CoolIT Systems

Ok, so here is what I am going with:

HARDWARE:
EE975
X58 Classified
Mushkin Ascent Redline DDR3 1600
Soundblaster X-Fi Titanium PCI-E
2 x G.Skill Falcon SSD 128GB RAID 0
3 x EVGA GTX 280 FTW Tri-SLI
LG Blu-Ray Burner
Western Digital Elements 1.5TB External Hard Drive

CASE and COOLING:
Custom MTEC Chassis w/ Boreas and 2 x FZE
2 x MTEC Control Center
PCP&C 1.2KW PS
Koolance Blocks for 280's and Classified
Swiftech Apogee XT for the CPU
2 x Swiftech MCP355 12v DC Pump
2 x XSPC Res for the 355's
Bitspower fittings throughout
Tygon A-60-G Norprene 1/4" tubing
Either Coolit coolant, or FluidXP Nano Fluid

So...the idea is to use either the Boreas, or the double FZE to cool just the CPU, and the other to cool the chipsets/GPU's.

I was thinking to use the Boreas for the GPU's and Chipsets: Boreas>Chipset Blocks>GPU's>Res/Pump>Boreas...this way the fluid is at it's coldest when it hits the first block.

For the CPU, question here is around proper routing of the dual FZE. Was thinking: FZE1>FZE2>CPU>Res/Pump>back to FZE1. Again, thinking the fluid is at it's coldest when it hits the CPU.

I am open to swapping coolers...Boreas to CPU, twin FZE to Chipsets/GPU's if you think that is a better idea. I just like the idea of being able to plug in both FZE's into the MTEC CC and control them, and have the Boreas running on it's own without the MTEC CC monitoring (wish Coolit would come up with a MTEC CC that can control many cooling units!)

Question for the experts on the fluid...I like the Nano Fluid because it's non-conductive, and seems to have the same corrosion inhibition as the stock fluid...thoughts? Temp issues? Corrosion Issues?

Also...you'll notice no radiator in the case....I wanted to keep it that way, but I am open to your thoughts on the impact of the case heat on the fluid in the res...don't really want to add a rad and fan, but open to your thoughts. If it's just a few degrees of temp, I'm ok with not having a rad in the loops.

Also...with the MTEC Chassis...shouldn't the Boreas be set up to pull air in one side, and out the other side? I noticed that both fans are set up to exhaust air out the sides....seems like cooling would be more efficient with air pulling through the system and directly out.

I put the FZE's at the bottom, removing the HD cages an placing the FZE's on the platform at the bottom, nice and neat...but, the FZE is designed to be at the back of a case pulling air out and venting...but in this setup, I think it would be better since there is mesh in front and behind the FZE's to have air being pulled in instead of being pushed out....thoughts?

Last item....condensation...I plan on overclocking to a medium level for everyday use....any issues, especially with the non-MTEC controlled unit?

Appreciate your input and guidance. Pics to follow.

Regards,
JH

Hey JH

I was thinking to use the Boreas for the GPU's and Chipsets: Boreas>Chipset Blocks>GPU's>Res/Pump>Boreas...this way the fluid is at it's coldest when it hits the first block. This would be the way I would set it up as well.

For the CPU, question here is around proper routing of the dual FZE. Was thinking: FZE1>FZE2>CPU>Res/Pump>back to FZE1. Again, thinking the fluid is at it's coldest when it hits the CPU. This is how I setup my dual loop.

I like the Nano Fluid because it's non-conductive, and seems to have the same corrosion inhibition as the stock fluid...thoughts? Temp issues? Corrosion Issues? Ive never used Nano Fluid but if I remember correct, its the stuff you mix with fluidxp so essentially you will be using Fluidxp with Nano Fluid as an inhibitor?? This should be fine... I would actually be interested in seeing a side by side with that and CoolIT coolant.

Also...you'll notice no radiator in the case....I wanted to keep it that way, but I am open to your thoughts on the impact of the case heat on the fluid in the res...don't really want to add a rad and fan, but open to your thoughts. If it's just a few degrees of temp, I'm ok with not having a rad in the loops.Depending on ambient temps and setup of the loop a RAD can hurt the system, but if done right it can also shave off a few degrees off load temps... Basically for your setup and what your looking to achieve I would leave the RAD out.

