New build with MO-RA3 radiator

[Moonshiner]

Hi all,

I'm new to watercooling but I already read a lot. My plan is to build a decent and quiet watercooling setup for my 3 year old pc.

This is what I had in mind:


- GPU WATERBLOCKS: 2x aquagrafx gtx 480 (linked with twinconnector)
- CPU WATERBLOCK: Koolance CPU-380 waterblock to cool a I7 950

- PUMP: 2x swiftech MCP655 PWM DRIVE
- RESERVOIR: Koolance dual pump/ dual bay RP-452X2 Rev.2.0
- RADIATOR: MO-RA3 420 PRO
- FANS on rad: 9x Antec TrueQuiet 140 on lowest setting by build in switch (500rpm)

- TUBES: primochill primoflex advanced lrt 3/8 id - 5/8 od - crystal-clear
- LIQUID: distilled water + Primochill Liquid Utopia Clear

- Quick disconnects: 2x Koolance QD3 set at pc exit for easy replacement of rad or pc if necessary.
- FITTINGS: 10MM (3/8) EK High Flow Fitting - G1/4
- CLAMPS: Koolance Hose Clamp (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD) Silver

- FILTER: Aqua-Computer Filter G1/4 Stainless Steel Mesh (to protect my waterblocks and pump for debris)


So... I hope I mentioned everything.
I went for 2 pumps for redundancy. Both of them will be controlled by the mobo's (RIIE) pwm signal coming from the CPU header. One of them will return a rpm signal to the cpu fan header, the other one to a spare fan header. This way I can always check if both are still working.
Since the pumps are changing the water flow speed depending on the load, I think a fixed RPM can be used for the fans on the radiator (please correct me if I'm wrong). This way the system keeps quiet.

I want to measure the flowrate. Please advice what I can use best.

My rampage II extreme mobo came with a optional fan to make some extra air flow inside the case. I think it's a good idea to install this one as well.

The Koolance CPU-380 waterblock can also be used for more recent sockets (like 2011) so I can still use it when I upgrade to a new CPU.

The loop would be configured like this: rad -> res1+pump1 -> gpu1 -> gpu2 -> cpu -> res2+pump2 -> rad
I'm not sure if this is the best configuration... I know this reservoir can can be linked as well. Would this be a better config?


Please share your thoughts, doubts, improvements...

[GliderHR]

Hi,
my comments:
- GPU WATERBLOCKS: 2x aquagrafx gtx 480 (linked with twinconnector) :) good
- CPU WATERBLOCK: Koolance CPU-380 waterblock to cool a I7 950 if you have it: OK, if you need to buy it: HK3 or Aquacomputer Kryos
- PUMP: 2x swiftech MCP655 PWM DRIVE
- RESERVOIR: Koolance dual pump/ dual bay RP-452X2 Rev.2.0 great pumping power - I have only one pump in my cycles, less noise, no reduncy, less flow (accepatable)
- RADIATOR: MO-RA3 420 PRO please fix 9 fans - even if they are low rpm, they will give good cooling, if you use 18 fans have a look here
"http://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/f137/ams-420-radiatoren-848542.html" (i compared 9 vs. 18 fans too)
- FANS on rad: 9x Antec TrueQuiet 140 on lowest setting by build in switch (500rpm) don't know them, I prefer Noiseblocker PK2 and 3 and wait for the 140 mm eLoops
- TUBES: primochill primoflex advanced lrt 3/8 id - 5/8 od - crystal-clear 10/16 mm? don't know it
- LIQUID: distilled water + Primochill Liquid Utopia Clear I use for my gaming system AC Double Protect fluid, for my test system aqua demin. with 15% G48
- Quick disconnects: 2x Koolance QD3 set at pc exit for easy replacement of rad or pc if necessary. these line of quick connectors are very good (two sets? I would recomment following:https://www.aquatuning.de/shopping_cart.php/bkey/b7cd6f28fde0d4ea376890a5d8abce2a ) if you buy a black MoRa 3 if not use silver
- FITTINGS: 10MM (3/8) EK High Flow Fitting - G1/4 link? I use silver Koolance compression fittings
- CLAMPS: Koolance Hose Clamp (3/8 ID - 5/8 OD) Silver good for simple fittings
generell: using fittings, which are 1 mm larger than the ID of the tubes (10mm tubes => 11mm fittings)increase tensile strength (zugfestigkeit) I have a short comparison in english here:http://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/f137/any-one-tygon-norprene-compression-fittings-963610.html
- FILTER: Aqua-Computer Filter G1/4 Stainless Steel Mesh (to protect my waterblocks and pump for debris) good choise, I use them too. Be carefully with length of winding - if they are too long they can damage the sealing of the valve

:) have fun!

