We get asked all the time about system configurations and recommendations. So here are some of our suggestions for typical builds...Click on the links above to get the parts list!

Page 1: CPU Only

For a typical CPU setup the general recommendation is a 1x120mm radiator. If you are doing a heavy overclock you will need a larger radiator. Heavy overclock CPU's should have a 2x120mm minimum allocated for best temperature performance.

It is important to know the heat load of the CPU, what type of fan you are using on the radiator, room temperature, pump power, and CPU performance.

With Danger Den CPU block the flow resistance is minimized as much as possible to allow for better multi-block setups.

Typical Setup:

Case - Most cases with a 120mm fan opening. Any of the Danger Den cases. Others include Coolermaster S, many of the Lian Li, and Silverstone cases.

Fitting Size - Use what you like. The difference in performance between 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID is minimal. Try to stick with 1/8" wall thickness. So 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD or 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD tubing.

CPU Block - MC-TDX (best) or MPC-CPU (good). These blocks are designed for the latest LGA1366, 1156 chips. The 775 quads work great with these chips also as well as the multi-core AMD.

Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme, GTX, or SR1. In the 1x120mm or 2x120mm size. The SR1 is the best performing radiator with 2000RPM and lower fans. The GTX is the high speed fan champion and the Xtreme is a great bargain radiator.

Fans: Yate Loon Medium - Quiet fan. If you want real quiet go for the slow speed. Just go up a size on the radiator.

Pump - CPX1, CPX-Pro, DDC, or D5 fixed or variable. All of these pumps are excellent for a single block system.

Coolant - Feser (Typically one bottle unless using 2 radiators or a reservoir). This is the best option if you want colors. If you don't care use distilled water and some type of algaecide. If using antifreeze type additive use only 5% mixture.

Tubing - Tygon or DD-TFC - The best bend radius.

Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver for the CPU.

Reservoir/T-Line - Many options here. Danger Den has a reservoir (RAD-res) that bolts to the radiator, there are the bay style reservoirs. A popular option is the T-line. Check out the video on the T-Line install to know how it works. If using a T-Line grab a tube plug.

Hose Clamps - Use hose clamps or zip-ties.

Other popular items -Fill Syringe, PSU Bypass Adapter, Tubing Cutter.

Page 2: CPU and GPU

For a typical CPU and GPU setup the general recommendation is a 2x120mm radiator. If you are doing a heavy overclock or using a Dual GPU card you will need a larger radiator. Heavy overclock CPU should have a 2x120mm minimum while a dual GPU card (like the GTX295) should have a 2x120mm radiator allocated for best temperature performance.

It is important to know the heat load of the CPU and GPU(s), what type of fan you are using on the radiator, room temperature, pump power, and CPU performance.

With Danger Den CPU block the flow resistance is minimized as much as possible to allow for better multi-block setups.

Typical Setup:

Case - Look for cases with a 2x120mm fan opening or one that is easy to modify. Any of the Danger Den cases. Others include Coolermaster S, many of the Lian Li, and Silverstone cases.

Fitting Size - Use what you like. The difference in performance between 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID is minimal. Try to stick with 1/8" wall thickness. So 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD or 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD tubing.

CPU Block - MC-TDX (best) or MPC-CPU (good). These blocks are designed for the latest LGA1366, 1156 chips. The 775 quads work great with these chips also as well as the multi-core AMD.

GPU Blocks - Use any of the Nvidia or ATI blocks configured for your card.  These are 100% copper and low pressure loss. Typically 30+C temperature reductions or more are seen on load temperatures!!

Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme, GTX, or SR1. 2x120mm and larger size. The SR1 is the best performing radiator with 2000RPM and lower fans. The GTX is the high speed fan champion and the Xtreme is a great bargain radiator. The more radiator you can put into the system the better off your temperatures will be.

Fans - Yate Loon Medium - Quiet fan. If you want real quiet go for the slow speed. Just go up a size on the radiator.

Pump - CPX-Pro, DDC, or D5 fixed or variable. All of these pumps are excellent for a single block system. The CPX-1 does not have the power to cool a multi-block system.

Coolant - Feser (Typically one bottle unless using 2 radiators or a reservoir). This is the best option if you want colors. If you don't care use distilled water and some type of algaecide. If using antifreeze type additive use only 5% mixture.

Tubing - Tygon or DD-TFC - The best bend radius.

Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver for the CPU. GPU blocks include thermal paste, Ceramique.

Reservoir/T-Line - Many options here. Danger Den has a reservoir (RAD-res) that bolts to the radiator, there are the bay style reservoirs. A popular option is the T-line. Check out the video on the T-Line install to know how it works. If using a T-Line grab a tube plug.

Hose Clamps - Use hose clamps.

Other popular items - Fill Syringe, PSU Bypass Adapter, Tubing Cutter.

Page 3: CPU and 2xGPU

For a typical CPU and 2xGPU setup the general recommendation is a 3x120mm radiator minimum. If you are doing a heavy overclock or using a Dual GPU cards you will need a larger radiator. Heavy overclock CPU should have a 2x120mm minimum while a dual GPU card (like the GTX295) should have a 2x120mm radiator allocated for best temperature performance.

