Good loop? Bad loop?

[91Chris]

Hello. I'm in the process of making my own case at the moment and eventually I plan to build my first custom loop.

Nothing case related is going to change and the radiator locations wont change either, however there orientation is open to debate.

 

The front rad is a 45mm, the bottom rad is 30mm and both are 280's. I will be cooling a 3770K and potentially two 780's, though I only own one at the moment. The reservoir will be one of those tube pump-res combos thingy's. I plan on both rads being "intakes" with only the PSU and the rear fan exhausting.

 

Can I get some opinions on the loop in regards to its efficiency and layout please....All feedback is welcome.

 

Hopefully you can make sense of my image.

 

Cheers,

Chris.

 

 

[Altecice]

how much time did you spend on that image? Its impressive I have to say  B)

 

the only thing you need to make sure with a loop is to have the RES>PUMP. the pump must be fed directly from the RES.

[qwertywarrior]

dude u got OCD or something ?

how much time did u spend on that pic

[flibberdipper]

You want the pump to be directly fed by the reservoir. Try to make a new image, then come back.

 

I have never done a custom loop, but I've learned quite a bit in it.

[91Chris]

how much time did you spend on that image? Its impressive I have to say  B)

 

the only thing you need to make sure with a loop is to have the RES>PUMP. the pump must be fed directly from the RES.

 

Thanks.

It took as long as it takes to screenshot the 3D model and draw some hose with the paintbrush tool in Photoshop

 

I heard you need to go res>pump. Seeing as the res and pump are "one piece", I assume I don't need to worry about that? 

 

dude u got OCD or something ?

how much time did u spend on that pic

 

Yes I do.

It took <5 mins. The 3D model took quite a bit longer

[ForsakenLive]

The PSU is the black rectangle on top of the case, right?

What pump and res are those?

[91Chris]

The PSU is the black rectangle on top of the case, right?

What pump and res are those?

 

Yep, the box is a PSU. Obviously most of the case is hidden in that pic, I only included the bits that are needed for this topic. I don't want to give much away until it's finished.

 

The pump is a D5 (heard they were the ones to go for). The res is undecided, but at the moment I like this one...

 

http://koolance.com/pump-nozzle-and-reservoir-base-for-pmp-450-60mm-od

 

Cheers,

Chris.

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I plan on using hard tubing, but that shouldn't change anything other than fittings right?

 

Here's another angle of the layout. It's kinda tight...

 

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Hello. I'm in the process of making my own case at the moment and eventually I plan to build my first custom loop.

Nothing case related is going to change and the radiator locations wont change either, however there orientation is open to debate.

 

The front rad is a 45mm, the bottom rad is 30mm and both are 280's. I will be cooling a 3770K and potentially two 780's, though I only own one at the moment. The reservoir will be one of those tube pump-res combos thingy's. I plan on both rads being "intakes" with only the PSU and the rear fan exhausting.

 

Can I get some opinions on the loop in regards to its efficiency and layout please....All feedback is welcome.

 

Hopefully you can make sense of my image.

 

Cheers,

Chris.

If I was making a case I'd make sure it can take at least two thick 360 rads. 280 x2 isn't enough for a CPU + 2 GPU(s) IMO. Especially if you're going for killer temps and low rpm fans.

[91Chris]

If I was making a case I'd make sure it can take at least two thick 360 rads. 280 x2 isn't enough for a CPU + 2 GPU(s) IMO. Especially if you're going for killer temps and low rpm fans.

 

 

The case can't be changed as it already exists, but that was something I was worried about.

I heard that each component in a loop will need a single 120x30mm rad to be sufficiently cooled, and double that if I wanted it to be silent. I figured that by using 140 rads and having a "spare" 140 I'd be OK? Somewhere in the middle in terms of how loud it is?

 

This is the main reason I started this topic. I wanted peoples opinions on if there's enough rad space etc.

 

Cheers,

Chris.

[rhyseyness]

I heard that each component in a loop will need a single 120x30mm rad to be sufficiently cooled, and double that if I wanted it to be silent. I figured that by using 140 rads and having a "spare" 140 I'd be OK? Somewhere in the middle in terms of how loud it is?

 

This is correct

You don't need 2 thick 360s for 2 cards and a CPU.

That's enough to cool 2 of your machines (or almost).

[91Chris]

This is correct

You don't need 2 thick 360s for 2 cards and a CPU.

That's enough to cool 2 of your machines (or almost).

 

Thanks. I like your opinion haha

But seriously, the more opinions the better. It will give me a better idea of what I'll end up with.

 

Also, the DDC pumps... Any good? I can see they shift much less fluid, but from what I understand everyone runs their D5's with the speed turned right down anyways. So I guess it's a question of quality?

I was set on the D5 but then I saw that Koolance do a more attractive tube res pump top for the DDC ones. This one...

 

http://koolance.com/pump-nozzle-and-reservoir-base-for-pmp-400-60mm-od

 

I like that the pump/pump top assembly is much shorter as this will allow me to install a longer tube res. Of course, if the DDC's are shit then I will just take it on the chin and go with the less aesthetically pleasing option.

 

Chris.

[airdeano]

This is the main reason I started this topic. I wanted peoples opinions on if there's enough rad space etc.

 

if no overclocking will be done, yes, it is enough. fan speed noise may be an issue

depending on radiators used.

typically, a CPU/2xGPU loop will need 360x 60 and 240x 60 for acceptable temperatures

and low fan speeds with overclocking in mind.

