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Autopilot3

New Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2012
New to water cooling. Been building for years.
H/W: Antec Nine Hundred case, ASUS P9X79PRO Mobo, I7-3930, XFX Radeon HD 7970, 16 gig Patriot DDR-3, Samsung 830 256g, 7K3000 HD.
I was thinking of the following build:
Radiator: EK Coolstream XTC 420
CPU: EK Supreme HF
GPU: EK FC7970
Dual 5.25 bin Reservoir
Pump: Koolance PMP 450S

I am considering adding another video card so should I build 2 separate loops each with a 2 x 120mm or 140mm, and additonal pump? I could buy a split reservoir to begin with.
Since the pump has 1/2" barbs do I need 1/2" tubing throughout?
Does it matter where the radiator goes?
My thought was Res on front top, pumps on bottom then CPU, GPU then rad in back then return to the res.
I have been doing a fair amount of reading on this and am ready for any advice on the build, particularly on the components and if I should build in 2 separate loops now.

Thanx for your time and patience, Autopilot3
 
First off :welcome:

I don't have all the answers for you as to what will be best but with the tubing question yes if you have 1/2" barbs do 1/2" tubing and make sure barbs are the same throughout.

And as far as I know 2 loops means 2 pumps unless there is a way to run both through the same pump to two separate rad's with the right res... but again I'm not really sure. I'm sure someone will be by soon who knows the right answer.
 
Thanks. If I go with 2 loops then I was figuring on 2 450S pumps. Any advice on brand of tubing and if you like barbs or compression fittings?
 
:welcome:

Looks like Pvt.Dancer answered your tubing and barb question :D

I'm by far an expert at this and have only been on here for a few weeks, but from what I have read and been told it sounds like if you are only WCing one GPU and your CPU one loop should be sufficient. Since this will be your first WC build I would suggest keeping it simple.

Disclaimer* but like I said I am no expert and I'm still in the middle of getting my ordering my parts and solidifying my parts.

GL...:popcorn:
 
Thanks. If I go with 2 loops then I was figuring on 2 450S pumps. Any advice on brand of tubing and if you like barbs or compression fittings?

Primochill and Tygon have a lot of good recommendations, correct me if I'm wrong!
I'm going with compression fittings just cause I don't want to use clamps, but compression fittings are a lot more expensive...

Hope that helps
 
since I myself have not done my build... yet I will be starting this Saturday seeing as the main pieces get here on Friday and some of the smaller things here today but! I got the Primochill PrimoFlex Pro LRT Black Tubing.
 
Thanks. My only thoughts are if I ever go to 2 video cards I will want to have already set everything up. If I buy a single large radiator then I will have a space problem when I need two separate radiators. I read on one of the forums that compression fittings can work themselves loose so I am a bit concerned they may not be the best thing. They do look better tho. I am not super concerned on price as much as I want to buy the right things the first time.
 
Thanks. My only thoughts are if I ever go to 2 video cards I will want to have already set everything up. If I buy a single large radiator then I will have a space problem when I need two separate radiators. I read on one of the forums that compression fittings can work themselves loose so I am a bit concerned they may not be the best thing. They do look better tho. I am not super concerned on price as much as I want to buy the right things the first time.

Understandable, I'm in the same boat as you with wanting to buy the right parts the first time.

I have read that also about the compression fittings but no at all often enough for my concern really.

I am going with one 360 rad for my 2 GPU's at first and then possibly adding the CPU. I have been told that would be enough to add my CPU if I wanted to ...

The MCP35X pump is strong enough for one pump with all of that in one loop. They do make that pump dual now though if you really want to go that route.
 
I thought about the anodized aluminum clamps but you are almost at the price for compression fittings when you add the cost of the barb. Still not sure which way I wanna go.

As far as the pump goes I wonder if the 450S would be strong enough for the CPU and two GPUs. The flow rate and head pressure are spec'd higher than the MCP655 and looks like the specs are better then the MCP35
 
I thought about the anodized aluminum clamps but you are almost at the price for compression fittings when you add the cost of the barb. Still not sure which way I wanna go.

As far as the pump goes I wonder if the 450S would be strong enough for the CPU and two GPUs. The flow rate and head pressure are spec'd higher than the MCP655 and looks like the specs are better then the MCP35

You might find these helpful..

koolance-pmp-450s-d5

Swiftech-MCP35X2
 
If your using some high flow pumps you should be fine... but again i wouldn't really take my word on it since I,m still lacking in experience but from what i do know with some high flow blocks you should be fine.
 
If you don't mind me asking, where are you planning on mounting that radiator? The 900 isn't the greatest case for watercooling, unless you plan on mounting it externally.
 
If you don't mind me asking, where are you planning on mounting that radiator? The 900 isn't the greatest case for watercooling, unless you plan on mounting it externally.

I'm going to mount it in the top of the case and move my drive down a few bays so it can extend into the top bay spot...
 
Wouldn't one of the fans on the radiator be blocked if you were to use it up top? Correct me if I'm mistaken, but both the 900 and the HAF 922 have similar exhaust fans on the top with 2/3 being used for the fan and the rest being solid. One would have to mod it to make sure that the exhaust from the fans through the radiator were to leave the case.

OP: I haven't done any research, but have you made sure that a 420 rad will fit inside the case? I'd assume a 360 would be a better choice for mounting it internally at the top? Personally, I'd mount it off the back with a rad mount and possibly a 240 up top for future expansion.
 
Wouldn't one of the fans on the radiator be blocked if you were to use it up top? Correct me if I'm mistaken, but both the 900 and the HAF 922 have similar exhaust fans on the top with 2/3 being used for the fan and the rest being solid. One would have to mod it to make sure that the exhaust from the fans through the radiator were to leave the case.

That is correct. I have measured numerous times and there will be some slight modification to the case to ensure that all the exhaust is exiting through the top...

It's all in the plan, but as we all know plans can change. A 260 rad would work equally as well for just my two GPU's but wanted to future proof the setup. I have entertained going 260 plus 1 rad in the rear for the CPU when that time comes...

EDIT: Great Skorp, now you got me thinking ??? Do you know if these are out for purchase yet EX280-dual-fan-radiator/
 
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Sorry, I'm bad for that :p

Can't find them anywhere. I don't think they've been release yet. You might want to contact XSPC for an estimate of when they'll be available?
 
Sorry, I'm bad for that :p

Can't find them anywhere. I don't think they've been release yet. You might want to contact XSPC for an estimate of when they'll be available?

Back to the drawing board :bang head in your honest mathematical opinion, do you think a 2x rad will be sufficient for 2 570HD GPU's not knowing the deltaT??
 
On a GPU only loop, I think you'll be okay. I couldn't find any reviews for 280 rads, but going on Martin's review of the MCR220 (240, similar FPI) and that the 570 HD has a TDP of 219W per, you can effectively cool them with a 14C delta and ~1560 RPM fans. Anything lower for delta and you're looking at higher RPM fans.

http://martinsliquidlab.i4memory.com/SwiftechMCR220-Review.html

Of course, this is all just researching online and assuming similar performance based on surface area of rad. Hopefully others with more experience can chime in.
 
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