3 120mm rads run consecutively or 1 360mm rad? Which runs cooler?

by **4hams** Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:52 pm

Hey folks I was wondering if anybody had any ideas concerning some mods I have been thinking of doing involving 2 CooliT Domino ALC units and a Corsair H50.

I have been thinking of building my own water cooling unit out of parts that I have here without having to purchase new items or at least as few items as possible. I will be cooling only the CPU at this point as my 5850 video card runs nice and cool.

First will the pump and block from an H50 be powerful enough to move enough coolant between 3 120mm rads? Remember that the rads will only accept 1/4" ID hosing and the same for the Corsair pump and block assembly.

Secondly will 3 120mm rads cool as well as 1 360mm rad? I am going to have to research the actual flow rate of the Corsair pump unless for some reason someone here knows that info of the top of their head for some strange reason.

Third I will be looking for a reservoir at least 4" long preferably 6" vertically mounted and preferably cylindrical. Something nice and flashy...

Any thoughts and or suggestions please feel free to jump in! I have no time frame in mind for this but if after gathering information needed it looks worthwhile then I will go ahead with the mod...

by **smduff** Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:44 pm

Sounds interesting Joel here are my thoughts.

1. Skip all those rads and utilize the space in your case as well as the fans.
$70 bucks- http://www.aquatuning.us/index.php/cat/c937_1x200mm.html
It fits in to a 200mm fan but just the right size for you and your chassis. It may require a very small mod to fit I don't remember the specifics of your fans.

2.15cm long 26 bucks
http://www.aquatuning.us/product_info.php/info/p2277_Magicool-Plexiac-150-reservoir.html
These work great.

3. The pump and block should work but without the specs makes it hard to say for sure.

by **4hams** Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:20 pm

Thanks Duff!

That is exactly the type of res I am looking for as it would be attached to the side of the 5.25 drive bays so it will be visible through the mesh side panel of the case.

I no longer use the 200mm fan on the side panel and it was removed a few months ago when I added some white LED's to brighten the inside of the case. There was maybe 1 degree difference in overall temp...

I want to leave the side panel unobstructed for viewing purposes.

Setup I would like is rear intake push/pull 120mm rad and 2 120mm rads push/pull top mounted as the case is designed for a 240 rad up top.

Remember I would like to try to use the stuff I have sitting here except for the obvious tubing coolant and reservoir.

Because my case has the push out designed side panels there is lots of room to mount the reservoir.

by **smduff** Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:30 pm

In that case I don't think it would matter if you used 2 120mm rads as opposed to the 240, they should get the same results.

by **4hams** Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:16 pm

I think I found the info I need!
Check this out it is pretty much a how to guide. So much for being original. LOL
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=85534&mpage=1

I think I may add a reservoir to the mix.

by **smduff** Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:43 pm

He did a pretty good job, I would add the res as well it simplifies the whole build. I think I would also go with the three 120mm fans it will give you more head room to crank that puppy up to 4.4GHz.

by **4hams** Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:32 am

Ya I am running 4.1GHz now so should be able to hit 4.4 I would hope...

by **4hams** Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:58 am

smduff wrote:Sounds interesting Joel here are my thoughts.

1. Skip all those rads and utilize the space in your case as well as the fans.
$70 bucks- http://www.aquatuning.us/index.php/cat/c937_1x200mm.html
It fits in to a 200mm fan but just the right size for you and your chassis. It may require a very small mod to fit I don't remember the specifics of your fans.

2.15cm long 26 bucks
http://www.aquatuning.us/product_info.php/info/p2277_Magicool-Plexiac-150-reservoir.html
These work great.

3. The pump and block should work but without the specs makes it hard to say for sure.

Ok Corsair has not published the specs on the Pump/block assembly of the H50 and the few tests and articles that i can find lead me to believe the flow rate to be very poor to say the least...

So do we have any suggestions for a really decent pump and remember this will be used with 1/4 ID tubing because of the solid barbs on the rads...

by **smduff** Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:11 am

There is really only 2 options that i would consider:

http://www.dazmode.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=157_71&products_id=778

http://www.dazmode.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=157_71&products_id=288

then you have the option of these

http://www.dazmode.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=157_71&products_id=382

http://www.dazmode.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=157_71&products_id=835

you have the option to go pick them up his store is pretty close to your place I think.

by **4hams** Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:22 am

Ya I was on his site earlier the problem is that I don't know if there is a pump made for 1/4 id hosing? I don't want to be stepping up or down if I don't have to?

I like the 150mm reservoir with the lights!

by **smduff** Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:15 pm

with the first pump i listed it has 3/8" barbs on it so you would just have to soak your tube in hot water and slide it over the barbs it will make a very tight seal and more than likely wouldn't need hose clamps for it.

by **4hams** Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:20 pm

smduff wrote:with the first pump i listed it has 3/8" barbs on it so you would just have to soak your tube in hot water and slide it over the barbs it will make a very tight seal and more than likely wouldn't need hose clamps for it.

You think hot water is enough to get them on without damaging the hose or the barbs?

by **smduff** Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:46 pm

yup absolutely.

by **4hams** Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:00 pm

Man waterblocks for a ATI 5850 are still expensive...

by **smduff** Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:25 pm

Yeah they are all around 100 bucks I think.

by **4hams** Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:34 pm

Ya everything i have seen is about $110.00 +++

by **grumpydaddy** Sat Mar 12, 2011 2:55 pm

There are some flow rate and pressure numbers for the h50 pump that I think you should see

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=267834

I am not so sure it will cope

3 Rads present more resistance to flow than a single 360

by **4hams** Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:05 pm

Thanks Mike, I was reading that thread this morning which is why I am now thinking of getting an external pump to go with a reservoir.

That article is about the only one on the net with regards to any decent specs for the pump/block of the H50. Corsair has published little if any specs for the pump/block.

by **alan1476** Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:19 pm

Then why is the Swiftech H20-330 I got cost 339.00 dollars, is the pump better or what? ( I didn't pay 339.00 but thats what it retails for.)

3 120mm rads run consecutively or 1 360mm rad? Which runs cooler? H20-3210

by **4hams** Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:37 pm

One large rad is usually better than a couple of small ones. Your rad will have fittings for at least 1/2 ID tubing.

The rads I have are premade with 1/4 inch inlets... makes a huge difference in how much coolant gets moved around and cooled.

by **4hams** Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:45 pm

I fixed your image for you alan.

by **alan1476** Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:12 pm

4hams wrote:I fixed your image for you alan.

Thanks Joel ,what dont I undersstand about uploading an image on this forum, do I need IMG Code tags?

by **4hams** Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:54 am

Alan, to upload images click this

3 120mm rads run consecutively or 1 360mm rad? Which runs cooler? Pictur10

and this window will open.

3 120mm rads run consecutively or 1 360mm rad? Which runs cooler? Screen11

Browse your computer for the image then click the Host it button and this window will open.

3 120mm rads run consecutively or 1 360mm rad? Which runs cooler? Screen12

Copy the Image Code in the middle and paste it into the body of your post.

by **4hams** Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:09 am

UPDATE

I will not be proceeding with this mod as the Coolit Domino units I was going to use have the pump attached to the rad rather than there being a barb to connect the water lines to. The pump is pushed into the rad fitting and has 2 O-rings for sealing. There is a groove in the male end of the pump and once inserted into the rad there are 2 very tiny holes which you insert a vary small spring pin to lock it in place.

3 120mm rads run consecutively or 1 360mm rad? Which runs cooler? 018