Best radiator for low RPM fans...

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grebgonebad

grebgonebad

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Jun 15, 2012
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Hi all!

The title pretty much says it all. I'm looking for the best performing radiators for low RPM fans, specifically Corsair SP120 quiet series. I'm going to need 1 x 480mm radiator along with 3 x 240mm radiators. The 480mm cannot be more than 60mm deep, and the same goes for one of the 240's, however the remaining 240's can be as deep as you want. =) So what would you guys suggest?
 
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Go with a push pull 60mm depth something like this for the 480 at the best quality http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14271/ex-rad-303/Aquacomputer_Airplex_Modularity_System_480_Radiator_-_Aluminum_Fins_-_Single_Circuit_33026.html?tl=g30c95s570

or this for best cooling for $$$ get this http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12485/ex-rad-206/Coolgate_Quad_120mm_Ultimate_Heat_Exchanger_Radiator_CG480.html?tl=g30c95s570

and the cheapest http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12724/ex-rad-232/Magicool_Extreme_Quad_120mm_Radiator_LC-RADI480S.html?tl=g30c95s570


and this for the 240's

Very good 240 is this http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14856/ex-rad-332/Alphacool_NexXxoS_UT60_Full_Copper_Dual_120mm_Radiator.html?tl=g30c95s160

and this http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14315/ex-rad-311/EK_Ultimate_Performance_CoolStream_240_XTX_Series_Liquid_Cooling_Radiator_EK-CoolStream_RAD_XTX_240.html?tl=g30c95s160

and this http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12483/ex-rad-204/Coolgate_Dual_120mm_Ultimate_Heat_Exchanger_Radiator_CG240.html?tl=g30c95s160


These will work the best with push pull as long as you have the space.


Peace
 
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I already plan on utilising a push/pull configuration, and I have the general layout all worked out. I just need to find some good radiators.

As far as money goes I'm retty much willing to spend whatever it takes to get the best cooling performance, i.e. I don't really care about value for money. The first radiator you linked would have been ideal, except for the fact I really want the radiators to be black. =/ Silver just wouldn't match my colour scheme I'm afraid. =(
 
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These 3 will be the best choices with the RADs you can get them in both sizes as well. Black Ice makes the best IMO with Alphacool 2nd but you do pay for them.


1. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/23915/ex-rad-703/Black_Ice_Nemesis_GTX_480_Radiator_-_Black.html?tl=g30c95s570

2. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14987/ex-rad-341/Alphacool_NexXxoS_UT60_Full_Copper_Quad_120mm_Radiator.html?tl=g30c95s570

3. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12485/ex-rad-206/Coolgate_Quad_120mm_Ultimate_Heat_Exchanger_Radiator_CG480.html?tl=g30c95s570


Aquacomputer I feel is the best but yes they do not have a black RAD you either get all copper or the nickle coated which does suck.


Have you picked all of your parts out yet?
 
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Thanks for the reply!

I think I'm sold on the Black Ice rads. =) Just got to find a UK supplier who has them in stock now. XD Unfortunately while I do want the best performing gear I can lay my hands on I also want it to look good. =(

So far I've settled on the following:

1 x XSPC Raystorm
3 x XSPC Razor GTX 980
3 x XSPC Razor Backplate (Soon as one is released for the 980)
2 x Swiftech MCP 655
2 x Bitspower D5 Chrome Pump Mod Kit
2 x Bitspower D5 Extreme Pump Mod Top
2 x XSPC Photon 270 Tube Reservoir

I shall also be using all Bitspower shiny silver compression and angled fittings. Not sure exactly how many of what I need yet, I plan on buying what I think I need, and then just getting what else I need as I need it.

I will also be buying 6 x Bitspower flow meters and temperature gauges, why 6? Because I want a display to go in one of my 5.25" drive bays that displays the flow and temperature for at least 4 points at the same time, and I have found a display that gives 6 readouts so I thought 'heck, why not'. XD

Not sure about tubing or coolant as of yet. Due to the fact the XSPC reservoirs will be lit up with a bright red LED on the inside I want to go with red coloured tubing and clear coolant/distilled water as I believe the red glow in the reservoirs would look sweet, however I've been advised to get clear tubing and use coloured coolant? =/ I've read that coloured coolant can stain and weaken tubing, as well as block up narrow points. What would you suggest?

whatever you suggest (Clear tubing w/coloured coolant or coloured tubing w/clear coolant), what tubing and coolant would you suggest?
 
