First Custom Build PC Specs Ok???

[bomberboysk]

Do you think I'd run into any problems going with just the fans?

Also, for water cooling, is it easy to make mistakes and cause problems? Because I'd like to do it, but I don't wanna bite off more than I can chew and flush thousands of dollars down the toilet lol.

Also, what are your thoughts regarding use of both fans and water cooling?

What is the maintenance on water cooling systems like? Are the mechanics behind it similar to that of an engine? Water absorbs the heat which is than dissipated through a radiator of some sort??

Thanks again for everything!

And thanks everyone else for your input as well!

Watercooling is exactly the same idea as a car, you would use a radiator with fans, a pump, a reservoir, and waterblocks for the CPU's.

Example in a MM pinnacle, radiator mounted on the front with 3 fans: http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii446/punisher69_photos/IMG_0048.jpg

It's not that difficult to setup as long as you are patient and leak test before using it. Maintenance wise, you need to flush it somewhere around once a year, and its relatively inexpensive to do so(a gallon of distilled water(88 cents at your local walmart) is more than enough water to fill a watercooling loop), plus the basic maintenance of just cleaning the dust from the fins with some canned air every few months. To watercool two CPU's on an SR2 you would probably be looking at somewhere around $400, give or take, depending upon components.

You can run your fans without grilles without issue, just be careful as objects could fall into the fans more easily causing damage to the fan, the object, or both.

And, no problem

 

[drewster]

Watercooling is exactly the same idea as a car, you would use a radiator with fans, a pump, a reservoir, and waterblocks for the CPU's.

Example in a MM pinnacle, radiator mounted on the front with 3 fans: http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii446/punisher69_photos/IMG_0048.jpg

It's not that difficult to setup as long as you are patient and leak test before using it. Maintenance wise, you need to flush it somewhere around once a year, and its relatively inexpensive to do so(a gallon of distilled water(88 cents at your local walmart) is more than enough water to fill a watercooling loop), plus the basic maintenance of just cleaning the dust from the fins with some canned air every few months. To watercool two CPU's on an SR2 you would probably be looking at somewhere around $400, give or take, depending upon components.

You can run your fans without grilles without issue, just be careful as objects could fall into the fans more easily causing damage to the fan, the object, or both.

And, no problem

Oh, I think you misunderstood me, I meant do you think I'd run into any problems using just fans instead of a water cooling system. I have every intention on using grilles.

I also was wondering if there'd be any clashing if I were to use both fans and a water cooling system. Do you know of any construction guides for water cooling systems? Because I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Also, regarding heat sinks, what should be taken into consideration when deciding how many to purchase, what kinds, and where to put them? Or is this predetermined by the motherboard you buy?

Sorry for the late replies, I've been really busy lately

 

[drewster]

Also, it was mentioned early that I use a switchboard for the fans... What are your thoughts on this?

 

[bomberboysk]

Oh, I think you misunderstood me, I meant do you think I'd run into any problems using just fans instead of a water cooling system. I have every intention on using grilles.

I also was wondering if there'd be any clashing if I were to use both fans and a water cooling system. Do you know of any construction guides for water cooling systems? Because I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Also, regarding heat sinks, what should be taken into consideration when deciding how many to purchase, what kinds, and where to put them? Or is this predetermined by the motherboard you buy?

Sorry for the late replies, I've been really busy lately

Oh, if you are using a water cooling system you would use fans, as the fans are what would push the air through the radiator.

There is a guide in the cooling section here, its pretty dated however covers the basics:
http://www.computerforum.com/35041-liquid-cooling-101-a.html
Many of the things mentioned in that guide are no longer applicable. For instance, in modern liquid cooling setups the recommended coolant is pure distilled water, plus a biocide of some sort( a strip of .999 silver is quite common for use as a biocide), modern radiators are generally a double pass brass and copper setup, and modern waterblocks are generally made of copper, and there is no galvanic corrosion between brass and copper, hence why a corrosion inhibitor is no longer necessary. If you want, i could show you a complete parts list of what a liquid cooling system for your setup would be composed of.

For the SR-2 you would need two heatsinks, as each processor would need a heatsink. You would not need heatsinks if you were to go with a watercooling setup for the processors.

Also, it was mentioned early that I use a switchboard for the fans... What are your thoughts on this?

A fan controller isn't especially vital, it is helpful if you want to decrease noise levels however as it would allow you to lower the fanspeeds at the cost of an increase in temperature.

 

[drewster]

Oh, if you are using a water cooling system you would use fans, as the fans are what would push the air through the radiator.

