New Rig & Custom Cooling

[MaxUSA]

All righty then, let's get this thread going, shall we? It may end up being rather lengthy. You guys might have seen me around the internet in the past; probably not lately. I've been out of the gaming loop for the last couple months. However, I'm still working on choosing parts for a new rig and cooling system. I'm having some trouble with building custom watercooling, as I haven't done so before. I want to go all-out with it, though. (If you're going to do something, might as well do it right ) For starters, here's what I've picked out:

2x - Swiftech MCW30 Chipset Cooling Water-block
2x - Swiftech MCP655 12 VDC Pump
2x - Swiftech MCW60-R VGA Waterblock Retail Version (Blister pack)
2x - Swiftech MCW8800
3x - Swiftech MCR320-QP Quiet Power radiator
1x - Swiftech Apogee GTX CPU Block
9x - Rexus NMB-MAT (Panaflo) 120mm 2705 RPM 114.7 CFM Case Fan
-x - Misc. Thermal Grease, Adhesive, Remover; 1/2" Tubing; Coolant; Fan Grilles; Reservoirs; etc.

So, as you can probably see, I want to run two loops. Here's where I need a bit of help. Right now these are my thoughts:

Loop 1: Pump -> CPU -> NB -> Rad1 -> Rad2 -> Res/T -> Pump
Loop 2: Pump -> GPU1 -> GPU2 -> SB -> 1/2" to 1/4" 4-Way Split -> Ram (FlexXlc) -> 1/2" to 1/4" 4-Way Split -> Rad3 -> Res/T -> Pump

Would this be the best way to arrange things if I were to watercool everything? (Yes, even the southbridge. This is will be on a 680i board, mind you: EVGA NV68-A1.) Suggestions appreciated.

I'm also curious as to how I should cool a pair of 8800s. I've ruled out the full cover block due to its inefficiency and gone with some passive cooling for the RAM paired with a GPU block, but will that be sufficient? If I overclock further, should I go with a GPU block, and an MCW-Ramcool with an 'F' splitter, and run the two cards in parallel? This is another major thing that I'm still trying to figure out; again, comments appreciated.

...and as far as CPU/FSB/RAM overclocking goes. I'm going to be running a Q6600, and I'd like to get the clock up there quite a bit. The multiplier is locked at 9, if I remember right, and the FSB 1066. That would end up being 266.5 effective/core. Would what I've layed out let me be able to bump up the FSB to 425-500? (1700-2000)? (CPU clock of 3.825-4.5. That raises another question: how much will I have to overvolt the chip?) That would put the ratio well off from 1:1 with 1150MHz ram, however. (~3:4 - ~1:1.15) I might end up going for 1200 with the ram though, if it'll cooperate, which will bring the ratio further from that. Will that be all right? Should I tweak my thinking a bit to get closer to the magic 1:1, and optimize my timings? Again, new to this.

Thanks for the help in advance. I appreciate it! Also, before you tell me, yes, I realize that this is going to be a ridiculously expensive build. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to afford all of this yet. :p

[=98=]

Wow, that's a lot of info!

I don't believe there is much point going phase changed. Unless home built, they are quite expensive and only really of use to extreme overclockers.

Your right is having two separate loops, that will ensure everything is nice and cool. But, i don't think it is really necessary to cool the South Bridge. It would work fine with just a small fan attached. Also, the RAM probably does not need water cooling unless your going to be pumping something ridiculous through it like 2.5Volts.

As for actual overclocking, i'm not sure that you will get a 500mhz FSB out of a 680i chipset board, if i remember correctly, that's like the absolute max for the Asus P35 and X38 boards, and they are the best overclockers on the market! I would suggest trying to hit 4.0ghz, as you will not get 4.5ghz

When overvolting the chip, you are probably going to want to go from 1.3 to 1.5-1.6. This is a crazy amount of volts, so ensure your CPU block is fully working.

Lastly, i didn't notice it, and maybe its not possible. But can you buy a block to watercool your VRMs? These will be taking a lot of strain when the CPU is overvolted so much.

[MaxUSA]

Yep, you're probably right about a phase change system. I would only go that route if there was no possible way to cool the chip with water, which won't be the case. As far as the ram goes, it has a two-way heatsink. It can either be liquid cooled or cooled passively with the built-in fins. The stock voltage is also 2.35, but I've heard people going past 2.53 with 1300 stable on the FlexXLC. Depending on what I decide to do as far as overclocking it goes, I may or may not watercool it, I guess.

With the CPU, the voltage range is 0.85 to 1.5. If and when I do end up building this I guess I'll just have to play around with it and see when it becomes fully stable. I've also heard that cooling the SB with water on 680is is generally a good idea, but I'll try to find a few more thoughts on the issue.

I've never heard of a VRM waterblock, to tell you the truth. I've seen a few people with custom-made heatsinks, but no waterblocks. I'll look into that.

[Battl3fr0nt]

if you are going with all that top end stuff I don't get why you dont go with ddr3 ram then.. it is alot more powerful then ddr2.. the only thing is it cost alot right now but it seem's you don't care about the money you just want the newest stuff.. imo alot of the stuff you are talking about is a waste of money.. like the phase change.. you are not going to see much more fps at all from overclocking ur cpu 400-600 more mhz higher then the avg oc..

[MaxUSA]

First off, I do care about the money. If I didn't, I would be putting in a QX9650, a Striker Extreme, etc. With the DDR3... you go out and find me an NVidia based board that supports it. Good luck. It's also not all about the framerates, either. I deal with rendering-intensive programs on a daily basis at work (I'm in television), including 3Ds Max, Premiere Pro CS3, and Final Cut Studio 2. I would like to be able to offset at least some of my workload to my home, so I could spend less time in the editing suite. Not only will this system be for gaming; it will also probably double as a self-contained render farm, heh.

[Battl3fr0nt]

at this time I would just wait for the other new intel cpu's to come out it will be soon, they will run cooler and oc much higher on air so you dont have to go water..

[=98=]

Well, the idea is that the new chips will run cooler and overclock better because they are moving to a 45nm die process. But whether this shines true in real world tests is unknown.

[megawhompertoo]

Well, the idea is that the new chips will run cooler and overclock better because they are moving to a 45nm die process. But whether this shines true in real world tests is unknown.

something to consider: most 680i mobo's do not support 45nm (penryn) cpu's. heresay tells me that someone got their asus 680i striker to work, but a mod from evga recently confirmed that 45nm cpu's are a not supported in their 680i-based boards...and since those are reference boards...that likely will apply to 680i's across the board.

alex made a good point (now whodathunkthat?) earlier re: vrm's. if you are going to go nuts with your overclock, the near-absence of any airflow across these components could cause them to roast early.

[=98=]

That is why Nvidia are releasing their new chipset soon, and apparently it will be very good.

And Whomper, don't i always make good suggestions?

[megawhompertoo]

That is why Nvidia are releasing their new chipset soon, and apparently it will be very good.

And Whomper, don't i always make good suggestions?

i'm sure you do. i probably just wasn't watching when it happened the last time.

:laugh:

i kid...i kid...