Suggestions B4 checkout.

[nugzo]

I'm finalizing my new WC rig. It's all in the shopping cart now waiting on me to press PAYPAL lol. I plan on cooling the CPU and the Vid Cards. I have good Air on the north and south bridge.

Hardware i already have.
EVGA 680i Rev A1
L629F E6600 @ 3800mhz 1.46 real after droop.
L648G QX6700 @3600 so far but temp issues with current setup
4x1GB Kingston Hyper-x 9600
Thermaltake 1200w PSU

Whats in my Cart.
TJ07
PA120.3 *mounting in bottom of case.
Apogee GTX
2x MSI 8800Ultra Factory OC 640/2300
2x EK 8800 FC waterblocks (ordered elsewhere already)
Tygon R-3603 1/2"id 3/4" od
EK Multi Option Res 200
Swiftech MCP655


Before i commit totaly, do you think what i have hear is sufficient? If no, what would you change? Thanks for feedback!

[hoax]

since you are planning to use the PA120.3 on the bottom of the tj07, there is one thing that you might be missing on that list:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138&products_id=21081

comes in black or silver...

everything else looks good....maybe some metal clamps?

:toast:

[septim]

yah drive bays with fan mounting. good idea hoax.

and maybe some metal fittings for the PA rad together with your metal hose clamps, both can be found at Petra's Tech shop...

[nugzo]

since you are planning to use the PA120.3 on the bottom of the tj07, there is one thing that you might be missing on that list:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138&products_id=21081

comes in black or silver...

everything else looks good....maybe some metal clamps?

:toast:

Sorry i didnt list everything. I'm gonna try this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121405) bay first, if i don't like it'll i get the silverstone bay. I have 1/2 DD highflow barbs comin and clamps i'll get at autozone.

[NaeKuh]

ummmm can you swap the pump out for something stronger.

The D5 wont have enough flow head pressure to give you nice temps on the 8800ultras.

The EK blocks are uber restrictive, so it will actually kill your cpu performance. You picked out parts which normally would require a dual pump layout, or dual loop layout.

I would try to replan out your loop because those ultras at peak will pull more then 400W of heat into your water. Unless you have fast flow with lots of pressure, your cpu will hurt hard on the apogeeGTX, even bowed.


EDIT: Sorry i just saw your SIG. NOPE. I dont think this system will cut it at all. The QX6700 @ your specs = 220W of heat added onto your loop.

That means your pulling 600W of heat out of that PA120.3 Also with the poor D5, i dont think your flow pressure will cut it. I highly recomend you picking up dual DDC-2 /w radical 2in1 top. Or with 2 petra tops, or radical tops.

[septim]

hmm maybe he can fit dual loops?

[NaeKuh]

hmm maybe he can fit dual loops?

even better of a solution. However, it will get a lot messier.

And if you dont believe me on my statements, ask massavile.

I believe his setup is close to yours, and he split his loops in 2.

Only your setup will draw more heat thanks to your ultras vs his GTX.

[DepTi]

Why the 8800 Ultras? GTXs will be cheaper and just as good. All the reviews say they are a waste of money compared to the GTXs. But then again, it's your money.

The rest of your setup looks good, but I agree with NaeKuh, the EK blocks are gonna kill your flowrate. Dual pumps or dual loops with that heat load.

[hoax]

Sorry i didnt list everything. I'm gonna try this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121405) bay first, if i don't like it'll i get the silverstone bay. I have 1/2 DD highflow barbs comin and clamps i'll get at autozone.

septim meant that you could use this barbs on the PA instead of the stock plastic ones...I also have a pair and strongly reccomend them:

http://www.petrastechshop.com/aqhifig3th1o.html

on a side note... I tried 2 different drive bays before getting the silverstone and neither would fit right... good luck tho

[Sparky]

Agreed. Stick with your 8800GTX cards, the Ultra isn't enough of an improvement to warrant the extreme price on it. Just OC your GTX and call it good :)

[nugzo]

How much would adding another MCP655 Help?

[NaeKuh]

How much would adding another MCP655 Help?

it would help a lot, however id be worried about your space issues now. D5's are big.

[nugzo]

What is the ideal location in a loop for a second pump?

[NaeKuh]

What is the ideal location in a loop for a second pump?

according to nikhsub, whom i would believe is on par with maxxracer on this area,

HE says Pump -> Pump will give greater flow pressure vs. Pump -> block -> Block -> Pump. Which gives greater flow.


So i would recomend Radiator ->Pump -> pump -> cpu. But ive done other combos with my dual pumps, and this performs fairly well also.

Pump -> Cpu -> Pump -> Gpu.

Since your second pump is sucking from the cpu, i would like to assume its almsot the same as pump -> pump.

Also flow has to be uniform so going in = going out. But i can be wrong because i dont have a BS in fluid dynamics.

[masaville]

hmm maybe he can fit dual loops?

Dual loops in that case is tough. Expect to put a lot of work into it. =) See my thread. heh

If you decide to go dual I can give you some suggestions on spacing/pumps etc. based on my mistakes.

[ranker]

Dual loops in that case is tough. Expect to put a lot of work into it. =) See my thread. heh

If you decide to go dual I can give you some suggestions on spacing/pumps etc. based on my mistakes.

I feel you pain. 3 loops in my system is something I wish I never did. Two months later and I'm still tinkering with it for optimal looks, spacing and performance.

Going with multiple loops is still the way to go for optimal performance. But expect a lot of hardwork and some headaches along the way.