[91Chris]

if no overclocking will be done, yes, it is enough. fan speed noise may be an issue

depending on radiators used.

typically, a CPU/2xGPU loop will need 360x 60 and 240x 60 for acceptable temperatures

and low fan speeds with overclocking in mind.

 

OK.

I was looking at the Alphacool radiators. Is it the fin count that will affect the noise? I find it really difficult to get my head around how loud it will be, especially with such an objective thing.

I mean it can't be any louder than the stock Intel cooler and the stock Twin Frozr cooler can it? There's more surface area with the loop I purpose so surely it will be quieter than the air setup, especially if i get some decent fans?

 

Chris.

[airdeano]

@Chris230291

 

fins per inch (FPI) can have an effect on noise, but mainly for fan selection and

thermal control. the less the surface area from needed/prescribed the FPI would

increase. the increase also increases the density of the area making air more

difficult to pass and thus needing more static pressure to push/pull the air through

the fin array. if the static pressure is not available, then fan speed increase helps

aid in the cooling effect. and this is where noise is the difficulty. the looser the fin

array the lower the static/speed is necessary, hence the usage of larger surface

area.

[91Chris]

@Chris230291

 

fins per inch (FPI) can have an effect on noise, but mainly for fan selection and

thermal control. the less the surface area from needed/prescribed the FPI would

increase. the increase also increases the density of the area making air more

difficult to pass and thus needing more static pressure to push/pull the air through

the fin array. if the static pressure is not available, then fan speed increase helps

aid in the cooling effect. and this is where noise is the difficulty. the looser the fin

array the lower the static/speed is necessary, hence the usage of larger surface

area.

 

Ok thanks. So more obstruction = more noise... makes sense.

 

I have no idea what I should be aiming for in terms of FPI. I was looking at the following rads, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

- Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 280mm

- Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper 280mm

 

As far as fans go I was looking at the Corsair SP 140's, but again I'm open to suggestions.

 

Cheers,

Chris.

[airdeano]

Ok thanks. So more obstruction = more noise... makes sense.

 

I have no idea what I should be aiming for in terms of FPI. I was looking at the following rads, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

- Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 280mm

- Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper 280mm

 

As far as fans go I was looking at the Corsair SP 140's, but again I'm open to suggestions.

 

Cheers,

Chris.

 

currently the only SP140 is a mid-performance LED. though better than the

AF140 (not by much) not a best fan to look into. with a meek 50CFM and

1.44mm/h2o can be considered weak performing. the rosewill hyperborea

140 is a deffo one to look into with noise level better of the SP140 and almost

double in pressure with air flow.

 

the alphacool radiators are a low FPI so speeds of 600-1400rpm (noise

level option) would be your choice.

[Najuno]

if no overclocking will be done, yes, it is enough. fan speed noise may be an issue

depending on radiators used.

typically, a CPU/2xGPU loop will need 360x 60 and 240x 60 for acceptable temperatures

and low fan speeds with overclocking in mind.

 

That´s exactly the reason why I let go (even though I´ve got a Corsair 900d) of two or three small internal radiators and went (and some guy in the forum called this a non existing myth that people have this... but obviously I do ) to a 1080 Phobya NOVA external radiator for my GTX 780 Ti SLI. Okay due to the fact that with X99 I might go 3 way SLI or CF I will need more rad surface, but I have to say the temps are amazing through and through.

WatchDogs after 4 hours 32° Celsius on both GPUs and OCed balls to the wall. The best part of it with almost 3 liters of fluid I´ve got so much reserves and with 180mm fans it´s just a very quiet story .

Okay my CPU loop is is still internal but a 240mm EK XTX can handle this easily .

[91Chris]

currently the only SP140 is a mid-performance LED. though better than the

AF140 (not by much) not a best fan to look into. with a meek 50CFM and

1.44mm/h2o can be considered weak performing. the rosewill hyperborea

140 is a deffo one to look into with noise level better of the SP140 and almost

double in pressure with air flow.

 

the alphacool radiators are a low FPI so speeds of 600-1400rpm (noise

level option) would be your choice.

 

 

Really, I thought they were good fans?

I guess I'll have to look into the fans more when the time comes. I want some that look nice as well as perform well.

 

Cool. So my loop should be nice and quiet then? I guess it wont be so quiet if I ever decide to add a second 780, but it's nice to know the loop should handle it.

[91Chris]

That´s exactly the reason why I let go (even though I´ve got a Corsair 900d) of two or three small internal radiators and went (and some guy in the forum called this a non existing myth that people have this... but obviously I do ) to a 1080 Phobya NOVA external radiator for my GTX 780 Ti SLI. Okay due to the fact that with X99 I might go 3 way SLI or CF I will need more rad surface, but I have to say the temps are amazing through and through.

WatchDogs after 4 hours 32° Celsius on both GPUs and OCed balls to the wall. The best part of it with almost 3 liters of fluid I´ve got so much reserves and with 180mm fans it´s just a very quiet story .

Okay my CPU loop is is still internal but a 240mm EK XTX can handle this easily .

 

I don't have that kind of space or money man.

Doing a loop at all will be a stretch on the wallet. I will have to be running with air cooling while I save up for the bits.

[Najuno]

I don't have that kind of space or money man.

Doing a loop at all will be a stretch on the wallet. I will have to be running with air cooling while I save up for the bits.

That is perfectly fine . Rather save up some more money and make it right than fast and dirty . I see watercooling for PCs a nice hobby and a good way for OCing hardware without risking too much. But it is a hobby and therefore you don´t depend on it. Whenever you can afford it go for it. And I am very sure that we can help you here with all questions that you have .