Polite request for advice

[garethar]

I've been trying to get back up to speed with OC'ing (haven't done it in about 10 years!) and there is so much info I'm drowning.

I have built a new gaming rig and want to go WC, primarily because I want to OC the crap out of it, but also because I will need every ounce of CPU/GPU to run Crysis at 3840*1024 My wife also wants to me make my box a little quieter as she can't hear the airplanes taking off from Stansted anymore when it's running all it's fans !

Setup so far is..

Coolermaster Cosmos S case

3*2GB Corsair XMS3 DDR1600

Asus P6T Deluxe mobo

Core i7 920

Cooling:Triton 81

GFX: Palit GTX285

Now I've heard various theories as to which is best out of the GTX295 in quad SLI versus the GTX285 in 3-SLI, so I'm not 100% certain which way I'll go yet, so I need to make sure whatever cooling I put in place can cope with 3 GPU's. Also as the PSU is 900W I'm not too certain about running two 295's and the 285's can OC like buggery so I've heard.

Like I said, I am a total noob to WC, so I'd appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on the following questions..

-I've seen people with waterblocks on other parts of the mobo than the CPU, is this for the chipset or something? wasn't aware you could get those.

-I've seen some very pricey pumps, I'm not mad on getting the most expensive kit, would much rather focus on performance, even if it looks like a dog's dinner - any recommendations ?

-I think a Black Ice GT Extreme 360 radiator will fit in the roof of my case, and I've seen that people put pumps in the base of their cases, but where does the reservoir go? Some piccies look like they occupy drive bays, is this right?

-Has anyone seen a waterblock for the Palit GTX285 or GTX295? I'm assuming different vendors cards vary enough to make waterblocks unique to each?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[monkey7]

I'm not exactly an expert on watercooling, but I'll try to answer this as good as possible:

- The other waterblocks on the motherboard are for the chipset (Northbridge, southbridge and on some mobo's digital PWM). This keeps everything cooler, but you will lose fluid flow and it usually doesn't increase the OC.

- Unless you want to break a new world record for the most flow in a water loop the DDC18w w/ custom pump top will suffice. You will however need two loops. One for the CPU and another for the 3-4 GPU's.

- Yes, reservoirs can be put in the 5.25" bays. However, some pump tops have a reservoir (xspc for the ddc 10 and 18w) and some have custom mounting equipment.

- I believe all the gtx285 and 295's are identical so far, because the vendors have stuck to the nVidia reference design. Because of this all blocks (designed for that chip ofc.) will fit on all cards. Before you purchase I'd confirm with google.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Ill chime in here and say if you wanna OC those gpu's then 1 rad wont be enough for good temps mate.

The BIX rad is the best that bolts staight in your case, Id look at another in the front aswell tho as with multiple GPU's that you are talking about your going to need it.

Deffo 2loops tho, and watercooling the NB and pwms can help stabalise a high clock as these can get pretty toasty.

 

[garethar]

some sound advice there, thanks.

Is it worth also trying to WC the ram? I've never OC'd ram before, not too sure how much extra performance it will give. Like I said, I'm focussed pretty much on high resolution gaming. Just trying to second guess where the bottleneck might be once I start OC'ing, would like to have a balanced (stable) system at the end of it. Although I might risk frying something to put up a good score I know what it's like once you start down the OC road :0wned:

forgot to ask: will I need a pump per loop? Haven't seen a multi-loop setup in detail yet so not sure. Shame there aren't any OC shops around I can look at some of this stuff before I buy!

 

[monkey7]

RAM watercooling is just like the chipset not necessary. Some people acquire higher OCs with heavier than usual aircooling and some don't, I doubt water will make any difference at all.

Yes, seperate loops have their own pumps. In fact, they have an own everything, including the radiator, reservoir, etc.

 

[garethar]

Thanks for clearing that one up for me.

I was about to comment on how much room this is all gonna take up, and then I looked down at my new cosmos s 'house' - I think I saw enough space in there to hide an elephant

 

[tinytomlogan]

Ram cooling is not needed.

