1 loop or 2 small loops?

That Pat! · December 16, 2016

Howdy! Purely a theoretical question here. When it comes to custom liquid cooling setups, would there be any benifit to having two small loops in a system, say one for the CPU, and maybe a second to handle a GPU/anything else, instead of one large loop? Ive noticed on high(er) end cooling setups with more than just the CPU, often have everything one right after the other in the setup order. I could imagine two loops would probably be far more expensive considering you'd be buying basically twice the amount of hardware when you could have just made one big loop in the first place. But if price wasn't a factor, would it make any difference?

Thanks!

J0hN_TH3_P4P7T0 · December 16, 2016

I'd suggest to get 1 loop there will be no major temp change if you get a 2 loop system. The only major factor is the price and looks!

Naeaes · December 16, 2016

Yeah. Two separate loops is more expensive but it's also way more complex and takes up room. Just imagine having to replace a motherboard in a twin-loop system. If it's just one CPU and one GPU, a single serial loop is fine but starting from 2 GPUs a kind of a 1,5-loop parallel system is worth considering. One reservoir with two pumps basically. Usually the other junk like RAM, VRM and Chipset are in the same loop with the CPU. The GPU blocks have more obstructions inside so you don't want anything extra messing with the flow in them. This is a thing from the past but you can have a third loop for your HDDs and PSU.

Mick Naughty · December 16, 2016

If I didn't wonna use my large case I would have two loops. Without a doubt. But as even my some what decent sized case would be too much a hassle but still easily done. Not a chance in my third case. Eventually it would get to the point of diminishing returns. I like being able to only drain one loop, which is way better. Also the temp segregation is a plus if the hardware can benifit.