How big of a rad do I really need?

[Skyllz]

I want to watercool my Q6600 and my 3870 just so I can enjoy silence again since my computer is in my TV room.

Is a single 120mm rad sufficient? Should I look into a 2X120mm sized rad?

I do game, I dont overclock, it's stricly for the quiet part and I feel like screwing around with this that I am looking into watercooling. This would be my first watercooling kit. I do bring my rig sometimes to LAN parties too.

I dont plan on upgrading my computer for a while too(1 year at least).

Thanks for any recommendations.

[Skyllz]

I was looking mainly at this BTW. Not from this shop but this kit + that cooler.

Single
Swiftech H20-120 Compact 3/8IN Single 120MM CPU Liquid Cooling Kit - DirectCanada
Double
Swiftech H20-220 Compact 3/8IN Dual 120MM CPU Liquid Cooling Kit - DirectCanada
VGA Block
Zalman ZM-GWB3850/3870 3850 3870 GPU Waterblock - DirectCanada

[Varroa]

I used the H20-120 on my FX-60 and it was barely able to cool just the cpu. I had to upgrade the rad to get sufficient cooling out of it. I now use the H20-120 with the theromchill 120.1 rad and a noctua fan on my 8400 and it does a good (but not great) job of cooling the cpu alone and is quiet. I have a second loop for the video card and NB. I don't think a H20-120 would do a good job on the CPU and video card. Go for the H20-220 if you are going to do both and switch the fans to noctua to go quiet. The rad in the 220 is what I am using to cool my 2900XT and the NB and it does a good job and considering the 2900XT is a 150-160watt GPU then I would say the rad can handle your videocard and CPU.

[Bojamijams]

You definetly want a 2x120. Look at the Swiftech 220 rad. Cheap and will do you just fine.

[enaberif]

swiftech 220 is a great rad. Keeps my 8600 cool when under load.

[Bojamijams]

Even the 320 is quite cheap (compared to the overpriced PA120.3) and will give you little better performance if you can fit it. Also room for expansion later.

[cdn_Madrach]

I use one to cool my Fx 60 and 2 1900's in crossfire no problem. does a great job.

[Cptn Vortex]

320 will be more than enough, and even more room to expand. For $50, why not.

[Squeetard]

I have the 220 on my q6600 + 4850 all overvolted and overclocked. Works perfect. In fact while I was testing the 4850 I just had the cpu wb attached and the cpu was no cooler without the gpu in the loop.

[oksir]

the VGA is aluminium...