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Thread: New build, another water-cooled machine

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    New build, another water-cooled machine

    Well can you believe its been so long since my last PC upgrade, over 3 years.

    Since my recent purchase of two loverly new thirty inch monitors, my system just isn't up to doing them justice in games, the obvious solution is a dual 5970, obviously, its the only possible thing that could be done.

    So, Ek do seem to do a nice line of blocks, I was thinking of re-cycling my pump
    http://www.alphacool.com/product_inf...on-II-12V.html
    Also the rad:
    http://www.alphacool.com/product_inf...---Rev--2.html

    So, that I figure should manage my new setup.

    An Asus Rampage Extreme II
    2 x Asus 5970 in crossfire.
    i7 930 (might go for a 960, but surely it will clock up nicely!)
    RAM still un-decided.

    So, looking at Ek, I figure for the motherboard a:
    http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/bl...re2-ver-3.html

    for the CPU:
    http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/bl...-lt-plexi.html

    for the gfx cards:
    http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/bl...ek-fc5970.html


    Think i might have to upgrade my PSU.....

    Are there any better suggestions, is it really worth stretching for a 960?
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    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    i brought the koolance kit as it cools the cpu pll module as well.

    and if you add the water block to the mobo you need mofset blocks as well as the heatsinks all in 1 on the R2E

    alternatives taking the heatsink off the chipset block and fitting a water cooling module instead, its designed with a removable finned section if you take a close look at the affair thats on the R2E

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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Regarding the 960, it seems to top out at about 4.2 to 4.3GHz, although that is mostly with H50s rather than "proper" water coolers, whereas a 930 will also do 4.2 but probably not higher. Ultimately, you will squeeze an extra 100MHz or so but for the sake of £200 difference probably not. Personally I think its either 930 or 980x.

    Also, with the 5970s, it may be worth a look at the XFX Black as once registered it can OC very nicely indeed (6GHz mem and 1GHz cores). Would also save £40 or so, although that doesn't seem to be a priority in this build!

    RAM wise, I guess the choice will be 2000MHz CAS8 or 1600MHz CAS6. Corsair for the former, and either http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...L6T-6GBPI.html or the Corsair 6-6-6-20. An alternative would be the 12GB kit of 1866MHz, although that may inhibit the 930 crossing far beyond 4GHz.

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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Quote Originally Posted by Skulltrail View Post
    Also, with the 5970s, it may be worth a look at the XFX Black as once registered it can OC very nicely indeed (6GHz mem and 1GHz cores). Would also save £40 or so, although that doesn't seem to be a priority in this build!
    Don't the blacks have custom coolers?
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    I’d recommend the http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/bl...upreme-hf.html for the CPU. Better cooling and flow for the i7.

    Not sure your current radiator will be enough for dual 5970’s. Even at stock that’s 600W + CPU (200W+ overclocked) + NB/SB cooling. I wouldn’t even attempt that with “just” a Thermochill PA120.3 let alone the NexXxos. If you overclock your 5970’s (why wouldn’t you on water?) then you’re looking at 450W+ each. Definitely going to need more rad’s IMO.

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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Quote Originally Posted by oolon View Post
    Don't the blacks have custom coolers?
    Mine looks pretty standard. You don't really need the black version. I'm not convinced they're much better then the normal stuff, especially under water. Only reason I bought one was it was the only 5970 in stock at the time (December 2009).

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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Quote Originally Posted by GoNz0 View Post
    i brought the koolance kit as it cools the cpu pll module as well.
    Ha, on actually looking at their site, I realised I was missing an I, i'm looking at the III, so probably definitely be them, as its nice to have one block for everything!

    Quote Originally Posted by Skulltrail View Post
    RAM wise, I guess the choice will be 2000MHz CAS8 or 1600MHz CAS6. Corsair for the former, and either http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...L6T-6GBPI.html or the Corsair 6-6-6-20. An alternative would be the 12GB kit of 1866MHz, although that may inhibit the 930 crossing far beyond 4GHz.
    I think to be honest that I can make do with less RAM of higher speed, as for the alternative card, well if its reference?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bugbait View Post
    I’d recommend the http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/bl...upreme-hf.html for the CPU. Better cooling and flow for the i7.

    Not sure your current radiator will be enough for dual 5970’s. Even at stock that’s 600W + CPU (200W+ overclocked) + NB/SB cooling. I wouldn’t even attempt that with “just” a Thermochill PA120.3 let alone the NexXxos. If you overclock your 5970’s (why wouldn’t you on water?) then you’re looking at 450W+ each. Definitely going to need more rad’s IMO.
    My current rig been a Q6600 never had any issues with the default alpha cool block, are those extra expensive ones worth the extra cost for an i7? Especially as I wasn't thinking of an insane over clock.

    The rad... that hadn't entered my thought process in all honesty! As this build isn't a 100% silent, I would have thought it would have been enough? I've got 3 fans that can always run full speed . But it was the pump I was worried about. Reckon its up to the task?

    On the rad thing it is worth mentioning its one of the newer NexXxos range which where a bit better, whilst not as good as a thermochill mind.