[GliderHR]

keep the loop as simple as possible: filter -> res -> then both pumps after each other
quick disconnect in a way that you can circle the PC allone and input output is clear

[GliderHR]

Nad what I saw today:
Wattecool has a new bracket for the MoRa 3 420:
http://shop.watercool.de/epages/WatercooleK.sf/secf8797e368a/?ViewAction=Monitor&GUID=52459FDB-E41A-E3C6-A346-0A0C05E9A838
to add 4 large fans on each side! from 180-230 mm.

[Moonshiner]

Hi GliderHR,

Thanks for your reply! Somehow I have the feeling you're the only active member on this forum :)

I choosed the Koolance CPU-380 waterblock because this one can be used for 2011 sockets as well, which is interesting for future use on a more recent cpu. Also this one is less restrictive than the HK3 or Kryos. Temp results are about the same. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the CPU-380 is a better choice in my case.

Concerning the fans, recently I found an interesting benchmark on this site: http://www.mega-labs.com/fanroundup_page_12.html
"The Enermax T.B.Silence 140MM" fan seems to be very quiet. Even more quiet than the "Antec TrueQuiet 140" which one was choosen for best sounding fan on this site: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1346-page6.html
The "Noiseblocker PK2 and 3" are louder fans but give a higher airflow. Airflow is not important for me, like stated in your reply.

Here a link to the fittings: http://www.highflow.nl/aansluitingen/fittingen/3-8-fitting-10mm-od/10mm-3-8-ek-high-flow-fitting-g1-4.html

[Moonshiner]

First cool the CPU or GPU's in this loop?

[Conumdrum]

Doesn't matter. Temps only vary 1-2 C anywhere in the loop, meaning water temp. Gotta understand the properties of water etc.

[GliderHR]

Hi Moonshiner,
here are some pics from My MoRa 3 with QD3. These are the G1/4 QD3's. A performance shnapshot can be seen in my last post of the Flowerlabs News Threat.

[GliderHR]

One big advantage of the QD3 is that the rubber seal in not mechanical treated. You see, the rubber ring of the VL3N had been replaced because it was damaged.

[Moonshiner]

Thx for the pics, Glider.
But I wonder what's the point of having 4 connectors on your mo-ra? I guess only one port in and 1 out is necessary?

[GliderHR]

You may know - I'm collector and hunter and tester.
I have one gaming system with VL3N's and one test system with VL3N's.
One (new) gaming sytem has QD3's.
:)
Sorry for confusion. In and Out are allways different so that I can close the liquid circuits.

[GliderHR]

Regarding fans:
I have for testing purpose the NB PK-3. I just bought 3 PK-2 to come into low fan speed range. I got a 9 fan set of Phobya mid range speed fans
http://www.aquatuning.de/product_info.php/info/p13470_Phobya-G-Silent-14-1200rpm-Black-Silent-Edition-9-Fach-L-fterbundle--9xL-fterpaket-.html
look for a fan set - this saves some money.
The pure rule : the smaller the rpm the more silent is a fan BUT the less air it can move and for radiators in worst case the less pressure it can produce.
Since you use a MoRa 3 you can live with small airflow. This radiator cools very good.
If you can live with one fanspeed - use the NB PK-1 or use NB PK-2 with a controller (an new Aquaero 5 XT out of my collection is available :)) and steer the fanspeed by watertemperature.

[Moonshiner]

Well, the fans should be as quiet as possible and for this I relied on this review : http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1346-page6.html
The antec truequiet 140 isn't the best performant one, but it should have the best sound. It's cheaper than the pk-1 and there's also a switch included with the fan where you can choose the fan speed (500 or 800 rpm). So no need for a fan controller, but thanks for the offer ;)