Water Cool Noob

mostly nice · Jul 16, 2014

Gents,

I’m currently running an Asus 3GB GTX 780dcuii OC – I’ve just liquid cooled my i7 and I’m looking to put in a water cooling system for the GFX card in my corsair 350D case. I planning to buy another GTX780 in 6-8weeks but I want to water cool my current one first. However, I have no idea what I need regarding the block, the reservoir, pump, coolant fluid etc etc? There’s not a lot of space in my 350D, and I need to make sure the blocks I’m going to fit will allow spacing on my mobo (Asus maximus gene VI) and ensure I can mount on top of the HDD bays. I’m keen to get an SLI set-up going and to do this in my rig It will have to be water cooled – I do not like the idea of the cards being so close back to back and having to blow directly onto each other.

Can someone advise me of a decent water cooling set-up for 1 GFX card, soon to be 2?

Cheers

dtrunk · Jul 16, 2014

welcome....

how are you "liquid" cooling the i7 currently? might be tough to cool that much heat in suck a small case. You'd essentially need the full 120x2 radiator space on top AND the 120x2 up front; you might be able to get a 140x2 up front; and even with 120x4 you're still falling short on radiator according to most here.

can you get a bigger case?

PS: Admin pls move to watercooling subforum

Infinite66 · Jul 16, 2014

Are you looking to liquid for the sake of performance or just to keep the system cool and quiet? If you're overclocking everything even a little that is extra heat in the loop. 2 gtx 780s aren't the coolest running cards so having them in a loop with an i7 means at least what dtrunk said. 480 mm total radiator amount.

When I was running liquid I had a 360mm radiator dedicated just to cooling my cpu. My fx-9370 was exceeding that radiators capabilities at anything over 5.0ghz. So how far you plan to push is also a factor

mostly nice · Jul 16, 2014

Infinite66 said:
Are you looking to liquid for the sake of performance or just to keep the system cool and quiet?

It's purely for performance reason - living in Australia means extreme heat / humidity as i experienced during my first summer here this year.

I'm using a corsair H100i with a radiator mounted on the top of the case.

I've upgraded the front case fan to 2x140 DS and put a new 120 DS on the back - however, I'm woeful when the card is under load (over 1000MHz) in the heat it will not cope so well.

I game every damn day. Especially when the weather is good. :attn:

see image below of case before fan upgrades.

mostly nice · Jul 16, 2014

Also i will not be considering a bigger case. I selected this one because it's neat & tidy + fits with the furniture.

Also ignore my PSU is upside down

XD

Infinite66 · Jul 16, 2014

mostly nice said:
It's purely for performance reason - living in Australia means extreme heat / humidity as i experienced during my first summer here this year.

I'm using a corsair H100i with a radiator mounted on the top of the case.

I've upgraded the front case fan to 2x140 DS and put a new 120 DS on the back - however, I'm woeful when the card is under load (over 1000MHz) in the heat it will not cope so well.

I game every damn day. Especially when the weather is good.

see image below of case before fan upgrades.

Nice build. Upside down psu and all. Being realistic though. You could only probably fit a 240mm up top and a 120mm in back. That is the minimum for a single cpu and gpu. Only way you can fit another rad in front would be to gut the hdd cage and those 2.5 slots hanging from the 5.25 bays

caddi daddi · Jul 16, 2014

it looks like your going to have to hang a 2x120 off the back of that one, it's neat and tidy, but a little tight.

caddi daddi · Jul 16, 2014

oh, and you've built a nice looking rig.

mostly nice · Jul 16, 2014

Cheers for the positive feedback guys!

I've no need for the CD bays so they can come out and I can relocate the single 512 SSD in there at the moment. That means I can remove the 2 SSD bays. I cannot remove the 8TB's of HDDs though so I think i will need to mount on top.

Can i mount the Dead Silence case fans on a radiator? I really like the design of them and they set me back $80 for 1x 120 & 2x 140 - they will not go in my second project rig either as it's an orange colour scheme

Infinite66 · Jul 16, 2014

mostly nice said:
Cheers for the positive feedback guys!

I've no need for the CD bays so they can come out and I can relocate the single 512 SSD in there at the moment. That means I can remove the 2 SSD bays. I cannot remove the 8TB's of HDDs though so I think i will need to mount on top.

