[Dylan.]

*ahem* Hi I'm new here

I'm posting this in cooling because the main point of the thread is to get some guidance/advice on a water cooling loop in the Dragon Rider. However if someone is able to give my build plan a once over that would be very much appreciated also

The build is going to be predominantly used for gaming/entertainment and my budget can stretch to €1800 ($2255 or £1445). I do live in Ireland so parts will be a little more expensive than in the UK and probably a fair bit more than the US.
I will be overclocking both the CPU and GPU regardless of what I get, just for experience in the scene if anything.
Goal is to have a 2D triple monitor display at 1080p.

CPU: i5 2500K

MOBO: ASRock Z77 Extreme4

RAM: x2 4GB - Corsair DDR3-1600

MEMORY: Corsair Force Series SSD - 90GB
I have a 1TB HDD already for random stuff.

VIDEO CARD: Its down to the 4GB or 2GB 670 .. It really depends on how my budget goes. I would get a 680 but its just that little bit outside budget ..

PSU: 750W, 80+ *insert any decent PSU that fits those standards*

CASE: Inwin Dragon Rider

MONITORS: To be decided really .. Any 3 decent 1080p should do the trick.

OS and Peripherals are covered for the short term.

So in terms of cooling loops in the Dragon Rider i'v a few ideas.
There's the option of putting another fan in the top and running a dual 120mm rad over it and possibly using the single on the end in that loop too. Or I could do something with the side panel where different configs of 120's can be installed.
In my budget there is about €350 to €450 available for the cooling. I think that should be enough .. but I am new to this ..

See I don't actually have access to the case and my searches yielded little results so i'd appreciate any advice on the best way to go about a cooling loop in this case.

Thanks guys

[Conumdrum]

You read the stickies? Not a bad start. Lets focus on the WC stuff and wattage needing cooled etc.

PSU/SSD/Monitors/RAM etc better disussed in the other sub forums.

[Dylan.]

Originally Posted by Conumdrum

You read the stickies?

I did indeed, incredibly helpful .. I think I have my bits mostly picked and worked out .. Its just spacing in the case and best rads setup that i'm at a loss with.

I'll be getting a fairly standard pump and res setup. Standard 5.25" res with a Laing DDC-1+ Ultra Pump 600 L/hr 18W.
Not much choice in CPU and GPU blocks where I am so I chose some mid range ones. Its going to be cooling the i5 2500K and the GTX 670 in the loop.
Both will be pushed to rafters in terms of overclocking though ..
Would one dual 120mm rad be enough or will I be looking at some other sort of arrangement?

[muddocktor]

A 120.2 radiator should do nicely with a CPU only loop in the Dragon Rider. I have a 2600k on a Swiftech MCR220-QP Res rad and it does a fine job keeping it nice and comfortable at 4.4 running BOINC. BTW, I am using the DR as my heatsink test case and overall I really like it. It is sturdy as hell and I think you could use it for a seat if needed. The only thing I can think of right offhand that might give problems with a 120.2 rad mounted in the top is if you use a thick rad, you might have problems between the rad/fan and top of the mobo. But it would have to be a very thick rad for this to be a problem and would have to be using a push pull setup with 38 mm thick fans. But if you plan on cooling both a 670 and your proc, you will be under-radded unless a pathetic dT is acceptable. You could always mount a 120.3 rad off the back side of the case if you have a little ingenuity.

[ATMINSIDE]

Do the 4GB GTX670, since you are going with 3 screens. It will have more overhead for the extra vram used in populating 3x1080p monitors during gaming.

[Dylan.]

Originally Posted by muddocktor

You could always mount a 120.3 rad off the back side of the case if you have a little ingenuity.

Thanks man
Yeah my heart's set on adding the 670 to the loop .. Probably not strictly necessary but the whole build isn't exactly necessary
Are there any real drawbacks to an external rads? Apart from noise I imagine ..

Originally Posted by ATMINSIDE

Do the 4GB GTX670.

If only it were that easy friend .. Its a no-brainer if I had the money to hand .. But it depends on how much I have come build time
But thanks though, I will defiantly get the 4GB if i'm able!

[muddocktor]

Depending on your budget, you might even think about going with a 120.2 internally in the top and a 120.2 or 120.3 off the back side of the case. As for mounting off the back side, it shouldn't be too hard to rig up some standoffs with some all thread rod, nuts and washers that fit the all thread and a little bit of planning. The case already has bulkhead fittings on the back side, so it's no problem getting the tubing and fan wiring to the back side of the case. Give yourself 100-150 mm of room between the back side of the case and the fans (or rad if you go pull config on the fans) for clearance to hook stuff up and you will want to mount it off center away from the i/o back panel area for the same reason if possible. You will probably have to drill some small holes in the back side of the case for the studs you will make from the all thread rod for mounting purposes.

[Dylan.]

Originally Posted by muddocktor

Depending on your budget, you might even think about going with a 120.2 internally in the top and a 120.2 or 120.3 off the back side of the case.

That does seem like the way to go .. My budget is around €400 for the loop so i'm not too sure if I can fit in a 120.2 and 120.3 .. I'd have to get a better pump ..

Originally Posted by muddocktor

you will want to mount it off center away from the i/o back panel area for the same reason if possible.

I'm kind of worried how an off center rad would look .. aesthetics man My god my vanity knows no bounds .. even my rig has to look good .. ! However, I don't see many other options other then building a completely stand alone radiator housing .. Thanks for the help though anyway muddocktor, I just have to wait for the build to start and I can start experimenting

[muddocktor]

First of all, it's on the back side of the case, so it won't bother the looks. I'm not talking about mounting it to where it sticks out past the left side of the case. I am talking about aligning the left side of the rad with the left side of the case, not past the left side (looking from the front of the case, view-wise). The biggest problem I have run into with back side rad mounting is clearance between the rad/fan assembly and any cards that require external hookup with bulky wires, such as a video card. That is why I suggest offsetting the rad to the side away from the i/o panel and card slot area. If you go with an external 120.2 radiator, you will have less problems with interference between the rad assembly and video cables, since the rad is shorter than a 120.3 sized rad.