New to WC but almost there!

[Ausmus]

Hey everyone,

I am about to embark on a new build and this will be my first time trying liquid cooling. The stickies at the top, especially the new guide sticky have been very helpful. Using those I have picked some parts out an I wanted to see what you guys thought about the choices.

Case:
Corsair 600T white

Radiator:
Koolance Radiator, 1x120mm 30-FPI Copper
http://koolance.com/radiator-1-fan-120mm-30-fpi-copper
Koolance Radiator, 2x120mm 30-FPI Copper
http://koolance.com/radiator-2-fan-120mm-30-fpi-copper

Fans:
Scythe DFS123812-3000 "ULTRA KAZE"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185054

OR

Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Series-Performance-Edition-CO-9050008-WW/dp/B007RESFYK

OR

Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1850
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm x 25mm Fan - 1850 RPM

Pump:
2 PMP-450S Pump, ID 13mm (1/2in)
http://koolance.com/pmp-450s-pump-id-13mm-1-2in

Reservoir:
RP-452X2 Dual 5.25in Reservoir for 1-2 PMP-450/S Pumps, Rev.2.0
http://koolance.com/rp-452x2-dual-5-25in-reservoir-for-1-2-pmp-450-s-pumps

CPU block:
XSPC Raystorm CPU Block
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T01B54/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=AELLOY6K8XB8X

GPU block:
XSPC Razor GTX670 with backplates
http://shop.xs-pc.com/xsp/XSPC-Razor-GTX670-_31725.html

Tubing:
White PrimoChill PrimoFlex PRO LRT Tubing


At the moment I am planning on doing two loops, one for the GPUs(2 GTX 670s using the 240 rad mounted in the top of the case) and one for the processor(i7 3770k using the 120 rad mounted just under the 240 rad in the rear). I believe this should be plenty to spread the heat load, but as you can see from above I have somewhat mixed feelings on the above fans(I thought about 1 sp-120 on the 120 rad with a white ring for aesthetics). With that being the case, here are the questions:

1. Which of the above fans would you prefer for which radiator, or if you like something else what do you like and why?

2. How much OCing potential do you think watercooling will provide a pair of GTX 670/would two 680s be a better choice for WC?(I was planning on the 4GB SLI for use @ 5760x1080)

3. Does anyone know of any good modelling tactics to try and get an idea of what an end product might look like. I am just a little worried I may forget a connector/quick connect and I would like to take planning a step further if anyone knows of a decent method other than imagining it/sketching on paper.


EDIT: I just realized that the GTX 670 I am looking at may not work with that waterblock as it is an SC card(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130785) Anyone have any other ideas for decent waterblocks for the 670/680?


Thanks very much for taking a look ,

Ausmus

 

[rubix_1011]

I think you should just do one single loop.

 

[Ausmus]

Would that be a single loop using both of those radiators or just the 240?

 

[lowjack989]

Yeah single loop with a 3x120mm Radiator...Use swift tech universal GPU blocks I think its the Swift tech MCW82's and use sinks on the chips of the GPU....I use either Noctua or Cooler Master Excaliber Fans....

Here is the GPU blocks that I am talking about:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14170/ex-blc-965/Swiftech_MCW82_VGA_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Black_NVIDIA_GeForce_ATI_Radeon.html?tl=g30c357s925

 

[amuffin]

Why Koolance radiators...?

 

[lowjack989]

I know muffin I was gonna say something about them Koolance Rads.....

 

[Ausmus]

Yeah single loop with a 3x120mm Radiator...Use swift tech universal GPU blocks I think its the Swift tech MCW82's and use sinks on the chips of the GPU....I use either Noctua or Cooler Master Excaliber Fans....

Here is the GPU blocks that I am talking about:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14170/ex-blc-965/Swiftech_MCW82_VGA_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Black_NVIDIA_GeForce_ATI_Radeon.html?tl=g30c357s925

Thanks for the advice; I'll take a look at those fans and GPU blocks.

