Choose 240 AIO over a custom loop?
Choose 240 AIO over a custom loop?
I believe changing cases creates an issue. The Corsair 570x only provides space for a 240 radiator, while the front panel can fit a 360. Eventually, I might need to upgrade to a water-cooled GPU with a custom loop, possibly linked to that setup. With a 280 (115i extreme) over the CPU, returning it is necessary for the Kraken. Should I invest in a separate radiator and handle the routing myself, or can I stick with a 240 for the CPU only? Would I need more than one pump? Water cooling the GPU feels like a long-term project right now; I currently rely on an AIO for the CPU. If I acquire the Kraken, I’ll have 30 days to decide whether to implement a custom loop for the GPU or simply use the Kraken and adjust the CPU setup later.
Here's the simple answer. Get a All-in-One liquid cooler but one that crushes the Kraken performance wise and allows you to do what ya want down the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYKdKVxbnp8
The Swiftech H220-X (65C @ 43 dbA) tops the Kraken (69C @ 56 dbA) by 4C while being less than half as loud
Install the h220-X in the top of the case and then when ready, add the 360mm rad to the front of the case. The Swiftcek AIOs can be expanded as they are merely a set of custom loop components preassembled at the factory. Unlike CLcs they have:
Copper instead of inefficient aluminum radiators
No galvanic corrosion issues which result from mixing aluminum and copper in the same loop.
Built in reservoirs
Pumps which are 10 times as powerful as those found in CLCs so they can handle expansion.
The ability to add additional blocks and radiators.
Now Solution:
(1) Swiftech H220 X2
http://www.swiftech.com/h220x2.aspx
http://www.swiftech.com/h220x2prestige.aspx
The Prestige version comes prefilled with Mahems premium dyed coolant
(1) MSI Seahawk 1080 / 1080 Ti Gaming EK X
with pre-assembled in water block (not a hybrid, this is a real EK full cover water block)
(4)) G1/4 fittings
(1) 36" length of tubing
(1) Bottle of matching Mahems coolant
(1) 360mm radiator for case front
Two Phase Build
As above but buy the air cooled GFX card and add the water block and other items later.
The EK predator series AIO is another option but it is quite a bit more expensive ... they also sell water block prefilled.
And no, custom loops are by no means complicated ro build, but selecting compatible components is the usual stumbling block. The difference between the AIO and then custom loop is simply that Swiftech connected two tubes from the water block to the pump.
One little quirk for SLI is this:
The CPU Block is rather small so as to adequately remove heat away fast enough, you will want a flow in excess of 1 gpm.
The GFX Block is rather large with a larger thermal mass. That mass allows for a much slower flow as liquid has more time to absorb heat from the large block. Because each block adds resistance, you also do not want to add back pressure to the pump by putting them in series. So the idea is to split the flow before the GFX waterblocks and then rejoin them after so as to to have half the flow go thru each. here's a pic of a 2103 build which gives a picture of the arrangement. (Sleeved cables and push fans on rads not as yet installed).
JackNaylorPE :
Here's the simple answer. Get a All-in-One liquid cooler but one that crushes the Kraken performance wise and allows you to do what ya want down the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYKdKVxbnp8
The Swiftech H220-X (65C @ 43 dbA) tops the Kraken (69C @ 56 dbA) by 4C while being less than half as loud
Install the h220-X in the top of the case and then when ready, add the 360mm rad to the front of the case. The Swiftcek AIOs can be expanded as they are merely a set of custom loop components preassembled at the factory. Unlike CLcs they have:
Copper instead of inefficient aluminum radiators
No galvanic corrosion issues which result from mixing aluminum and copper in the same loop.
Built in reservoirs
Pumps which are 10 times as powerful as those found in CLCs so they can handle expansion.
The ability to add additional blocks and radiators.
Now Solution:
(1) Swiftech H220 X2
http://www.swiftech.com/h220x2.aspx
http://www.swiftech.com/h220x2prestige.aspx
The Prestige version comes prefilled with Mahems premium dyed coolant
(1) MSI Seahawk 1080 / 1080 Ti Gaming EK X
with pre-assembled in water block (not a hybrid, this is a real EK full cover water block)
(4)) G1/4 fittings
(1) 36" length of tubing
(1) Bottle of matching Mahems coolant
(1) 360mm radiator for case front
Two Phase Build
As above but buy the air cooled GFX card and add the water block and other items later.
The EK predator series AIO is another option but it is quite a bit more expensive ... they also sell water block prefilled.
And no, custom loops are by no means complicated ro build, but selecting compatible components is the usual stumbling block. The difference between the AIO and then custom loop is simply that Swiftech connected two tubes from the water block to the pump.
One little quirk for SLI is this:
The CPU Block is rather small so as to adequately remove heat away fast enough, you will want a flow in excess of 1 gpm.
The GFX Block is rather large with a larger thermal mass. That mass allows for a much slower flow as liquid has more time to absorb heat from the large block. Because each block adds resistance, you also do not want to add back pressure to the pump by putting them in series. So the idea is to split the flow before the GFX waterblocks and then rejoin them after so as to to have half the flow go thru each. here's a pic of a 2103 build which gives a picture of the arrangement. (Sleeved cables and push fans on rads not as yet installed).
Right now though a single 360 setup would run everything right? CPU/Single GPU with one pump? Only concerns would be getting a pump that could handle a second card in the loop (or do I need two pumps) so I could expand down the road.
I like the look of AquaComputer's block the best...and I think it would be sweet with the clear window/copper plate. Their back plate has a cool silver heat tube piece on it that I like as well.
I don't know though. Seems confusing with so many options out there.
SLI would be a LONG way down the road so right now I'd just need to know and learn enough in the next month to do a loop for the CPU and GPU. The only reason I wanted the Kraken is because of the infinity mirror and I think that look is sick, but I also saw a custom 570x a dude did that sold me on a full loop...just a lot of work to get there.
Ended up needing to stay with the 115i (not enough time to bring it back), so I'm planning to keep using that one for a while. The new 1080TI is performing impressively in my setup, outperforming the STRIX 1070 I had before. Although I believe this is partly due to not having the TII OC'd, the TI is so powerful that it's no big deal right now. I might consider a custom loop later, but for now I'm holding on. Thanks for the info!