NB cooling in my eyes is essential for high clocks tho.

 

[DeMoB]

Dual loops will definitely be needed with how much heat the rig will make, and to do it properly, even with the Cosmos S its going to be a tight fit.

You could always hang the second radiator outside the back of your case though if you want to keep it as simple as possible .

Dan

 

[tinytomlogan]

2nd rad in the drive bays, theres loads of room in there dude

 

[garethar]

2nd rad in the drive bays, theres loads of room in there dude

Thanks for that, and everyone else, for their comments.

Assuming that the drive bay rad will be smaller (I think I can get a 360 in the roof of the cosmos s) what would you think should be on each loop, assuming I will eventually be cooling 1 CPU, NB cooling and 3 GTX 285's ?

It looks like a natural split between the mobo cooling and the GFX cooling, right? Not sure which will generate the most heat though, 3 GTX's or the 920

Mind you, in the early days I expect I will only have two GPU;s and upgrade a bit later to the third if it's really necessary. Still not convinced which way to go - 285's triple or 295's in quad. Any ideas?

 

[tinytomlogan]

1x 360 rad will not cool all the GPU's mate.

 

[garethar]

1x 360 rad will not cool all the GPU's mate.

Bugger, how the hell do people do this stuff then? Any pointers to rigs where someone has this kind of setup please?

 

[tinytomlogan]

youll be better off running an ultra or 2 and having one massive loop tbh youwill deffo need better cooling on those gpu's mate, they do get very warm.

 

[garethar]

youll be better off running an ultra or 2 and having one massive loop tbh youwill deffo need better cooling on those gpu's mate, they do get very warm.

ok, engage newb factor 10 - what's an ultra?

 

[monkey7]

More than a 360 rad?

Would it be possible to have a rad -> fan -> rad setup for this? That would be 2*360rad for the gpu, and a 240 in the drive bays should keep that i7 + chipset chilly enough.

Only other option would be external mounting I guess.

 

[garethar]

I'd like to avoid the external mounting if possible. I've heard of people doubling up on rads in a loop, I suppose it will impede their performance if you had them back to back (say 2*360's in the roof). Is a single 240 enough for the i7 and NB then?

I've been looking at pumps, and noticed that DDC-1T Ultra has two pumps - just not sure if that means you can run two loops from it or just double the pump performance for a single loop. Can anyone shed any light on this?

There is just so much detail to pick up on!!

 

[tinytomlogan]

More than a 360 rad?

Would it be possible to have a rad -> fan -> rad setup for this? That would be 2*360rad for the gpu, and a 240 in the drive bays should keep that i7 + chipset chilly enough.

Only other option would be external mounting I guess.

Makes 2c differnce max. and a 360 rad for 3 yes 3 high end gpus wont be enough mate.

 

[garethar]

Makes 2c differnce max. and a 360 rad for 3 yes 3 high end gpus wont be enough mate.

Ok, so assuming one big loop, taking in CPU, NB and say, two GPU's - do you think it would be enough to use a 360 in the roof and possibly a 240 in the drive bays? (and would the 240 fit?).

Getting hard info on the level of cooling required seems to be a matter of suck it and see, but I'd like to at least have a rough idea of what can do what.

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Ok, so assuming one big loop, taking in CPU, NB and say, two GPU's - do you think it would be enough to use a 360 in the roof and possibly a 240 in the drive bays? (and would the 240 fit?).

Getting hard info on the level of cooling required seems to be a matter of suck it and see, but I'd like to at least have a rough idea of what can do what.

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

The 240 will fit no probs in the drive bays, and if you use a ddc ultra and its only 2 GPU's (not 2x295's as thats 4) then the 240 and 360 rad combo will provide good temps matey.

 

[garethar]

The 240 will fit no probs in the drive bays, and if you use a ddc ultra and its only 2 GPU's (not 2x295's as thats 4) then the 240 and 360 rad combo will provide good temps matey.

Cheers mate. Looks like I'll just have to live with 285's in SLi then Life's hard.