360 rad enough to cool OCed i7 920, 2 GTX 480s and MB?

[cmeeren]

I am currently building my first "real" watercooled rig, so I'm terribly sorry if these questions seem stupid to more experienced users. I have almost everything at hand now - just waiting for my three radiator fans to arrive.

This is my system (case and watercooled parts):

• Corsair 800D
• Core i7 920 @ 4GHz
• 2 GTX 480 SLI
• Asus P6T Deluxe v2

This is my watercooling setup:

• Feser (TFC) Xchanger 360
• 3 Noctua NF-P12 fans
• Laing DDC 18w (Swiftech MCP355) with XSPC res top
• EK waterblocks for all components mentioned above (for the MB: full cover + 2 mosfet blocks)

Now, I realize some of you may be hardcore watercooling users. I am not, and I don't expect my system to run with temps just above room temperature. However, I wonder if the watercooling system mentioned above is enough to allow an 4GHz overclock on the 920, as well as running everything within safe temperatures. I initially thought it would, but have since begun doubting this. What do you experts say?

If I have to upgrade, I was thinking of adding two single 120 radiators in a separate loop for the CPU (at the exterior/interior back and interior bottom of case), and everything else (GPU and MB) on the Feser 360. (I could have the MB in the CPU loop, but I will not OC the GPUs, and they normally operate under higher temps than the other components anyway, so I figured having them together with the MB blocks will be fine.) This means purchasing two new 120mm radiators (or preferably 140mm actually, but I haven't seen many of those), another identical pump, probably a dual XSPC res, and two more NF-PF12s. I do not want to casemod, as I'm not quite the handyman and do not have any tools for drilling or cutting.

To summarize, I would be very grateful for your opinion on these three setups (for the use described above):

• Everything (CPU, GPUs, MB) in a single loop using a single 360 rad at the top
• Everything in a single loop as above, but with two single 120mm rads between the CPU and the rest - probably a bit too much for the pump?
• Two separate loops - one for the CPU using two 120mm rads, and one for the rest (MB and GPU) using the 360 rad

Of course the latter would be recommended given unlimited funds, but could I make do with the former?

And of course, any other suggestions and input is highly welcome!

 

[S0ULphIRE]

You will definitely be able to run a 920 @ 4Ghz with that setup.

The only thing I'm not sure about is whether a single rad is enough. Those two 480s will run pretty hot, especially when OC'd. And the i7s aren't exactly known for being 'cool' chips either

 

[Apokalipse]

Running two GTX 480's plus an i7 you'll need something that can handle ~550W of heat output
That's a big ask for a single radiator.
You'll probably want at least a 4x120mm radiator like this, or even a 3x140mm radiator like this

Also, some radiators perform better than others at the same size.
Thermochill's work really well with low speed fans (~1200RPM)
With higher speed fans (2000RPM) other radiators might perform better

 

[Burn]

More than 550W, an overclocked 920 will put out about 200W, and each GTX480 will put out about 250W.

So altogether about 700-750W load, probably a bit more including the MB. For that I would say at least 2 3x120mm rad's, or the Feser 360 you have and 2 more 140mm radiators. It may not get you the incredible temps that draw most people to water, but it should be able to handle everything decently.

 

[Apokalipse]

I was using the figures of about ~225W for each GPU and ~100W for the CPU
but yeah, I could easily expect overclocking them would output about 700-750W

 

[cmeeren]

Thanks! I'm thinking to go with a dual loop with one 360 rad in each loop - one loop for GPU's and one for CPU and MB. One rad mounted internally at the top of the case, and the other rad mounted externally at the back using a bracket. Sounds good?

*edit*
I'm thinking Black Ice SR-1 360 might be good as a second rad. Comments?

 

[Burn]

Good decision. The SR-1 is a good rad but pretty overpriced IMO. It performs about the same as an MCR320 but is double the price.

I would get this:
ThermoChill PA120.3 3x120mm High Performance Radiator - 15mm Spacing
or this:
Feser X-Changer QUAD 480 Extreme Performance Radiator 15mm Spacing

 

[Burn]

Yup. Nice choice of fans, the GT's are great. I'm jealous... lol

 

[cmeeren]

Yeah, it cost preeetty much, double what I had originally planned. I'll be back with a quick worklog, pics and of course TEMPS once I'm finished and have had time do do some testing. (Just ordered the second batch from abroad, so might take a while, but I'll get back to you. )

 

[cmeeren]

Finally finished, worklog and temps here.