    At the moment I've got a Q6600 running at 3.5ghz, and a 8800GTX having absolutely no issues, to the point only one fan of the three is switched on, and even that is a low RPM jobbie. I'm off to have a google and see what people are having with their setups!
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    actually most people are saying even with the watercooling they are seeing little clocking gain, that the cards run so cool as is........... Should I cool them.....
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    My current rig been a Q6600 never had any issues with the default alpha cool block, are those extra expensive ones worth the extra cost for an i7? Especially as I wasn't thinking of an insane over clock.
    It might give you a few Mhz but it does wonders for the ePeen. What more do you need?

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    The rad... that hadn't entered my thought process in all honesty! As this build isn't a 100% silent, I would have thought it would have been enough? I've got 3 fans that can always run full speed . But it was the pump I was worried about. Reckon its up to the task?
    As someone who isn’t counting pennies, I’d recommend more rad’s if you can fit them in, along with a new pump (D5 for pure grunt, else DDC Ultra for space). I use to dislike the D5’s due to the restriction on connectors, or more so the pain in not having ¼ threads. With all the custom tops available today with ¼ threads this isn’t an issue. A pump upgrade probably adds more cooling performance to an existing water loop than any other single component based on what I’ve read.

    Maybe some other water cooling enthusiasts can comment but I think the potential 1000W+ load is just too much for a single triple radiator, regardless of manufacturer. It could work but the temps would probably settle outside of the desired mark.

    EDIT: It seems a single, high performing triple might, just, barely, almost be okay: http://www.skinneelabs.com/xspc-rx360.html?page=4. The RX360 is similar in performance to a Thermochill PA120.3. The RX360 is better at low fans speeds but worse at high. Not a lot of difference though. A 10C air to water delta is the worse you’d really want, ideally aiming for below 5C. It's not really "cooling" once you get into the 15C+ delta range.

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    At the moment I've got a Q6600 running at 3.5ghz, and a 8800GTX having absolutely no issues, to the point only one fan of the three is switched on, and even that is a low RPM jobbie. I'm off to have a google and see what people are having with their setups!
    The i7 will kick out as much, if not more heat than the Q6600 on full load. You’re also adding a NB/SB cooler (ok, this isn’t that much additional heat) and 2 dual GPU cards (this WILL add a load of heat). Sure, the 5 series ATI’s aren’t as toasty as the Fermi but a pair of dual GPU cards will make the 8800 look like in integrated graphics card, in performance and heat.

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    actually most people are saying even with the watercooling they are seeing little clocking gain, that the cards run so cool as is........... Should I cool them.....
    For the 5970? That’s very surprising as they run quite hot (high 80’s full load at stock I believe: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2877/16). I would agree that you probably don’t need water to overclock on the 5870’s but the 5970’s are the different beast. This Anandtech article explains why: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3590. My 5970 running 975/1200 with the GPU voltage a bit over 1.2 peaks in the mid 40’s on full load (FurMark Xtreme Burn) on water. You won’t get close to that on air. The extra buffer will be handy come summer I’m guessing. Personally, if you want to start pushing the GPU voltage to 1.25v+ you’ll want water to cool the VRM’s if nothing else.
    Last edited by Bugbait; 24-06-2010 at 10:38 AM.

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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Not tempted by a hexacore AMD build then...?

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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    actually most people are saying even with the watercooling they are seeing little clocking gain, that the cards run so cool as is........... Should I cool them.....
    It depends how loud the coolers some stock ones can be terrible. Going to water cooling allows you to pick what kind of fans you want and they don't have to be blowers.
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Hmm, I think I'll have to put this project on hold few a couple of weeks, I might be out of the country for the next 2 months anyway.

    Is the 5970 due a refresh anytime soon?
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    I thought all the ATI 5xxx stuff was pretty new DX11 stuff, I doubt it will be refreshed this side of Christmas.
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    the 6000 series is due this year i believe, however it is more of a die shrink and the basics than a whole new design so the performance increases etc will be there but im not sure by what margin.

    I would say a triple rad would struggle with that load, even an XSPC RX360 and Pa120.3 would find it hard to give you temps that youd like. What id suggest is running 2 triple rads (or more, depending on budget/space) as the rx/pa rads are very low in restriction so adding 2 wont affect a pumps performance by a significant margin but will decrease temps a huge amount. Having another pump however would also be a good idea because all those blocks will increase restriction and it may struggle (not sure).

    For the cpu, the best block is the EK Supreme HF (high flow). There are a few version of this such as the plexi/nickel/copper, from what ive read the copper and nickel provide about 0.5-1C improvement in temps and only demand a £5 premium so id nab one of them (copper looks better, nickel is a yellowish colour). The block supports all sockets so if you do move to am3 for some reason then your ok and its very low on restriction so should help your pump relax a bit more.

    No idea on the gpu block though.
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    Hmm I think I might wait for the 6000 series, or even just get one card if I find I can't!

    That way if the 6000s require it, I could double Rad. I'm sure someone does nice auto stop connectors for easy linking to an off case rad right?
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    Re: New build, another water-cooled machine

    koolance do high flow ones

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