Also...with the MTEC Chassis...shouldn't the Boreas be set up to pull air in one side, and out the other side? I noticed that both fans are set up to exhaust air out the sides....seems like cooling would be more efficient with air pulling through the system and directly out.No, the way it cools the TECs is by pulling air through the thin metal RAD fins, by switching it that way you will just be blowing air through the unit like a giant tube, no air will be pulled across the metal fins.

I put the FZE's at the bottom, removing the HD cages an placing the FZE's on the platform at the bottom, nice and neat...but, the FZE is designed to be at the back of a case pulling air out and venting...but in this setup, I think it would be better since there is mesh in front and behind the FZE's to have air being pulled in instead of being pushed out....thoughts?
Not 100% sure what you mean but I think I understand. The FZE work just like the Boreas on the way they cool. Doing what you ask you will be pushing hot air from the TECs across the FZE RAD instead of pulling "new" cool air across the unit.

Last item....condensation...I plan on overclocking to a medium level for everyday use....any issues, especially with the non-MTEC controlled unit?What are you ambient temps? Where do you live? (dry climate or humid) This cant really be said until the unit is up and running and you see you temps.. You can always use insulating tape and cover any super cool areas (like the blue blocks)

Hey...thanks for the response....glad for the confirmation regarding the loops and my use of the Boreas and Dual FZE setup.

The NANO is the latest evolution of the FluidXP, supposedly totally harmess to the environment, non-conductive, etc. We'll see how it works!

Glad to hear no Rad....works for me!

I'll leave the fans on the Boreas and the FZE's alone....thanks for the guidance.

I live in SoCal, so temps have been warm this year, but cooling down....typically in the low to mid 70's in my house, although generally about 10 degrees or so warmer in my computer room....lot's of heat generated by my system. Humidity is usually pretty low....below 50% for sure...and many times lower...I don't live to close to the coast.

Funny you posted that tape....I bought a roll of that exact stuff at Home Depot already!

So a couple more questions....

How did you set up the two MTEC control centers? I can't have them both hooked up to monitor, so did you set the boreas up first, and then disconnect and connect the dual FZE setup and keep that as the monitored system? That's what I am thinking about doing.

Should I set the boreas to run full power when I set it up....or maybe less? Just don't want any condensation issues if it's too much cooling for the three vid cards and two chipsets.

Should the res-tops be insulated? I wasn't planning on doing that, but I am placing them in the top part of the case, side by side between the boreas and the back of the video cards.

Thanks again for the input.....moving along with all the cabling and installation...looking forward to having it up and running in about a week.

Regards

Jim

Hey Jim

I live in SoCal...... It will be possible for you to see condensation most likely if all the properties are right but as long as your aware of this it isnt very hard to control. Once the system is up and running you will get familiar with your temps and should be able to figure out a happy medium for the settings.

How did you set up the two MTEC control centers? I can't have them both hooked up to monitor, so did you set the boreas up first, and then disconnect and connect the dual FZE setup and keep that as the monitored system? That's what I am thinking about doing.Ive only ever ran 2 units at the same time so I have no personal experience with this but you have the procedure right.

Should I set the boreas to run full power when I set it up....or maybe less? Just don't want any condensation issues if it's too much cooling for the three vid cards and two chipsets.Maybe set the Boreas to run around ambient temp for testing, than I would say to make sure the mtec is mounted in a place were both units are able to reach it so you can re-program the Boreas easily without rerouting cables or uninstalling any hardware.

Should the res-tops be insulated? Not 100% on what you mean here. Do you mean the XSPC Res's your gonna use or are you talking about the blue blocks on the units. (Called Fluid Heat Exchangers... FHE for short) If ya mean the XSPC's than Im not sure how much this will help but it shouldnt hurt, if your speaking of the FHE than it definitely wont hurt, its actually been proven to drop temps around 2-4c, just make sure not to cover the screws as they heat up from the hot side of the peltiers.

No problem, glad to help.... Just make sure to post some pics as my fee.