I need some opinions on my first loop!

[jmfg187]

I want to set up my first water cooling rig when I get my taxes back. I am ordering a reference 7970 with the voltage unlocked and also getting the FX-8350 to replace my FX-6100. This is the stuff I am leaning towards right now.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8336/ex-res-144/Swiftech_MCRES_Micro_Rev_2_Small_Form_Factor_High-Flow_Reservoir_12_ID_and_38_ID.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14238/ex-blc-979/Heatkiller_Rev_30_754_939_AM2_CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Nickel_Black_14051.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/4083/ex-rad-84/Black_Ice_GT_Stealth_240_Radiator_-_Black.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/15076/ex-rad-354/XSPC_EX140_Single_140mm_Low_Profile_Split_Fin_Radiator.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16056/ex-blc-1110/Swiftech_KOMODO_HD7970_Full_Cover_VGA_Waterblock_KOMODO-HD7970.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2128/ex-pmp-27/Swiftech_MCP655-B_12v_Water_Pump_w_38_Conversion_Kit_317_GPH.html?tl=g30c107

The main reason for the expensive gpu block is I couldn't find another one that had a backplate that covered the green pcb on the HIS H797F3G2M.

I have the Crosshair V Mobo so it is important to me that I have it color coordinated. I also wondered if you guys think the 140mm rad is any good? I picked it because I didn't think I would be able to pull a lot of air out of the bottom of my HAF922. I was also leaning towards 3/8ID, 5/8OD tubing with compression fittings. If you see anything wrong, something that can save me some money, or just some suggestions on different parts please let me know. Just for info the 240 rad will go in the top of the HAF922 and the 140mm in the bottom, I know I can get plenty of flow on the 240 but wasn't so sure how much air I can pull through the bottom of the case with it only about a 1/4 of an inch off desk. Thanks in advance for any help it is much appreciated.

[Ghost]

I would re-consider the stealth rad. It is quite thin. You should going for a bigger rad.

Also you might be able to fit a 120/140 mm on the back?

​The 7970 does run very hot that's why I recommend it. Also you can buy back plates separately.

P.S.: Could you make the links hyperlinks or just list the names of the parts? Its much easier for us. If you just remove the code tags it should hyperlink automatically.

[Whaler_99]

My one concern with a HAF 922 - Have you envisioned where your mounting the micro res and pump? The 922 isn't huge and once you put the 140 in the base... well, where are you mounting the rest? :) Maybe look at a bay res combo that also incorporate the pump? Save you some room?

Keeping with the XSPC - http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16...tl=g30c107s152

They also have a clear res and that is an excellent pump, similar to the swiftech one.

[jmfg187]

I actually thought that res could just be stuck down with some double sided tape right in front of the hard drive bays but maybe it is too big so I will look into the one you linked to also Whaler. Ghost do you really think a 3rd rad would be necessary? There is room for a 120 on the back.

[Ghost]

I would highly recommend a 3rd rad if you want very good temperatures. You should generally have 4 rad slots for a CPU + GPU loop and the 79xx series runs very hot. (For me at any rate).

As for the res I do recommend a pump + res combo. That can either be drive bay or have it as a pump attachment. (Very common with the laing DDC). You can put the pump slightly above the bottom rad or next to it if there is space.

[TNJ89]

Get a smaller pump ddc is fine for a small system like that, and make it a combo save Space(in a small case like that it' gold) and thicker rad's, 79xx series get hot.

I have a 3x120 +120x1 2 7970 Mb CPU running with a ddc pump and getting temp at 54c on full load (CPU over clocked) and it the GPU's that kick it up CPU is on max 20c (it's ambient temp's bye the way)

[airdeano]

there is one main compnent missing...

fans!

you want deafening noise or quiet?

loose 6-12 fins per inch 800-1200rpm fans for optimal cooling and quietness

medium 15-20 fins per inch 1200-2000rpm fans can make better temperatures, but louder than most case fans

high 20-30 fins per inch 1800-3000rpm fans can make best temperature control, but usually no one sits close

to one of these for amounts of time.. or can't hear well...

airdeano