(Somewhat) new to WaterCooling

[Sean53221]

I understand most of the concepts, I just don't have a grasp after being out of it for so many years, as to who the good manufacturers are, etc.

Doesn't need to be fancy, UV, or blink, glow, or make slot machine noises - I'd probably add colorant to the coolant just so I could see levels and flow and notice a slow leak faster. As for waterblocks, the less "bling" the better - it's cheaper, and if you would recommend a chromed-base because of better heat-transfer, I'd be OK w/that.

Let me give you "the list", first:

THINGS TO BE H20 COOLED
--------------------------------
2 x GTX 480 SC (EVGA) Cards
1 x AM3 (1090T) CPU

As far as my mainboard, the MSI NF980-G65, I googled and couldn't find any water blocks specifically for them, but these G65 boards seem to have a troubling rate of MOSFET overheat and failure. If they made a block that fit this particular board, that would be awesome, but I'd settle for a "regular old block" that happened to fit.

POSSIBLY down the road adding a 3rd GTX480.

THINGS ENVIRONMENTAL
------------------------------
Ambient: 70-72f
Antec 1200 Case with only 1 hdd in the front bays
Separate Standalone "Booster" 420W 12V Only 5.25" PSU's for each 480
1kw power supply should have enough left over to run pump, etc.

GOALS:
------------
Overclock my 1090T without exploding MSI Mainboard Syndrome. (google "NF980-G65 MOSFETS")

Turn the 480's into single slot solutions so I have use of the slots usually hidden/obstructed by double width 480 solutions.

Obviously, cool stuff off.

Question: Too much stuff in one loop above under "things to be cooled?"

Thanks again everyone!

Sean

 

[Gillbot]

3 GPU's and 1 CPU in a single loop? That's likely pushing it unless you get a monster rad and fans IMHO. Plus, if you want to aviod the exploding mobo syndrome, get better cooling for the VRM's and other areas of the motherboard. Many rely on airflow from the CPU's heat sink fan for cooling and that's non existant with a water block.

In my looped PC's, I upgrade the northbridge, southbridge and mosfet coolers usually and I keep a fan on the new solutions.

 

[muskie32]

The aqua computer blocks for the GTX 480's are awesome. (cooling wise) I have 2 of them and am currently importing a 3rd for my last 480.

 

[Sean53221]

3 GPU's and 1 CPU in a single loop? That's likely pushing it unless you get a monster rad and fans IMHO. Plus, if you want to aviod the exploding mobo syndrome, get better cooling for the VRM's and other areas of the motherboard. Many rely on airflow from the CPU's heat sink fan for cooling and that's non existant with a water block.

In my looped PC's, I upgrade the northbridge, southbridge and mosfet coolers usually and I keep a fan on the new solutions.

Hey Gillbot -- I think we did some FS/FT stuff here years ago. Anyways, it would initially be 2 GPUs plus 1 CPU, but I thought that even without the 3rd GPU, I'd be pushing it with regard to thermal load.

How would you divide it up? (i.e. CPU + 1GPU on loop "A", and 2 GPUs on loop "B" I'd like to take advantage of (3) contigious 5.25" bays for something - reservoir/pump?

How much stuff would I need outside the case? At least the rads, I'd imagine.

 

[Gillbot]

You can break it up into CPU and GPU loops to keep it easy. I'm not sure how hot the 1090T's get but I suspect a 120 or 240 radiator will suffice there unless you have the space for a 360.

For the GPU's, I'd go at LEAST a 360 radiator with some serious fans, more radiator if you can. Remember, you can't really "overcool" with water unless you are using chilled water or something so the more radiator the better.