Watercooling the Raven RV02

[boiler1990]

Hi all,
I'm considering investing some money in a simple WC loop (CPU and 2 GPUs), but my Raven isn't exactly built for WCing...at all.
I've looked into WCing before, so I'm familiar with a decent amount of it, and don't plan on doing this immediately (no money 😉)

I've found some pictures of set up, but nobody explains how they did it (e.g how they mounted their triple rads and what not).
Does anybody have any insight on how to assemble the loop specific to this case.

Also, any recommendations in general for waterblocks (GTX 470, i7-930), pumps, rads, etc?

Thanks guys!

 

[ortoklaz]

Both pumps are great MCP655 is very reliable,35X is new and very powerful,you need res for one or another ;
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpu1.html
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcqupo3xbl.html

EDIT;wops to late, never mind

 

[boiler1990]

I did some measuring in my case just now.
The 2 rear fans take up 36cm in length, and there's an additional 5cm behind them (give or take a few mm).
In terms of height, I would have 11cm to work with if I remove the 2 fans, meaning I could do the MCR320 Stackable with 120x25mm fans in between.

Would that be effective compared to one triple rad? It would be a very exact fit, but I think it could work. I'd definitely need to do some rewiring, but I need a slightly bigger PSU anyway, so may as well throw that in then.

@Rubix - what kind of drive bay solutions exist for the pump/res? I'd like to minimize space if possible. I may choose the MCP35x due to the smaller form factor.

Is there a cheaper CPU block that you guys would recommend? Otherwise I'll probably stick with the Apogee XT, simply because it'll get the job done for a low price.

 

[boiler1990]

Forgot to add the comparison: I could also put a the triple rad on top of the 180mm fans compared to the stacked rads.

I saw this guy used a MCP355 with the XSPC Laing DDC Bayres One; are they compatible? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241981

 

[rubix_1011]

MCP355 is the same thing as the Laing DDC.

MCP655 is the same as Laing D5.

 

[boiler1990]

Gotcha. I found a dual-bay res that will hold the MCP655. I may go with that one, since I can't find a bay res for the mcp35x.

 

[rubix_1011]

Yeah, I don't think there are bay res's for it yet...there are several cylindrical top/res's though.

 

[boiler1990]

Would the MCR320 with the built in res work well? I feel like it either won't fit in the case or won't have enough fluid. I can get the with-res version on jab-tech.com for less than the non-res version on frozencpu.com. Of course, I can get the non-res version on jab-tech for much less than both.

 

[boiler1990]

How should my loop run? Can I have the fluid T-off and run one loop to the GPUs and triple rad, and the CPU to a single rad mounted on the top 120mm fan in the case, and then come together again before entering the reservoir again?

 

[rubix_1011]

Ok, let me get to both of your last posts.

1. The 320 with the res would work like the ones without...it simply will take up more room due to increased size. If you are planning on having a regular res anyway, skip it. I'm not sure what you mean about the part where it won't have enough fluid.

2. Loop can run in any order; just try to keep the res feeding the pump inlet, and higher elevation so gravity keeps air out when filling/priming the loop.

The "T" question; you are meaning parallel splits in your loop. No...keep everything serial...in a single chain...one after another. Splitting a line will make flow rates drop.

 

[boiler1990]

1. The 320 with the res would work like the ones without...it simply will take up more room due to increased size. If you are planning on having a regular res anyway, skip it. I'm not sure what you mean about the part where it won't have enough fluid.

I don't know how big the reservoir in the radiator would be, but it probably isn't as big as a regular res. The specs sheet didn't list an increased size, though. The regulars are cheaper though 😉

2. Loop can run in any order; just try to keep the res feeding the pump inlet, and higher elevation so gravity keeps air out when filling/priming the loop.

The "T" question; you are meaning parallel splits in your loop. No...keep everything serial...in a single chain...one after another. Splitting a line will make flow rates drop.

I plan on putting the drive bay res/pump in one of the top sets of 5.25 bays anyway, but I'll keep the air bubbles thing in mind.

I understand that the parallel split will drop the flow rate, but since the MCP 655 can push 5.3 GPM, wouldn't that be enough?
Or as an alternative, should I run the line from Pump -> GPU1 -> GPU2 -> triple rad -> CPU -> single rad -> res -> pump? The GPUs are the primary concern anyway.

 

[rubix_1011]

I'd really say the rad/res combo is for someone who wants a compact setup...someone not using a res elsewhere.

If you are doing the bay res, yes, skip the rad/res combo radiators.

Still...I and most other watercooling users say no to parallel. Bad move, its been tried, lousy success compared to serial setups.

Again, loop order really doesn't matter...just try to keep the res -> pump order and the res higher than the pump inlet. Air bubbles are a pump's worst enemy.

Many people go:

res > pump > CPU > GPU(s) > rad(s) >

Putting a radiator between CPU/GPUs won't really make a huge difference since your loop water temps will be within 5-8C difference about anywhere in the loop. The concept doesn't seem like it's possible or ideal at first, but trust me, the more you stop and think about the actual science involved, it all makes sense. This is discussed in great detail in some of the links I've listed in my sig and is often argued by people that don't even watercool.

It's a fun hobby that performs great and looks cool as hell.

 

[boiler1990]

Should I just switch around the loop so that it goes:
res -> pump -> CPU -> GPUs -> triple rad (bottom) -> single rad (top) -> res?

As minimal as the gain from the single rad is, it would just be an extra yard in tubing and another single rad. It can attach to the top 120mm, because the rads for the Corsair H50/H70 can attach to it.

As for air, does it get in the system any other way besides being there before filling the system? Could I fill the system outside of the case and then put it inside full of fluid to prevent the air from rising up to where the single rad would be (highest point)? I'm obviously going to test it outside of the rig, since I don't want stuff to short accidentally.

 

[boiler1990]

Oh, and any recommendations on coolant, tubing, etc? I hear that distilled water is the best thing, and to drop in some anti-fungal.

Could you explain what barbs and compression fittings are? I just don't understand them since I don't have one to hold in my hand and look at.

 

[rubix_1011]

As minimal as the gain from the single rad is, it would just be an extra yard in tubing and another single rad. It can attach to the top 120mm, because the rads for the Corsair H50/H70 can attach to it.

I don't follow you here. Depending on what you are going to end up cooling (did you go through reading those links and getting an understanding of what you'll need?) you shouldn't even consider a single 1x120 rad anywhere in your loop. I think you have some misunderstandings about what is needed to dissipate heat from two 470's and potentially your CPU if you decide on that.

At a very MINIMUM, you should allocate 1.5x of 1x120 worth of radiator in your loop for each CPU or GPU in your loop. 2x120 for each is a better bet.

Yes, distilled is the best, the cheapest and with killcoils or biocide, is what most people use. 'Coolant's will do no better than water.

Could you explain what barbs and compression fittings are? I just don't understand them since I don't have one to hold in my hand and look at.

This is covered in many of the links I've posted. Google also works well for questions about the unknown... :/

Barbs:http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g30...Cooling-Fittings-Barbs-12_ID_Barbs-Page1.html

Compression fittings:http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g30...ings-Compression-12_ID_Compression-Page1.html