Dual Loop versus Single, the facts

[zigzag]

I just changed from2 loops to 1. Im def getting bettertemps on my cpu, about 5c lower. Before i had the cpu and mobo on a RX480 and my 2 xfx5770's on a EK240. I changed my cards for 2 470's ( running 1 atm) and put everything on 1 loop, still using same rads and pump. And right now my 470 is idle at 29c, and its pretty humid here. Sure that will change when i add the other 470, but im happy

[wesley]

Can I propose this thread + the other one on flow be stickied? People are asking about dual or single loop every other day.

Wes

[wesley]

I just changed from2 loops to 1. Im def getting bettertemps on my cpu, about 5c lower. Before i had the cpu and mobo on a RX480 and my 2 xfx5770's on a EK240. I changed my cards for 2 470's ( running 1 atm) and put everything on 1 loop, still using same rads and pump. And right now my 470 is idle at 29c, and its pretty humid here. Sure that will change when i add the other 470, but im happy

Be sure to help us by posting your results when the other 470 is in. Looking at your original setup, your CPU temp = the old temp (within ~1-2c) when your new 470 comes in. =)

Wes

[zigzag]

Be sure to help us by posting your results when the other 470 is in. Looking at your original setup, your CPU temp = the old temp (within ~1-2c) when your new 470 comes in. =)

Wes

I will sure, but wont be for a week or 2, while i sort out my hx1000 sleeving. Currently running a strider 700w, and i dont think its up to powering my rig with both cards ^^

[gabe]

A horizontal MCR-Drive? Sign me up! I have just the use

I have 10 samples for review. (1) is reserved for the Xtreme forum. do you want to write a review?

[DarthBeavis]

Gabe does not use unobtainium in this radiators and blocks . . .just an FYI. If the label does not say unobtainium inside, you are not getting the real deal.

[Vapor]

I have 10 samples for review. (1) is reserved for the Xtreme forum. do you want to write a review?

Appreciate the offer but I'm not equipped to do rad or pump testing so I have to decline

I was going to get one for my desktop and swap out the IFX-14 I have now. Figure I get better temps and a decrease in noise (since I'll just be using the intake fans at the top of my case at the same settings and removing a 5v San Ace from the middle of the IFX-14) and finally put to work one of the retired blocks I have here

[o2bme]

Gabe, first - great post. Useful data that helps, thanks for sharing!
I agree with the previous post about getting this on sticky.


Second:

No it isn't necessary...

...as I am testing the new Apogee LP (low profile for 1U and space constrained applications)

Yes please. Any more data due out on that?

[Vapor]

Apogee LP sounds like something I have the tools to review, however

Unfortunately the XT is incompatible with my board (though I'll try again), so unless there is an XZ, ZT, XTX, or XT2 looming, that might be your best product on my Roundup #3 database.

Previous LP products have been respins of GPU parts, will be interstig if the trend holds up

[Biffa]

Ok this questions might get a bit messy.

When you talk about dual loops, are they setup completely separate with separate reservoirs?

Is the performance benefit from a single loop that all the radiators are cooling the one liquid source?

What would be the effect of having a shared reservoir and two loops like the original XSPC dual DDC bayres:


Just trying to work out whether to dump this bayres and use something else, or even if I need both pumps.

[Vapor]

Appreciate the offer but I'm not equipped to do rad or pump testing so I have to decline

I was going to get one for my desktop and swap out the IFX-14 I have now. Figure I get better temps and a decrease in noise (since I'll just be using the intake fans at the top of my case at the same settings and removing a 5v San Ace from the middle of the IFX-14) and finally put to work one of the retired blocks I have here

Bump...haven't seen the new horizontal MCR-Drives anywhere in retail yet, any updates on availability? I now have a use for two of the MCR220 versions but can't find them

Also a bump for a great thread

[Section8]

I second making this thread a sticky as it has a lot of great data and information

[hlonipha]

im waiting for my new ek x2 res now to make a one loop with 2 res as my second pump gets a bit of air as it is connected to one of the vga cards and for some reason every couple of minutes it makes an air bubles sound. My thinking is that once the second pump gets water from a res the air sounds will stop.

Any thoughts on this ?



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[hlonipha]

I just changed from2 loops to 1. Im def getting bettertemps on my cpu, about 5c lower. Before i had the cpu and mobo on a RX480 and my 2 xfx5770's on a EK240. I changed my cards for 2 470's ( running 1 atm) and put everything on 1 loop, still using same rads and pump. And right now my 470 is idle at 29c, and its pretty humid here. Sure that will change when i add the other 470, but im happy

Are you using one pump at the moment ?

