Single Loop Vs Dual Loop

[ninja boy]

Hi everyone,
I finally decided to try watercooling and I think I have all the parts, but I don't know whether to go with a single loop or dual. I'm going to be cooling a Q6600 after the price drop, a P35 northbridge, and an 8800GTX. Will one Thermochill PA120.3 be able to cool this or is it better to go with two Swiftech MCR 320's in seperate CPU/NB and GPU loops? I am looking for as high an overclock as possible on the cpu and as high as I can get on the GPU without volt-modding for now. Here are the parts I am considering:

Pump(s): Swiftech MCP 355 w/ Petra'sTech Top
CPU Block: Swiftech Apogee GTX (Bowed)
GPU Block:Swiftech MCW 60
NB Block: Swiftech MCW 30
Reservoir(s): Swiftech Micro-Res
Radiator(s): Thermochill PA120.3 or Swiftech MCR 320

If there's anything else I should list, tell me and I will post it.

On a side note, will the heatpipes on say an Asus P5K Deluxe be enough to cool the northbridge or will watercooling be necessary. Either way, i will have a fan blowing over the the entire motherboard.

Thanks,
Ninja Boy

[SoulsCollective]

We can't answer that question until you give us some idea of what fans you're going to be using on the PA.

Presuming some reasonable CFM, I'd say you'd be fine with the PA120.3 Once you get GPU temps under 40C load, in my experience, you're not going to see any more benefits at stock volts until you get down to sub-zero levels.

[virtualrain]

What are your space constraints if any? If you want a more compact solution... Another option may be to run a PA120.2 for your CPU loop. With a DDC and Yate Loon fans on my heavily overclocked quad, I get load temps around 60-deg at 1.55V. You could then use a MCR220 on the rest if you wanted.

[ColonelCain]

It depends on how much you are willing to spend.
A dual-loop would be best, utilizing the radiator set-up that virtualrain mentioned.

[ninja boy]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll probably be using these fans for the radiators. Space is not a big issue, but the MCR 320 is cheaper and according to this, they perform the same so i might go that route. If i do go dual loops, would it affect the temps of the CPU whether I put the northbridge on the CPU loop or the GPU one?

Thanks,
Ninja Boy

[ranker]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll probably be using these fans for the radiators. Space is not a big issue, but the MCR 320 is cheaper and according to this, they perform the same so i might go that route. If i do go dual loops, would it affect the temps of the CPU whether I put the northbridge on the CPU loop or the GPU one?

Thanks,
Ninja Boy

It's always best to isolate the CPU on its own loop to get the most OC headroom for your CPU. However, it comes down to personal preference as some people don't care too much about the 1C-2C difference it might make.

[Snyxxx]

Absolutely right. Depends on your goals. Is having another rad (fans), pump and mess of tubing worth a few degrees? Not for me. My goal is a nice medium overclock and silence.

[virtualrain]

When dealing with heavily overclocking a quad, it definitely pays to have a dedicated CPU loop IMHO... it's stunning how hot they get! If overclocking is not a primary consideration or even if it is and you have a C2D... a multi block loop with a Fuzion is very effective.