Best Practices For Building A Multiple GPU System

[Tutor]

Guys. My new custom case handles 4 GPUs on air with extra slot distance so no hybrids are required. It is expandable to 11 GPUs on water. I'll show more details in few days.

Hello Smicha,

I feel as though I can't (but know that I have to) wait. You've once again got me salivating with anticipation. You guys are fabulous and never cease to amaze me.

[Tutor]

My heart hopes that sages Glimpse and Notiusweb (and anyone else with a share) clock in with additional recommendations for thecatch.

[smicha]

I don't have any particular case in mind that satisfies this first preference. However, secondly I'd then prefer a case with as much front (and top) grill space as possible to exhaust all, or as much as is possible, heat out of the front and top of the case...

Hey Tut, have you seen Thermaltake Core X9 and Core X5?...

http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Cube ... design.htm

http://www.thermaltake.com/products-mod ... C_00002806

I'm going to finally pull the trigger and get a X9 in a couple weeks. And over the holidays do some upgrading...

X9 easily takes four hybrids and cpu aio, and even multiple 480mm rads in huge loops...

Thanks Frank,

The Thermaltake Core X9 looks to be a much better solution for those with hybrid water cooled (as well as solely air cooled) GPUs. Hats off to you for providing a stellar recommendation.

Thermaltake X5 also can handle 4 Hybrids - here are some shots with one of my builds on X5.

[FrankPooleFloating]

Okay smicha -- so considering that X9 and X5 are roughly the same amount on amzn (depending on the day), when I get one in a couple weeks, is there any compelling reason to get the X5 over the X9, if my ultimate goal is four 980Ti Hybrids and a H100 on CPU? The X9 appears to be 1.7" higher, and I'm thinking that if I wanted to try that push/pull on hybrids (that we discussed all those months ago), this would buy me some more room for extra fans? And having just a little more room to move crap around always seems like a good idea. I have a huge workstation style desk with plenty-o-room for the beast, so the extra length of X9 is no problemo...

But you chose X5 over X9... so I am vacillating...

Also, is there a big honkin' fan controller that I can put on all eight Hybrid fans in a push/pull (and keep them spinning slower), or must Hybrid fans be driven by the 3-pin on GPUs?

Please advise.

[smicha]

The choice is simple to me: if you have plenty of room X9 is better - a 220mm front fan is mounted as stock. For those who are looking at more compact form X5 will sever as well. X9 is way better, though not perfect, for 7 GPUs watercooled. Don't expect good quality of materials in both, but functionality is great for the money.

EDIT: Frank, if you are asking about a separate fan controller for radiator fans on hybrids - I used Lamptron controller and a fan splitter.

[FrankPooleFloating]

Okay, okay.. Excellent.. So did you ever try push/pull on hybrids?.. I don't think we ever came to any conclusion on this push/pull shite. I had pointed out that some folks do indeed do push/pull on hybrids, but I wanted your input if this was a fool's errand.. and I don't think you ever responded to that. I value your opinion above all others, as you may know by now...

[smicha]

Okay, okay.. Excellent.. So did you ever try push/pull on hybrids?.. I don't think we ever came to any conclusion on this push/pull shite. I had pointed out that some folks do indeed do push/pull on hybrids, but I wanted your input if this was a fool's errand.. and I don't think you ever responded to that. I value your opinion above all others, as you may know by now...

From research I read for thin rads, i.e., 30mm push pull has no effect. When using thick rads, as 60mm, push pull has great affect at low RPM. At 1000 RPM of a 120mm fan there is approx 150W of heat dissipation on a thin rad, 30mm; and at 1800RPMs approx. 220W - but it becomes noisy.

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/02/11/ra ... ound-2015/

[smicha]

EDIT

here you see how little push pull gives on a slim rad. Fan speed matters and flow...

http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/02/11/ma ... -review/4/

[FrankPooleFloating]

Nice! So glad I did not waste my dough on this. You are the best broski, and it kicks ass to have access to your seemingly endless wisdom!

I have said it before, I shall say it again folks: smicha's recommendations should be taken as holy gospel... When it comes to anything workstation related, he is the burning bush yo.

[FrankPooleFloating]

So I am quite intrigued by the Noiseblocker NB-eLoop Series B12-PS Black Edition, for slapping on my Hybrids (and maybe everywhere else, except front 200mm) when I do the X9... smicha buddy, have you tried these pups yet? If not, anyone else have these (preferably on some rads)? They at least have the appearance of being something pretty damn special. Perhaps even way better than Noiseblocker BlackSilent Pro or Noctua NF-F12...

http://www.blacknoise.com/site/en/produ ... hp?lang=EN

Also, could I hook these right to the fan cable coming off 980Ti Hybrid, or do I need to use some kind of adapter or something? (NB is 4-pin PWM and 980Ti is 3-pin, right?)... I will definitely ultimately get everything on a fan controller, but not right away, unless I absolutely have to.