Right then Chaps, I'm in the mood for an update, and money is available. The object of the game is more aesthetics than necessity - style over substance if you will. I've currently got i7 930 / x58 / GTX 570 SLi. The CPU and GPU are cooled with a custom water cooled loop entailing an XSPC dual bay res and pump combo, a 360 rad in the roof of a Corsair Obsidian 800D, a Swiftech XT CPU block and an EK SLI link block on the GPUs. I've been waiting for the launch and reviews of Ivy Bridge before I made a decision on a new set up, and have decided to go i7 3930 and x79. But will also take the opportunity to make use of a set of EK motherboard water blocks on the Asus Rampage Extreme board. Overall I'd like to get a stable long term 5Ghz overclock - but that's to be seen. I also have the option to make use of another XSPC dual bay res and pump combo. I bought two at the time I bought the original based upon the reviews saying that they had a useable operating lifespan of 12 months - and I thought that I might need a replacement - the one I've been using has been fine for 18 months, and shows no sign of giving up - so I might as well make use of the other as well. I've also refitted the Swiftech XT CPU block so many times now that the screws are a bit threaded and less than perfect. So I've bought a new Swiftech HD block as a replacement for when the socket 2011 arrives (and I think I'll be able to sub the 1366 spec screws from the HD block back onto the XT block giving me a useable 1366 block as well - hopefully) Anyway, I've now got a series of options for a cooling set up The simplest option is - keep just the one loop, keep just the 360 rad, and add the MOSFET and chipset cooling into the loop after the CPU block and before the GPU block - simples, but boring I feel. The added resistance of the MOSFET and chipset cooling into the loop might affect the flow / stress on the pump - not sure, we'd have to see I suppose. Or I could - Add the second Res/Pump and create a second loop. In doing so I would also need to add in an additional radiator. I only have space for a 120 rad - but in two different locations - meaning I COULD have two 120 rads if I wanted. My initial thoughts were that I add the second loop, and add both 120 rads - just because I can - this is not a performance thing remember - and do the loops like this - - Loop 1 = Pump/Res - 360 rad - CPU - Chipset - Pump/Res - Loop 2 = Pump/Res - 120 rad - GPU - 120 rad - MOSFETS - Pump/Res The question then becomes - how ? - what flow direction ? Options, options, options Other options to consider - the CPU block supports 1 in 3 out - could I make use of this ? Below is an outline of what the system will look like without pipes - I'd welcome your expert input on flow What I'm erring towards at the moment Fat Tony
Can I just say that it really doesnt matter where the radiators go in the loop as the coolant will usually reach an equilibrium and keep a relatively constant temperature throughout the loop.