Can i mount the Dead Silence case fans on a radiator? I really like the design of them and they set me back $80 for 1x 120 & 2x 140 - they will not go in my second project rig either as it's an orange colour scheme

Any fan should work on a radiator so long as the hole patterns are the same. To mount a 120mm to a 140mm rad mount would require and adapter. And vice versa.

dtrunk · Jul 17, 2014

I say you have to decide on one GPU or 2, i personally wouldn't run two; you mentioned low noise and with 2 780 i call no way.

you have to check this out and see; does the top also fit TWO 140mm fans? the front does right?

I'd opt for 140x2 rads on top and front. but since you have 2x 140mm fans already and the other 120mm fan; you could go with 140x2 radiator up front (something decently thick like the UT60 series from alphacool), 120x2 up top (XT45 most likely for space issue avoidance), and squeeze a XT45 140mm on the back exhaust fan... to the moon my friend. JAM if full.

and you still have to find room for a pump/rez, figure out tubing, fill/bleed/etc. (would you consider mounting pump/rez combo externally?)

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=59_457_458&products_id=34830
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata..._info&cPath=59_457_667_1075&products_id=32764
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata..._info&cPath=59_457_667_1075&products_id=32763

Hide your HDD/SDD somewhere? backpanel?

mostly nice · Jul 17, 2014

Hey, yea that's a good idea mounting externally! I suppose you can get kits? Currently the whole top part of the case is taken by the H100i rad + fans. I am looking to cool 2 cards, i currently want 2x GTX780's but can't expect them to be cooled on air alone given the spacing of the ports and the extent of the use.

dtrunk · Jul 17, 2014

well you'll have to junk/sell the h100i; i wouldn't bother trying to reuse it or salvage parts; if you're going to do this you're REALLY going to have to maximize all space.

I still stick to my selection of the 3 radiators above, and might as well get matching fans (which would be 2 more 120 DS.) Something like the pump/res shown below; you could mount it externally for easy fill/drain (and it looks cool.) Once you have the large 140mm radiator mounted up front you can decide if the pump/res will fit inside. I'd suggest mounting the SSD between the back panel and 5.25" tray using zip ties; and then use the 5.25 space for the HDD's you have. CPU block, GPU blocks (i'd suggest something that has an SLI joining block for ease of setup, decide on fittings and tubing.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...e=product_info&cPath=59_367&products_id=39012
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_971_498_491&products_id=36055
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...cturers_id=&pfrom=&pto=&dfrom=&dto=&x=30&y=12
and one of these to run all the fans http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...able_Splitter_-_SATA_Power_8W-PWM-SPL-ST.html

This is a VERY serious build you're considering if you want low heat/noise and high performance. (the items I've listed add up to about $650.

or you could just buy this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121875

Super Nade · Jul 17, 2014

I've moved this thread here, where you might receive better feedback.

RnRollie · Jul 17, 2014

You just cant fit enough radiators inthere for CPU + (2) GPU... not without going for serious fans and running them at full speed.

Going bolted-on external is an option.. but a bit... well... ugly

If going external, bite the bullet and go MO-RA3 or Phobya NOVA with the pump bolted to the rad : lots of cooling for low noise.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_457_667_975&products_id=36764
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_457_667_913&products_id=37863

However, before looking at all that.. are you sure a waterblock exists for your GPU?
Check EKWB coolingconfigurator for your EXACT card
http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/

Shop near you Wheeler Hill : http://www.thekoolroom.com/

.

mostly nice · Jul 17, 2014

Super Nade said:
I've moved this thread here, where you might receive better feedback.

Thanks

Also, thanks for the links too. I will start weighing it up tonight, I may just have to switch out my GTX780 for a Titan Black and keep the air cooling up. :attn:

GTXJackBauer · Jul 19, 2014

RnRollie said:
You just cant fit enough radiators inthere for CPU + (2) GPU... not without going for serious fans and running them at full speed.

Going bolted-on external is an option.. but a bit... well... ugly

If going external, bite the bullet and go MO-RA3 or Phobya NOVA with the pump bolted to the rad : lots of cooling for low noise.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_457_667_975&products_id=36764
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&cPath=59_457_667_913&products_id=37863

However, before looking at all that.. are you sure a waterblock exists for your GPU?
Check EKWB coolingconfigurator for your EXACT card
http://www.coolingconfigurator.com/

Shop near you Wheeler Hill : http://www.thekoolroom.com/

.

Took the words out of my mouth and beat me to it rollie.

Since the case is pretty small, I would also advise going with the MORA3 (120mm) or NOVA (120mm), with a nice housing that will also store the pump and reservoir. Use quickdisconnects (QDCs) for mobility or for maintenance.

Since you're going with 2 780s and a CPU loop, that would be your best option available and still be able to keep the case configuration mostly the same.

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