It is important to know the heat load of the CPU and GPU(s), what type of fan you are using on the radiator, room temperature, pump power, and CPU performance.

With Danger Den CPU block the flow resistance is minimized as much as possible to allow for better multi-block setups.

Typical Setup:

Case - There are cases on the market with a 3x120mm fan spacing and others that can be easily modded. The Tower 21, Tower 26, Black Series 21, Black Series 26, and the Double Wide all feature large radiator mounts.   Others include Coolermaster S, many of the Lian Li, and Silverstone cases.

Fitting Size - Use what you like. The difference in performance between 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID is minimal. Try to stick with 1/8" wall thickness. So 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD or 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD tubing.

CPU Block - MC-TDX (best) or MPC-CPU (good). These blocks are designed for the latest LGA1366, 1156 chips. The 775 quads work great with these chips also as well as the multi-core AMD.

GPU Blocks - Use any of the Nvidia or ATI blocks configured for your card.  These are 100% copper and low pressure loss. Typically 30+C temperature reductions or more are seen on load temperatures!!

Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme, GTX, or SR1. 3x120mm and larger size minimum. The SR1 is the best performing radiator with 2000RPM and lower fans. The GTX is the high speed fan champion and the Xtreme is a great bargain radiator. The more radiator you can put into the system the better off your temperatures will be.

Fans - Yate Loon Medium - Quiet fan. If you want real quiet go for the slow speed. Just go up a size on the radiator.

Pump - CPX-Pro, DDC, or D5 fixed or variable. All of these pumps are excellent for a single block system. The CPX-1 does not have the power to cool a multi-block system.

Coolant - Feser (Typically one bottle unless using 2 radiators or a reservoir). This is the best option if you want colors. If you don't care use distilled water and some type of algaecide. If using antifreeze type additive use only 5% mixture.

Tubing - Tygon or DD-TFC - The best bend radius.

Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver

Reservoir/T-Line - Many options here. Danger Den has a reservoir (RAD-res) that bolts to the radiator, there are the bay style reservoirs. A popular option is the T-line. Check out the video on the T-Line install to know how it works. If using a T-Line grab a tube plug.

Hose Clamps - Use hose clamps.

Other popular items - Fill Syringe, PSU Bypass Adapter, Tubing Cutter.

Page 4: CPU and 3xGPU

For a typical CPU and 3xGPU setup the general recommendation is a 4x120mm radiator minimum. If you are doing a heavy overclock or using a Dual GPU cards you will need a larger radiator. Heavy overclock CPU should have a 2x120mm minimum while a dual GPU card (like the GTX295) should have a 2x120mm radiator allocated for best temperature performance.

This is the point where a dual loop should be considered.  One for the CPU and maybe other devices and another loop for the GPU's.  This can be easily accomplished with the Double Wide Tower Case from Danger Den.

With Danger Den CPU block the flow resistance is minimized as much as possible to allow for better multi-block setups.

Typical Setup:

Cases - here are cases on the market with a 3x120mm fan spacing and others that can be easily modded. The Tower 21, Tower 26, Black Series 21, Black Series 26, and the Double Wide all feature large radiator mounts.   Others include Coolermaster S, many of the Lian Li, and Silverstone cases.

Fitting Size - Use what you like. The difference in performance between 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID is minimal. Try to stick with 1/8" wall thickness. So 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD or 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD tubing.

CPU Block - MC-TDX (best) or MPC-CPU (good). These blocks are designed for the latest LGA1366, 1156 chips. The 775 quads work great with these chips also as well as the multi-core AMD.

GPU Blocks - Use any of the Nvidia or ATI blocks configured for your card.  These are 100% copper and low pressure loss. Typically 30+C temperature reductions or more are seen on load temperatures!!

Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme, GTX, or SR1. 4x120mm worth of radiator and larger size. The SR1 is the best performing radiator with 2000RPM and lower fans. The GTX is the high speed fan champion and the Xtreme is a great bargain radiator. The more radiator you can put into the system the better off your temperatures will be.

Fans - Yate Loon Medium - Quiet fan. If you want real quiet go for the slow speed. Just go up a size on the radiator.

Pump - CPX-Pro, DDC, or D5 fixed or variable. All of these pumps are excellent for a single block system. The CPX-1 does not have the power to cool a multi-block system.

Coolant - Feser (Typically one bottle unless using 2 radiators or a reservoir). This is the best option if you want colors. If you don't care use distilled water and some type of algaecide. If using antifreeze type additive use only 5% mixture.

Tubing - Tygon or DD-TFC - The best bend radius.

Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver

Reservoir/T-Line - Many options here. Danger Den has a reservoir (RAD-res) that bolts to the radiator, there are the bay style reservoirs. A popular option is the T-line. Check out the video on the T-Line install to know how it works. If using a T-Line grab a tube plug.

Hose Clamp - Use hose clamps.

Other popular items - Fill Syringe, PSU Bypass Adapter, Tubing Cutter.

