How should I setup my water cooled system?

[EmuFarmer]

Hi, I'm setting up a new system, and I am pretty new to water cooling. I would like some input on my setup. I think i'm going with 2 rads, blocks for my cpu, chipset and 2x vga. Should I run the rads in series or parallel, and where in the chain should I have them? I am also looking for a good SLI solution, should I just using 2 low profile VGA blocks, or is there a good 1 piece design?

Thanks for the help

[Kumo]

Welcome to the forums.

Well, first of all, tell us the systems specs you want to cooling and waht case you have, because if you can put a one big rad, often is better than two.

[sunnyg]

tell us the make of the motherboard becuase you can only put chipset blocks on certain ones. also, your system specs would hlep alot more. if you are going sli, get the DD sli watercooling block which is really good. what would be even better, is have 2 loops one for you vga blocks and one for the toerh stuff

[twistednet]

DD is actually releasing a waterblock specifically for SLI setups in a few days.

And i would actually prefer 2 different loops sharing the same rad. One for cpu/chipset, the other for the GPU. dont want the temps from 2x gpus to mess with the temps that your cpu should be getting ;)

[EmuFarmer]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm going to be running the Abit Fatal1ty AN8 SLI motherboard, probably with an exsisting 3200+ on it. I plan to upgrade to an FX or dual core later. I have a GeForce 6800 256MB SLI card already, so I will probably run 2 of them, or if I can get a good deal, get 2 new later model cards. I plan to run the Stacker case by Cooler Master, but that might change. I'm still doing a lot of looking around (maybe you guys can suggest something to me?)

What do you suggest for this setup? I have read a few articles, some say run dual rads in parallel because the flow is split between 2 rads. Since it is split between 2 rads, the flow is slower, and therefore provides better cooling then if the setup was in series. But really, i'm not sure what to do. I am also still unclear of were to place the rad, does it come before the pump, after the pump? Before water blocks, after?

Thanks!

[Russ_64]

Best advice I can offer is to spend some time looking at the project logs and gallery to see what the PRO's (eg Coolmeister, etc) have done - best way to get ideas / tips. But of course we are all happy to answer any questions.

Personally I think one dual or triple rad should be adequate and as you will see a few of us are moving to Stackers for space and better airflow. Of course if you have the dosh then Lian-Li are also nice.

[Leeum]

If you're thinking of having your loop in parallel it might pay you to look at the progression of the SLi n' Shinymaster prod log in the forum :)

[EmuFarmer]

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll keep looking around and see what I find. :)