Hello everyone, Let me start by saying I love this site. They number of creativity people here is amazing!! I'm hoping i can pick your brains about something... So I'm starting a new build. I have built two water-cooled systems in the past but it’s been a long time, over 4 years ago, nothing this big and only for CPU cooling. So many new company's and new products, I had to get back into it. Currently I have a Corsair 600T SE and I’m looking for ideas on the number and size of radiators i should be looking at. Too many options, and I’m kind of getting confused. I plan for either an OCed 2700k or hold out for Ivy bridge, two 580 GTX or newer in SLI. I would like to be able to water-cool the whole thing. Currently I know that I can mount a radiator 2x120mm in the top and one 1x120mm on the back panel. My question is would this be enough to cool everything? Would I need to add a second 2x120mm? Or should I go a completely different route? I have seen a couple of builds on here and noticed that someone put a 200mm in the front panel. Thanks in advance on any input you all might be able to provide.
i've been thinking and asking about the same thing over at XS... still trying to make sense of it all but here's some reading... TDP calculation Guilde to understanding Delta T TomHardware on watercooling hope it helps... i'm still doing some casual reading... wishing i had an iPad so i can read while on the throne... hahaha
A lot depends on the fans and rads you're planning on using. Each GTX 580 has a TDP of 245W and an overclocked 2700K maybe 150W so you'd be looking to dissipate a maximum of 650W. However you're unlikely to be using the graphics cards and CPU fully loaded at the same time. I would say you'd probably be OK but temps might not be brilliant. If you plan on overclocking the 580s then I'd say you'd need more rad.
For reference I have my sig rig all cooled on a triple rad, and it keeps everything under 55c when gaming (considering the 480 is a hot card I think this is quite good.
Wow, thanks for the quick replies. I have some reading to do. Is there some place that has a list of radiators and there thermal displacement, or flow rates? Trying to find the best radiators for the setup i have in mind.
there are many sites that have very detailed reviews and performance info on radiators... you'll find many reviewers all over such as martinm210 from XS skinnee bundymania hondacity hesmelaugh here's just a couple of threads over at XS that has some good reviews...