Liquid Cooling expertise wanted

[El_Capitan]

I just pulled the trigger on my first liquid cooling kit, the H20-220 Ultima XT. I was daunted for the first hour or so, but I soon pieced things together and it only took me an hour to set-up, but testing it took some time.

 

I'm managing a stable 24/7 i7 950 ($250 @ MicroCenter) overclock to 4.37GHz at 1.38750v, but my max temp under two hours of Prime95 is 80C. I lowered it to 3.9GHz at 1.3v and max temp was at 55C, so it looks on par with the reviews I read. I don't stress my CPU for longer than 2 hour stretches (primarily video encoding), but 80C seems quite high, doesn't it?

 

So I go from the reservoir to pump to rad to cpu block and back to reservoir. Would it make sense to go the opposite direction?

 

Oh, I also replaced the dual radiator fans with the Noctua NF-P12's. If only I didn't get the non-reference GTX 460's, I'd have watercooled them, too. I guess I'll have to do that with my next video card upgrade, and replace my GTS 250's on my other computers with the GTX 460's. Btw, the Noctual NH-D14's still quieter than the liquid cooling kit.

 

 

Edited September 18, 2010 by El_Capitan

[crazy8s846]

I just pulled the trigger on my first liquid cooling kit, the H20-220 Ultima XT. I was daunted for the first hour or so, but I soon pieced things together and it only took me an hour to set-up, but testing it took some time.

 

I'm managing a stable 24/7 i7 950 ($250 @ MicroCenter) overclock to 4.37GHz at 1.38750v, but my max temp under two hours of Prime95 is 80C. I lowered it to 3.9GHz at 1.3v and max temp was at 55C, so it looks on par with the reviews I read. I don't stress my CPU for longer than 2 hour stretches (primarily video encoding), but 80C seems quite high, doesn't it?

 

So I go from the reservoir to pump to rad to cpu block and back to reservoir. Would it make sense to go the opposite direction?

 

Oh, I also replaced the dual radiator fans with the Noctua NF-P12's. If only I didn't get the non-reference GTX 460's, I'd have watercooled them, too. I guess I'll have to do that with my next video card upgrade, and replace my GTS 250's on my other computers with the GTX 460's. Btw, the Noctual NH-D14's still quieter than the liquid cooling kit.

 

 

 

Res to pump to inlet on the block to Rad to res. You will get higher flow through the block.

[Waco]

Res to pump to inlet on the block to Rad to res. You will get higher flow through the block.

Uh...what? The flow will be identical with any configuration (bar a slight variation because of tube length) as the total loop restriction is the same. The order of components doesn't matter at all (assuming flow isn't below 1 GPM) except that you always want the pump right after the reservoir.

[crazy8s846]

Uh...what? The flow will be identical with any configuration (bar a slight variation because of tube length) as the total loop restriction is the same. The order of components doesn't matter at all (assuming flow isn't below 1 GPM) except that you always want the pump right after the reservoir.

Dont you mean the res right before the pump, the block he has has restiction and so does the rad, you have a pessure loss right after any rad, so why not go pump cpu block so you get better flow through the block. You cant tell me it is the same flow rate out of the rad, the flow rate is the greatest right out of the pump. The block he has has pretty high restriction if im not mistaken, a block with high restiction does better if it comes right after the pump.

Edited September 18, 2010 by crazy8s846

[Boinker]

Yeah I believe the block will Be the highest Pressure bottle neck, especially if he is running the Swiftech XT that im running for the I7. best configuration I have found is res-Pump-Block-rad-res. If you want to have the video cards in there use res-pump-block-vga-vga-vga-rad-res.

 

Actually 80C is an exceptional temperature for a dual res (two fan) at a under 100 Cfm fan set-up. Be honest with you I would go ahead and run it how it is. you can reseat the block but im sure its likely fine. Make sure the room is well ventilated and get some better fans to drop the water temps or you can get a larger rad and sell the dual rad. If you get the video cards into the loop one day then make sure you get a bigger rad or WAY better fans.

[crazy8s846]

Yeah I believe the block will Be the highest Pressure bottle neck, especially if he is running the Swiftech XT that im running for the I7. best configuration I have found is res-Pump-Block-rad-res. If you want to have the video cards in there use res-pump-block-vga-vga-vga-rad-res.

 

Actually 80C is an exceptional temperature for a dual res (two fan) at a under 100 Cfm fan set-up. Be honest with you I would go ahead and run it how it is. you can reseat the block but im sure its likely fine. Make sure the room is well ventilated and get some better fans to drop the water temps or you can get a larger rad and sell the dual rad. If you get the video cards into the loop one day then make sure you get a bigger rad or WAY better fans.

I agree you can change the order when you take down the loop for maintance. Not that big a deal really.

Edited September 19, 2010 by crazy8s846

[RJR]

The block he has has pretty high restriction if im not mistaken, a block with high restiction does better if it comes right after the pump.

Think of it this way, take your WHOLE loop except the res (pump,block,rad,tubing,fittings), the pump is pushing the water through all of it at the same time until it goes back into the res. Taking one piece that has more restriction than another and placing it first or last really won't matter because you are still pushing all the water through the whole loop (pump-res) at the same time.

[Boinker]

It would be best to place it first as RJR said another reason is there will only be extra pressure on that particular hose from the pump to the first component. That will just extend the life of the loop is all.

[El_Capitan]

Thanks guys. I'll try changing the order on the next maintenance cycle and see how it goes. I got the NF-P12's just because they're quieter. Would a 2nd dual rad be better than upgrading to a triple or quad rad? This would only happen if I started liquid cooling GPU's. It'd think it'd be cheaper, and I would imagine I would run it like this: res, pump, block, 1st rad, 1st gpu, 2nd gpu, 2nd rad, res

 

This way it would go through a rad between the cpu and gpu's, that way there's less heat going into the gpu's from the cpu.

[Boinker]

you could do that. read the review swiftech made on dual dedicated loops, dual rads in loops, and single large rads. that may support your discussion. But the best thing may be to get a double thick 3 fan rad and use the same pump and res. that will get you going really good. :cheers:

[Waco]

You cant tell me it is the same flow rate out of the rad, the flow rate is the greatest right out of the pump.

So if it's not the same flow through each fitting where does the extra water go?

 

It's a closed loop - the flow is identical anywhere in the loop. The only real difference moving things around makes is that your water temps through your block might be a degree or two lower if you run it through the radiator first.

[crazy8s846]

So if it's not the same flow through each fitting where does the extra water go?

 

It's a closed loop - the flow is identical anywhere in the loop. The only real difference moving things around makes is that your water temps through your block might be a degree or two lower if you run it through the radiator first.

 

Flow has nothing to do with how much water there is It is how fast it is moving. If it runs through the rad first, there is a pressure drop, if you read about your rad you will find out how much of a drop it has, because differant rad have differant pressure drops, and the water is not moveing as fast after it goes through it, and temp differance is not 1 or 2 degrees, it is less than .8 degrees.