Questions about first setup

[Revivalist]

Hello all!

I'm about to setup my first water cooling system. I've done lots of reading and asked questions at other forums. But I still have a few unanswered questions if anyone would be so kind as to offer some insight. They are follows:

1. If I have three 75cfm running at 50% on a BIX, would that actually give less performance then having them on a BIP because the BIX is so much thicker? I would like excellent cooling but also the option of turning down the fans for silence.

2. Is this ArctiClean Thermal Material Remover and Surface Purifier helpful? (link) Or would alcohol and other lubricants cost less and work as well?

3. What is the best order for setting up the waterblocks? I looked at this article and I realized I have the following choices:
a. CPU, GPU, and NB in series (in that order)
b. GPU, CPU, and NB in series (in that order)
c. GPU, CPU, and NB in series (in that order)
d. NB, GPU, CPU (in that order)
e. CPU and GPU in parallel, then reconnect to NB
f. CPU, then separate for GPU and NB in parallel

And these are the general principles . . .
-- Parallel reduces water flow but allows cooler water to reach multiple blocks
-- Series increases water flow but each subsequent block receives hotter water
-- Components that run cooler should be first in series.

But I also read that the water doesn't change more than 1C anywhere in the loop. So it seems to me that there's really no benefit in putting components in parallel since the water is only a maximum of 1C hotter after passing a block anyways. Also, it wouldn't really matter what order the blocks are in because the last block gets water that is only 1C hotter than the first block.

So my conclusion is that I will put them all in series in whatever order will reduce tubing and clutter, and for me that's GPU, CPU, NB. Sound right?

Thanks for any help.

[jaydee]

1) Stick with what you have IMO. Doubtful you could measure the difference.
2) Sure it works but doubtful it is any better than paint thinner or rubbing alcohol.
3) You already answered that one.

That's my opinion anyway.

[Revivalist]

Originally Posted by jaydee

1) Stick with what you have IMO. Doubtful you could measure the difference.
2) Sure it works but doubtful it is any better than paint thinner or rubbing alcohol.
3) You already answered that one.

That's my opinion anyway.

Thanks for the input.

So there would be no measurable difference between the BIX III and BIP III? Then should I just save the money and get the BIP III. I assume that there would be difference if I was drop down to a BIX II or BIP II, right?

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by Revivalist

Thanks for the input.

So there would be no measurable difference between the BIX III and BIP III? Then should I just save the money and get the BIP III. I assume that there would be difference if I was drop down to a BIX II or BIP II, right?

I am not to sure what the difference would be between the II and III. Certainly depends on the heat load. I expect it wouldn't be alot. With the III version you should have room for future hotter equipment though.

[Revivalist]

Originally Posted by jaydee

I am not to sure what the difference would be between the II and III. Certainly depends on the heat load. I expect it wouldn't be alot. With the III version you should have room for future hotter equipment though.

The difference is that the BIP or BIX II is the length of two 120mm fans and the BIP or BIX III is the length of three 120mm fans. Also, there's a price difference of about $30-50. . . .

My main concern was the difference between the BIP and the BIX. The BIX is much thicker and therefore I figure it takes a lot more fan power to push air through it. And so I thought that if I would like a quiet system then I may need to go for the BIP which doesn't require as much fan power. But like you said, it's good to "future-proof" as much as possible in case I add more or hotter components later. . . .

So, all in all, I think I may stick with the BIX III.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by Revivalist

The difference is that the BIP or BIX II is the length of two 120mm fans and the BIP or BIX III is the length of three 120mm fans. Also, there's a price difference of about $30-50. . . .

My main concern was the difference between the BIP and the BIX. The BIX is much thicker and therefore I figure it takes a lot more fan power to push air through it. And so I thought that if I would like a quiet system then I may need to go for the BIP which doesn't require as much fan power. But like you said, it's good to "future-proof" as much as possible in case I add more or hotter components later. . . .

So, all in all, I think I may stick with the BIX III.

Yeah, I was refering to the temps on the II vs. III not the size. I know they are different sized overall.