new watercoling setup for CPU + 2 GPU

[Brusfantomet]

I am currently pondering the possibilities of watercooling my current computer. The problem i have is what parts to get i order to make sure that the new setup is as quiet or even quieter that what i already have while getting more cooling (lower temps or overclocking)

first things first, my current hardware (and its cooling)
CPU: I7 920 with a Nocuta NH-U12P SE1366 with the fasn spinning at 800 rpm.
GPU: 2 x HIS radeon HD 6950 with a Artic cooling accelero extreme + II (fans contorled by hte cards), these are not reference PCB
Case: CM stacer 830
MB: MSI X58 Pro-E

As you rightly deduced from my HW, this is not a new computer, but it has no problems running all my games at the desired resolution. But there may come a time (a year or so) when some or all of the hardware will be replaced with something faster, so all the blocks need to bee universal (plan on using the same WC setup for a long time).

there is also the added problem of me living in Norway, hence no interest for shops that operate in the US, and only if the price is noticeably lower for shops in the EU. primarily because of the rather good consumer protection here (component that breaks within five years of purchase are either replaced by the shop or you get your money back)

My plan is to put the radiator lying outside the case(see attached file).

More spesificaly i had this rad in mind magicool 2 x 3 x 120
with the EK supremacy CPU block and two EK supreme GPU for the two HD6950s
I already have 6 of the Arctic Cooling F12 pro fans to run on the radiator, But i am a bit indecicive as to what kind of pump i should get. these are the different pumps at the store i found in Norway, but i am open as to getting them from other sources.

I was also planing on using Quick Disconnect to be able to sepperate the case and rad/pump assembly. (these and these.

I was also thinking of splitting the tube after the pump and running a all the three blocks in "parallel" in stead of in "series", is this a good idea? i plan on using 1/2" ID 3/4" OD tubing.

so to recap, Need help getting a (one or several) pumps (preferably from Norwegian e-tailer) and hints on the layout.

the budget for this setup approx 6000 - 7000 Kr (with todays exchange rate puts it at 1000 - 1200 USD) but it is not fixed.

Anny help appreciated.

 

[nleksan]

If you want to get the best bang for your buck, look at the XSPC RAYSTORM EX360/EX420 +D5 kits. $250-270 for everything for a regular loop, and you would need to add $200 for 2x GPU blocks and $70 for another radiator (plus another $20-50 in fittings). Priced out separately, you still save around $100...

 

[Brusfantomet]

Thank you for the suggestion, but do you know of any shops that ship to Europe?/are hosed in Europe and what would the shipping come to? do not forget 25% VAT.

 

[nleksan]

Aquatuning.de is supposed to be the best, but there are a few others.

 

[Brusfantomet]

Hmm, they seam to have a really good selection, but their prices is without tax, witch brings it up to Norwegian prices.

ohh, and i got a mail noting that a user with the name of Law-II have replied here, but i canot see his post.

Also, which pump is quietest? the swiftech mcp35x or the swiftech mcp655 at the same flow.

 

[Brusfantomet]

Bump?

 

[radrok]

I can recommend you two shops here in Europe, Highflow.nl and Aquatuning.de

Between the D5 and the MCP35x I strongly recommend getting the MCP35x, it's stronger and more compact.

The only shop that has it in stock is this one http://highflow.nl/pompen/laing-swiftech/pompen-nl/swiftech-mcp35x-pump.html

Seeing that you are going external with your loop I think you should take a look at something like this http://highflow.nl/radiatoren/radia...d-black-bench-edition-nova-9x120mm-4x180.html
that can house your radiators, pumps and reservoir.

I am not a fan of EK so I recommend you the XSPC Raystorm and the XSPC Raystorm GPU, if you don't like the XSPC blocks then the Swiftech MCW82(GPU) and Swiftech Apogee HD although Swiftech is a hard to find brand in Europe.

