Updated: Tubing routing suggestions (vote or come up with your own layout!)

[zalbard]

All pictures have been updated and improved!

Tubing routing suggestions (vote or come up with your own!)

Basically, I can't pick the option that's going to look the best. You can pick two (poll allows that) if you're really unsure.
You can either vote for one of the options or give your own suggestion(s) (either in text, or draw your own using my layout.psd file).

CPU block is EK Supreme HF. Rads at the top, at the bottom, and a single 120 (probably MCR120) where exhaust fan is.

Layout #1:



Layout #2 (same as #1 but EK HF is rotated 180 degrees, I think it would look silly):



Layout #3:



Layout #4:



Layout #5 (same as #4 but EK HF is rotated 180 degrees, I think it would look silly):



Recap (side-by-side, from #1 to #5):



Using a heavily modified picture of Altair build by eponymous (thanks, helps a lot!), hope he doesn't mind.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

[prznar1]

messy tubing looks cool, sometimes
#4

you should use aircooled rig as example.

[zalbard]

you should use aircooled rig as example.

I don't have the case here yet, it's on its way. Trying to decide in advance.
Thanks for the feedback!

[vhaarr]

I'd go with the shortest path possible, which neither of your alternatives do :P

top rad > CPU > left rad > MB > GPU > bottom rad > res > pump >

[lowfat]

#4 is the only single loop one, correct? If so, then that one.

[zalbard]

#4 is the only single loop one, correct? If so, then that one.

They are all single loop.
It's just you can't see red on red well (not in 2D anyway), so I used different colours to show the tubing layout.
Sorry for confusion.

[zalbard]

Updated all the pictures. Layout is the same.
Only using red color now. Removed some distracting mess.
Please vote or comment. Your ideas and suggestions are welcome!

[NaeKuh]

Shortest tubing length always wins, unless were talking about a complicated loop which uses properly placed radiators for excessive heat dump.
But this only works when u have an excessive amount of heat b4 a cooling component, like SLI or XFire B4 cpu.

So always go with the shortest.

[rubix_1011]

^Agree. Shortest tubing wins. Loop order doesn't really matter as long as your pump doesn't suck air.

[zalbard]

Shortest tubing has the best flow, but what about 45 deg fittings? They also reduce flow, don't they?
1,2 would take an extra 45 deg fitting (between the rear rad and the mobo block).
The shortest option would be "pump > top rad > CPU > left rad > MB > GPU > bottom rad", but I'd have to use on 45 deg fitting (between the rear rad and the mobo block) and one 90 deg fitting (between the mobo block and the graphics cards). That would seriously reduce the flow, wouldn't it?
The setup is: Ci7 920, EVGA Classy E762, 2x 6970 (might hook up more stuff in the future, but not yet). Planning to overclock everything, obviously. Might run really hot.
I think flow rate should be of concern since it is a quite large loop and flow rates might not be the best. And I don't just want to buy the second pump yet. I think MCP35X should manage pretty well at 100% with high flow rads and proper layout.
So far looking at 1-2x 45 deg fittings, 0x 90 deg ones. Oh, and I think running GPUs in parallel should help the flow a bit, but I think that's going a bit off-topic.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Martinm210]

I would suggest an actual tubing mockup to make your decision. I just find that somtimes it's hard to guess how much the tubing will bend without an elbow until actually trying it.

The longer path with fewer elbows will win in restriction. One 90 degree elbow is about equal in restriction to 4 feet of tubing from a splitting hairs standpoint.

With that said, practically you probably will not measure a difference in performance thermally with any of those options, so go with whichever you like the looks of more.

Option 1 or 2 should work.

[zalbard]

I'm not sure which one looks better. Otherwise the thread wouldn't be here. But cheers for the feedback!

[MadHacker]

I'd go with the shortest path possible, which neither of your alternatives do :P

top rad > CPU > left rad > MB > GPU > bottom rad > res > pump >

+1

[vodka3dg]

i like #1 & #2 because cpu gets cooled the most (lower rad > res > upper rad > cpublock)..

what types of rads will u be using at top and bottom?

[zalbard]

i like #1 & #2 because cpu gets cooled the most (lower rad > res > upper rad > cpublock)..

what types of rads will u be using at top and bottom?

Most likely 120.4 and 120.2, Coolgate or XSPC RX V2.

[vhaarr]

i like #1 & #2 because cpu gets cooled the most (lower rad > res > upper rad > cpublock)..

Vapor tested whether or not loop order makes a difference, and the conclusion was a 0.2 degree difference with two radiators (360+240) before or after the block.

[eponymous]

He doesn't mind at all

Thanks for your feedback

[prznar1]

lul? zalbard is banned?

[Vapor]

Yes, for his post(s) in the News Section.

[prznar1]

Yes, for his post(s) in the News Section.

crap, what happend there?

[iddqd]

I'm actually curious exactly what he was banned for. I post in News a lot, so if possible, I'd like to know so i can avoid his fate

[Vapor]

Prefer to not make his useful thread about tubing layout about his ban (he'll be back in a few days), but the gist of why he was banned is: don't make things personal with your posts. If you find yourself posting off-topic and about other members in a negative way, that's banworthy. Earlier today zalbard was one of five people banned due to the same thread.

As for the tubing layout, I think I would probably go for #3, it seems to avoid the tightest bends and keeps the Supreme HF looking normal. I'd worry about the port/barb/tubing off the rear radiator that's closest to the motherboard tray, it might be too close to the board's VRM sinks and be blocked by that.

[Waterlogged]

As for the tubing layout, I think I would probably go for #3, it seems to avoid the tightest bends and keeps the Supreme HF looking normal. I'd worry about the port/barb/tubing off the rear radiator that's closest to the motherboard tray, it might be too close to the board's VRM sinks and be blocked by that.

Actually, I'd be more concerned about the parallel GPU block setup not cooling either of the cards.

[Sparky]

Every time I see a poll with the ability to check multiple options, I get this urge to check every box

[Vapor]

Actually, I'd be more concerned about the parallel GPU block setup not cooling either of the cards.

Good spotting.

That could be the new Hybrid CF/SLI GPU-Bypass feature