Which route to take?

[MichaelBP]

Hi, 

 

I'm doing a watercooled system this summer, the 3 parts I want to cool with it is:

 

 

• CPU: AMD FX 8350 (4Ghz, 8 core)
  • + EK-Supremacy - Acetal + Nickel
• Graphics card:  2 x AMD Radeon 7950
  • + 2 x EK-FC7950 - Acetal+EN (Nickel)

The TDP should be about 437, Since I can't figure out what I need to cool this system I have made two solutions, I would like to do the first, but I fear that the second solution is the one to go fore, let me know what you think. The goal here is a silent system, not O/C.

 

Solution 01:

Featuring: 

• 1 x Alphacool UT60 (full copper) 140mm radiator.
• 1 x Alphacool UT60 (full copper) 280mm radiator.
• 3 x Corsair AF 140mm fans
• EK DCP 4.0 Pump + EK DCP 2.2, 5.25 Bay Res.

 

Solution 02:

 

Featuring: 

• 1 x Alphacool UT60 (full copper) 140mm radiator.
• 2 x Alphacool XT45 (full copper) 240mm radiators.
• 1 x Corsair AF 140mm fan
• 4 x x Corsair SP 120mm fans
• EK DCP 4.0 Pump + EK DCP 2.2, 5.25 Bay Res.

Note: this setup is inspired by Linus unboxing of the

radiators, I "SLi'ed" them ;) 

 

 

Let me know what you think, what would you chose and why?, What can be improved? 

[Ghost]

Stacking radiators on top of each other is something that I have never seen before. You would have to use two SLI fittings between them. It would be interesting.

 

The only thing I would worry about is connecting the two rads. It would quite literally be impossible. Which by deduction is why something like this is never really seen.

 

So theres your answer, if you find a way to conenct both rads then its a better solution but I don't see a way unless you built a frame for them.

 

Going onto the rest of your loop; its perfectly fine apart from a pump. Get a Laing D5 or a Laing DDC, although a Laing D5 is more appropriate for this loop. They are just "better" than other pump, more reliable and the most commonly used watercooling pump.

[No One Puts A Real Name]

Sandwich rads? strange but it is used on heatsinks.

[MichaelBP]

...

 

The only thing I would worry about is connecting the two rads. It would quite literally be impossible. Which by deduction is why something like this is never really seen.

 

So theres your answer, if you find a way to conenct both rads then its a better solution but I don't see a way unless you built a frame for them.

 

Going onto the rest of your loop; its perfectly fine apart from a pump. Get a Laing D5 or a Laing DDC, although a Laing D5 is more appropriate for this loop. They are just "better" than other pump, more reliable and the most commonly used watercooling pump.

 

Thanks Ghost, I was hoping to do something like this:

 

 

 

Screwing the rads together with some kind og smaller screw from the side, taking advantage of the anti-vibrasion in the corsair fans mounting holes and having some kind of foam in the bottom for support :) ... Don't know if it would work though.  

[Ghost]

Thanks Ghost, I was hoping to do something like this:

 

 

Screwing the rads together with some kind og smaller screw from the side, taking advantage of the anti-vibrasion in the corsair fans mounting holes and having some kind of foam in the bottom for support :) ... Don't know if it would work though.  

And how do you plan to turn those screws with no access to them from either side. Its impossible. You would need to do some big modifications to the fans/rads and its just not worth the effort. Easier to get an 80mm radiator.

 

EDIT:

 

Before you ask: http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-NexXxoS-Monsta-240mm-Dual-Radiator--Full-Copper-pid-15965.html

[Aviince]

And how do you plan to turn those screws with no access to them from either side. Its impossible. You would need to do some big modifications to the fans/rads and its just not worth the effort. Easier to get an 80mm radiator.

 

EDIT:

 

Before you ask: http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-NexXxoS-Monsta-240mm-Dual-Radiator--Full-Copper-pid-15965.html

 

Just use screws with a hex head and use a spanner not to hard altho why cant you just put one in the roof of the case would look nicer and be better cooling.

[Ghost]

Just use screws with a hex head and use a spanner not to hard altho why cant you just put one in the roof of the case would look nicer and be better cooling.

I have no idea how you would go about doing it. I assume you mean using a screw and a nut. Try and picture it, you have no way of getting any access to the screw as soon as the fans have a rad on both sides. No way to turn anything.

 

And he clearly has no space in the top of his case ;)

[MichaelBP]

And how do you plan to turn those screws with no access to them from either side. Its impossible. You would need to do some big modifications to the fans/rads and its just not worth the effort. Easier to get an 80mm radiator.

 

EDIT:

 

Before you ask: http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-NexXxoS-Monsta-240mm-Dual-Radiator--Full-Copper-pid-15965.html

 

Maybe with something similar to "case-screws" that you would be able to turn from the side.. But your right, the "Monsta" would be a much better option (and a lot cheaper) .. Would you recomend running it in pull og pull/push? .. Turning back to the pump  how is the noise level on the D5? and why is it better then the EK one, higher flow? 

[Ghost]

Maybe with something similar to "case-screws" that you would be able to turn from the side.. But your right, the "Monsta" would be a much better option (and a lot cheaper) .. Would you recomend running it in pull og pull/push? .. Turning back to the pump  how is the noise level on the D5? and why is it better then the EK one, higher flow? 

