Choosing the correct radiators
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:29 am
I am trying to figure out a watercooling system for my new build. This will be my first w/c-build. My pc is basically high end, and I want to use watercooling for the quietness, not for the opportunity to OC. So far I want to w/c my CPU (i7-3930K), my GPU (GTX680) and my motherboard (ASUS Sabertooth X79). I want to have the option of putting watercooling on a second GPU using SLI later on, without necessarily needing to upgrade radiators and pump... My case will be one that comes with silencing material inside. Like Corsair 550D or Fractual Design Define R3/XL or something. I build this computer to be powerful but also quiet. So PSU will be one of the quiet ones, I will use SSD's and so on. And by the way, I do know it's possible to get quite quiet air-cooling systems out there. But I also want the project that is to make a custom water-cooling system So that is my two reasons for wanting to w/c my pc: quietness and for the fun of making it.
My questions which I hope someone can help me with is:
1. How many radiators do you think I need? I have been told if I use one 360mm (3x120mm) and one 240mm (2x120mm) that should do it. If that indeed is enough, how thick should they be?
2. Are you able to put on whatever kind of fans you want on radiators? If so, is one of the ultra-quiet fans out there good enough? Any recommendations?
3. I have been looking at passive radiators, more specifically http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.p ... hwarz.html If I combine this with one 240mm active radioator with ultra-quiet fans, do you think that should be enough? Is it worth it? I mean, will the difference in noice from one 360mm active radiator and one passive be that big if I use quiet fans on the active radiator?
4. I am wondering, is it possible to like wrap the pump inside soundproofing material without destroying it (like making it go warm or something like that)? I do know there are a lot of relatively quiet pumps out there so this is probably not worth it, but still.. I'm curious if it's possible
Thanks
My questions which I hope someone can help me with is:
1. How many radiators do you think I need? I have been told if I use one 360mm (3x120mm) and one 240mm (2x120mm) that should do it. If that indeed is enough, how thick should they be?
2. Are you able to put on whatever kind of fans you want on radiators? If so, is one of the ultra-quiet fans out there good enough? Any recommendations?
3. I have been looking at passive radiators, more specifically http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.p ... hwarz.html If I combine this with one 240mm active radioator with ultra-quiet fans, do you think that should be enough? Is it worth it? I mean, will the difference in noice from one 360mm active radiator and one passive be that big if I use quiet fans on the active radiator?
4. I am wondering, is it possible to like wrap the pump inside soundproofing material without destroying it (like making it go warm or something like that)? I do know there are a lot of relatively quiet pumps out there so this is probably not worth it, but still.. I'm curious if it's possible
Thanks