Designing water cool system, please help with loops, and/or additional radiators

Hi everybody,

this is what i have so far:
Swiftech Apogee GTZ
Swiftech MCW60-4870(x2?)
DD Stealth 360 w/ 3x Scythe Ultra Kaze, 120x38mm, 2k rpm
Swiftech (Laing) MCP-355 w/ XSPC acrylic top
Bitspower single bay reservoir

cooling rig in sig except planning on adding another HD4870, so i figured i should plan accordingly. included in the loop(s) will be my cpu and the two 4870s (one for now), northbridge will stay on air, getting 60mm fan for that.

If i'm just doing the one gpu w/ cpu, I believe that I would have sufficient cooling power, as far as the layout though can i just run a single loop that would go from block to block, and then back to res?

What about adding 2nd gpu. is the triple 120 radiator enough still, with that pump? what about the loop configuration? I can run a second outlet from that res if i want, or is running the blocks in succession still ok?

thanks a lot,
rlr


Lian Li PC-6077B
DFI LP LT X48-T2R
Intel C2D E8400 (@4.0)
Corsair Dominator TWIN2X4096-8500 C5DF (@1069)
Sapphire HD 4870
Corsair TX750

That fine, make sure you get the ram coolers for the HD4870's though, there are a few "full cover" memory coolers you can get to air cool them as they get HOT. (Full cover blocks would also be something to consider)

With 2 HD4870's I'd go with a better rad 3x120mm is enough, but not with that DD stealth. For your radiator I'd go with at least a swiftech MCR 320, or if you want more overhead room fork the cash over for a Thermochill PA 120x3 (They are expensive but some of the best rads available).

If not even like a MCR 320 and a 220 would be more than enough (the 320 may be enough, but Im not sure how many watts its rated for, it would be close)

As for the pump the 355 with a new top is fine, the D5 is also a good option.

As for order, it doesnt really matter, most often you will see something like

Pump > Rad > CPU > GPU > GPU > Res > Pump

The block order doesn't really matter, but since the GPU's will dump more heat its generally a bit more effective.

cool (he he)- thanks,
i think the 320 is the same price, or cheaper than the DD, yeah i just looked it's a couple bucks less, for some reason I thought the DD was better. the place i'm getting everything from also has DD GTX, and an XSPC model as well. they have the Koolance EHX-1020, which has to be, or is supposed to be, case mounted. they also have a swiftech rad stacker i could add the 2nd rad with if i wanted, maybe 2x120, idk if that will work with Rad-Box which i'm planning on using though.

those mcw60-4870 gpu blocks cool the ram, and also have a little sidearm to cool mosfets. they're not quite a full cover block, but look pretty nice, and will work well for crossfire.

thanks a lot,
rlr

Well the MCW-60 itself is a GPU only block so I saw that and assumed. You are correct though and that should work fine.

As for mounting second rads, if you needed to there are plenty of ways to do it, whether mounting it externally or using a swiftech radbox. If you have one GPU though you really have nothing to worry about a 320 is plenty.

If you have any questions let me know, a good place to read up more on is xtreme systems. I normally don't link to other forums but quite frankly we don't have many watercooler's around here and they have a lot of resources to look around and such.

It's a nice setup though and should keep you running nice and cool.