So I had a couple ideas that I wanted to see if anyone else has done or if anyone thats been water cooling for a long time can comment on.
This is my first water cooling build, but I was looking at something that was somewhat "modular". By that I mean easily upgradable. From what I've read, the only items I have intentions to run water too are my CPU (currently) and GPU(future).
For the record, I got a i5-3570k processor(that I would like to overclock as high as I can to a 24/7 stable speed) and a nvidia GTX650. I'm still on the fence deciding if I'm just going to add another video card in SLI, or overclock the one I got to the max. I'm thinking I'll get more performance out of an SLI setup than overclocking a single card (especially a mid-tier one), so I'm holding off on that for now, seeing as how my current setup allows me to do everything I need it to do, at maximum settings(gaming and heavy multi tasking(videos, internet, office)) at very acceptable speeds.
I was thinking something along the lines of a 120.4 radiator. My thing is, I don't want to have to buy parts twice. I would like to be able to buy a bigger radiator than I need now, and be add my GPU in later, if I decide to go that route.
My main question is about the pumps. I have alot of experience in the piping trades, and I know how we do it on the job(chip plants, refineries, etc.) Obviously, these pumps are a little differant than the ones I'm used to piping in. But, I was wondering if the basic concepts are the same, which I think they are.
Firstly, I wanted to run two pumps in parallel. My thinking was, they would alternate their cycles somehow, either based on the power switch, timing, or water temperature. This is mainly to extend the life of the pumps (and yes I usually turn my computer off at night...usually), and secondly, to provide redundancy in case one fails. I don't want to be dead in the water waiting for a pump in the mail and have to reconfigure my computer and reattach the stock heat sink and all that crap. After all, if the pump stops working, your CPU is gonna get fried right?(I guess the thermal shutoff would kick on....) Which model pump would you guys recommend for a good combination of performance, longevity, and price?
Secondly, do you guys factor in flow restrictions of your fittings and valves into your loop? In my trade we have to factor all that stuff in, especially with pumps. I was wondering if anybody had any charts for that stuff.
Lastly, I've read alot of reviews about water blocks. i can't seem to figure out if high flow is good or bad with these, seeing as how alot of people seem to think that the more restrictive ones will give you a bit better cooling potential, due to the water being in the block longer.
Once again, I'm looking for a 24/7 overclock with keeping my temps as low as possible. I'd really like to see what kind of chip I got, but I cant do much with the stock heat sink, and I'm not buying a 100 dollar air cooler when I can spend a bit more on a water cooling setup and get temps that are half that of the air cooler.
thanks in advance guys!
P.s.-I figured my price to be around 300 dollars for a setup like this. A 120x4 rad(no fans included), 2 pumps, 10 feet of 1/2" tubing, and a res that I'm still deciding on. That sound about right?
Edit-Couple other things. I only have a 650 watt power supply. As it stands, in addition to all the above, I was thinking about adding possibly 1-2 more hard drives(one probably being a SSD) I have one 640gb 7200 rpm drive right now. The PSU is brand new, I bought it with the rest of the rig in November. But, I wouldn't be adverse to having some of those 120v pumps that plug into a wall socket if the PSU couldn't handle 2 pumps, and all the additional fans too! 120.4, in push/pull, thats 8 more fans right?
This is my first water cooling build, but I was looking at something that was somewhat "modular". By that I mean easily upgradable. From what I've read, the only items I have intentions to run water too are my CPU (currently) and GPU(future).
For the record, I got a i5-3570k processor(that I would like to overclock as high as I can to a 24/7 stable speed) and a nvidia GTX650. I'm still on the fence deciding if I'm just going to add another video card in SLI, or overclock the one I got to the max. I'm thinking I'll get more performance out of an SLI setup than overclocking a single card (especially a mid-tier one), so I'm holding off on that for now, seeing as how my current setup allows me to do everything I need it to do, at maximum settings(gaming and heavy multi tasking(videos, internet, office)) at very acceptable speeds.
I was thinking something along the lines of a 120.4 radiator. My thing is, I don't want to have to buy parts twice. I would like to be able to buy a bigger radiator than I need now, and be add my GPU in later, if I decide to go that route.
My main question is about the pumps. I have alot of experience in the piping trades, and I know how we do it on the job(chip plants, refineries, etc.) Obviously, these pumps are a little differant than the ones I'm used to piping in. But, I was wondering if the basic concepts are the same, which I think they are.
Firstly, I wanted to run two pumps in parallel. My thinking was, they would alternate their cycles somehow, either based on the power switch, timing, or water temperature. This is mainly to extend the life of the pumps (and yes I usually turn my computer off at night...usually), and secondly, to provide redundancy in case one fails. I don't want to be dead in the water waiting for a pump in the mail and have to reconfigure my computer and reattach the stock heat sink and all that crap. After all, if the pump stops working, your CPU is gonna get fried right?(I guess the thermal shutoff would kick on....) Which model pump would you guys recommend for a good combination of performance, longevity, and price?
Secondly, do you guys factor in flow restrictions of your fittings and valves into your loop? In my trade we have to factor all that stuff in, especially with pumps. I was wondering if anybody had any charts for that stuff.
Lastly, I've read alot of reviews about water blocks. i can't seem to figure out if high flow is good or bad with these, seeing as how alot of people seem to think that the more restrictive ones will give you a bit better cooling potential, due to the water being in the block longer.
Once again, I'm looking for a 24/7 overclock with keeping my temps as low as possible. I'd really like to see what kind of chip I got, but I cant do much with the stock heat sink, and I'm not buying a 100 dollar air cooler when I can spend a bit more on a water cooling setup and get temps that are half that of the air cooler.
thanks in advance guys!
P.s.-I figured my price to be around 300 dollars for a setup like this. A 120x4 rad(no fans included), 2 pumps, 10 feet of 1/2" tubing, and a res that I'm still deciding on. That sound about right?
Edit-Couple other things. I only have a 650 watt power supply. As it stands, in addition to all the above, I was thinking about adding possibly 1-2 more hard drives(one probably being a SSD) I have one 640gb 7200 rpm drive right now. The PSU is brand new, I bought it with the rest of the rig in November. But, I wouldn't be adverse to having some of those 120v pumps that plug into a wall socket if the PSU couldn't handle 2 pumps, and all the additional fans too! 120.4, in push/pull, thats 8 more fans right?
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