Hey guys, I have been a long time reader of these forums and I really respect your opinions. So finally, I have decided to post and hopefully contribute some useful info too.
First off here are a few pics of my system currently:
And, here is my system order: Primochill Typhoon III split off to an MCR320-->Heatkiller-->back to res. The other loop goes from the Res--> MCR220 --> 4870x2 full cover WB --> MCW30 --> back to Res.
So, here is my issue. I used to have two separate loops, but I got the Primochill Typhoon III to clean up the space and it did. But, my CPU temps went up more than I would have liked. I was thinking about adding a MCR320 stackable radiator into the mix or just getting a bigger radiator to replace the existing mcr320.
I was thinking about either a GTX420 or PA140.3 to replace the MCR320.
One of the legs of the T3 has more restriction so the Water goes to the other loop while the loop with less restriction is doing all the cooling work since both sub loops has radiator the one with lesser flow is not cooling the waterr as much as the loop with higher flow resulting in higher temperatures in the whole system. Solution is to go back dual loops. Adding anothe radiator means adding more restriction to the loop and doesn't necessary mean that the new rad is going to get the necessary flow to cool down the water.
I've thought about the mcr420, but it is too long unless I run it at the bottom diagonally (i would prefer not to). I can fit radiators that are 19 inches or shorter in my case. Money is not necessarily a huge factory, but I am not going to be getting one of those Feser Monstas.
I run my i7920 C0 @ 4.2 w/ 1.35v. My old idle temps on the CPU were around 41c but now they are about 44c. My old temps after a few hours of gaming were 50c ish, but now they get as high as 60c ish. However, my 4870x2 is running much cooler, which I don't mind.
I am sure that one loop is a bit more restrictive than the other, but I would think it would be the GPU/northbridge block giving that the higher temps, but that doesn't seem to be the case as the GPU temps have dropped.
I just think that since the MCR320 (both radiators actually) is warm to the touch it can't quite handle the total heat of all of the components.
Hmmmm, I just had a thought about the restriction thing. Maybe if I put all the radiators on one loop and the other components on the other loop it would do better. Or, is that a bit off?
Try switching the NB block over to the CPU loop. You might have too much restriction on that GPU loop actually. Switching the NB block should help to level things out.
Also, did you dismount your CPU, or OC it higher when you switched to the T3?
I cleaned, reapplied thermal paste, and remounted the block a few times. I tightened the screws by hand until it was difficult to do so by hand (same thing as before the new res). Same OC as before too. Hmmm, the northbridge you say?
As long as you don't have a bad mount, that would be next try. The NB block should be the most restrictive and the CPU loop should be less restrictive. It should help to level things out.
how sensitive are you to noise?
Meaning... whats your tolerance to fans?
MCR320-->Heatkiller-->back to res. The other loop goes from the Res--> MCR220 --> 4870x2 full cover WB --> MCW30 --> back to Res.
Total rad area is = to a MCR520... 150W x 5 on what i think you want = a max of roughly 750W.
So your MCR setup is good for around 750W...
Cpu ~ 180-200W
GPU = 250W
Board = 30W
so your entire system puts out at most 480W... mmmmm...
Ok... this is going to be very difficult to answer. You need to do a coolant test and see what your delta air in rad -> water coolant temps are.
From a math perspective your not limited.
But you want lower temps...
i think you might have an ambient problem.
Ok, I will try switching the northbridge block, but I will probably get to that tomorrow. Do you think there would be any performance increase by having the rads on one loop and the components on the other? I read something recently, maybe by Vapor, about radiator placement and temps.
I like things quiet, but I play my games with headphones on so I can't hear anything else. I don't run the fans at full speed, but when I do the temps are a bit better, but not how it used to be. What do you think dumps out more heat, the 4870x2 + NB or the i7 @ 4.2?
I like things quiet, but I play my games with headphones on so I can't hear anything else. I don't run the fans at full speed, but when I do the temps are a bit better, but not how it used to be. What do you think dumps out more heat, the 4870x2 + NB or the i7 @ 4.2?
the X2...
LOL....
See my edits...
I think you have an ambient problem... u dont happen to have a temp probe anywhere on the loop do you?
