I want to build a water cooled rig, a good one. I've learned a good deal from reading past articles and numerous posts. Now I'd like to share with you the ideas I have come up with for my next system. It isn't complete but I'd like your input as to the components I'm looking at so far in the way of case and cooling..
Case Lain Li PC 70 or PC 76. I'm leaning toward the PC 76 as it offers more width and depth than the 70 although it's also just a tad shorter.
Pump a Iwaki MD-30 series but not sure if it should be the MD-30RLT or the MD-30RLZT
MD-30RLT = 510Gph @ 4' w/head of 17.7' and 11.6psi
MD-30RLZT = 275 Gph @ 4' w/head of 36.1' and 24psi
Advice on the above pumps would be great. Not sure if the large drop in volume is worth the extra psi/head as the other pump has better pressure than many other used. And as I said, I have no past experiance to draw from on this.
Rad(s) Here I'm also looking at 2 ways 2 go.
(1) Dual BIE or Deeps with pump riged with a outlet hose of 5/8" leading to a custom made Y that splits flow into two lines 1/2 going into the dual rads. Then 1/2" lines out of the rads rejoined into a 5/8" line leading up to the motherboard. Again a custom Y splitting the flow into 3/8" and 1/2". (if the Deep was the rad of choice then I'm favor just bringing of one line as 3/8" from one of them and avoiding two of those Y's). The 1/2" line goes to the CPU and the 3/8" line to the NB and GFX blocks. Then 3/8" to res before going down to meet the 1/2" at a last custom Y going up to 3/4" before pump. Rather complex sounding and a good deal more tube than in the next option.
(2) Single rad, the Abyss or perhaps the new BIE that is of the same double size. With this arrangement everything would be in series. Pump=Abyss=CPU=NB=GFX=res=pump.
Which ever rad(s) chosen would be mounted on the floor of the case very close to the pump. Res will be the high point of the system ether one of the new models that fit in a 5.25" bay at the top of the case, or a custom built (DIY) mounted between the motherboard and the 5.25" bays but just a bit higher than the CPU where the line enters the res.
Fans will be Y S Teck 130 CFM models drawing cool air through the floor of the case and through the rad. Only the filters will be mounted outside the case in a velcroed mounted peice, for easy of cleaning. Exaust will be through 2 120mm fans in a large top window's blow holes. Will also have a 92mm side blower in a window to cool the rest of the motherboard a bit and just add unheated air. Might also add xtra fans to rad latter if needed or just to push things a bit.
WB's will be CPU = Atlantis or Little River Rapids.
NB = Atlantis or Danger Den designs
GFX = Danger Den 9700 pro model
Power for all this to come from a Vantec 470 power supply and the pump will be on 110 of course.
Well guys please tell me what is right and what is wrong with the above and how to improve it. Worst thing I see already is the above will hit me for 1K+ and still getting started.
Thanks