Page 5: CPU and 4xGPU

For a typical CPU and 4xGPU setup the general recommendation is a dual loop configuration.  One for the CPU and maybe other devices and another loop for the GPU's.  This can be easily accomplished with the Double Wide Tower Case from Danger Den.  This is a very demanding setup to cool.

With Danger Den CPU block the flow resistance is minimized as much as possible to allow for better multi-block setups.

Typical Setup:

Cases - The Danger Den Double Wide case.

Fitting Size - Use what you like. The difference in performance between 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID is minimal. Try to stick with 1/8" wall thickness. So 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD or 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD tubing.

CPU Block - MC-TDX (best) or MPC-CPU (good). These blocks are designed for the latest LGA1366, 1156 chips. The 775 quads work great with these chips also as well as the multi-core AMD.

GPU Blocks - Use any of the Nvidia or ATI blocks configured for your card.  These are 100% copper and low pressure loss. Typically 30+C temperature reductions or more are seen on load temperatures!!

Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme, GTX, or SR1. 3x120mm and larger size at least 2 units and likely a 3rd unit. The SR1 is the best performing radiator with 2000RPM and lower fans. The GTX is the high speed fan champion and the Xtreme is a great bargain radiator. The more radiator you can put into the system the better off your temperatures will be.

Fans - Yate Loon Medium - Quiet fan. If you want real quiet go for the slow speed. Just go up a size on the radiator.

Pump - CPX-Pro, DDC, or D5 fixed or variable. All of these pumps are excellent for a single block system. The CPX-1 does not have the power to cool a multi-block system.

Coolant - Feser (Typically one bottle unless using 2 radiators or a reservoir). This is the best option if you want colors. If you don't care use distilled water and some type of algaecide. If using antifreeze type additive use only 5% mixture.

Tubing - Tygon or DD-TFC - The best bend radius.

Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver

Reservoir/T-Line - Many options here. Danger Den has a reservoir (RAD-res) that bolts to the radiator, there are the bay style reservoirs. A popular option is the T-line. Check out the video on the T-Line install to know how it works. If using a T-Line grab a tube plug.

Hose Clamp - Use hose clamps.

Other popular items - Fill Syringe, PSU Bypass Adapter, Tubing Cutter.

Page 6: CPU's, GPU's, and more....oh my!

This will be any combination of the other setups in this guide.  Look at all of the recommendations and build it up.  Take special note of the pressure loss across chipset or mofset/voltage regulator blocks as this can really effect temperatures.  It is better to keep these high pressure loss parts on their own loop.

Page 7: Double Wide Case Configuration

The Double Wide Tower Case from Danger Den is the heavy duty monster that internally houses all of the watercooling components.  At least 5 different radiator can be placed in this case giving a huge cooling potential.

It is your choice to configure how many 5 1/4 drive bays you want.  The number of 3x120mm or 4x120mm radiators.  There is plenty of room on the back side of the motherboard try to mount two pumps, tech power stations and wire maintenance.

With Danger Den CPU block the flow resistance is minimized as much as possible to allow for better multi-block setups.

Typical Setup:

Cases - The Danger Den Double Wide case.

Fitting Size - Use what you like. The difference in performance between 3/8" ID and 1/2" ID is minimal. Try to stick with 1/8" wall thickness. So 3/8" ID x 5/8" OD or 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD tubing.

CPU Block - MC-TDX (best) or MPC-CPU (good). These blocks are designed for the lates LGA1366, 1156 chips. The 775 quads work great with these chips also as well as the multi-core AMD.

GPU Blocks - Use any of the Nvidia or ATI blocks configured for your card.  These are 100% copper and low pressure loss. Typically 30+C temperature reductions or more are seen on load temperatures!!

Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme, GTX, or SR1. 3x120mm and larger size at least 2 units and likely a 3rd unit. The SR1 is the best performing radiator with 2000RPM and lower fans. The GTX is the high speed fan champion and the Xtreme is a great bargain radiator. There are also two locations on the back to mount a 2x80mm radiator for additional cooling.  The more radiator you can put into the system the better off your temperatures will be.

Fans - Yate Loon Medium - Quiet fan. If you want real quiet go for the slow speed. Just go up a size on the radiator.

Pump - CPX-Pro, DDC, or D5 fixed or vaiable. All of these pumps are excellent for a single block system. The CPX-1 does not have the power to cool a multi-block system.  There is plenty of room on the backside of the motherboard try to mount these.

Coolant - Feser (recommend 2-4 bottles depending on configuration). This is the best option if you want colors. If you don't care use distilled water and some type of algaecide. If using antifreeze type additive use only 5% mixture.

Tubing - Tygon or DD-TFC - The best bend radius.

Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver

Reservoir/T-Line - Many options here. Danger Den has a reservoir (RAD-res) that bolts to the radiator, there are the bay style reservoirs. A popular option is the T-line. Check out the video on the T-Line install to know how it works. If using a T-Line grab a tube plug.

Hose Clamp - Use hose clamps.

Other popular items - Fill Syringe, PSU Bypass Adapter, Tubing Cutter.