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OHHHH you're doing a real full custom loop... Sorry when most people post here they are just curious lol...

Ok the Raystorm is a nice kit I would make sure to add another RAD if you have space for the 980 block. I know you said you were adding a 240 but it was not in the list so I'm just saying.

As for the tubing, YES colored fluid does damage tubing, you should clean/purge the system more often with colored fluid, but the effects look way better then colored tubing.

Does this system have 5 pumps, or are you just getting the Bitspower D5 kits to change out every so often? I ask cause the Raystorm comes with 1 reservoir pump and 4 D5 kits = 5 pumps... And to me you better have WAY more then the 1 RAD that comes in the kit... Like 7 RADS or a Honda Radiator bolted to the side of the case (I have seen that).

Another question is what case are you putting this into. Because this system that I am imagining is pretty sweet and extensive and to tell the truth I only know of 1 case that fits tons of RADS, multiple pumps and miles of tubing... If it is this case --->>> http://www.caselabs-store.com/magnum-tx10-v/ I want to see your build, because I will be taking notes on my next beast. And, I build crazy systems and have always wanted to use this case, just never has a reason.

As for the Bitspower connectors, if you are looking at multiple RADS you have to think it will be around £17--19 per RAD, and Blocks, Res, Pump and what ever else a tube touches. Try and use only compression fittings and see if you can stick with 1/2 x 3/4 as the flow is less restrictive then 1/4in

I have so many questions you just filled my head with, but not the time to ask right now...

Please fill in on anything else you are doing with this loop, because you have my attention 100% I am a big advocate of liquid cooling, and you sir/ma'am got me excited...

Peace

 
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It's great to see someone else who's as excited about this stuff as I am. =) I don't know exactly when I building this rig (within the next 3-4 weeks is my aim) but when I do I will be creating regular build logs for both YouTube and Tom's. =D For now I'm just trying to get the groundwork down and plan as much as I can now so I don't have any delays in the build (I estimate that including testing it will take approximately 5-6 days to complete the build).


Radiator wise I still haven't completely settled on what I want. The case I am going to be using has a stupid amount of possible radiator configurations. =P I'm either going to go with:

1 x 480mm rad (Top)
1 x 360mm rad (Front)
2 x 280mm rad (Basement)

OR

1 x 480mm rad (Top)
1 x 240mm rad (Front)
2 x 280mm rad (Basement)

OR

1 x 480mm rad (Top)
1 x 240mm rad (Front)
2 x 240mm rad (Basement)

I'm thinking the first option would be best due to the larger radiators, however I don't know if it's possible to fit 280mm rads in the basement. I'm still looking into it. =P Either way I'm going to have plenty of radiators to keep my hardware cool. =) I plan on using the two basement radiators to cool the CPU and the other two to cool the GPU's, but I'm still discussing layouts with someone on another thread:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2343645/proposed-watercooling-layout-thoughts.html


I'm not entirely sure what you are on about with regards to having 5 pumps? I will be buying 2 Swiftech MCP 655 pumps, and the Bitspower D5 Mod kit and Mod Top are simply modifications for the pumps themselves?

Swiftech MCP 655 - http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2128/ex-pmp-27/
Bitspower D5 Chrome Pump Mod Kit - http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8803/ex-pmp-80/Bitspower_D5_MCP655_Pump_Mod_Kit_-_Chrome_BP-D5MAV2-SL2.html
Bitspower D5 Extreme Pump Mod Top -
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12199/ex-pmp-122/Bitspower_D5_MCP655_Extreme_Pump_Mod_Top_V2_-_Acetal_BP-D5TOPP2EX-BK.html#blank

And the XSPC Raystorm is just a CPU block, nothing else:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-069-XS&groupid=962&catid=1519&subcat=2286

