Loop Advice, WC Noob.

CodeNinja · 10-01-2009, 02:18 PM

Originally my system was going to be water cooled when I bought it, but I backed away due to funding and spent more on the hardware instead. Now, 6 months or so later, I'm suffering from random fan failures and my Scythe controller is half dead (channel 1 is iffy, 3 is fried completely).

Ok, well, guess it's time to spend the money and go liquid! Wasn't particularly happy with my temps on air anyhow...

What I have in mind is two loops:
DDC3.2 >> NB >> CPU >> MCR320 >> RES
DDC3.2 >> GPU >> MCR220 >> RES

The CPU would hit 4.0Ghz on air, maybe more, and still be stable but with temps I wasn't comfy with. I'd like to run 4.0Ghz+ 24/7 on a system with fans no louder than the Scythe Slip-Stream's currently installed, I'm looking at either Gentle Typhoons or the S-Flex. 25mm thickness is a must, 38mm won't fit (at least not on the MCR320).

Should I skip cooling the NB? Move it to the GPU loop? Someday I may run SLI, but it'll probably be after a video card upgrade since it seems XFX no longer makes the GTX285 XXX Black anymore.

millertime359 · 10-01-2009, 02:28 PM

The NB is not really needed. A quiet fan pointed directly at it will be plenty. A single loop with a MCR320 and some GT 1850s will get the job down for you too.

It also might not be a bad idea to check out a D5 and a typhoon III also.

rambler358 · 10-01-2009, 02:46 PM

If you really want to do 2 loops seperate out the CPU into its own loop, especially if you plan on doing any overclocking on your i7 920 chip. The i7's get quite warm when OC'd, and its own loop will definately help with temps.

CodeNinja · 10-01-2009, 03:07 PM

Good advice. I've been iffy on the NB block anyway, since the heatsink doesn't even really get that warm.

I'm pretty set on the DDC3.2s since I already have them, picked them up a while back and never used them. Figure I might as well now

rambler358 · 10-01-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeNinja

I'm pretty set on the DDC3.2s since I already have them, picked them up a while back and never used them. Figure I might as well now

If you still plan on dual loops, here's the perfect res/top for you:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/95...?tl=c97s168b49

Caoder · 10-01-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime359

It also might not be a bad idea to check out a D5 and a typhoon III also.

+1 T3 is nice to have if you're going for 2 loops. The mosfets need more cooling than the NB so investing in a full coverage block wouldn't be a bad idea.

CodeNinja · 10-01-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambler358

If you still plan on dual loops, here's the perfect res/top for you:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/95...?tl=c97s168b49

I saw that too. It won't work, though. Space limitations.

Unless, maybe, I use a thin DVDRW... hm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caoder

+1 T3 is nice to have if you're going for 2 loops. The mosfets need more cooling than the NB so investing in a full coverage block wouldn't be a bad idea.

As far as I know, there aren't any for the vanilla P6T. At one point the EK site said they had some, but apparently they didn't -quite- fit and have since been removed.

millertime359 · 10-01-2009, 03:30 PM

You can always use an external drive.

CodeNinja · 10-18-2009, 12:34 PM

Ok, still working on finalizing things, but getting closer to pulling the trigger. Unfortunately I've determined that my HX620 just isn't going to have the juice, so I'm trying to decide between the new 850 or the monster HX1000.

Did order the second video card though, was going to hold off on it, but the XFX GTX285 Black is getting hard to find. Brings up a question, though. Will the MCR220 be enough for 2 video cards? I've heard that you need 1x120 per video card, so if that's true, then I should be fine. Just looking for clarification.

Xion X2 · 10-18-2009, 02:35 PM

Cooling the NB isn't a bad idea, but you need to switch up the order of your loop to have the CPU first, hitting the cool water.

shazza · 10-18-2009, 02:52 PM

CodeNinja - before you invest in water cooling, it would be a good idea to mention what your expectations are for temperatures, and the changes you expect by moving from air to water. Some folks are surprised when they don't get huge drops in Temperature with the i7 platforms (not trying to dissuade you from water cooling, just double checking expectations).

CodeNinja · 10-18-2009, 03:02 PM

Well right now I'm in the mid-40s on all cores when idle, and pushing 70 under load. GPU is 65 at idle and I've seen it near 80c under load.

I'd like to bring the load temps down some, not so much on CPU I suppose. I was running 3.8Ghz but now I'm stock-clock to keep the temps down (had a few fan failures). Maybe mid-30s idle, 50-60 load? GPU is where I'm needing improvement the most, like to keep her below 70c load.

Oh yeah, and quiet. Quiet is good.

Jamesrt2004 · 10-18-2009, 03:33 PM

gpu will go WAYY lower on the 240 rad,

cpu will get a good 10*C off of it i would say

also imo i'd go res - pump - rad - cpu - nb - res

that XSPC rad is perfect for you and what i will now be picking up after looking at reviews of T3... i feel its not as good as its made out and there are some flaws in the graphs people posted here but that could be me..

CodeNinja · 10-28-2009, 06:38 AM

Kicking around the idea of dropping the dual loop idea and going with one loop for everything.

920 i7 @ 4Ghz
GTX285
GTX285 (Yeah, second one showed up finally)

Thinking an MCR220 and an MCR320 on one loop with either a single DDC 18w (not sure what color top, but it's a year old or so), or 2 of them in series using the XSPC dual top. Both radiators will likely have Gentle Typhoon 1450s on them, might go with the 1800s but they are still somewhat hard to find.

Still haven't ordered parts though, been working late at work trying to get ready for our ITSEC demo next month. And, of course, this is when management decides to make sweeping architecture changes and start changing the hardware up on us.