Scratch Build – In Progress Upgrade - 3x 7970 EK Blocks cooled with both 1260 & 360mm Rads. Pics & Data included

Hi Guys,
I have been taking my cooling to its final step this weekend so thought it may be of interest for folks to have a bit of a reference topic as to how a few things work out.

The system:
Case: Corsair Obsidian 800D
Mobo: Asus Maximus Extreme IV - Z
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.8ghz
GPU: 3 x Sapphire Radeon 7970's running standard clocks (for now)
RAM: 16GB of Corsair Vengeance 1866MHz
HDD: 2x OCZ Vertex 3 Sata 6 SSD
PSU: XFX Pro 1250w Black gamer Edition

Cooling & Monitoring
CPU Block: EK Supreme HF Plexi EN
Radiator: 1 x EK Coolstream XT 360mm Copper Fins - Single Circuit
Reservoir: XSPC Acrylic Dual 5.25 with pump inside
Pumps: Alphacool VPP655 - D5 Pump
Rad Fans: 3 x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1850RPM - AP15s.
Case Fans: 3x Corsair 140mm fans.
Coolant: Feser Aqua - Ultra Pure Water

Ok,
So what I propose to do is as follows:

1. Run the NEW Aida64's system stability test for 10mins as it is now and got a screenshot.
2. Install my new radiator and fans and repeated the test and got another screenshot to see what the extra cooling area does for the CPU (if anything).
3. Installed my EK waterblocks on the 7970's and again, repeated the exact same 10min test.
4. Run the same test again, but with no fans. (Passive)

The radiator being added is a Phobya Extreme Supernova 1260.
The 4 x 200mm fans being installed on it are the Cooler Master MegaFlow 200

If anyone has any usefull comments or suggestions I would love to hear them.

 

The first test is done and came out as follows.



As you can see, the CPU is being looked after very well with room ambients of 22C, and the 7970's core and VRM's are having a hell of a time, although its worth noting they never get quite that hot after an hour on battlefield, so god knows what Aida64 does to them!? One things for sure, it draws some power, its the ONLY test I have that gets these carsd that hot and draws over 1KW from the outlet!

Some pictures of the progress...


200mm fans fitted to backplate.


3x EK 7970 blocks.


This rad is as big as my 24" monitor. LOL


2x 140mm NB pro fans to upgrade the 2 in my case while I am at it.


The missus helping me dry up a water spillage when I spat my dummy out.


Random parts shot.


The first card coming apart.


Ready for the block.


Block fitted.


Backplate fitted.


Dont wanna slip with a screwdriver round here!


3 cards ready to be fitted with bridge and links.


1st link fitted.


All built up and ready to install. Shockingly heavy.




The Loop. Not totally happy with this as its a bit untidy, will renew later.


More testing pics soon...

 

Had a small issue with Aida in as much as, I liked it so much I bought it, but the *beta* i dumbly downloaded it doesnt seem to recognise my 3rd card!
Damn thing.

Still,
Got it all up and running and did some testing with heaven V3 / 3dmark11 etc and all seems to be working and benching as it should, so I have proceeded.

This test was run exactly the same as before, Aida 64 stability test for ten mins with fans all at full speed, and identical screenshots taken, so here we have it...
To say I am happy with the results is a huge understatement!





So, with such great results I figured the ultimate test was in order. No fans in the system running at all.
Totally passive and, more interestingly, SILENT.



Please note:
I havent made it clear that this system has retained the EK 360mm rad in the roof as well, so I have a LOT of rad surface area. And its working.

Pics to follow.

 

Some almost final images...

 

The Aquaero system controller is now programmed as follows:

If the 1260 radiator inlet temp reaches 27 degrees fire up the 200mm fans at 20% speed.
This then ramps up at 20% every 1 degree until 30degrees at which point they run full speed.

If the water outlet into the reservoir sees 30 degrees water temps, we can assume the 1260 alone isnt dropping temps enough so the 3x scythe AP15s on the 360mm rad fire up at 20% but this time go to 50% at 31 degrees, 75% at 32 and full speed at 33 degrees.

The case fans both follow a similar curve, aiming to keep the case ambients below 28C.



All in all I am VERY happy, and for anyone interested in fan noise, the 200mm's really are silent unless you are within 12" of them.
The AP15s arent though. LOL

 

Ah! I LOVE the Supreme Plexi Nickel CPU block you have there, so jealous!

 

Where's your drain valve? I'm failing to see it anywhere in those images.

That's a ridiculous amount of Radiator, too. You may have one of the few machines that can rival True_Gamer's rig in terms of sheer cooling capacity.

 

Nice arent they... they have a window so you can actually SEE your money rotting away. LOL

I use the drain port on the bottom of the radiator.

I disagree. My main aim was to create a virtually passive cooling system that can deal with summer days in my office without fans blaring. I have achieved that.

 

For reference, this is the kit ready to be drained.
I just add a tube to the lower left drain port and drop the tube into a container and leave it to it.

 

Well, I guess for now its finished.
Cpu is now running 4.9ghz stable with the cards at 1200 GPU & 1575 Ram.
















Max recorded power draw now is...



Have really enjoyed building this, but now my CPU is holidng back the GPU's so its time to bide my time and await the outcome of the latest IVY bridge hardware.... then, I guess we start again, but for now, I am going to get some benchmarks done.

 

Pretty, but not a scratch build, IMHO.

Wrong "project tag" ?

You should know better than this ?

LOL

dunx

P.S. Yes I'm on here too !

 

Wow Nice one mate !

 

LOoks nice Yeah your video cards are power hungry

 

Dunx... Eat me....

 

That's not very polite !

I was just amused given your role elsewhere, correcting to evil/confused

dunx

P.S. Yes, I qualify as both ! And I do like the rig, it just isn't a scratch build as described...

 

Totally agree mate, but It didn't seem to fit into Case Mod or Mod of the month either, which are the only two other options.

 

looks very tidy, i wish i had you budget!!