As for the Koolance rads, I have a buddy who said they were great. I looked over the rads in skinnees writeup for 360 rads but thought to trust my buddy. I take it you guys aren't fans?

Also I don't think the Corsair 600T can take a 360 radiator internally can it?

 

[amuffin]

600T can't.

 

[lowjack989]

Just do double 240's if your case can't hold a 360 ...or a really thick single 240

 

[Ausmus]

Any recommendation on radiator brands for that? Also does a 240 and a 120 in series not provide the same surface area for cooling of a 360?

 

[rubix_1011]

Any recommendation on radiator brands for that? Also does a 240 and a 120 in series not provide the same surface area for cooling of a 360?

Yes. However, it doesn't come down to just getting this or that radiator- it's about knowing the total amount of watts your loop will be cooling and then buying accordingly for this and the future.

 

[Ausmus]

Yes I understand, I calculated the 3770k @ a 4.5GHz OC to be a little over 115 Watts with both GPUs being 170 Watts stock, 225 OC. The 120 and 240 I chose are rated at 400 and 700 Watts respectively(according to their site, I still assumed 100-200 less from each). I thought that they should dissipate the heat with ease in the dual loop setup. I was just trying to understand if the Koolance radiators I had chosen were frowned upon for some reason and if anyone knew of a decent alternative to them if they are bad or if I am just thinking about this wholly the wrong way. Apologies for my noobishness.

 

[rubix_1011]

400 and 700 watts from a 120 and a 240 rad? Highly unlikely...although Koolance also claims 1200-1300 watts from a 360, which also can't be possible. Skinnee has some benchmarks of Koolance rads on his site and they don't come anywhere near the specs claimed by Koolance. I'd love to hear an explanation on how they came to those heat dissipation numbers and what circumstances.

 

[Ausmus]

400 and 700 watts from a 120 and a 240 rad? Highly unlikely...although Koolance also claims 1200-1300 watts from a 360, which also can't be possible. Skinnee has some benchmarks of Koolance rads on his site and they don't come anywhere near the specs claimed by Koolance. I'd love to hear an explanation on how they came to those heat dissipation numbers and what circumstances.

After doing some reading, HWLabs Black Ice radiators seem like they could do the job quite well. I didn't see a single negative review. I also found a guy using them in the same capacity I was looking at. Although I am not so sure of the dual loop anymore.

As a side note, I found this pic of HWLabs radiator recommended capacities. They seem really high like Koolances, but with the amount of reviews I saw and Skinnees review of the GTX 360, it seems like a GTX 120 and 240 could handle the load. Then again, the numbers below may be complete BS as well.

 

[rubix_1011]

Those numbers might be possible, but at the expense of very high speed fans in push pull...I'm talking 3000+ RPM or higher depending on how they tested. This is my question- how did they arrive at those thermal capacities?

with the amount of reviews I saw and Skinnees review of the GTX 360, it seems like a GTX 120 and 240 could handle the load.

Yes, I definitely agree with this evaluation and your total loop TDP.

 

[Ausmus]

Those numbers might be possible, but at the expense of very high speed fans in push pull...I'm talking 3000+ RPM or higher depending on how they tested. This is my question- how did they arrive at those thermal capacities?

with the amount of reviews I saw and Skinnees review of the GTX 360, it seems like a GTX 120 and 240 could handle the load.

Yes, I definitely agree with this evaluation and your total loop TDP.

Yeah I am with you, based off of Skinnee's and Martin's benchmarks, the manufacturer recommendations are bogus. The more I have looked at it the GTXs seem the way to go and I think the two rads will look good together as well as cooling adequately. I think I will give the Great Typhoons a try as well because the reviews are great and they match my white/grey/black theme.

Thanks again for the heads up on the radiators.

 

[rubix_1011]

Not to say that they are bad radiators- Koolance makes some very good gear. Just be a bit wary on their cooling claims and keep that in the back of your mind.