Parallel with diff Rad?

[naughty_guy]

Hey guys,
I want to have some input on my upcoming watercooling system. Some parts i already got but some parts i'm getting currently. This is going to be my setup:
Hydro L20-->cpu-->gpu-->y split to two BIX-->y merge-->y split to two different rad-->y merge-->res-->Hydro L20

1. I got a few question, will my pump be good enough to handle all this?

2. Is it bad to run two different rad in parallel? Because their flow rate might be different.

3. Any general comments?

Thx a lot guys

[sjohnson]

Different rads shouldn't make a big difference.

If one has a hugely greater resistance than the other, the one with the low resistance will get the majority of the water so you don't want any kind of big diff but as long as they're close you'll be fine. Problem is, you have to guess the resistances - or just install and test ;)

Like has been said before, try it both parallel and serial to see what works best for your setup.

[TheWeaseL]

So, if I am reading this right, 4 rads, correct? If that is the case, I'd suggest this setup:

Pump > Y spliter > 2xBIX > 2 different rad > Y merge > cpu > gpu > res > pump

With that setup, it splits once, goes to the 2 BIX rads, and then instead of coming together right away, have it to go the next rads instead of spliting and merging so many times. Simplicity is the key here.

Or you could do:

Pump > Y spliter > 2xBIX > Y merge > cpu > Y spliter > 2 different rad > Y merge > gpu > res > pump

However you end up doing it, don't go from the pump straight to the CPU block. Put at least one set of the heatcores between the pump and cpu, because the pump does heat up the water some, and you want the coolest water possible going to your cpu.

Mr. SJ handled the rest of the questions. :)

[TheWeaseL]

Here is a 1337 mspaint drawing of what my first recommendation is:

[naughty_guy]

i understand what u guys mean, thx a lot for the replies.
But i've heard that you want the fastest water to be flowing through the radiators, and that you'll want the slowest water to be flowing through the radiators so the rads will get enough time to cool the water.

Am i mistaken?

[Kosmic]

No, faster is *always* better, even through the radiator. It seems to defy logic, but the faster your water flows the better your cooling. Check out the new swiftech water pump (www.sidewindercomputers.com/ or www.swiftnets.com/) that OPP had in his dual radiator setup. It gives a lot more pressure & speed than the hydro l20

[naughty_guy]

oo even for the radiator faster is ALWAYS better? Hmm... not that i dun believe you, but it's sorta against logic.

[htkm1]

Since you got two Rads you can try out // and Series. I have tried //. Flow was lower and temp was slightly more then running a single Rad. Series should have better results.
BIX II and SS4 Rads in // Set-Up:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/pe2c54a07539ebe6c499a7517d3f1a8b7/faf08bf0.jpg

[naughty_guy]

So for you series gave better results?

ANd dual rad give you higher temp than single rad??

[Jabo]

htkm1 -> that's becasue you got rads of two different designs and sizes judging from your pic. Parallel setup gotta be done in a right way and using appropriate parts (rads must be the same design, size, and preferably age (the older rad the more crap/sediment/alines grow inside, just like with human blood vessels :) ) and they must be placed on exactly the same horizontal plane. Otherwise you'll be getting only one rad to work with half the flow... no wonder temps are much worse than any other setup :)

[naughty_guy]

Jabo, oo, i'm learning a lot even from other replies. So a parallel setup can't have two different rads?

[htkm1]

Originally posted by Jabo
htkm1 -> that's becasue you got rads of two different designs and sizes judging from your pic. Parallel setup gotta be done in a right way and using appropriate parts (rads must be the same design, size, and preferably age (the older rad the more crap/sediment/alines grow inside, just like with human blood vessels :) ) and they must be placed on exactly the same horizontal plane. Otherwise you'll be getting only one rad to work with half the flow... no wonder temps are much worse than any other setup :)

Yes, your right man. and usually it's Two identical 120mm single Rad set-up. I have not seen any 2 x 120mm Rads in //.

[naughty_guy]

so you mean if you got a big radiator, then probably better off doing series?

[sjohnson]

Do the work - try both ways. You owe it to yourself! :)

[Jabo]

Yea, try it :)

You can have two diff rads but in such a case you'd have to make sure that flow is the same trough both of them. To do this you'd need valves and flow meters.... Way to expensive an exercise...

[naughty_guy]

aww man... sighz.. anyway, thx for all your replies.

[antipop]

Originally posted by naughty_guy
1. I got a few question, will my pump be good enough to handle all this?

2. Is it bad to run two different rad in parallel? Because their flow rate might be different.

3. Any general comments?


1- it's kinda weak but it'll do the job, maybe you can get a L30 if you have the money otherwise it'll be OK (maybe if i know the blocks i'll give you a better answer;))

2- We already can't agree when the rad are the same, so i can't really answer, try both or stick to series if you don't want the hassle

3- Try both and tell us your conclusion cause i'm very interested about the fight // vs series ;)

ps i don't trust swiftech's pump aftre all the stories i read here, for the same price i rather get a eheim or a hydor (ps on ebay i got an iwaki for cheaper:))

[naughty_guy]

1. I'll probably stick with my pump for now.
2. I'll be using a MAZE 4, Dangerden 9700 (old version) GPU block, 2 BIX, and 1 other heatercore
3. I'll probably stick the two BIX in // and the other one in series to the two.

Thx for all the help, if anyone have any more comments, that'll be great too.

[antipop]

The maze4 isn't too restrictive so i think your pump will be enough maybe if you later switch to a more powerful one you'll win a few °C but not much

[Jabo]

I bet you all heard about Grundfoss water pumps, right? They are the most popular top quality pumps for mainly domestic (there are eormous ones for industrial applications).

Domestic ones with 5m head cost new in plumbing store £44 + VAT...

[naughty_guy]

no i haven't heard about this

[Jabo]

Originally posted by naughty_guy
no i haven't heard about this
Sorry, I was being arrogant... :(
Apologies :am:

Go to your local plumbing supplies shop (for tradesmen) and ask for domestic central heating/water pump with ~5m head. In Europe Grundfoss (German pump) is one of the most popular ones due to superior reliability and unbeatiable price to quality/performance ratio. It was not used in PC watercooling due to massiveliy overkill performance and need to use special adaptors (reducers) to take it down to 15mm dia piping (1/2" ID).
Eheim1250 @ www.pclincs.co.uk costs £48... and cannot even be compared to Grundfoss...
And imagine those uber ghetto/industrial sci-fi looks ;)

[naughty_guy]

it's ok np.... but isn't it a pain to need to mod the pump and do all the work before it can be used as WC?