Reservoir help needed

[batboy]

I've had a Swiftech watercooling system for a while, but I'm no expert, so I need some help, please. I'm overhauling my socket 478 system to socket LGA775. I bought a new Swifty 6000 series 775 water block to replace my old 5000 series 478 block.

I've also decided to eliminate the GPU block to simplify the system and provide more cooling for the hot Prescott.

Seems like I have a couple tubes that have partially collapsed, mainly at sharp bends, so I'm replacing some tubing and going to run it with more gentle bends if possible. I've also gotten air bubbles in the system on a couple of occasions which seems weird since I have no leaks.

I'm thinking of changing from a closed loop to adding a Swiftech bay reservoir since I have a big case with a couple unused 5.25" bays. I'm hoping this will add a little more water capacity to my system and might also solve the air bubble situation and make it easier to bleed the system.

I guess my main question is this: where should the reservoir go in my system? Should the reservoir outlet go to the pump and the radiator outlet to the reservoir inlet?

[nikhsub1]

Best to have the res feeding the pump...
Res > Pump > Rad > CPU > GPU > Res.

The rad and block order dont really matter much however.

[Bugsmasher]

I would also look into this product by Swiftech: Swiftech Coolsleeves (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/coolsleeves.asp) if you are using tubing that these will accomodate. This should help quite a bit avoiding the kinking.

[batboy]

Thanks, it seemed logical to have the reservoir feeding the pump, but I wasn't sure.

Nik, I understand some people like the water to pass through the rad first before hitting the block, because the pump can warm the water a little, but I currently have the it running pump > block > rad and that seems to be the most direct route with the shortest amount of tubing. But, I will look into running it the other way if possible.

I'm assuming the reservoir should be in the lower bay which is immediately above the pump? Makes sense to have the optical drives above the reservoir in case of a leak and to have the tubing as short as possible.

EDIT: looks like I need to have the reservoir in the top bay so I can remove the top of the case in order to fill the reservoir more easily.

Bug, thanks for the heads up on the Coolsleeves. That's exactly what I need and I like the choice of colors.

[nikhsub1]

Thanks, it seemed logical to have the reservoir feeding the pump, but I wasn't sure.

Nik, I understand some people like the water to pass through the rad first before hitting the block, because the pump can warm the water a little, but I currently have the it running pump > block > rad and that seems to be the most direct route with the shortest amount of tubing. But, I will look into running it the other way if possible.
The difference between having the rad before the WB is so small you won't even be able to detect the difference. Make your order based on least amount of tubing and least amount of bends. The good part about having the pump right before the block is you get more pressure to the block.

[skotti]

The best order is the highest energy output block to the lowest as Nikhsub said. But Keep in mind of the hoses. Longer or curver hoses will do more harm than WB order. the shortest straightest path is best and I also like the coolsleeves.

[batboy]

Ok, I ordered blue Coolsleeves, Swiftech bay reservoir, and a couple barbs. I already have the new water block sitting here on my desk. Thanks all.