quick connect, inline valve or giant res

[Neuromancer]

Looking at ways to make water more functional.

I have waterblocks I want to try and want to keep my i7 under water when I wont be dicing it. Chipset will always be under water, and GPUs are going to be subbed in and out water or DIce/LN2

So 3 possibilities I see.

Quick connect fittings. Only ones I found are $20 bucks a pop, and I would need two of them just for the GPU section. Would still need an adapter to connect them together when no gpu blocks are running.

Inline valves before and after GPUs. Can just throw a short piece of hose on to complete the circuit and open valves back up and add some distilled to the res.


Build a larger reservoir. Up high it fills the loop... down low it drains it.

Thoughts?

On a budget here. I spent most of my cash on old GPUs and trimmer pots :)

[Patch]

There's no need to disconnect or drain the loop for hardware switches on an open bench rig (disregard advice if you're in a case).

This is what I do for the ole rapid switcharoo:

Rubbermaid container as a shared res for 2 loops.

Loop #1: D5 Vario/GTX 480/Stinger V8 CPU block (center inlet - dual outlet)/res
Loop #2: D5 Vario/GTX 120/Enzotech Sapphire NB block/MCW60/MCW60/MCW60/res.

I use long tubing for both loops (tygon 7/16 id 11/16 od from Gary) and keep all the blocks attached permanently. With the long tubing, I just use whatever block(s) I need and set the others out of the way. I rarely drain the loop (just for cleaning) - and the Rubbermaid container makes it a piece of cake.

If a pair of disconnects costs $40, then you're better off just having a bunch of MCW60's permanently attached.

Here's (http://hwbot.org/community/submission/934801_patch_3dmark_2006_3x_radeon_hd_3870_28818_m arks) a submission with a bunch of the blocks in use.

[Neuromancer]

Yeah I thought about adding all 3 blocks to the loop.

Hmm very interesting I would not need a second rad as I have a big one, just another pump and some barbs.

[Patch]

Pics of the setup right now (waiting for my CPU in RMA). I only have one MCW60 in place right now because I removed a few for another project. Notice the GPU off on the rad to slap in place if needed? The NB block is tucked behind the big rad, but still attached to the rad.

Draining the loop is as simple as popping the top off the Rubbermaid.

Piece of plywood on short legs is my "custom" bench station.

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/1408/currentloop.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/651/resw.jpg