Water Cooling upgrade. Part 2. The GPU's and HUGE radiators are in!
19-03-2012, 05:03 PM
#1
Water Cooling upgrade. Part 2. The GPU's and HUGE radiators are in!
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:
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.
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:
- Run the NEW Aida64's system stability test for 10mins as it is now and got a screenshot.
- 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).
- Installed my EK waterblocks on the 7970's and again, repeated the exact same 10min test.
- 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.
19-03-2012, 05:03 PM
#2
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... [I]
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...
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... [I]
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...
19-03-2012, 05:03 PM
#3
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.
Some almost final images...
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.
Some almost final images...
19-03-2012, 05:04 PM
#4
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
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
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22-03-2012, 08:13 PM
#9
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.
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.
22-03-2012, 08:18 PM
#10
If you need any more rads, I've got 2 brand new Swiftech ones, a 220 and a 320, also a micro-res and some tubing, all bought when I was going to WC my pc, shame I'm skinter than skint and can't afford to now. Although, I doubt you'll need it for that pc. 
Last edited by zetec-Sam; 22-03-2012 at 09:50 PM.
26-03-2012, 12:50 PM
#13
Borrowed this from another forum I use to save me the bother... they get the point across.
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So here's Some examples of using 2.75GB of VRAM! (Not System Ram...) In Crysis 2 maxed to the hilt in DX11 and Forced in NV control Panel to use 16x AF and 16XQ CSAA @ 2560x1600. Running @ 60FPS.
O91y9.jpg
iRA1O.jpg
3ZuCu.jpg
RAlNm.jpg
Ei1e4.jpg
HGgaV.jpg
m2WBK.jpg
j3MAk.jpg
57HYz.jpg
d16jL.jpg
xoY6i.jpg
Wm6k9.jpg
Wzo3x.jpg
lUkhc.jpg
surely there's 5.0ghz in there
27-03-2012, 09:12 PM
#18
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
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Nice rig Stu. Currently running an watercooling rig myself, but currently only on the cpu. Just about to add my card into the mix aswell (6990). JUst out of curiousity, how well do 3 gpus work?? I've heard many mixed results when you triple stack.. Do you think they definitely justify themselves and have you ran into any issues with them?
ps love the external rad haha
ps love the external rad haha
Last edited by fatmike; 27-03-2012 at 09:20 PM.
27-03-2012, 10:11 PM
#19
Nice rig Stu. Currently running an watercooling rig myself, but currently only on the cpu. Just about to add my card into the mix aswell (6990). JUst out of curiousity, how well do 3 gpus work?? I've heard many mixed results when you triple stack.. Do you think they definitely justify themselves and have you ran into any issues with them?
ps love the external rad haha
ps love the external rad haha
hope your enjoying the planning mate, thats the part I like best actually.
In days gone by, scaling for SLI and Crossfire could be anywhere from good to terrible, but nowadays its pretty damn good, with the latest generation cards like these often achieving 100% scaling upgrade per card.
If your interested in what yours can do, try popping "6990 Crossfire scaling" into Google and your bound to come up with some comprehensive reviews as its a great card that has sold well.
09-04-2012, 04:21 PM
#24
Hi Nick, you use a distilled water with a corrosion inhibitor and sometimes a UV dye to make it glow if so required. I prefer UV pipes as the dye taints everything it touches which I pesroanlly dont want in my expensive parts.
01-01-2013, 04:59 PM
#28
Since I had a few days off ive been playing, so have upgraded the monitors to 120HZ BenQ gaming versions, added another SSD, a 512gb Vertex 4, swopped the ram out for 8gb of 2133 stuff and changed the processor for a 3770K.
No doubt I will now spend the next week looking at BSOD's and HWbot screens, so for now, Call of duty calls.
No doubt I will now spend the next week looking at BSOD's and HWbot screens, so for now, Call of duty calls.
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