Errrr your fans are on low?
Ummm how about a fan upgrade with controller.
When u game you can blast them... when you bench you can blast them again... when you sleep you down volt them.
No temp probe. pooo. The MCR320 pulls are in from the front in a pull orientation (front right of case). The MCR220 is in the bottom left pushing air out so I am sure it is using some air from the MCR320.
Oh, I used to have a temp probe when I had the two seperate loops. It was on the GPU/NB loop and the temps of the water would get to about 43c. Not sure if that helps or not. Originally I was thinking it was a case of the temperatures kind of equalizing out but I'm not so sure now.
I was discussing some of that with martian. I have my T3 set like that and temps are fine. My E8400 isn't overclocked and I only have a GTX260. The T3 does like things to be balanced, but it shouldn't be too sensitive. The only issue with sticking all the rads on one loop and everything else on the other, is that if your temps are really due to things not being balanced, it still won't be. The rad loop should be less restrictive than the blocks loop.
I was about to ask what Naekuh brought up. What fans are you using and at what speed, also when did you do the swap?
The MCR220 is in the bottom left pushing air out so I am sure it is using some air from the MCR320.
i think your MCR220 is messing things up for you. :X [ugh i had to make it kid friendly or mom is gonna pwn us]
Its picking up higher ambients, and forcing your coolant temps to go up.
Try reversing the fans on it so it pulls ambient and throws it back in your case.
Thats a problem with single loops when your rads are spaced out like that.
If one has higher ambients, one will throw your coolant temps up when there not near loaded.
If you load up both cpu and GPU, however you might notice you got lower overall temps.
Rads work better the closer you get to there load values.
Also the values i gave you were for full load. On idle your probably using 1/2.
Yeah, gotta keep it pg rated. Cool. I will try reversing the fans first and then the north bridge as the north bridge will take a bit more work. Man, I need to get some plugs for the tubing so I don't have to drain the loop everytime.
Fafeifa has a point, unbalanced parallel legs/loops/sub-loops will slow flow rates and raise the C/W of your radiator(s). Flow rates do effect the C/W of a radiator.
But I don't see that as the sole cause with the configuration you have and loops you had previously, based on the math (thank you Excel!) your previous serial loops were right around 2GPM (GPU: 2GPM, CPU: 1.8GPM) individually. With the T3 and the parallel loops/legs you come in with roughly 1.6GPM for each... You are quite balanced flow rate wise.
Your GPU loop/leg has the higher load of two loops, and only having an MCR220. The extra rad capacity of your MCR320 is now being used to cool your GPU loop as well because both loops contribute heat. That is what made your CPU temps increase by moving to the T3.
You still have both options, split the loops or add more radiator to your system.
If you're going to go with a stackable, be sure to add fans just like you would for a non-stacked radiator.
edit - Good lord, I hit reply on a thread with 3 posts...typed some, had dinner, came back and finished what I was doing and there is like 15 replys... what the hell... and Naekuh wants a coolant test, what the hell...
__________________ skinnee labs test schedule: In Testing: Too much to list. Writing Reviews: finally getting my backlog cleaned up too. Planned Tests: Plan, what the heck is a plan.
Skinnee, in your opinion would you go with another stackable MCR320 or sell off the current mcr320 and grab a bigger rad?
On a side note, what are anyones thoughts on if two separate loops would cool better than the dual loop of the TIII? I know it depends what rads you would use, but before I got the TIII I was thinking about getting the XSPC BayRes Two here: http://jab-tech.com/Acrylic-Dual-5.2...o-pr-4550.html
Oh, I won't go buying any rads yet. Any upgrades for me are a few months away. I am going to put a new front on my case first so it looks like 1 whole case instead of two stuck together.
And, thanks to everyone for helping me out on this. I really appreciate it.
, yeah i don't post quite often but do follow the posts. 
Yeah, gotta keep it pg rated. Cool. I will try reversing the fans first and then the north bridge as the north bridge will take a bit more work. Man, I need to get some plugs for the tubing so I don't have to drain the loop everytime.
Oh man, that cracked me up at the end Skinnee. 
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