Direction of Flow?

[Tractor]

What is the best way to setup a CPU/GPU loop with one 240mm OR 360mm rad and a MCP35x pump. I would like to put the res in the bay area and the pump mounted under it. The rad will most likely be in the top of the case.

My initial thoughts were to run...

res>pump>rad>cpu>gpu>res

I dont know if that would be legit or not. Thank you for your time.

 

[jamesriley94]

The loop order is fine.

You'd be better with a D5 over the DDC though, as DDCs can be quite loud - more so if it's in the drive bay.

As for the rads, what CPU and GPU do you have? Regardless of the specifics, you'll need a 360 rad, and if it's a high end gpu, you'll most likely need a thick rad (60mm) too...
Also, what case do you have?

 

[andrewmchugh]

I normally have the flow going up through the gpu and cpu as it gets the air out faster. But I only do that if I can make it look neat. My 1200 build wasn't and I had to bleed it upside down!

 

[Deejeta]

Loop order makes bugger all temp difference. Go for tidiness and shortest amount of tubing possible.

 

[Tractor]

I havent purchased any of the hardware yet. I'm just doing my research. These are the cases i'm looking at...

Bitfenix Sninobi XL
NZXT Switch 810
CoolerMaster Stryker

As far as the hardware goes...

CPU - i7-3770K
GPU - Wanting the GTX680, but might end up getting the GTX660ti. It all depends on budget at the time.

I have heard that the D5's are quieter.

 

[jamesriley94]

Yeah, you're gunna need a 360mm 60mm thick rad really - so the Switch 810 is your best option out of those without modding.

I'd go for the 670 instead of a 680. Little performance difference and a fair price difference.

 

[Tractor]

Hey I appreciate the help. I have looked into the 670's before. Next question. If i where to put 2 rads in the setup, what would be the optimal direction of flow then. I was looking at "snef's" wifey's computer build and I love the setup. Looking at it, I can figure out how exactly he has the flow running.

http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=48309

 

[jamesriley94]

Just whichever is the neatest, it really doesn't make much difference.

Res - pump - top rad - cpu - gpu - bottom rad - res

Is normally the neatest way, but it will depend on your rig really

 

[Tractor]

But from what I have heard from watching TTL's vids. Haveing mre rads does not necessarily help. The temp can't go below what the ambient temp is of the room. So how would adding the extra rad help unless I went...

res>pump>rad>cpu>rad>gpu>res

 

[jamesriley94]

But from what I have heard from watching TTL's vids. Haveing mre rads does not necessarily help. The temp can't go below what the ambient temp is of the room. So how would adding the extra rad help unles I went...

res>pump>rad>cpu>rad>gpu>res

Yeh, but without the extra rad, your temps may even be too high?

This isn't a question of you going overkill with rads, this is more of a question of you having enough rads to actually achieve decent temps.

Also, more rads will enable you to run your fans at really low speeds so you'll have a near silent rig.

 

[Tractor]

Gotcha! I will have to play with some setups and see what happens. I want things to be very tidy. I am a neat freak and dont want a bunch of tubes running everywhere. Thanks for all your help!