First WC Rig. How would you loop?

[Krowten-Dog]

This is my first WC attempt and my first mod attempt as well.

I know there are a million things left for me to do, but I would welcome your input on how to lay out my loop(s).

Here is an inside shot (it is running on air right now for DOA testing.):


Here are the WC parts to go inside (preparing to clean):

In case it is hard to tell here is the list:
2x EK Full cover 8800GTX blocks
2x Swiftech MC30
1 Dtek Fuzion

I look forward to your suggestions/advice!
Thanks in advance!

[SiGfever]

You will have one heck of a nice looking setup. Please keep us posted with pictures.

[Krowten-Dog]

Ahhh SigSauerFever I know you have a suggestion. One loop, two loops, etc., etc.,

I am looking for help.. I have seen you post some great advice in these forums, hoping for the same here!

[SiGfever]

Ahhh SigSauerFever I know you have a suggestion. One loop, two loops, etc., etc.,

I am looking for help.. I have seen you post some great advice in these forums, hoping for the same here!

Thank you for the kind words but nikhsub1 is the man to ask for advice on multiple vs series loops.

[Krowten-Dog]

Okay, okay. Even though you must fail to realize how much of a noob I am , because I don't even know the best order to hook things up.

[Krowten-Dog]

BTW: Any responders here, could you offer your advice on how to handle draining of your suggestion as well!

[SiGfever]

The loop order does not matter except that the res should feed the pumps as you have now. The most important thing is to keep the tubing as short as possible and try to keep from having tight bends that will restrict your loop.

You have some real nice hardware and someone such as nik has the experience with dual vs series loops with restrictive blocks. PM him, he has always helped me and I have learned a lot from him.

[Mr. Peanut]

I'm sorry, but it is almost impossible to look at a side-view of someone's case and tell them how to set up their loop. A better way to ask for help would be to do it the way you want it, and then post a diagram or picture of it, asking for advice on improvements.

[Krowten-Dog]

I'm sorry, but it is almost impossible to look at a side-view of someone's case and tell them how to set up their loop. A better way to ask for help would be to do it the way you want it, and then post a diagram or picture of it, asking for advice on improvements.

I see that as the normal progression of hookups. Perhaps I am being overly optimistic by taking a proactive approach in an attempt to avoid multiple iterations.

Maybe some more pointed questions are in order.

Givens:
1 pa120.3
1 pa160
YL SL & SM both available
4-ch Rheostat
WC this: e6600, 2x8800gtx, nb, sb.
2 ddc+/petratop
2 res

1 loop (length over order), or two loop?
If two loops: What component(s) in each loop (length over order)?
Which fans on the rads? (Not sure I can think of a reason NOT to use the SM vs. SL fans)

TIA!

[Aldy402]

nice pump placement, very creative..

[Krowten-Dog]

Thanks. Waiting on a support piece (1 mm alu) that goes under both pumps for additional stability. Machine shop is water cutting that piece and my door. I will then cut all-thread to length and use acorn nuts on top.

[IanY]

You know where I stand on the issue of one loop versus multiple loops.

On the D-Tek FuZion, please make sure that the outlet is vertically higher than the inlet. That will promote easier bleeding and may also solve the uncommon occurrence of that "one large bubble," which makes the bleeding process a royal pain.

Since its obvious that budget is not a primary concern, you may want to consider another pump if you are going to run SLI and the two MCW30s in a loop. I'm not saying that one pump cannot support four blocks, but it'll certainly benefit from having another pump.

Or, if you route the two MCW30s after the FuZion, then it becomes obvious that the loop would benefit from a PA120.3.

Since you asked, I will provide my input.

I would route the cpu by itself to the PA160. I personally dislike anything sharing my cpu's loop. I would route the gpus and the MCW30s to the PA120.3. I would double up on the pumps and buy two more. Ideally, I would go three loops, but its your equipment and I will work within those constraints.

I must say that the V2000 is a very nice case, but its getting awfully cramped in there.

Don't forget about grills for your PA120.3 because the fins get dented quite easily.

[nikhsub1]

I'll tell you what I would do - I'd test it both ways. One loop and 2 loops. It also depends on your goals here - is overclocking involved? If so what is more important to OC the vid cards or the CPU? Kinda need to know the goals here. If you are like Ian and don't OC at all, then in reality it makes little difference how you set it up. The blocks you have are not restrictive at all so you have that going for you. You have 2 great rads (I also run a 120.3 and a 160.1) and should be plenty to cool your setup. Again, your priorities (which so far are unknown) will dictate my advice.

[Krowten-Dog]

. . . If so what is more important to OC the vid cards or the CPU? Kinda need to know the goals here. . . . The blocks you have are not restrictive at all so you have that going for you . . . Again, your priorities (which so far are unknown) will dictate my advice.

(Quote edited for space)

Damn nikhsub1, nothing like a series of questions to make someone realize that they don't know what they want

I do intend to overclock (GPU and CPU) and I am looking for the best 3d game performance, still not sure which is more important for overall 3d game performance with these vid cards (i.e., not sure whether CPU or GPU is bottleneck). Does that even begin to help you craft a response?

[mad mikee]

So Either sharpen your paint skilz or go get ALOT of CHEAP tubing to prototype w/ (so you can show us IDEAS). No cuts on the GOOD tubing until we all APPEAR to be in the same chapter @ least.

Also need a frontal view w/o 5.25 covers please.