[nugzo]

Thanks for suggestions. Looks are almost important to me as cooling. My rig is in the living room for all to see. I think i will try the dual pumps. Thanks Naekuh for pump order. Any body else have any suggestions on pump order? Pump -> Pump or Pump -> cpu -> pump -> gpu?

Masaville I love your setup! My problem is soo many hard drives. 4 for RAID 5 and 2 raptors (1 for xp and 1 for vista) If it wasnt for that I would clone your setup. 2 different color loops looks great. I've been following your thread from the beginning. Other than pump placement like yours, what would be your next placement?

[pie_uk]

do what ever order you can to keep to the minimum amount of tubing, just make sure that the pump is before the radiator and everything will be hunky dorey.

remember the temperature will hit a certain "terminal velocity" if you like

[serialk11r]

Drop the D5s, get DDCs :D D5s are huge, electricity whores, and have crappy flow, at least in a watercooling system. Or you can try the ultimate Iwaki RD30 :) Nah dual D5s will do the job, just not as well.

Any particular reason you got the thermaltake PSU?

[nugzo]

Drop the D5s, get DDCs :D D5s are huge, electricity whores, and have crappy flow, at least in a watercooling system. Or you can try the ultimate Iwaki RD30 :) Nah dual D5s will do the job, just not as well.

Any particular reason you got the thermaltake PSU?

Well i had a 750 thermaltake that gave me no problems. Then i picked up an enermax 1000, but enermax has issues with DFI (or maybe the other way around) Since i had no issues with the TT, i thought i'd give em a try again. Any reason why i shouldn't have?

Where's the best place to get the DDCs? Performance PC's has a DDC ultra as well, is that the way to go? http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4509

[serialk11r]

Well i had a 750 thermaltake that gave me no problems. Then i picked up an enermax 1000, but enermax has issues with DFI (or maybe the other way around) Since i had no issues with the TT, i thought i'd give em a try again. Any reason why i shouldn't have?

Where's the best place to get the DDCs? Performance PC's has a DDC ultra as well, is that the way to go? http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4509

1200 is way too much but ah well. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/1000w-psu-roundup.html
This is one leet review.

DDC ultra is one hell of a pump, and with a petras top its unbeatable except by the might rd30 :)

[nugzo]

I see the tops at petras, as well as the pump/top combo. According to the price, i'm assuming the pump is not the ultra version. As much as i would like to get it all from petras (b/c i remember and appreciate the hand written thank you notes and the free pens) i guess i'll just get the tops from petras. This (http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html) top will work with this (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4509) pump right?

[serialk11r]

I see the tops at petras, as well as the pump/top combo. According to the price, i'm assuming the pump is not the ultra version. As much as i would like to get it all from petras (b/c i remember and appreciate the hand written thank you notes and the free pens) i guess i'll just get the tops from petras. This (http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html) top will work with this (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4509) pump right?

Nope, usually the Ultra and the 10W are exactly the same price. The ultra is 18W and a bit noisier. The top/pump combo allows you to choose whether you would like the 10W or the 18W (I think).

[nugzo]

How much noisier? say compared to a MCP655. I've never owned anything else. The MCP655 was silent. I'm droppin the loud 8800ultra fans so i'd hate for the pump to be the loudest thing i have. Oh and thanks for all your help.

[Sparky]

My 9W DDC is almost completely silent when suspended, in contact with the case the vibrations echo and it gets louder. Working on finding a way to mount it without allowing those vibrations to reach the case. That'll probably work out when I actually get the water loop set up (can't believe this timing, haven't had a chance to chop holes in the case yet!).

Oh BTW, nothing wrong with the thermaltake toughpower PSUs, those are good units as tested by jonnyguru. I wouldn't trust any other Tt PSUs other than the toughpowers though.

Also, seriously, don't waste your money on the 8800 ultras. Way overpriced and not worth it.

[nugzo]

Since the Petra top has a different fitting configuration, would i be better off using 1 regular top and 1 petras top so i could minimize hose length? i could set the pumps right next to each other and use just a few inches of tubing to connect them.

[Sparky]

Problem with the regular top is that it is 3/8" tubing only. That is the main reason for a custom top is to get 1/2" tubing capability.

[nugzo]

Or should i use the dual pump attachment top (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=20552)

[nugzo]

Problem with the regular top is that it is 3/8" tubing only. That is the main reason for a custom top is to get 1/2" tubing capability.

or this top (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_201&products_id=4506) and a petras top (http://www.petrastechshop.com/peddcudeddcp.html)

[serialk11r]

The custom top isn't mainly for the 1/2" barbs. There's something called a reducer that costs 1 dollar and it will do the job. Its for the extra tiny bit of performance that contributes to the wow factor, for those with cash to burn.

If I had dual DDC with Petra's top, I'd flip one pump on its side (yes this is okay) so the inlet and outlets match up. There's always ways around problems like that ;)

[nugzo]

The custom top isn't mainly for the 1/2" barbs. There's something called a reducer that costs 1 dollar and it will do the job. Its for the extra tiny bit of performance that contributes to the wow factor, for those with cash to burn. I'm down with the WOW factor, but hopefully i can squeeze them in at the bottom of the tj07.


If I had dual DDC with Petra's top, I'd flip one pump on its side (yes this is okay) so the inlet and outlets match up. There's always ways around problems like that ;)

Roger That! That way in the end the inlet and outlet will both be vertical, again less tubing without as many bends.

[nugzo]

Ok i placed the order. After email from alex at petras i ordered 2 of his DDC-2s 18w with petra tops. Thanks for all of the suggestions in this thread. You were all very helpful. I'll update after build with pictures and temps.