The case I'll be using is the Corsair Obsidian Series 900D. A lot of people have mentioned the Magnum to me, and if I was building this rig for anyone else then yeah I'd probably use it, but I personally think it's ugly. It's all out of proportion when compared to a normal case, and I'm not a massive fan of how cube-like it is. Granted it has a massive amount of space, and it certainly is finished in a similar sort of style to the 900D, but the 900D looks like a normal computer case (Aside from it's size of course), and that's what I prefer about it. =/

As soon as I've ordered and recieved all the hardware for the build I'm going to open a build log here on Tom's, so pictures shall be present. ;-) I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with for your build, while I may not like the case I can appreciate it's beauty. =D


I've had another thought with regards to the tubing and fittings. I've seen online that alot of people use clear acrylic tubing with different fittings to compression or barn fittings. I have to say the builds that I have seen utilising acrylic tubing is just the look I'm after, nice straight runs of tubing with no arcing loops of tubing. I need to read into it more because from what I can see using acrylic tubing is harder to set up than standard tubing, but it's looking like this is the way I'm going to go. If you have any advice on this I would love to hear it! =)

Also, if I use acrylic tubing I will end up using coloured coolant instead of coloured tubing. =) How often would you say to purge the system? Yearly? Quarterly? Bi monthly?

If you have any questions please feel free to ask away, I'm sure I've got just as many questions floating around in my head as you have in yours at the minute. XD


Fan wise I'm going to be using all Corsair SP 120/140 quiet edition fans, with the exception of a 140mm AF 140 quiet edition at the rear of the case to help remove the ambient air from inside the case. I think this should be enough as I plan on arranging the fans on the radiators means that there should be a slightly negative air pressure inside the case. As far as fan controlling goes I will be using the ROG Front Panel. It has 5 PWM fan headers, so a number of multi-fan splitters will be needed for all the radiator fans, but I'll make it work. =)
 
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This is going to be a nice setup Sir,

PUMPS:

I was thinking 5 pumps cause the when I looked up the Raystorm it was showing it as park of a KIT and not a standalone piece and in that kit it had a pump. Then when I seen you had the 2 x Bitspower D5 kits x 2, in my wonderful head I was like "Is he having 5 pumps" which in turn made me smile like hell, because I just imagined a massive 5 pump multiple loop lol.


TUBING:

Now are you talking about the hardened Acrylic tubing that needs heat to create the bends? If so that stuff is very nice but can be a very difficult beast to work with. I have seen it used in a few machines, but have not been kind enough to speak with the engineers that used the material. The only thing I see that could be a big down side is if the Acrylic is the same type they use in 90% of reservoirs and can scratch over time and get cloudy.

I would love to try a system tubing out of laboratory glass tubing.

I would clean any system with colored liquid every quarter just to be on the safe side.
 
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Oh, I see where the confusion came from. XD No, it's definitely only two pumps I'll be having. =) Although the thought of having 2 pumps in parallel per loop certainly is tempting. =P

I was indeed referring to rigid acrylic tubing, however if I do use it I wont be having to faff around bending the tubes or anything, I'll just utilise angled fittings instead (Heavier on the wallet I know). However I'm still undecided on whether to go for rigid acrylic tubing or standard tubing.
 
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The rigid will make the lines in the case look very tight and precises, where as the "flex" tubing will give more bubbly flow. That is what I noticed in many cases as the bends in the "flex" tubing needs a bit more room for a give so no kinking... Unless you look at some 30--45 degree connectors, then you can have far less arch.
 
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Yeah, I'm thinking that the rigid acrylic tubing would give the better look but the flexible tubing would be easier to set up. But I suppose If I'm going through all the effort to get the proper gear I may as well use acrylic tubing. It'll cost twice as much for all the fittings I suppose, but hey ho. =P

By the way, I apologise for the long delays between my replies. My new job has me working silly hours and it's a physically draining job to boot so I've not been going on my PC much. XD
 
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Never apologize, you did nothing wrong. :-D

And yes you will be looking at a bigger budget with the acrylic tubing due in part to the amount of fittings, but the outcome will look far more precise. You just have to think that with the hard acrylic you'll need twice the amount of fittings.

I still think it will look very nice and clean with hard lines. I mean I still want to try laboratory glass in one of my builds. I have an extra MoBo, PSU, CPU, RAM and Case I am really thinking of using...
 
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