

When I purchased my Fuzion I grabbed the nozzle kit from Petra's http://www.petrastechshop.com/dfuacnokit.html. With it there is a washer to put inside the fuzion between two of the layers of the waterblock. This guarantees that all of the water entering the block will be forced though to the base. It causes a drop in pressure (as water isn't leaking straight though to the ouput) but will aid in cooling. The other option is that this is where people will put in different sized washers in order to further bow the waterblock. I ended up just installing the washer that came with the nozzle kit (along with the quad nozzle) and am happy with my results (which I hope I will get to post up soonish).

As to the Thermochill radiators. I got mine from Mountain Mods http://www.mountainmods.com/water-cooling-radiators-c-35_48.html for a decent price and as of this morning they were still in stock from the 120.1 - 120.3. I am very happy with mine. I know I am not using up their full heat dissipation capacity, but it gives me upgradeability, and I would rather overkill on the cooling department. Just a note, these are quite thick, I don't know what case you are using, but make sure you won't have issues fitting them in there. Their pressure drop is the lowest of all the radiators I have seen (just backed up again by Martin http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=181687), and their cooling capacity especially on low rpm fans is the best...and you pay for that since they are currently one of the most expensive radiators out there.

Another option are the Swiftech MCR radiators. They are thinner, dissipate a good amount of heat (though less than the Thermochill given low rpm identical fans), and cost a lot less (roughly 1/3). If cost or space is problematic with the Thermochill PA series take a look at the Swiftech ones. If I didn't have the PA120.3s I would be using the MCR's personally.

I currently have two loops. One loop solely for my processor (QX 9650 at 4.0ghz) using a DDC 3.2, D-tek Fuzion, PA120.3, and the Swiftech Microrez. The other loop is for my 8800GTS (G92), NB and SB. I am definitely able to handle the heat load with the PA120.3 on the processor loop no problem. Again it is probably overkill. The other nice thing is the pressure drop is low so technically I should be able to run that in all one loop if I needed to/wanted to, but since I have the second pump decided to split them apart.

I haven't had any experience with the 3870x2's so I really don't know what their heat load is or exactly how it would affect the temps having it all in one loop, but I expect dual 120.2s would work, and dual 120.3s should be more than excellent.

Again I would just plug all of your components into Martin's Flow Estimator and make sure your flow is up to par given the waterblocks for the 3870x2. If your flow rate is good ( < 0.9 or higher), and you take care of the heat load (which should be accomplished with 2 PA120.2 or 120.3's), then you should be in good shape. I love my D-tek as does everyone it seems...so that is really all I can recommend.

Oh, the last thing I would mention...when it comes to how you order your loop, of course keep the rez before the pump, but run the loop if possible using the least amount of tubing. Making sure there is a radiator between the components isn't necessary. If it works out nicely that way, fine...but don't kill yourself over the remaining order as much. In fact if you run it rez --> Pump --> Processor --> etc. you get the most pressure going into your D-tek to cool the processor.