Dual loop vs. Single loop

[JesseLactin]

Title says it all. Is it worth it to do two loops? I plan to do a single CPU loop now (RX240/RX360, prob 360-it's cheaper in the long run) and then put a 570 or 580 under water when I can afford it( card + block). I was planning to do GTX 560, but the block is hard to get in Canada - I'd have to order from EK directly, and they're based in Europe. The blocks are also pretty close in price. ($113.16 for the GTX 560, minus shipping, taxes and duties; $150 for the EVGA Hydro Copper 2 block, which includes a single-slot PCI bracket, barbs, etc.) I'd like to know before I post in the New Build Section.

 

[ruthless_villain]

if its only a cpu + gpu i wouldnt go dual loop one would do

 

[S_I_N]

cpu and 560ti with a 360 rad should be fine on a single loop all depends on the oc and heat output lol. dual loop would deffo keep temps better but its alot to squeeze into a case lol.

 

[JesseLactin]

Good to know. The plan is to get a Cosmos 2, drop the 560 Ti, and get a GTX 580 instead. the 560 block is 1/2 the price of the card w/o shipping ($20+) or tax (12%), or duties (prob at the door, heard $40+ is fairly normal). $200 total for a $250 card, lol. The EVGA Hydro Copper 2 block has a much more fleshed out packaging (2x 3/8" + 2x1/2" barbs, single-slot PCI bracket, very nice block) and is available in Canada. I'm not made of money though, I'll have to wait to have enough money for 580 + EVGA waterblock. The 580 has a TDP of 244W. That's alot to bleed into a 170-180W CPU loop. I'd expect CPU temps to jump with one card, nevermind 2. I'd rather overbuild now and benefit in the long run. (keeping rig for as long as possible)

Edit: 240 or 360 now for CPU loop? The 240 kit falls in line to ordering the pieces separately . The 360 kit, however, is ~$60 cheaper to buy as a kit. It's $25 more w/o fans, tubing or barbs (fans = $30, barbs = $16, tubing = $12 to $16).

 

[kilobravo]

TTL had a 990x + 6990 in a single loop,and oc`ed hard.

Look at his shadow build on video.Should give you some direction for your build.

 

[JesseLactin]

I would like to have some measure of future proof of my cooling solution (Bulldozer). Tom's total wattage for the 990X + 6990 build was about 540W (CPU = 165W, GPU = 375W). Mine would be less (437 W, CPU = 193W, GPU = 244) I'm running an AMD chip with moderately high ambient temps (about 30 °C) though. I would prefer a low CPU delta T (15-20 °C, below 50 °C under Prime95 would be ideal) because of that. I suspect, and correct me if I'm wrong, adding a second GTX 580 would kill my CPU temps.