There is a guide in the cooling section here, its pretty dated however covers the basics:
http://www.computerforum.com/35041-liquid-cooling-101-a.html
Many of the things mentioned in that guide are no longer applicable. For instance, in modern liquid cooling setups the recommended coolant is pure distilled water, plus a biocide of some sort( a strip of .999 silver is quite common for use as a biocide), modern radiators are generally a double pass brass and copper setup, and modern waterblocks are generally made of copper, and there is no galvanic corrosion between brass and copper, hence why a corrosion inhibitor is no longer necessary. If you want, i could show you a complete parts list of what a liquid cooling system for your setup would be composed of.

For the SR-2 you would need two heatsinks, as each processor would need a heatsink. You would not need heatsinks if you were to go with a watercooling setup for the processors.

A fan controller isn't especially vital, it is helpful if you want to decrease noise levels however as it would allow you to lower the fanspeeds at the cost of an increase in temperature.

Oh if you could give me that list that'd be awesome! Man, I can't thank you enough for all your help!

Alrighty so heatsinks aren't necessary, would it be a good idea to have them in addition to everything else? Or would that be kind of pointless?

Also, I've been looking into a few other things so if you could review this new list I've got I'd appreciate it.

Motherboard: EVGA SR-2
PSU: Antec 1200W
Case: Custom Pinnacle 24
Graphics Card: Radeon HD6879 (Two of them)
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (Two of them)
Harddrive: Samsung Spinpoint F3
SSD: OCZ Agility 2 180GB
CPU: Intel Xeon X5650 Westmere 6 Core (Two of them)
DVD Drive: Samsung Black SH-S223
Sound Card: Asus Xonar Essence STX

Along with the fans, grilles, and the watercooling system

 

[bomberboysk]

Oh if you could give me that list that'd be awesome! Man, I can't thank you enough for all your help!

Alrighty so heatsinks aren't necessary, would it be a good idea to have them in addition to everything else? Or would that be kind of pointless?

Also, I've been looking into a few other things so if you could review this new list I've got I'd appreciate it.

Motherboard: EVGA SR-2
PSU: Antec 1200W
Case: Custom Pinnacle 24
Graphics Card: Radeon HD6879 (Two of them)
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (Two of them)
Harddrive: Samsung Spinpoint F3
SSD: OCZ Agility 2 180GB
CPU: Intel Xeon X5650 Westmere 6 Core (Two of them)
DVD Drive: Samsung Black SH-S223
Sound Card: Asus Xonar Essence STX

Along with the fans, grilles, and the watercooling system

Since the nvidia price drops, i would suggest going with the GTX 460 1GB, vs the 6870 from AMD, or even waiting until the 6950/6970 cards based on the Cayman core from AMD are out, or the 500 series nVidia cards.

You wouldn't be able to use a heatsink in addition to water, as the water blocks would already be used to dissipate thermal energy from the processors.

For the SR-2, you would want 6GB Memory kits, as it is a tri channel motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286

As far as a watercooling setup, this would be ideal for your setup:

Pump:
http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP-355-12v-DC-Pump-pr-3510.html

Pump Top/Reservoir:
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Acrylic-Reservoir-for-Laing-DDC-pr-4123.html

Fittings(x8):
Take your pick, i'm a fan of the Bitspower black sparkle ones myself but it pretty much comes down to whatever you like asthetically:
http://jab-tech.com/Bitspower-True-...-Fitting-1-2-to-3-4-BP-SLCPF-CC5-pr-4400.html
http://jab-tech.com/Bitspower-Black...Fitting-1-2-to-3-4-BP-BSCPFD-CC5-pr-4454.html
http://jab-tech.com/Bitspower-Silver-Compression-Fitting-1-2-to-3-4-pr-4218.html
http://jab-tech.com/Enzotechnology-Compression-Fitting-1-2-3-4-Matt-Black-pr-4686.html
http://jab-tech.com/Enzotechnology-Compression-Fitting-1-2-3-4-Silver-pr-4678.html

Waterblocks (x2): With all factors combined (Price, Flow Rate, Temperature), the Rasa is one of the best blocks out there
http://jab-tech.com/XSPC-Rasa-Black-CPU-Acetal-pr-4752.html

Tubing: 10' would be enough, as well as give you extra to work with if you cut a piece too short
Pick your color, you'll want 1/2x3/4 tubing:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Primochill-Tube-c-319.html

