do i need the extra rad space?

[katiekitsune]

so im planning to do a loop with a 420 and a 280 rad (i already have all the fans i need so going to 360s isnt going to work. im only going to be cooling a 4790k at 4.6-4.8ghz and a max OC 980ti classy (maybe a second in the future). will i need the extra rad space or will i be fine with a thicker 280 rather than a 30mm 420? my case is a  fractal design define s

[Kobathor]

You barely need a 420 rad for all of just 1 CPU+ 1 GPU, you could do good with a thick 360 rad.

[katiekitsune]

You barely need a 420 rad for all of just 1 CPU+ 1 GPU, you could do good with a thick 360 rad.

well if you read the first part of the post you could see that ive already got 6 140mm fans and dont plan on buying 3 120mm fans just for my loop

[Kobathor]

well if you read the first part of the post you could see that ive already got 6 140mm fans and dont plan on buying 3 120mm fans just for my loop

420 is enough rad space. Closed-loop GPU's are cooled by a single-rad, and a 280mm rad is enough for a really good OC on a nicer 4790k. Even two GPU's wouldn't be a problem.

[katiekitsune]

420 is enough rad space. Closed-loop GPU's are cooled by a single-rad, and a 280mm rad is enough for a really good OC on a nicer 4790k. Even two GPU's wouldn't be a problem.

ok ill go with a monsta 280 in the front and a 30mm 280 in the top. one extra question: could i mount 30-45mm 140 rad in the back fan slot with those rads installed?( for future upgradability)

[BurblingBarbacoa]

Yep you'll be fine. Even with fairly slim rads. If you want to add another 980ti in the future you will be fine too, however if you do do this I would recommend thick rads. 

[katiekitsune]

Yep you'll be fine. Even with fairly slim rads. If you want to add another 980ti in the future you will be fine too, however if you do do this I would recommend thick rads. 

what question are you responding to?

[katiekitsune]

so if i get a higher volume from the dual 280 setup would i get higher cooling capacity or is extra fan space more effective than thicker rads?

[Benji_w]

well if you read the first part of the post you could see that ive already got 6 140mm fans and dont plan on buying 3 120mm fans just for my loop

 

Never take cooling advice from someone who fits a 212 onto one of the hottest cpus going...

 

 

so im planning to do a loop with a 420 and a 280 rad (i already have all the fans i need so going to 360s isnt going to work. im only going to be cooling a 4790k at 4.6-4.8ghz and a max OC 980ti classy (maybe a second in the future). will i need the extra rad space or will i be fine with a thicker 280 rather than a 30mm 420? my case is a  fractal design define s

 

Go with the 420 and you will be able to run your fans at lower rpm meaning less noise. There is no replacement for more surface area. Thicker rads more often than not don't impact on performance as much as surface area.

[katiekitsune]

Never take cooling advice from someone who fits a 212 onto one of the hottest cpus going...

 

 

 

Go with the 420 and you will be able to run your fans at lower rpm meaning less noise. There is no replacement for more surface area. Thicker rads more often than not don't impact on performance as much as surface area.

but is the extra 140x140 of rad space important with my hardware or should i spend less and get just what i need? also should it be possible to mount an average/thin 140 rad in the back fan mount with a 30mm 280 rad mounted in the top?

[Kobathor]

Never take cooling advice from someone who fits a 212 onto one of the hottest cpus going...

ignorance in a nutshell

 

ok ill go with a monsta 280 in the front and a 30mm 280 in the top. one extra question: could i mount 30-45mm 140 rad in the back fan slot with those rads installed?( for future upgradability)

If there's clearance between the CPU block and the exhaust, I can't see why you wouldn't be able to.

[Benji_w]

but is the extra 140x140 of rad space important with my hardware or should i spend less and get just what i need? also should it be possible to mount an average/thin 140 rad in the back fan mount with a 30mm 280 rad mounted in the top?

 

One sec I have the manual here:

 

Says a 140 is fine with a 30mm rad up top. I would still fit a 420 rad up top, it has the mounts for them.

 

ignorance in a nutshell

 

Indeed!

[BurblingBarbacoa]

so if i get a higher volume from the dual 280 setup would i get higher cooling capacity or is extra fan space more effective than thicker rads?

more fan space is always better than thickness, however it is cheaper to get a thicker rad compared to adding more. 

[katiekitsune]

One sec I have the manual here:

 

Says a 140 is fine with a 30mm rad up top. I would still fit a 420 rad up top, it has the mounts for them.

 

can i have the 420 with the fittings towards the front or am i limited to having the fittings at the back? also can i mount a 140mm fan in the top front fan mount with the 420 mounted?

[katiekitsune]

more fan space is always better than thickness, however it is cheaper to get a thicker rad compared to adding more. 

the alphacool st30 420 is the same price as the ut60 280

[Benji_w]

more fan space is always better than thickness, however it is cheaper to get a thicker rad compared to adding more. 

 

The OP can only fit a 30mm thick 280 or 420mm rad and given the OP has the fans already a thick 360 isn't an option.

 

Source: Define S User Guide.

[Benji_w]

can i have the 420 with the fittings towards the front or am i limited to having the fittings at the back? also can i mount a 140mm fan in the top front fan mount with the 420 mounted?

 

Unfortunately instead of pretending to know what I'm talking about here I cannot comment, my gf hasn't yet started collecting her watercooling parts for her Portal themed build so we haven't yet tested the orientation and so on. If at all possible see if you can get a cross flow radiator.

 

http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=133

[BurblingBarbacoa]

the alphacool st30 420 is the same price as the ut60 280

sometimes price doesn't mean performance. 

[katiekitsune]

Unfortunately instead of pretending to know what I'm talking about here I cannot comment, my gf hasn't yet started collecting her watercooling parts for her Portal themed build so we haven't yet tested the orientation and so on. If at all possible see if you can get a cross flow radiator.

 

http://www.hardwarelabs.com/nemesis/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=133

how would a crossflow be any different from a regular radiator in the space limitations?

[katiekitsune]

sometimes price doesn't mean performance. 

no but it shows that your point of thicker rads being a cheaper option is false unless you are taking into account having to buy a new case to fit them. the more true statement would be that thicker rads are a more accessible option compared to longer rads.

[Benji_w]

sometimes price doesn't mean performance. 

 

That's not what the OP is saying, either way the price is the same but what you haven't considered is the space limitation so seeing as both rads are the same price but only one will really fit without modding the case, the OP might as well fit the 420.

 

 

how would a crossflow be any different from a regular radiator in the space limitations?

 

It was just in reply to your question on fitting orientation.

[katiekitsune]

ill stick with the st30 420 in the top and the 45-60mm 280 in the front (whichever i can afford at the time) and if i cant mount the extra intake in the front ill throw it in the bottom and i can always replan the tubing runs if i cant have the fittings at the front.

[Benji_w]

ill stick with the st30 420 in the top and the 45-60mm 280 in the front (whichever i can afford at the time) and if i cant mount the extra intake in the front ill throw it in the bottom and i can always replan the tubing runs if i cant have the fittings at the front.

 

The front rad shouldn't (in theory) interfere with your other fan so it should fit in the front without issue... in theory... 

[katiekitsune]

The front rad shouldn't (in theory) interfere with your other fan so it should fit in the front without issue... in theory... 

the front rad isnt the issue its the top rad that might get in the way

[katiekitsune]

what is the required height of the mosfet heatsinks to remove the 280/420mm radiator thickness limitation?