Hunches & intuitions (everyone will have their own )

For ease of maintenance I would suggest 2 loops since you can tinker w/ each one separately. (CPU + 120.3, everything else on the 160), make the tubing long enough to be able to switch rads between loops so you can test test test

For best cooling I would do a single loop & get the rads between the CPU and GPU, etc. Put both pumps anywhere but preferably b4 the CPU rad. Pumps in series; they give good head, use that for maximum benefit

Too bad I don't have time now, you've given me some ideas on how to re-arrange and add in my pa120-3, my issue is that I have a 150mm papst on the 160 so I have to start thinking.

One note for simplicity: you DON'T need supports for the pumps since they are so small. You will have an initial twist @ startup, but it will go back because of tube twisting resistance. Removing the connections to the case reduces vibrational noise.
I have 3 D5s just laying on the bulkhead(s), and your's are even lighter. I also have no res anymore in 2 of mine (haven't tinkered w/ my wifes in a while ).

I'll get some pics on my 'corner tee' arrangement sometime during
the week.

You have the potential for a GREAT setup there. But you have to define the goals and elaborate them to us so we can help you get there and even then you are the ultimate judge of how close you got

/me goes wandering off again....

MadMikeE for XS_THE_MACHINE (Xtreme Crunchers)

(Quote edited for space)

Damn nikhsub1, nothing like a series of questions to make someone realize that they don't know what they want

I do intend to overclock (GPU and CPU) and I am looking for the best 3d game performance, still not sure which is more important for overall 3d game performance with these vid cards (i.e., not sure whether CPU or GPU is bottleneck). Does that even begin to help you craft a response?

[Krowten-Dog]

Good, insightful comments MM. The pumps are isolated from the chassis as the all-thread goes through holes with rubber grommets.

I was thinking on the support for the force of the hose as it attempts to "straighten" itself out more then the pumps rotational force.

Here is the support and door (will put mesh grill material behind opening):


The Machine shop is throwing the support in while cutting a design in my door (gotta get air to the HD and 160) @ no charge (water cutting and material) so it is a low cost item

You would put the CPU on the 120.3 by itself?

I'll have to get you a front shot, but maybe this will suffice in meantime:
Top Down
1x SATA DVD
1x SATA DVD
1x (3 slots) lian Li 3 HD Caddy
1x sunbeam Rheostat
1x SB front IO (to be moved toward top to shorten cable from card to IO panel

Cut hole in bottom of front with 120 grill to support fan/160

[nikhsub1]

If I were to separate these loops I would likely do the CPU on the 160 alone and the rest on the 120.3 as Ian suggested. The NB and SB are going to add very little heat so they are of little to no consequence.

[IanY]

Like I said, a single DDC+ pump may support both video blocks and the NB/SB as well, but don't expect miracles.

[Spawne32]

I dunno if this was answered already but...which case is that again?

[Krowten-Dog]

Lian li PC-V2100 Plus

[hopper]

ohh i really have always wanted that case did you get black or white


and sry to be a thread jacker but whats this on the ek block i never figured out what it was for...the ring with the o ring thing

[Krowten-Dog]

They go under the barb's o-ring.

They effectively shorten the amount of thread on the barb, that way no part of the barb (thread) protrudes "into" the waterblock and reduces flow.

With out that part on mine the threads extend ~1.5 mm into the block.

[pplapeu]

I would anyway as if you series them together one VGA card would shed all it's heat into the water TO the second card and the second card in series would always be getting warmed up water.

What about he CPU?---On air? If liquid to the CPU I would run the water to the CPU before the cards as the CPU would shed less heat into the loop. Those cards are the monster heat problem. Once the water is out of the the cards you could route to the reservoir or rads, possibly finding which solution would be best for you.

This is my first WC attempt and my first mod attempt as well.

I know there are a million things left for me to do, but I would welcome your input on how to lay out my loop(s).

Here is an inside shot (it is running on air right now for DOA testing.):


Here are the WC parts to go inside (preparing to clean):

In case it is hard to tell here is the list:
2x EK Full cover 8800GTX blocks
2x Swiftech MC30
1 Dtek Fuzion

I look forward to your suggestions/advice!
Thanks in advance!

[pplapeu]

I Googled EK and found they are a nicely priced solution. I better subscribe to see how they perform for you. Will you post a seperate performance thread, perhaps?

The only thing I would fear with the EK is overtightening and cracking the clear poly top with a metal barb fitting, or squeeking a poly barb into the clear poly case.

This is my first WC attempt and my first mod attempt as well.

I know there are a million things left for me to do, but I would welcome your input on how to lay out my loop(s).

Here is an inside shot (it is running on air right now for DOA testing.):


Here are the WC parts to go inside (preparing to clean):

In case it is hard to tell here is the list:
2x EK Full cover 8800GTX blocks
2x Swiftech MC30
1 Dtek Fuzion

I look forward to your suggestions/advice!
Thanks in advance!

[Krowten-Dog]

Update:

Complete: dual loops: pa120.3/160 fully enclosed. pa160+CPU+NB, pa120.3 2x8800gtx+SB

I needed to pull some air in across my HD and the pa160 so I designed a cutout for the door (notice this is a 2100).

I am just about ready to move onto the wiring next.

The LEDs (red/blue) on my fan controller looks really good coming through the fire and ice cutout (IMHO).

Cheers!

Full Side: Side top half: Side bottom half:

Front open: Front straight-on: Front angle: Top: