**Need advice on Watercooling my Lian Li V2100B* Similar to Vadim Gaming PC's!!**

[blazarcher]

People always talk about how the bigger the thickness of the fan, the more pressure it has. Since radiator fans need as much pressure as they can get to push air through all the fins, should I go with a different fan other than the PK3's? These fans have a standard thickness of 25mm... I'm thinking of getting one with a thickness of 38mm. And on that note, has anyone heard of Zaward ZFSB0010 Stay 140mm Fan? They are supposedly, the best 140mm fans you can get.

Heh, got bad news. Can't use 38mm fans.

If I did, I'd only have 14mm of empty room between the radiators.. That isn't sufficient to add in the fittings. So forget about this xD

Limited to 25mm fans, I still have lots of options.

[blazarcher]

Now I need a plan to get the tubing routed nicely throughout both radiators. I will have limited space as it's taken up mostly by the radiator.

At 60mm each, that's 120mm.

And at 210mm of total space, I only have 40mm to space in terms of "wiggle room" minus the 2x25mm fans. To maximize airflow, I'll leave the whole 40mm open in the middle of the case. The fans will be just by the 2 side panels that will eventually be cut. The mesh won't be too thick so it will not detract from the airflow much.

Anyways, with 40mm of space left, I need to find some fittings to use for connecting the two radiators together.

I was thinking a Triple Rotary 90 Degree G 1/4 Male to Female Fitting coming into the first radiator, then it will go out to the 2nd radiator by means of an G1/4 extender (Don't know which to use). From there it will exit by means of another Triple Rotary 90 Degree G 1/4 Male to Female Fitting.

This is my plan so far. I'm using triple rotary fittings so that it won't be as restrictive as say, if I were to use Dual Rotary 90-Degree Compression Fitting-ID 1/2" OD 3/4" instead.

Hopefully this all makes sense to somebody, it makes perfect sense to me

[blazarcher]

I know I said earlier that I was going with the EVGA X58 LE motherboard. But after hearing lots of problems about the BIOS and the overclocking limitations due to the BIOS, I'm gonna stick with the Classified.

Now since I'm fitting a Blacknoise fan+ an XSPC RX120 radiator in the 120mm exhaust area, I won't be able to route the tubing properly.

To help understand, here is the picture of the block itself.



As you can see, the tubing will HAVE to go from the EK CPU waterblock straight into the mobo block. The problem being, the radiator is in the way. I was thinking of placing 2x Bitspower G1/4 Black Sparkle Dual Rotary 90-Degree Compression Fittings. This way, it shouldn't interfere with the radiator. However, I want to "cover up" the tubing that will travel in between the fittings because it won't look good as the tubing travels a very short distance.

Now I don't want it to look sloppy, remember my end goal is ending up being on milliondollarpc (not like that's ever gonna happen xD). So should I forget about the EK waterblock and go with a BP Black Freezer instead? If I went with that, I won't have to make the tubing go to the VRM's because the BP block has two parts to it. So I'll leave the VRM's stock and watercool the north/southbridge.

Here is a pic of the block itself:



Yeah, she's a beauty, but so is the EK block.

NOW there is ANOTHER problem if I go with this block. Remember, the CPU block can't fit 2 BP compression fittings side by side. The fittings that I'll be using will have to support tubing with ID 1/2" OD 3/4".

So here are my options.

EK - Have to place 2 90 degree fittings, hopefully the radiator will cover up the "mess".

OR

BP - Have to use 2x 45 degree fittings that will make the setup look ugly xD

The BP 45 fittings don't look that good. If anyone has recommendations for some 45 degree fittings, please let me know.

[blazarcher]

On an unrelated note, I want to hide my front panel cables. It's gonna be awhile till I can sleeve them (MDPC sleeving FTW but shipping will take forever!). So in the mean time I was thinking of getting 5 feet of Techflex Flexo Wrap Hook and Loop Expandable Sleeving 1/2". I was looking for smaller sizes but these are the smallest.

- Sleeving ain't bad either.

- Easy installation, can't beat that!

[blazarcher]

BTW, here are the original pictures of the Black Ice SR1 560 from bundymania.

[ascl]

Hmm.. Almost 61cm that's about 24 inches... The case's depth inside is 590mm or 23.2 inches.

Am I missing something here? The rad is 610mm and the case is 590mm inside, how will they fit?

[blazarcher]

Am I missing something here? The rad is 610mm and the case is 590mm inside, how will they fit?

I discussed that already xD Maybe wasn't to clear. Simply staggering the radiators will solve that. -- This will probably work. If not, I'm either planning on forcing it in there (aluminum bends, good thing I guess) or actually cutting a lil'. <-- Got to start modding from somewhere!

BTW, what do you think about the whole BP vs EK waterblock situation?

[blazarcher]

Now in regards to getting my side panels cut, I'd like to use brand NEW panels due to the limited stock of Lian Li V2100B panels.

Right now, Performance-PCS are the only ones with the Lian Li V2100B Side Panel. However, they only have one side.... They don't have the motherboard side.

I was thinking that since the Lian Li PC-201B has the same EXACT internals and locking mechanism, I can get a set of those side panels instead. They SHOULD measure up to be the same.

What do you guys think? -- And anyone got ideas for some case designs?

I was thinking maybe some flames (with mesh) at the bottom half of BOTH side panels. And a nice rectangular window that only stretches to the whole length of the motherboard. Something "like" this...



Hmm now how will I translate that into CAD language?


NOTICE how my build is turning to be very different from Vadim PC's. Well that's excluding the custom cut side panels of course... Now if only I can get in contact with someone who works at Vadim.... Hopefully they will be nice enough to send over a copy of their case design xD

[RCG_Bex]

I did something very similar with mine ages ago - I'm going back to simple though becayse I want better air flow...







Video of panel being made : http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&h...&v=em8H5AThPls

I've now gotten a hold of a V2010 - same as what you have - and plan on modding it soon but as I say - I won't be going down the complex laser cut design because drawing it up in CAD is a pain and restrict air flow too much in the end for my personal use.

~Bex

[blazarcher]

I did something very similar with mine ages ago - I'm going back to simple though becayse I want better air flow...







Video of panel being made : http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&h...&v=em8H5AThPls

I've now gotten a hold of a V2010 - same as what you have - and plan on modding it soon but as I say - I won't be going down the complex laser cut design because drawing it up in CAD is a pain and restrict air flow too much in the end for my personal use.

~Bex

Sorry for the late reply I'm at my vacation home that has no internet (using my phone to write all this)
Anyways, thanks so much for those pictures, your design (the bottom half part of the main panel) is very similar to what I want have done, nothing to complicated.

Was wondering if you could help me with a CAD design. I'm really new at all this. As I've said before all I want is a simple rectangular window and a simple flame design that looks kind of like yours (BTW it looks amazing).

Just some technical things as well...

My case is very similar to yours, I've got the Lian Li V2100B which is a few inches taller than the 2110 and also, the motherboard is inverted so the main panel vs mobo side panels are switched.

[blazarcher]

bump

[blazarcher]

Heh, I wonder if I can change the title of my thread lol. This is coming out to be very different from what Vadim has.

The 140mm fans are on backorder... Should I go with Zaward instead? I also heard the Sharkoons are pretty good too.

Anyways.... Right now I'm debating the sort of case design that I want done. I like what Bex has there. It looks amazing and the "flame" design is almost EXACTLY how I want it!

Is there a place people recommend I go to (to get my side panels cut)?
I'll be ordering an extra side panel just in case something goes HORRIBLY wrong.

I thought of cutting the window my self, it shouldn't be that hard. Just need a dremel kit and some acrylic to place. But I don't want screws to stick out. So I thought maybe get it bolted on (from the inside). How would I go about doing that?

---
I know... lots of questions again... But seriously, once I get this straightened out. I shouldn't have any hiccups during actually building the system itself.

[blazarcher]

Seriously?!?! 9-7 favoring Dual pumps over Triple! Why is there all of a sudden ppl thinking I should go with three pumps?

So in this case.. 2x3.25's or 3x3.1's? -- The 3.1's are quieter so adding an extra one should be just as quiet as 2x 3.25's.

I'd still like to go with a Dual Pump setup as Waterlogged recommended. So if anyone thinks otherwise, please speak up.

[ascl]

If you really want excellent 140mm fans, grab some SanAce... they come in quiet versions, and also in insane power versions. Aint cheap tho:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=248834

[blazarcher]

If you really want excellent 140mm fans, grab some SanAce... they come in quiet versions, and also in insane power versions. Aint cheap tho:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=248834

Thanks for the advice but I'm limited to a 25mm thick fan. So there goes the San Aces.

[ascl]

SanAce has 25x140 fans too.

EDIT: I take that back, I am mistaken. Sorry.

[blazarcher]

Quick question; Is it possible to cut a 4mm thick aluminum panel with a dremel... The Dremel MultiPro 300 Rotary Tool Kit in particular <-- Only 60 dollars too

Will post pictures soon showing where I will be cutting.

[blazarcher]

Alright getting near to purchasing everything. Right now I'm just waiting for the Frozen Q **Side Port** reservoir to be available at performance-pcs. Hopefully I get everything by next friday and I can finally go through with this build. As for getting the panels cut, thankfully there is actually someone that has the EXACT (without the window though) side panels w/ the flames that I need. I'll let you all know who after it's all done xD

That takes care of the cutting part which made me really nervous. The side panels are coming from the UK so yeah, it'll be a while.

Anyways, there's still the issue of routing the tubing under that first RX120 rad. So I've decided, what the heck, might as well take it out. But now, to fit 2 of them 3/4" OD fittings, I'll need to get 2 45 degree angle fittings. Here is a pic of what I'm thinking of these BP's in particular....



Pics from Melampus' build.

-OR- Should I go with some Feser 45 degree fittings. They look pretty good but I heard that the water's path has an abrupt angle which will affect the flowrate.

[blazarcher]

Alright, now that I don't have to worry about routing the tubing, I was thinking I should go with the BP mobo over the EK. I LIKE the look of having lots of tubing so should I go with the BP > EK?

Here is a performance chart showing the cooling performance of several EVGA X58 Classified mobo blocks.



And some info about the block straight from HESmelaugh.

Bitspower Black Freezer



"Bitspower's cooling solution consists of one main waterblock (copper base, brass top, both black nickel plated) called the EIX58NSC and a mosfet waterblock (black nickel plated base, POM top) called the EI58DP II.
At this point it's worth noting that the Classified's heatsink is modular, so it is possible to watercool the NB/SB and NF chips and leave the air-cooler on the mosfets."



"The design and finish of the Black Freezer blocks is very well done. The nickle plating is almost flawless. Unfortunately, the block i had here still had one blot of slight discoloration. Nothing tragic, but perhaps annoying to perfectionists."

Here are the blocks' internals:

"

Am a bit scared though about the imperfections, the EK block didn't have any.

[blazarcher]

I know that my build has been stalled for a while now. I've had some financial problems and am unable to get everything all at once. But this does give me more time to flesh out my build.

Now I know I've spoken about this before but since my build has changed drastically since then, it's time to think it over.

Should I go with a SINGLE or a DUAL loop?

If I go with a SINGLE

I've got 560x2 + 120 = 1240W worth of cooling performance

Now let's say my heat dump is 900W (300Wx2 for the 480's and 300 for the 930)

So that's 900/1240 = 0.726 Cooling Performance

So the smaller the number, the more cool the components will run.

As for going Dual...

560 for the CPU --> 300/560 = 0.536

560+120 for GPU --> 0.882

And the AVG if that matters... 0.709

So as you can see, if I go with a single loop I'll get better GPU cooling but MUCH worse CPU cooling

Now If I go with Dual loop, I'll get worse GPU cooling but MUCH better CPU cooling.

So what do you guys think? I've already decided on going with the XSPC Single SLOT 5.25 bay reservoir and will probably be switching the pumps to 2x Dual DDC 3.1 pumps.

