Its just that with multi-GPU setups such as SLI and crossfire, a single Swiftech radiator (1) is not going to cut it across all three components. I'm talking about futureproofing in the sense that OP is able to add more than two components to his loop (2). In this sense the reservoir custom loop path is a better option, i'm just putting the facts out there and bringing up OPs preference. An open custom loop simply provides better options for upgradability (3) should more GPUs be added in future, just stating the facts (4).
Assumption No. 1 - False. One is in now way limited to a single Swiftech radiator
Assumption No. 2 - False. See Assumption No. 1.. One can still add as many components as one likes
Assumption No. 3 - False. See Assumption Nos. 1 and 2 ... there are no options that exist for one case that aren't available to the other.
Assumption No. 4 - False. You are not stating facts ...you have merely drawn reasonable conclusions based upon the false assumption that this is a CLC. It's not ... it's an OLC... the loop can be **opened** and expanded at any time.
Specifically...
1. There was no mention of multi cards in the OP.
2. SLI with 3 or more cards is no loner officially supported and with what we have seen w/ DX12, recent lack of game developer support and diminishedSLI / CF scaling of late, unless there's some changes, it would appear to be a fading technology. Nevertheless, it makes absolutely no difference when you add SLI or CF. When you compete the initial build with just the CPU, you would add the exact same components to the custom loop and in the exact same way as you would to the Open Loop Swiftech loop. When you compete the loop with te 1st card, you would add the exact same components to the custom loop and in the exact same way as you would to the Open Loop Swiftech loop.
3. The OP stated he was planning a 360 radiator ... he has a 360 radiator w/ the h320 2 or EK Predator .... you'll have to explain to m why a Swiftech 360mm radiator by itself in a box performs any differently if there's a pump and water block in the same box.
4. What options exist on the custom loop that don't exist for the pre-assembled ? The only ones that exist.... exist only in the mistaken perception that is a closed loop system. It very clearly is not. Just because several components can be pre-assembled for you does not mean they can not be disassembled. The pump, radiator and water block have the same respective performance and expandability either way,
Adding a water GPU block:
a) Drain loop
b) Disconnect tubing connection from radiator.
c) Install new GFX card with waterblock
d) Connect disconnected tube to water block
e) Add new tube from water block to radiator
f) refill and bleed loop
Watch the video
https://youtu.be/1k1yLsdS3hQ
A radiator could be installed in the exact same way
Rad Sizing
The radiators should be sized using appropriate calculations.
If you want to go thru the exercise, it's outlined here:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1457426/radiator-size-estimator
Let's do the math.....
Option 1 - One (1) New 1070
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1070_Gaming_X/22.html
1 x 125 watts (CPU) + 1 x 10 watts (pump) + 1 x 175 watts (1070s) = 310 watts
60% of that will be handled by rads, or 186 watts
At 1800 rpm, the Swiftech rad handles 265 watts @ 10C Delta T
At 2200 rpm, the Swiftech rad handles 326 watts @ 10 C Delta T
By interpolating, we get 296 watts cooling capacity for the H320 X2 @ 10C Delta T
We see that we have almost 50% excess cooling capacity for 10C with the H320 X2 and that the delta T will be around 6.2C
Option 2 - One (1) Old 290
Lets assume he wants to invest in a water block for the older 290 (+39 watts)
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_290/24.html
1 x 125 watts (CPU) + 1 x 10 watts (pump) + 1 x 214 watts = 349 watts
60% of that will be handled by rads, or 209 watts
We see that we have almost 40% excess cooling capacity for 10C with the H320 X2 and that the delta T will be around 8.3C
Option 3 - Two (2) Old 290's
Lets assume he wants to invest in a 2 water block for the older 290s (+39 watts)
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_290/24.html
1 x 125 watts (CPU) + 1 x 10 watts (pump) + 2 x 214 watts = 563 watts
60% of that will be handled by rads, or 338 watts
We see that we aren't going to make 10C with the H320 X2 and that the delta T will be around 11.4C ... not bad at all ... and all by its lonesome. But let's be purists .... Lets add another 240mm of radiator in the front of the case ... and yes, you can do that.... you can even add a Swiftech H240 X2 and double pump it.
2/3 of 296 = an extra 197 watts for a total of 493 watts
With 493 watts we could add a 3rd 290 and still be well below 10C delta T.
So where's the problem ? Again how is it different if I ship you a pump a radiator and a water block in 3 separate boxes or if I ship you the exact same components pre-assembled in a single box ? Put another way ... If I took all the parts in OPs list and pre-assembled them ....how would his options be in any way diminished ? ... not at all.
There is no problem here... you have this presumption that the Swiftech AiOs are CLCs and they are not, you can add additional blocks, rads, reservoirs pumps whatever and expand the loop however you want. If ya wanna go bigger, I could install a 480mm rad just as well
If you are wondering where this data came from, we use a box with 5 x 140mm of rad, 10 rad fans, 6 case fans, 6 thermal sensors 4 water / 2 air), digital thermometer, 2 GPU water blocks, CPU and MoBo Water blocks, 2 water pumps and a fog machine for air flow monitoring. Tubing is hard acrylic with Bitspower fittings. The calculation methods have been used by myself on numerous builds and dozens of users with the same result within 5%). All hard data was obtained from martinsliquid lab and martin has reviewed and commented on the results which you can see in the above link.
That 60% / 40% split if you are wondering was determined by taking data from dozens of builds....we know from martins data to a watt what the rads do.... we can calculate the maximum theoretical wattage of any component so what remains was just to subtract the two. Where does it go ? Thermal radiation from
... radiator shrouds
... water block surfaces
... component surfaces
... tubing and fitting surfaces
and the fact that ..
... no component outputs max power all the time
... no two components will outptut max power at the same time
This absolutely no different that choosing a set of components for a new build and building it yourself versus having someone else build it for you with the exact same components....
... the MoBo still has room for adding a GFX card cayse the OSu is sized fr it either way.
... you can still add case fans cause the mounting are still there.
.. you can still add HDs case the empty trays are still there.
... you can still OC cause the cooler has the same cooling capacity regardless of who installed it
.. and you can still disconnect water loop tubing and add new components cause the case still fits the same things and the pump has the same capacity regardless of who connected the tubes to it.
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