Watercooling component config, series or parallel

[LaidBackLux]

So I am considering a WC sys for a quiet system (not too concerned about temps). Now most guides suggest a series order for systems with more than just the cpu block. I would want a gpu block and a HD block too. My limited physics tells me that the flowwill be as fast as the slowest component will let it be, but were the tubes split to run parellel this could be avoided. The other issue is the pressure the pump faces, a 350gph pump is cut to maybe 80 by a series system but a split system would alleviate a lot of pressure and allow much faster flow to all components. Now there are many things to consider when doing this, calculations of each components resistence, length of tubing path for each component, and who knows what else.

Has anyone done this/thought about this/knows why i should or should not do this?

[ShawnD1]

I personaly do not use water cooling but I'll tell you what i know. Yes it is true the water will only flow as fast as the slowest component when in series but if you hook it in parallel, parts that don't let much flow might not let any flow at all.

It's hard to imagine it with liquids but think of it this way. Imagine that you are driving a car that does NOT have positraction (when both left and right wheels spin at the same speed). Now imagine that one tire of your car gets stuck in some mud (resistance in flow). If you give it a lot of gas, the tire that is stuck will not spin at all while the tire that is not stuck will spin very fast.

Basically I'm saying that the water will take the easy way out and go the way where there is little resistance. If you hook the system up in series, it will force the water to pass through all components of the system.

[LaidBackLux]

I agree this is a problem, but i think it can be overcome. By careful calculation of resistence per path, compensation using path length could effectively make each path as "easy" as the next. Would not be easy to do, but I think of it similarly to an elctrical circuit though water has some properties that must be taken into consideration, the biggest of which I think is weigt that can be used for or against our efforts.

Example, lets say there are 3 paths, 2x1/4" ID and a 3/8". So components aside, the 3/8" would be the path of least, however make that path vertical and upward, and the weight of the 3/8" path adds a greater downward force than the rest....I don't want to waste my time looking for a physics book (I will when and if I need to for this), but the forces can all be measured and compensated accordingly. All this math and effort is risky cause its all theory, I'm hoping someone out there has tried this or thought of this and can add their .02

Thanks

[Siliconjunkie]

Hrm. I agree with both. I will ask my pop the science wiz and see what he can add to it. The big problem I see is that the water gets hotter with each component.

Pumps are cheap so my solution would be to have seperate pumps for CPU and GPU/HDD. My theory on watercooling is instead of a radiator just use a largish tank of water 8-10 gallons and let the mass work for you.

Well, time to go home, will more later.

[LaidBackLux]

This sys will be enclosed within the case, the case will be large enough for maybe a 6L tank, I think good enough to have a decent radiator near passive. With a tank that big the pump can be submerged which does 2 things, 1) keeps it quieter and 2) solves the problem of limiting pump intake. Both of those things are good, heating water yes but the goal for this sys is QUIET not ultra effective cooling.

Anyway, some furhter thoughts of water flow theory. Lets say there are 3 paths again, 3/8, 1/4 and 1/4. When the water is "deciding" which path to take, it will choose the fastest path (velocity), not necessary the path that moves the most water. The math tells us that ratio of volume for a 3/8 ID tube to a 1/4 ID tube is 9:4, so if we stuck the ends of the paths in seperate tubs and the 3/8 path fills a 9L tub as fast as the 1/4 path fills a 4L tub, then the velocities would be near equal and water would go through both paths at the ideal ratio. Now, if the tubs fill at a different ratio then we would either have to accelerate a path (decrease resistence maybe if possible) or increase resistence in the faster path. Hopefully, doing this will still have better flow than a series WC sys. This is where I am at the moment, how to do either of those things effectively...