It is better for "reasons". More reliable mostly. Its a more trusted pump and it much more powerful.

 

For a monsta push/pull is a must. That radiator is very thick.

[Aviince]

I have no idea how you would go about doing it. I assume you mean using a screw and a nut. Try and picture it, you have no way of getting any access to the screw as soon as the fans have a rad on both sides. No way to turn anything.

 

And he clearly has no space in the top of his case ;)

you can get hex head screws which with the slot from the corsair sp's you would be able to do it would be annoying but still would be able to do it.

 

What case is this anyway ?

[Ghost]

you can get hex head screws which with the slot from the corsair sp's you would be able to do it would be annoying but still would be able to do it.

 

What case is this anyway ?

I still have no idea how you'd plan to do this.

[MichaelBP]

you can get hex head screws which with the slot from the corsair sp's you would be able to do it would be annoying but still would be able to do it.

 

What case is this anyway ?

 

It's an Fractal Design R4. The reason I haven't placed any rads in the top, is so not to remove any moduvents, and derby get more noise.

[Aviince]

By putting a rad in the top and using quieter fans youll get less noise then having a wind tunnel at the front of your case with only 1 for exhaust plus it will run cooler so you can have your fans on lower. :)

[Ghost]

Forgot to mention that you really need to buy pressure optimized fans.

 

I can only recommend Noctua NF-A14 PWM. IF you really don't like the colours then someone else can give you better options. Btw that monsta rad I linked you to is 240mm.

 

Here is the 280 equivalent. This one is even thicker. ;)

 

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-NexXxoS-Monsta-140mm-Dual-Radiator--Full-Copper-pid-17391.html

[MichaelBP]

By putting a rad in the top and using quieter fans youll get less noise then having a wind tunnel at the front of your case with only 1 for exhaust plus it will run cooler so you can have your fans on lower. :)

 

You make a good point, but there often seems to be issues with the motherboard not giving enough room for the rad, so better safe then sorry :)

 

Forgot to mention that you really need to buy pressure optimized fans.

 

I can only recommend Noctua NF-A14 PWM. IF you really don't like the colours then someone else can give you better options. Btw that monsta rad I linked you to is 240mm.

 

Here is the 280 equivalent. This one is even thicker. ;)

 

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/Alphacool-NexXxoS-Monsta-140mm-Dual-Radiator--Full-Copper-pid-17391.html

 

Thanks, I'll bye the case first and then try to measure if i can fit the 280, or else i'll go with the 240 :)

 

A quick side question, I can't figure out if the size of the tubing matters? People often talk about the bending of them, but that is not gonna be an issue for me as I see it, should I be aware of anything else? (Planing on going with black fittings and white tubes to give it a "black & white" theme)

[Ghost]

You make a good point, but there often seems to be issues with the motherboard not giving enough room for the rad, so better safe then sorry :)

 

 

Thanks, I'll bye the case first and then try to measure if i can fit the 280, or else i'll go with the 240 :)

 

A quick side question, I can't figure out if the size of the tubing matters? People often talk about the bending of them, but that is not gonna be an issue for me as I see it, should I be aware of anything else? (Planing on going with black fittings and white tubes to give it a "black & white" theme)

Tubing size doesn't matter. I personally prefer 3/8 1/2

[MichaelBP]

Thanks for all the great replies, I'll get the case and see how a 280 or 240 'Monsta' will fit. I might consider going "old school" and have a rad in the top and a "normal" rad in the front, primarily in fear of the Monsta in push/pull will make to much noise with the corsair fans (I don't like the noctua look). I also might realize that i hardly ever is going to look inside the thing, and go with the noctua fans...

 

Who knows, see you in the build log section when I start working on it.    

[airdeano]

if overclocking the FX on the high-side, you'll need some thermal help.

 

alphacool ST30 240 in the roof, 2 fans (push or pull) CPU only. 8350 OC 4.8/1.488vCORE 65° (loaded) 1000rpm fans

alphacool ST30 240 in the roof, 2 fans (push or pull) UT/Monsta 240 in front CPU/GPU

alphacool ST30 240 in the roof, 2 fans (push or pull) Monsta 240 in front CPU/2-GPU

 

if using Monsta in front, push/pull with low speed fans (850rpm or less), push or pull with 1000rpm+

using SP120QE on 5v or ultra low noise adapter is un-noticeable at 1m (hence p/p)

 

airdeano

[Aviince]

You make a good point, but there often seems to be issues with the motherboard not giving enough room for the rad, so better safe then sorry :)

 

 

Thanks, I'll bye the case first and then try to measure if i can fit the 280, or else i'll go with the 240 :)

 

A quick side question, I can't figure out if the size of the tubing matters? People often talk about the bending of them, but that is not gonna be an issue for me as I see it, should I be aware of anything else? (Planing on going with black fittings and white tubes to give it a "black & white" theme)

What i would probably do is just search and see if someone has put a rad in the top of the same case or buy the 2 and see for yourself and if it doesnt fit chuck it in the front.

 

Tubing makes a very small difference and personaly i only choose tubing size on looks more than anything to big looks silly to small looks silly im using 7/16ID 5/8OD in my misses current PC.