SLI + CPU Watercooling

[DragonStar]

Hi, i have an Asetek WaterChill Antarctica KT12A-L30 CPU/VGA/Chipset DUAL
RAD POWER KIT ! 10mm (03-L-5115), im just wondering if you know if that will be powerful enough to watercool 2 7800GTX 512's in SLI and an FX-55? It has a Black Ice Pro DUAL Radiator and a 1200 l/hr Hydor Pump

[dangel]

Yes it will cool it enough to run, but i'm not sure if your temps will be as nice as you want (if the FX is overclocked etc).
I've the same setup cooling a 3800X2, 7800gtx and chipset and i'd like a bit more thermal control in my system (i'm looking at either adding another rad (or going for a triple rad, not sure) or upping my flow with a better pump/another pump inline). At peak my CPU hits 43C (but this may be down to me need to remove the thermal packaging and my GPU 35C.

[DragonStar]

Well i'll be running the system pretty much stock, what i want is a FAST but practically SILENT system, lol, how could i improve the temperatures then? would another single rad make much difference? the watercooling setup is gonna get complicated, lol, and its my first water cooling project... lol

[dangel]

Will another rad make a difference? Perhaps. I'm not sure - as although you up the cooling capacity you might have a negative impact on water flow (which is just as important). I'm still umming and ahhing about it to be honest with you - i could easily add another dual rad as my water system is housed outside the main pc case. I think i'd be more tempted to try and sell my dual radiator and buy a triple radiator to replace it - less pipework and probably(!) less impact on flowrate. Remember my cpu is overclocked and dual core so it will produce a fair amount of heat. Perhaps it's a reasonable indication of how a sli system might perform on this setup?
The only way to do it is to build it and find out really If you want more cooling later on it's easy enough to swap out a radiator, add a pump etc..

[DragonStar]

my case is setup for a dual rad on the door (i have a Tt Tai Chi), so it makes most sense to use it, lol.

[Butcher]

Get a better pump. Most radiators are massively overspecced for the job, so upgrading is going to give minimal increases.

[dangel]

Get a better pump. Most radiators are massively overspecced for the job, so upgrading is going to give minimal increases.

Suggestions for a 10mm setup?

[DragonStar]

Suggestions for a 10mm setup?

Seconded, lol, i thought the Hydor was supposed to be a decent pump? its rated at 1200 l/hr, and in terms of pumps this is what i was told by the guy i buy my Innovatech stuff from...

The higher the flow rate thru the waterblock, the more heat is
removed. But the slower the flow rate thru the radiator, the more
heat is rejected. So it is a trade off.

Systems can still take up to 2 litres flow per minute. Don't forget
that pumps quote the 'open circuit' flow rate - that is with no
resistance. With the actual circuit, flow is reduced due to the back
pressure. If the pump is too powerful, it can't pump adequately and
it will overheat and burn out the motor. Excessive sized pumps is one
of the myths of water cooling.

Our 12 volt pump has three jumpable settings, 'quiet', default and
'overclock'. It actually adjusts itself to the required flow
conditions. Clever eh!

Although I've never used a Hydor, it is quite popular, so it should
do the biz.

Paul

The pumps they have are eheim i think

[Butcher]

Seconded, lol, i thought the Hydor was supposed to be a decent pump? its rated at 1200 l/hr, and in terms of pumps this is what i was told by the guy i buy my Innovatech stuff from...

The higher the flow rate thru the waterblock, the more heat is
removed. But the slower the flow rate thru the radiator, the more
heat is rejected. So it is a trade off.

Wrong!
Higher flow helps both raditor and waterblock.

Systems can still take up to 2 litres flow per minute. Don't forget
that pumps quote the 'open circuit' flow rate - that is with no
resistance. With the actual circuit, flow is reduced due to the back
pressure. If the pump is too powerful, it can't pump adequately and
it will overheat and burn out the motor. Excessive sized pumps is one
of the myths of water cooling.

Wrong!
You won't be able to burn out a pump used in watercooling unless you run it dry. The normal open impellor designs used allow for highly restricted pumping and bits of junk floating through.

He's right about quote flow being open circuit though. What you need to look at is the maxcimum head on the pump, that's a far more useful measure.

NB: Getting the biggest pump you can isn't always an advantage, you have to trade off between increased flow from the larger pump, and increased heat dumped into the water by said pump.

Although I've never used a Hydor, it is quite popular, so it should
do the biz.

Paul

The pumps they have are eheim i think

Hydors are solid enough little pumps, they do the job. Eheims are also good - mainly rated for their quiet running and high reliability rather than extreme performance.


Here's a very useful thread about watercooling myths BTW, it explains why you don't want slow water and such: http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=10301

[DragonStar]

Thanks Butcher... but where was the suggestion for a 10mm setup?? lol