Thermal Interface Material: TIM Consultants TC Grease 0098 is still some of the better stuff available:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Tim-Consultants-T-C-Grease-0098-2.5g-pr-4130.html

Radiator: This sorta depends on your fan choice, go with the XSPC for lower CFM fans, while the HWLabs Black Ice GTX is better with High CFM fans
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-RX360-Triple-120mm-high-performance-radiator-pr-4384.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-Ice-GTX-360-Radiator-pr-3613.html

Biocide: You'll want an 8" strip of silver, you can just coil it and place it in the reservoir
http://www.jab-tech.com/Antimicrobial-Silver-Strip-pr-4530.html

 

[drewster]

Since the nvidia price drops, i would suggest going with the GTX 460 1GB, vs the 6870 from AMD, or even waiting until the 6950/6970 cards based on the Cayman core from AMD are out, or the 500 series nVidia cards.

You wouldn't be able to use a heatsink in addition to water, as the water blocks would already be used to dissipate thermal energy from the processors.

For the SR-2, you would want 6GB Memory kits, as it is a tri channel motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286

As far as a watercooling setup, this would be ideal for your setup:

Pump:
http://jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCP-355-12v-DC-Pump-pr-3510.html

Pump Top/Reservoir:
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-Acrylic-Reservoir-for-Laing-DDC-pr-4123.html

Fittings(x8):
Take your pick, i'm a fan of the Bitspower black sparkle ones myself but it pretty much comes down to whatever you like asthetically:
http://jab-tech.com/Bitspower-True-...-Fitting-1-2-to-3-4-BP-SLCPF-CC5-pr-4400.html
http://jab-tech.com/Bitspower-Black...Fitting-1-2-to-3-4-BP-BSCPFD-CC5-pr-4454.html
http://jab-tech.com/Bitspower-Silver-Compression-Fitting-1-2-to-3-4-pr-4218.html
http://jab-tech.com/Enzotechnology-Compression-Fitting-1-2-3-4-Matt-Black-pr-4686.html
http://jab-tech.com/Enzotechnology-Compression-Fitting-1-2-3-4-Silver-pr-4678.html

Waterblocks (x2): With all factors combined (Price, Flow Rate, Temperature), the Rasa is one of the best blocks out there
http://jab-tech.com/XSPC-Rasa-Black-CPU-Acetal-pr-4752.html

Tubing: 10' would be enough, as well as give you extra to work with if you cut a piece too short
Pick your color, you'll want 1/2x3/4 tubing:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Primochill-Tube-c-319.html

Thermal Interface Material: TIM Consultants TC Grease 0098 is still some of the better stuff available:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Tim-Consultants-T-C-Grease-0098-2.5g-pr-4130.html

Radiator: This sorta depends on your fan choice, go with the XSPC for lower CFM fans, while the HWLabs Black Ice GTX is better with High CFM fans
http://www.jab-tech.com/XSPC-RX360-Triple-120mm-high-performance-radiator-pr-4384.html
http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-Ice-GTX-360-Radiator-pr-3613.html

Biocide: You'll want an 8" strip of silver, you can just coil it and place it in the reservoir
http://www.jab-tech.com/Antimicrobial-Silver-Strip-pr-4530.html

Sorry, I just realized I had put Radeon HD 6879 instead of 6870. Alrighty, well how would you say the 6870 compares performance-wise with the others you suggested?

Also, for the Radiator, which would you suggest for these fans?:
http://www.mountainmods.com/logisys-120mm-quad-blue-led-fan-p-105.html

 

[bomberboysk]

Sorry, I just realized I had put Radeon HD 6879 instead of 6870. Alrighty, well how would you say the 6870 compares performance-wise with the others you suggested?

Also, for the Radiator, which would you suggest for these fans?:
http://www.mountainmods.com/logisys-120mm-quad-blue-led-fan-p-105.html

I would suggest against those fans, for LED fans i would highly suggest yate loon high speed's, the fans are only $3.95 if you select "No Changes (Stock, Unsleeved)", Blue, Red, and Green LED fans are available from yate loon:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=27150
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=27143
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=27144

In which case, i would recommend the XSPC RX radiator, and would recommend going with six fans (Push/Pull, fans on either side of the radiator). To mount the fans you would need some radiator screws(one set per fan):
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...e=product_info&cPath=60_236&products_id=28297

The GTX 460 would be slightly slower than the 6870, but has the advantage of being CUDA compatible. Another good option, especially since using adobe products, would be the GTX 470 (The only officially supported DX11 GPU by adobe). The 6900 series and 5xx Series that are coming out would be at the top of the line when it comes to performance.

