Liquid Cooling Pump Sizing

[RabidSnail]

So I have looked through countless forums and such, trying to figure out how exactly to size a water pump. Admittingly I have never designed a Water cooling system before, But this is the part I am stuck at (for now). The most useful think i have found was people suggesting ones to use, but im going to do a water cooling system I want to know 100% how and why the technicalities work. For this reason I do not want to specify the components I am trying to cool. any advice on where to start with this?

 

[avjguy2362]

You could start here at Swiftech's site. There are "white papers" with technical flow rate and radiator requirements:
http://www.swiftech.com/whitepapers.aspx

 

[quentin16564]

There are only 2 pumps that i would currently go with, they both are very reliable and have more than enough flow for the most common setups. The D5 and the MCP-35x. if you're only going to run a cpu and a couple gpus then these pumps will handle that with no issues.

The MCP is a little quieter then d5 and both have variable speeds. i run my mcp at 30% w/ speedfan and at 40% when gaming. Its almost silent.

This maybe a long read but very informative.

http://martinsliquidlab.org/2011/02/25/swiftech-mcp-35x-reservoir/

This is what i used to formulate flow rate's through my components to make sure it was a large enough pump.

http://martinsliquidlab.org/pump-planning-guide/

this site was key in making my decision.

 

[RabidSnail]

My Issue is why would you use that? How do you know its more that adequate? Not that I'm doubting you, but if I go with this one, then next time i want to water cool ill be right back here still under educated on this, you know?

 

[quentin16564]

You have to do the reading for yourself and make your own decisions, what i gave you is just a good start toward quality equipment. You have to answer why. As far as adequate, the second link shows flow rates and flow drops across different cpu/gpu/reservoirs. This will give you Gallons per minute and will determine if the pump is adequate.

Sounds like you need to read more on the topic, the guys over at http://www.overclock.net in the water cooling section has tons of info.

 

[LeadSled]

It really has to do with your radiator size. You need time to cool the coolant and if you do not it will get hotter and hotter untill the water cooling is not working as good as a good air cooler. I run 3 radiators and two 320 Gph pumps and I run 3 degrees above ambient temp. If you run the liquid to fast you will not have any gains from running liquid cooling. That is why cars have thermostats it gives time to cool the liquid. You can make a bad water cooling system that will not cool at all and only add more heat on every loop.