Watercooling / Pump advice

[jamesriley94]

Hi

Planning on upgrading my rig next month from AMD to a 3770k, possible Maximus V when it's out and a 7950, with full watercooling, in my CM690, with dual 120mm rads.

I was originally going to buy the RASA RS750 kit, then adding a second RS 240 and the Graphics full cover block. I knew that would be pushing it with the pump alone, but now if the motherboard comes with waterblocks on, it'd be a shame not to use them.

So, will the pump from the RS 750 be enough?

If not, what would you recommend? I would prefer to keep a bay res and pump combined. Would 2 of the alphacool ceramics on the alpha cool single bar res be enough? Or will they be worse than the RASA one?

I'm really wanting the system to be as quiet as possible, and I've heard D5s and DDCs can get loud? Also, can I get them into an integrated reservoir?

Overall, I think this system is getting more and more expensive, on like £300 just for the watercooling alone, so I'm wondering if it's even worth it going for water, or just staying with air tbh?

Thank for the help

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

I would go with D5 + an aftermarket top

 

[SieB]

RS rads won't be enough for that setup, I'd go with a H100 for the CPU and do a loop with a RX240 rad in the bottom for your 7950.

 

[S_I_N]

no I doubt the 750 pump will handle the 2 times 240mm rads cpu gpu and mobo blocks. Would be a stretch for it. I'd look at the D5 pump as suggested with possibly a Alphacool dual bay rez for the D5 it looks great and seems to be very decent. I wish those were out when i did my loops. As SieB said dual 240mm rads at the RS level wont handle mobo cpu and gpu (if overclocked (which we always assume is the idea involved)) Dual 240mm at 60mm thick should be ample for a decent overclock on both the cpu and gpu. Truth be told you most likely wont gain alot by water cooling the board, so if you can leave it out you should be able to use the RS rads as desired.

I have 2 6950's unlocked and overclocked on a 280mm rad 60mm thick and we know those run hotter than the 7xxx series cards. And they run nice and cool on the 280mm rad.

 

[jamesriley94]

Thanks for the replys guys.

Been looking at:

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/XSPC-D5-Dual-Bay-Reservoir-for-ONE-Laing-D5-Pump-New-Product-pid-15903.html

and:

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/XSPC-Acrylic-Dual-525-Reservoir-for-Laing-D5-pid-11671.html

Do they work as a top, so i'd just need the base D5, ie:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-055-AC

Also, thanks for the advice regarding the rads, I can only fit like, a 35mm rad in the top of my cm690 though? Can do more in the bottom, so would 1 RS 240 and an RX 240 make the cut? Cheers

 

[S_I_N]

if you get some decent fans on the RS's they might cut the mustard with a mild to moderate oc but if ya can squeeze a 60mm 240 in it will only help temps.

 

[jamesriley94]

Cheers for the advice.

Gunna go for an RS in the top and an RX in the bottom I think.

Is there any benefit of getting one of the EX series? I know there's a higher fin count and stuff, but I'm gunna be having just pull on the top radiator anyway so not sure if that matters?

 

[SieB]

Get an EX rad instead of a RS, the EX rads perform as well as the RX rads with good fans at 1500rpm, any lower though and the performance drops off to RS level performance.

Fans on pull will be fine, pull is actually better than push by a couple of *c but there really isn't much in it.

 

[jamesriley94]

Changed to that then! Is there anything else you could recommend to replace the RX 240 at the bottom? something maybe a little cheaper, or am I best just keeping that?

Also, regarding the pump again, I hear they're louder when you put them in a drive bar reservoir? Is this true?

 

[SieB]

The Alphacool UT60 240 or Phobya G Charger 240 rads are a bit cheaper than the RX and near enough as good XSPC RX > Alphacool > Phobya in that order for performance, also price I think.

Not sure abut the pump i've not used a drivebay res and pump before.

 

[jamesriley94]

Hmm, I've had a look...

The alphacool one does look decent. Will I run into any problems with length of the rad though? I'm constrained to a 160mm PSU as it is, you any ideas for maximum rad length for a CM690s base? Tbh, I'd be pretty surprised if you can get that from your head

bit of a long shot haha

 

[SieB]

I can't remember the maximum length but i'm sure Tom mentions it in the white and black (the new model one) CM690II ADV video review.

17:00 onwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tyJ7VGuoq4&feature=plcp

 

[ruthless_villain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YzbR3cHiNE&feature=relmfu

 

[jamesriley94]

Good old Tom, saving us all!

I'll go with the RX in the bottom to be safe then I think. If Tom says I can get it in, that's good enough for me!

I was wanting to try having the hose end at the PSU end, but apparently thats not possible

 

[SieB]

Yeah keep the barbs at the front end just to be on the safe side as well, because if you get a leak it's going to go strait onto the PSU and make a big bang.

 

[jamesriley94]

Errrr - are you doubting my amazing watercooling abilities...?

....that havent been tested before

I will do, thanks. Didn't really think of that, just thought if I had it at the PSU I could make a tidier loop and make Tom fall in love with me

Overall, what are the chances of it leaking? As in anywhere. I'm obviously going to be careful and do everything tight, but I am probably going to go down the route of 7/16 hose on 1/2inch barbs, and try to avoid using clamps, and out of all the guides I've watched on watercooling, with all the reviewers saying how important it is to leak test - they never seem to get leaks

Just dont really know what I'd do if i did? ...Probably cry

 

[SieB]

It's just to be on the safe side really, chances of a leak if done properly are next to nothing but it's better to have it happen away from the PSU rather than over it if you do.

 

[jamesriley94]

Yeh, I agree

Thanks for all the help!