 

[drewster]

Would the XSPC RX360 work? I googled XSPC RX and it came up with 2 kinds.

 

[drewster]

Also, what is CUDA compatability? And what are the benefits?

 

[bomberboysk]

Would the XSPC RX360 work? I googled XSPC RX and it came up with 2 kinds.

Yes, the RX360 is the radiator i was referring to (Previously i had linked both a HWlabs Black ice GTX as well as an XSPC RX360,and was referring back to it, sorry to confuse you)

Also, what is CUDA compatability? And what are the benefits?

It stands for Compute Unified Device Architecture, it's a GPGPU algorithm that allows some processes to be offloaded from the CPU onto the GPU, which largely accelerates some programs(GPU's are on the order of up to 50 times faster than a CPU in some applications). CUDA is also what allows nVidia cards to perform so well at distributed computing tasks suck as Folding@Home.

 

[drewster]

Yes, the RX360 is the radiator i was referring to (Previously i had linked both a HWlabs Black ice GTX as well as an XSPC RX360,and was referring back to it, sorry to confuse you)

It stands for Compute Unified Device Architecture, it's a GPGPU algorithm that allows some processes to be offloaded from the CPU onto the GPU, which largely accelerates some programs(GPU's are on the order of up to 50 times faster than a CPU in some applications). CUDA is also what allows nVidia cards to perform so well at distributed computing tasks suck as Folding@Home.

Oh no worries, thanks for clearing that up! Alrighty, RX360 it is.

So, would the CUDA compatability be your highest recommendation? Seeing as I'll be using After Effects and Photoshop? Would that be the best way to go?

 

[bomberboysk]

Oh no worries, thanks for clearing that up! Alrighty, RX360 it is.

So, would the CUDA compatability be your highest recommendation? Seeing as I'll be using After Effects and Photoshop? Would that be the best way to go?

I would highly recommend a CUDA compatible GPU, and the 470 is currently the only GTX4__ GPU that officially supports after effects, And photoshop will use OpenGL acceleration on pretty much any modern video card.

 

[drewster]

Again, I am SOOOOO sorry for this EXTREMELY late reply, but I've been caught up in SO much, what with work, full-time student, best buddies, and guitar. But based of your last response, instead of getting 2 radeon hd 6870s I should get 2 GeForce GTX 470s correct?

 

[drewster]

Also, I know this conversation has mainly been between myself and bomberboysk, however input from others is also appreciated.

 

[drewster]

So if I've got everything correct, this is what it looks like I'll be getting.

PC SETUP

PSU: ANTEC 1200W
Case: Custom Pinnacle 24
Graphics Card: Geforce GTX 470 TWO OF THEM
Memory: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 TWO OF THEM
Harddrive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
SSD Drive: OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE180G 2.5"
CPU: Intel Xeon X5650 Westmere 6 core TWO OF THEM
DVD Drive: SAMSUNG BLACK SH-S223
Sound Card: Asus Xonar Essence STX
Fans: Yate Loon CLEAR 120mm High Speed Silent Case Fan with Blue LED Not sure how many I need
Fan Grilles: 120mm Chrome Also not sure how many


WATERCOOLING SYSTEM

Pump: Swiftech MCP 355 12v DC Pump
Top Reservoir: XSPC - Acrylic Reservoir for Laing DDC
Fittings: Bitspower Black Sparkle Compression Fitting (X8)
Waterblocks: XSPC Rasa Black CPU Acetal (X2)
Tubing: PrimoFlex Pro LRT UV Blue Tubing - 1/2in. ID X 3/4in. OD
TIM: Tim Consultants T-C Grease 0098 - 2.5g
Radiator: XSPC RX360 - Triple 120mm high performance radiator
Biocide: Antimicrobial Silver Strip

 

[drewster]

You there bomberboysk, or anyone?

 

[Russ88765]

/points to edit button

Are you getting two 6gb ram kits? Two cpu's? You're missing the motherboard, and depending on which one you get, you won't need a soundcard. Why get case fans and a full watercooling setup? Isn't that a little much?

 

[drewster]

Oh sorry, the motherboard is the EVGA SR-2. And the only reason I was going with watercooling is because bomberboysk was saying that'd be the best way to go and I didn't want to take any risks by going with just heat sinks. Unless you think I'd be fine with heat sinks

 

[Drenlin]

The SR-2 does run pretty hot when overclocked. I can't see a W/C system being useful at stock clocks, though.

That's going to be a monster of a build!