Custom Loop vs AIO in mATX

[Dakkottadavviss]

I have a new project I'm doing and I'd like your opinions. The plan is to have a 5820k with 2x980ti cards (probably only one for now).The case I'm working with, as with most mATX cases, is compact and doesn't have a ton of space. I have 2x120mm + 1x120mm mounting options. Let me know which would be my best bet. My money is on the all out AIO coolers but I'm likely not as experienced as you guys are with watercooling.

 

Option #1: 2x120mm rad + 1x120mm rad custom water loop.

 

Option #2: 2x120mm rad custom gpu water loop + AIO 120mm CPU cooler

 

Option #3: 2xEVGA 980Ti Hybrid + AIO 120mm CPU cooler

 

Option #4: Air Cooling Everything. 2x[brand] 980Ti. [Good Air Cooler] CPU cooler. 3xNoctua 120mm Fans

[Necrodead]

I wouldn't advise going for a custom loop with only a 240mm rad and 2 980ti's. Air cooling is probably cheaper and will work fine, the hybrid soloution will probably give you the best overclocking performance, but don't forget they need some airflow too.

[MonkeyFace]

So....what is you case?

[Dakkottadavviss]

So....what is you case?

 

I'm looking to probably grab a Bitfenix Pandora. Unless there's another attractive slim mATX case on the market. 

 

 

I wouldn't advise going for a custom loop with only a 240mm rad and 2 980ti's. Air cooling is probably cheaper and will work fine, the hybrid soloution will probably give you the best overclocking performance, but don't forget they need some airflow too.

 

Assuming money isn't an issue. Which would give me the most silent fans? Which would give most cooling?

[Necrodead]

Assuming money isn't an issue. Which would give me the most silent fans? Which would give most cooling?

The EVGA hybrids, assuming you have 2 120mm fan slots to install the radiators.

[Dakkottadavviss]

The EVGA hybrids, assuming you have 2 120mm fan slots to install the radiators.

Well, that may me a problem. I have one fan on the top and two in the front. I'm 90% sure I can reach the top. Not so much about the front. I was going to grab one 980 Ti and see how it performs before I grab two.

I looked it up and it'll be a tight fit. My case is 465mm long and the tubing is 400mm long. Which leaves me about 2 inches for an intake fan (push) and the inch or two where the tubes come out of the card.

[Titan_XXX]

Two Hybrids would look pretty stupid IMO but if your not going for looks or don't have a side window it would be a decent option. I always recommend custom loops because they are so incredibly great at cooling which gives you an opportunity to push your hardware to the max. Also I think a custom loop looks absolutely amazing if done right. It's a big investment though to watercool two GPU's and a CPU. For that kind of a loop your looking at around $800+ to do it right. If your not looking to drop that kind of cash then I'd recommend either sticking with an aftermarket PCB & fan or going with the Hybrid.

[rcarlos243]

I'm looking to probably grab a Bitfenix Pandora. Unless there's another attractive slim mATX case on the market. 

 

 

 

Assuming money isn't an issue. Which would give me the most silent fans? Which would give most cooling?

 

240mm Alphacool ST30  + 120mm Alphacool ST30 with HeatKiller IV CPU block and Aqua Computer Kryographic GPU block should be more than enough as long as you are not overvolting your computer like crazy.

 

As for fans these are the best ones you can get http://www.amazon.com/Scythe-GentleTyphoon-D1225C12B4AP-14-120mm-Silent/dp/B001Q6X0S6

[Necrodead]

IMO you still wouldn't want to cool 600W of hardware without at least 480mm of radiator space, and even then its gonna need the fans at max speed to keep cool. If you want a custom loop you'll have to mount another radiator externally or get a bigger case.

[rcarlos243]

I wouldn't advise going for a custom loop with only a 240mm rad and 2 980ti's. Air cooling is probably cheaper and will work fine, the hybrid soloution will probably give you the best overclocking performance, but don't forget they need some airflow too.

 

The radiator and waterblock that is bundled with the Hybrid is not even close to what you can get vs a custom loop.

 

A quality radiator like Alphacool ST30 coupled with the one of the best block Aqua Computer Kryographic should be more than enough to cool the OP's system.

 

heck there was a video of linus way back showing a Swiftech H220 cooling the cpu and 2x GTX 680 and it was still able to cool it.

https://youtu.be/tZgctchIQ7M?t=709

 

 

keep in mind that the system shown is using a Swiftech MCR220 (included with H220) which is a pretty low end rad coupled with the waterblocks

[rcarlos243]

IMO you still wouldn't want to cool 600W of hardware without at least 480mm of radiator space, and even then its gonna need the fans at max speed to keep cool. If you want a custom loop you'll have to mount another radiator externally or get a bigger case.

 

I was previously running a Swiftech MCR320-QP (which is a mid range slim rad) with 5820k (EK Supremacy Evo) @ 1.3vcore, GTX 970 (EK-FC 970) @ +37, Liang D5 Vario at speed 1 with my AP-15's only running at 1200RPM and it cools the system just fine load temps were mid 50's.

[Necrodead]

I was previously running a Swiftech MCR320-QP (which is a mid range slim rad) with 5820k (EK Supremacy Evo) @ 1.3vcore, GTX 970 (EK-FC 970) @ +37, Liang D5 Vario at speed 1 with my AP-15's only running at 1200RPM and it cools the system just fine load temps were mid 50's.

GTX 970 has a 165W TDP and the 980ti has a 250W tdp, and hes doing 2 of them. Thats a lot more heat in the system. I'm running similar TDP to what the OP wants, and I have 6x 140mm of rad space and I still have to run the fans at about 1000rpm to cool all that power. You can't judge the cooling of something based on numbers that are so different.

 

Also pump speed does not affect temperature.

[rcarlos243]

GTX 970 has a 165W TDP and the 980ti has a 250W tdp, and hes doing 2 of them. Thats a lot more heat in the system. I'm running similar TDP to what the OP wants, and I have 6x 140mm of rad space and I still have to run the fans at about 1000rpm to cool all that power. You can't judge the cooling of something based on numbers that are so different.

 

Also pump speed does not affect temperature.

 

TDP ratings are garbage.

 

In fact guru 3D's review for GTX 970, GTX 980 and GTX 980 Ti all using reference cooler shows they produce almost the same heat (980 is 5c lower compared to 980 Ti) under load.

 

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/nvidia_geforce_gtx_980_ti_review,9.html

[Necrodead]

TDP ratings are garbage.

 

In fact guru 3D's review for GTX 970, GTX 980 and GTX 980 Ti all using reference cooler shows they produce almost the same heat (980 is 5c lower compared to 980 Ti) under load.

 

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/nvidia_geforce_gtx_980_ti_review,9.html

They don't show the fan speed, you can't say that the 980ti didn't have the fan spinning faster to get those numbers. Thats a bad comparison, and you should know that. I'm only trying to help the OP, I don't need to start an arugment, thanks.

[AnonymousGuy]

Go external and space becomes non-issue:

 

 

I could have use a 280 or 480 rad or whatever, but I wanted it to fit on top of my case neatly.  This is a node 804 mATX case.  The rad is push-pull since I have all the thickness available in the world.

[CatzRuleZWorld]

I would probably go for a custom loop with that because that's what you'll need to water cool it effectively. I suggest looking for a different case if you want cooling for those powerful of parts. If you don't have your mind completely set on the pandora, what about something like the phanteks evolv, 350d? Those would probably fit them a lot better.