Looking for some F or Y splitters for water cooling

[kodex]

I figure I'll use F or Y splitters and run the blocks in parallel. As I'll only have one block to start with, I'll leave a line joined together by quick-disconnects between splitters. I'll disconnect them when I need to put the new block in. I've got a couple questions with this, though. Will one dual 120mm radiator be enough to cool a loop with 2 HD 3870s and a 5000+ BE? Second, what are some good fans to mount on it? I'm looking for as much airflow while being as quiet as possible, of course.

 

[Sasqui]

Will one dual 120mm radiator be enough to cool a loop with 2 HD 3870s and a 5000+ BE?

That should be sufficient, especially with two 120mm fans. Check for the connection size on the radiator, make sure it's close to 1/2"

There are also some reseviors with heat fins one them to get additional cooling (although not much).

Second, what are some good fans to mount on it? I'm looking for as much airflow while being as quiet as possible, of course.

TT makes some fans that have the option of a dial to control fan speed or a thermistor (The termistor is clibrated to increase fan speed from 20c-55c, you could put the sensors right on the waterblock). The fan in the bottom of my case pic is the same, but I'm using the dial control that comes with it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999122

You'll probably need to go to the hardware store for mounting screws and grommets (so the fan are not in contact with the raditator - noise control.

 

[Sasqui]

Oh and I should mention that you should probably have the fans stand off slightly from the surface of the radiator... you'll probably get more efficiency & flow out of them.

 

[kodex]

Thanks for the advice - I never would have thought to offset the fan from the radiator.

I figure that I'll get this fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186008

It's quiet, moves a decent amount of air, and it looks pretty cool.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sasqui]

Thanks for the thanks The fan looks good... with the design you may not even need to offset it from the radiator. Depending on the radiator you get, it's a simple matter of getting long small diameter screws (and nuts), and bending some fins aside just enough to get the screws through. Really helps to have a good hardware store nearby (I lucked out there, have a place with one of the best hard-to-find stuff within many miles). You's also want to put fender washers on the other side to protect the rad, plus added measure would be rubber washers, again for vibration/noise control.

Have you picked out other components?

 

[intel igent]

that fan is not a good choice for a rad application

here have a look

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171661

shrouds do help in increasing the efficiency of a fan. by incresing the distance of the fan face to rad face you are reducing "the dead spot"