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Update 09th August 2017
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Here is long awaited major update of my KI Cerberus-X..
Aim of this upgrade was mainly to use reverse side panel as it's the best cooling setup for my GPU : MSI GTX 1080ti gaming X that exhauts its hot air on the side of the case.
However, while placing side panel with vents on bottom, this is removing all intake of fresh air on aircooled CPU.
Thus I've decided to try again my original setup (at least the one planned before my pump failed), using watercooling and a 240 radiator located at the bottom of the case to cool cpu.
On top of that, I've upgraded my Corsair SF600 SFX psu to Silverstonetek SX800-lti SFX-L. This upgrade was mandatory as my SF600 was too loud while gaming, where full system can use 450w+. My previous tweak on airflow was pretty effective while using GTX 1070, but it's far from being enough while using GTX 1080ti.
Let's jump into details.
First, here is the sum up of my setup :
- Motherboard : Asus Crosshair VI Hero
- CPU : AMD Ryzen R7 1700X, OC @4025Mhz, @ vcore : 1.525v
- RAM : G.Skill Flare-X 3200Mhz C14 (Samsung b-dies), OC @3467Mhz, cas 16 (@1.40v)
- Storage : M.2 nvme Samsung 950 Pro 512go
- PSU : SFX-L Silverstonetek SX800-lti (800W, Titanium)
- CPU Waterblock/Pump : Swiftech Apogee Drive II (using AM3/AM4 bracket). Combination of Apogee HD waterblock + full laing DDC pump (MCP35X)..
- Radiator/Reservoir : Swiftech MCR H220 radiator, 240mm radiatoir used in H220 AIO (back to 2013). You can use Swiftech MCRx20-QP as alternative
- Radiator fans (Intake) : Dual LEGENDARY Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP15 (1850rpm, managed through DC)
- Rear fan (exhaust) : Noctua NF-B9 Redux PWM
- Side fan : Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM
- Tubing : 10/13mm Rajintek RAITUBO-T3 (transparent), length between 35-40cm each
- Fitting : XSPC straight
- Clamps : Phobya
- Liquid : Demineralized water+EK Cryo Red (250ml approx in total)
Let's start build log..
1st Step : Create watercooling setup
My approach of watercooling has been always towards compact system, whit good maintenance capabilities. Thus I dislike using standard components with separate elements. I didn't want to use AIO as, from my experience, their pump power, noise & efficiency are not really good...not even speaking of their radiator with aluminium fins (thanks to Asetek to bring AIO market down....)
Hopefully, Swiftech Apogee Drive II survived this Asetek/Swiftech legal conflict..because this is my masterpiece! Indeed this represents the exact combination of Apogee HD waterblock AND full Laing DDC pump with PWM customised by Swiftech (
MCP35X). This is bringing one of the best watercooling components in a compact form factor!
Reservoir has always been space consuming...but vital when you need to remove air bubbles from a loop. That's why Swiftech combo Radiator/Reservoir are so great for compact watercooling.
For my setup I've recycled my old
Swiftech MCR H220 (out of stock), but you can use
Swiftech MCRx20-QP, that @Aibohphobia
tested inside Cerberus.
Normally I'm using some quick disconnect from Koolance...I wanted to stay simple. My only aim was to be able to remove my GPU while keeping watercooling setup in place...
Globally my choice of watercooling components is leading to the best of two worlds : compact with high end performance.
When creating a customed loop with compact watercooling loop, the most difficult part is to bleed air bubbles out of the system. To do this, you need both an air trap and a powerful pump..
With MCP35X + reservoir, it was quite fast and effective..
(about 10minutes at pump full speed, ie 4500rpm)
2nd Step : Replace PSU
This step is straight forward, except if you don't have a long and thin philips screwdriver (my case..
). To replace SFX PSU, i need to remove front PSU bracket (1 screw on side, 1 screw on front, on each side).
Not too complicated either way...
3rd Step : Full assembly
Now it's time to put back all components inside Cerberus-X..
I've placed 240mm radiator on bottom with dual Gentle Typhoons AP15 in pull configuration. This is best setup for dust cleaning..
Thus bottom radiator is acting like air intake, and GPU that is located above is acting as exhaust.
Rear 92mm fan is placed as an intake. I still wonder if I'll put some dust filter on it, as my cats don't go often behind the case..
As expected (and required), I can remove/add GPU while CPU watercooling setup is in place..
All fans are managed through Corsair Commander Mini, located on front panel.
4th Step : Optimize CPU area airflow
As I have freed a lot of space about CPU, using watercooling, I discovered that SFX PSU is generating quite a lot of heat on its back side. This hot air needs to be cooled or/and exhausted.
Currently I've tried several possibilities :
- Noctua NF-A14 PPC or standard fan on side bracket
However this solution is putting too much stress on tubing
- Noctua NF-A9x14, either 15mm thick 92mm fan from Noctua on side bracket
This is my current solution, but I'm not completely satisfied, due to color scheme and fan orientation (it's not fully horizontal..
)
So I'm still working on this area, and I will keep you informed..
5th Step : Let's play!
Well I've run some intense CPU benchmarks...and they are all disappointing...almost...
With my new setup I'm able to reach a stable and safe OC of 4.025Ghz with vCore @1.525v (set in Bios)...By comparison, with my Noctua C14S i was able to reach only 3.900Ghz stable and safe (I was able to get higher clocks but not safe enough on temperature).
What about temperature then?..
Well CPU temperature is reaching a maximum of 68°C under
Prime 95 (large FFTs, 10min), X265, 4K compression.
This temperature is achieved while MCP35X pump is spinning @1200rpm (really, really, really quiet) and Gentle Typhoon @1000rpm (really quiet also)
Such, computer is really cool & quiet under heavy CPU load..
Silverstonetek sx800-lti PSU is pretty impressive also, and it's clearly quieter than SF600 under load..
No coil whine to report on my sample.
ONE last point to note is that I was able to put back on ALL my GPU overclocking setup (Power +117%, core +60Mhz, vram : +350Mhz), and I prepared you some 4K60 sample videos of gameplay, with a tons of informations about system...
Please pay attention to GPU power usage...
- Classical 3D gaming load at 4K : Doom Vulkan, max settings
- Extreme 3D gaming load at 4K : Mass Effect Andromeda, Havarl (GPU power ~320W)
6th Step : Special Photos
Before giving you access to imgur gallery, I wanted to share some special photos..
Long live Apogee Drive II..
Enjoy!