XSPC/HWLabs/Alphacool/Watercool all have very good radiators, especially Watercool, I love that brand because even though I flush every radiator when I purchase I always found them COMPLETELY CLEAN without any fabrication debris.

 

[Brusfantomet]

interesting, good selection but the same prices as in Norway (when you add tax and shipping).

the most important metric for the pump is noise tho, got any knowledge of how the D5 stacks up against the MCP35x in that metric? Size is a non-issue as i was plaing on putting the pump outside the case (was plaing on laying the radiator down, with the fans blowing from the top down on the rad, an using some L brackets and two pieces of 48 mm x 23 mm/4"x2" down the sides to lift the whole ting off the floor)

I will also have to use some Quick Disconnect together with the blocks for the CPU and the 2 GPUs.

Anny reason for not liking EK? are they bad blocks? how are the Raystorms on flow?

And thank you for the response

 

[radrok]

I do not have the specific MCP35x but essentially it is a "supercharged" Laing DDC 18w, I have a double Koolance PMP 400 (same as the Laing 18w) and they aren't noisy, the only issue is that they heat up quite a bit but that's not a problem.

The MCP35x is PWM adjustable so if it is too much noisy for you tastes you can adjust it down to 60%-70% without any issue.

Don't worry about flow the MCP35x has a very strong head pressure, the D5 can only dream to reach that PQ, the D5 is a high flow pump but in watercooling loops we want pressure on top of pure flow.
The D5 is good, but the 35x is that much better.

The Raystorms are new to the scene but they probably are like the CPU block which is among the best performer you can find right now, high flow and high performance.

I do not like EK because I had some talk with their customer support and because they dropped the ball lately on listening customers (CSQ design -.-), but please that's just my opinion and you should not get influenced by me.

I have some Koolance QDC(quick disconnects) and they are very good, they just spill ONE drop and that's something fantastic that lets you manage your loop without draining it everytime.

 

[Brusfantomet]

that settles it then, MCP35x, XSPC Raystorm for CPU and GPU.

have had another idea, i could use another CDQ and have the pump inside the case. the price difference up to a 3x3x120 mm Watercool radiator with feet is not that bad. will need some extra fans tho.

For a idea how i was thinking see the attached image.

And thank you for the advice.

 

[radrok]

I strongly recommend you the MO-RA3, I have one myself with 9x Gentle Typhoon 1850 RPM and it is awesome, I plugged it in the loop with 2 threaded male QDCs and 2 compression QDCs on the hose side.

I initially had 18x fans on it (Push+Pull) but I removed them because it isn't worth it.

You could use a bay reservoir which holds Laing DCC pumps for what matters

 

[Brusfantomet]

Think i have a 5.25 or two free (almost filled the stacker up), may be needing one for another fan controller for the 9 fans for the MO-RA3 tho. (i am not in the same part of the country as the machine that is getting watercooled but will bee tomorrow)

At the moment the most noisy part in that computer is a toss up between the fans spinning at 800 rpm and the two Samsung F4 Ecogreens spinning at 5900 RPM in a Nexus Doubletwin (one for each, to much noise form them otherwise). I am still a bit worried that the pump will be silent enough with a sufficient flow.

 

[radrok]

If you are worried about pump noise buy a Shoggy Sandwich and decouple the pump with it

 

[Brusfantomet]

I will get a Shoggy Sandwich then.

For the coolant, is it ok with destined water (battery water) and some any freeze? or should i get some proper anti algae stuff in there?

 

[radrok]

I personally use Primochill Pure clear which is just water plus anticorrosion and a biocide, many watercooling users just go with bidistilled water and a silver kill coil (for bacteria and algae).

Don't use anti freeze!

 

[Brusfantomet]

Ok, won't use anti Freeze, but is the feser-base-corrosion-blocker a good additive then?

 

[radrok]

I never used it so I can't help you with that.

 

[Brusfantomet]

Ok then i only have to wait for my salary on the 20th and then i can order.