So it will perform worse than 2x3.25 but will be quieter. And since they both will be ISOLATED, I SHOULD get better pumping performance if I go with seperate loops.

So should I go SINGLE:

Better GPU cooling, Worse CPU cooling.

OR DUAL:

BETTER CPU cooling, WORSE GPU cooling

Keep in mind if I go SINGLE, I'll have Dual DDC 3.25's.

If I go DUAL, I'll have 2x DUAL DDC 3.1's (Dual DDC 3.1 for CPU and the other for the GPU loop).

[ascl]

Generally, you want better CPU cooling and GPU cooling doesn't matter so much, which is why, if you have hot GPUs, 2 loops can work out better, as you can run the GPUs a bit hotter and have a nice cool CPU.

[blazarcher]

**UPDATE**

Got a picture of the watercut side panels. They'll be coming from the UK xD

Kind of "off-topic" but was wondering if anyone had a recommended courier to use where they won't charge too much and WON'T damage the panels as they are quite fragile.

Here is the side panels in all it's glory:

[Church]

I somehow didn't get how rad length got converted to heat dissipation capabilities. sum in millimeters of one rad length (not area, length) + another rad length + length of third rad (forgetting it has less width) somehow got equal to same number but in watts (ignoring rad model cooling performance, no specified temp deltas, fan speed, ammount/way of setup of fans, different performance of 140 vs 120mm fans), then sum of cooled components heatdump got divided by rad length?
OK, i get what you wanted, so this dissecting of calculations was more meant as harsh joke , but if you wanted to divide rads proportionally to cooled components heat dump you should at least (if rads are of same model line) count their area. as in instead of 560 use 4*140^2, 1*120^2 and such. And to find out proportion one has no need to replace mm2 with W
+ascl already noted, that cpu o/c is more low temp needy then gpus, even though heatdump is similar. Though then again, with that big rad area i doubt both ways will differ much more then 2-4 degrees C be it of single or dual loop. Also nothing beats real world testing numbers - you can simply try both setups.
As for 140mm fans .. i stayed at downvolted NB PK-3 fans. Of course, those ain't no GTs , but i better take their hidrodynamic bearing, then yateloon 140mm fans with sleeve bearing (i'm gonna mount my 560sr1 horizontally after all)

[blazarcher]

Generally, you want better CPU cooling and GPU cooling doesn't matter so much, which is why, if you have hot GPUs, 2 loops can work out better, as you can run the GPUs a bit hotter and have a nice cool CPU.

So I guess I'll be going dual loops! Gonna have to do some re-thinking... I should have a diagram of the new setup soon. Single vs Dual loops was definitely something that had to be addressed.

[blazarcher]

I somehow didn't get how rad length got converted to head dissipation capabilities. sum in millimeters of one rad length (not area, length) + another rad length + length of third rad (forgetting it has less width) somehow got equal to same number but in watts (ignoring rad model cooling performance, no specified temp deltas, fan speed, ammount/way of setup of fans, different performance of 140 vs 120mm fans), then sum of cooled components heatdump got divided by rad length?
OK, i get what you wanted, so this dissecting of calculations was more meant as harsh joke , but if you wanted to divide rads proportionally to cooled components heat dump you should at least (if rads are of same model line) count their area. as in instead of 560 use 4*140^2, 1*120^2 and such. And to find out proportion one has no need to replace mm2 with W
+ascl already noted, that cpu o/c is more low temp needy then gpus, even though heatdump is similar. Though then again, with that big rad area i doubt both ways will differ much more then 2-4 degrees C be it of single or dual loop. Also nothing beats real world testing numbers - you can simply try both setups.

lol, it was a very ROUGH estimate of how things SHOULD work out to be. As for your comments about saying 140x4 over 560... Well they are the same thing. The SR1 560s are 140x4's so I just simplified them to being just called 560's. As for the 140x120 argument, honestly I completely ignored the difference of WIDTH and just wanted to see how much of an effect it would have on the cooling performance of individual components. Turns out it made a very small difference. Therefore taking out of my the RX120's wasn't such a bad idea after all.

As for it being a joke, I guess you COULD call it one xD