VGA cooling for SLI GTX 280's

[Bolweval]

I've recently built a new rig and I didn't like how hot my 280's were running so I decided to water cool them. Here is what I've purchased so far.

2 x Swiftech GTX200 Heatsink for GTX260/280 $60.99

1 x PUMP SWIFTECH|MCP655 12 VDC PUMP R - Retail $74.99

2 x WATER BLOCK SWIFTECH|MCW60-R R - Retail $69.98

1 x RADIATOR SWIFTECH |MCR220-QP RTL - Retail $39.99

1 x MCRES-Micro Rev2 Hi-Flo Reservoir $25.95

1 x Tubing: 1/2 in. (ID) x 3/4 in. (OD) Clearflex Vinyl Tubing x 10 ft. $14.00

2 x Fittings: 4 clamps for 1/2in tubing $4.00

1 x HydrX Coolant $2.50

1 x SmartCoils 625 Blue $3.10

2 x Noctua NF-P12 120mm Fans 41.99

Approximately $330.00

Anything I've left out? any additional suggestions would be appreciated, thx

[Brahma]

Looks like you have everything covered. You might want get some extra clamps. I take it this cooling is for the VGA cards alone and not including the CPU?

I have THIS heat sink on my single GTX 285 with a MCW60 and it does a good job. You can probably look for about the same results with yours. My temps are about 38 C idle and 45 under load with a CPU also in the loop.

[Nater]

Generally those Swiftech rads (really any radiators besides Thermochill and Feser, maybe some of the new ones of XSPC) like high rpm, high pressure fans. I'm sure you're performance won't be bad, but it won't be up to the full capabilities of that radiator.

That and this is just for the GPUs right?

[Bolweval]

Yes, this is just for the GPU's, the fans are 59cfm each and they are supposedly good for high pressure situations. You think I should get faster more high RPM fans?

I have a True 120 all copper heat sink on the CPU with push pull NF-12P's and it's keeping temps at 32c idle at 3.6g. I built a support bracket that mounts to the top of my case so it doesn't hang that 4.2 lbs off my motherboard.

[kpxgq]

it might have been more cost efficient to upgrade to a 295...

[Bolweval]

it might have been more cost efficient to upgrade to a 295...

That was considered, but I already had one of the 280's, and I picked up the second one on Ebay for about $100. I had no idea at the time that the card on top would run so much hotter than the card on the bottom, it hits 80c while gaming, idle its OK.

So that's how I got here.

[Bolweval]

I now have everything installed, and pleased to report that I had no leaks on the first try and my temps are incredibly low.

26c idle

31 load

Temps only go up 5c after 2 hours of TF2.

Insane, think I have room on this loop to add my CPU?

I wonder?

[stang10001]

you do but temps will go up. cpus need more rad the mcr320 would be good to add.

or add one of these if pressed on space.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcst2xbl.html

[Bolweval]

you do but temps will go up. cpus need more rad the mcr320 would be good to add.

or add one of these if pressed on space.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcst2xbl.html

Well I took your advice, picked up a stackable mcr220 so I can add my CPU to the loop, also picked up a Swiftech Apogee GTZ i7 CPU Waterblock to go with it.

Thx for the tip, will let you know how it works out.

[PriMaTe]

congrats on the setup, how long did it take to set everything up? was this your first try at watercooling?

[Bolweval]

congrats on the setup, how long did it take to set everything up? was this your first try at watercooling?

It was about a 6 hour tour, 4 hours of installing, thinking about routing, and I built a custom support, that braces the bottom of the radiator on the back of the case. I didn't like the idea of all the weight of the rad and fans just hanging of the rad box. The other 2 hours was bleeding out all the air and running it for 2 hours to assure there were no leaks before i put power to the mobo.

Yes this is the first water cooling rig I've ever built. But I'm no rookie at building puters, I've built many of them over the last 15 years. I've always been scared of putting water in my PC's. I've built some pretty extreme air cooled rigs, including one that took air straight from a window air conditioner that allowed me to over-clock the piss out of my old t-bird 2200.

I love to build PC's, I always get a little "come-down" whenever I'm done building one, cause I have so much fun while I'm doing it. I'm an electrical contractor/electrician by trade, have been for 27 years, and that helps with the wiring of my PC's, you wouldn't believe how well wired my builds are, I put a lot of time in that part, just as I do when I wire a sub panel or main. I can not stand a messy wiring job.

[symbolsor]

Congrats! Any chance of seeing some pictures? I'd love to see it all together.

[kent1146]

Congrats! Any chance of seeing some pictures? I'd love to see it all together.

Yes! Show us some watercooling porn!

[Bolweval]

Yes! Show us some watercooling porn!

Pictures to come, just have to figure out how?

[PriMaTe]

That thing looks nice, especially for a first try, inside the case looks very clean. Are those 2 rads with one piggybacked on the other? I'm ignorant when it comes to water cooling.