I was using one mcp655 until friday and my temps were somewhat ok. I connected a second pump and my temps at full load went down about 9c-10c for each(cpu,
480 (1) and 480 (2).

I was amazed at how great flow affect temps. diagram above for once I get new res.

[Johnny87au]

sticky this, ive answered so many threads regarding this issue!

[fusionmkx]

Thanks! This is great info!

[FlipLOG]

very informative thread!

thx for the data!

[BIGJOHNH24]

After reading I'm still unsure what to do with my setup I'm still getting everything together for the build but here is the meat of It.

Sr2 mobo with chipset water block Mips, 2 Xeon 5680 CPU's, Dominator Corsair 1600 x 12 gig, 4 x NVIDIA 580's. Everything listed will be water cooled this is my first water cooled build so any help given will be appreciated. With everything listed I have a hard time thinking one loop will be enough.

[nvmc]

Ok this questions might get a bit messy.

When you talk about dual loops, are they setup completely separate with separate reservoirs?

Is the performance benefit from a single loop that all the radiators are cooling the one liquid source?

What would be the effect of having a shared reservoir and two loops like the original XSPC dual DDC bayres:
<snip>

Just trying to work out whether to dump this bayres and use something else, or even if I need both pumps.

I thought I had designed a really clever dual loop setup with that bayres, one loop going through the blocks then back to the res, and the other pump going through the radiators. Then I realized that it was really just the addition of a pump/(shared) reservoir in the middle of a single loop.
Helped me to think of it like this: shared res>pump>blocks>shared res>pump>rads. Cut out the second pump and only run through the res once, and it becomes just like any other single loop.

I imagine it would perform just like a regular single loop, although I'm not sure if you'd harness the extra pressure normally gained from serializing pumps, due to the reservoir in between them.

[BIGJOHNH24]

After thinking about this a single loop can be as efficient as any dual loop it just comes down to the number of rads plus flow and the single loop is as efficient as a dual loop just my thoughts .

[antiacid]

thank you Gabe for putting numbers on a topic hotly debated for years.

I think that this confirms my initial impression: It is more important to properly size your radiator size versus the heat load of the loop than to try to optimize things with more tubing and more pumps and clever placement of components. As for the additional redundancy of having 2 pumps in the same loop, is this the kind of rhetoric we'll be expecting from pump vendors from now on? "Our products are awesome! Except when they fail, in which case you should buy 2 to be super safe!" I've been reading more and more about people giving advice in that direction. Seems like a waste of money to me these days.

Personally, I'm going by this rule of thumb: if you have 1 cpu and 1 gpu (and even a mobo block), go for 1 loop. If you have an SLI setup and you plan to overclock your equipment more than 10-15%, go for 2 loops. My recommendation is based not only on pure performance numbers but also on the added hassle of having to drain twice as much equipment when you want to replace a single component. I personally imitate intel's tick-tock strategy (my cpu/mobo is tick, gpu is tock) so not having to drain half my loop is a real time saver

Thanks again for the nice spreadsheets

[lowfat]

After reading I'm still unsure what to do with my setup I'm still getting everything together for the build but here is the meat of It.

Sr2 mobo with chipset water block Mips, 2 Xeon 5680 CPU's, Dominator Corsair 1600 x 12 gig, 4 x NVIDIA 580's. Everything listed will be water cooled this is my first water cooled build so any help given will be appreciated. With everything listed I have a hard time thinking one loop will be enough.

One loop is always enough, that is if you have enough pumping power to push through the whole loop.

[st0ned]

Could someon on switftech rehost the pics : ) ? Gabe ?

[gabe]

still here :-) can't always respond quickly though.

[barfastic]

Im quite pleased with my setup. i got a dual loop + single shared res.

Both loops begin like this Res-> Pumps -> 120.3 SR1 Each loop has a 120.3 right after the pump, and then on the first loop it goes to CPU and back to res. and the other loop goes Mobo/Ram/GPU and then back to Res.
I am now in the process of upgrading, and i am contemplating of whether i should switch to a single loop...

If i was to go to a single loop. The order would be Res-> 2x Laing 18w + Dual EK Top -> 120.3 SR1 -> CPU -> GPU -> Ram -> Mobo -> 120.3 SR1 -> Res.
Do you think i should do this? or should i stay dual loop with shared res?