Radiator Advice

[drakore]

Currently i am just wcing my Q6600 G0. I plan on putting my video card in the loop when the new nvidia cards are released.

I have a PA120.3 right now, but it my motherboard tray wont fit because the PA120.3 is too thick. I was wondering what i should change it too, i have tried to make it work but it won't be pretty, a lot of cutting would be require and i have already done a fair amount. I have a Coolermaster 830-E and Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6. I have done some measurements and the MCR320QP. The HW Labs Black Ice GTS Stealth 320 and Xtreme3 will also fit.

Which should i go for?

[kinghong1970]

Drakore, i think the only way you gonna git a PA120.3 in a CM 830 is to cut the bottom tray and mount it there or to mount it on the back of the exhaust fan.

have you checked out the stacker thread (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102550)? long arsed thread but many ideas there... although they do require more modding...

also, GameGuru is doing a mod that i am basically getting most of my inspiration from and he posted some pics in my thread here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=158401)...

by switching to a MCR320, you only get a bit thinner rad but also may have issue in mounting it.

now, this is what i've tried with a PA120.2
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/kinghong1970/IMG_0664.jpg

diff case but let's say you use a 8/32 screw that's about 4" long and make it go through the fan and attach to the mid fan mounting holes on the rad, then you should be able to mount the 120.3 on the back...

be a damned shame to not put that 120.3 to waste... :D

just a thought...

cheers!

[drakore]

I want it inside the case. It would fit if i had a shorter board, but mine is full ATX. I had mine in a P182 but i dont like the rad on the back. I really want everything in the case.

Also will the radiators previously mentioned be able to handle an OC'd quad and video card?

[kinghong1970]

hey, i couldn't agree with you more... hence my 2nd build i used some koolance part to give me a bit more room...

hmm... PA120.3 in a CM Stacker 830 is a tad hard... without much modding...

[NaeKuh]

hey, i couldn't agree with you more... hence my 2nd build i used some koolance part to give me a bit more room...

hmm... PA120.3 in a CM Stacker 830 is a tad hard... without much modding...

its almost impossible due to the thickness.

Ive had tons of people pm me over at anandtech on recomendations.

I personally think the Stacker T01 is a much better case for h2o cooling. If you want to drop a PA120.3 the only way ive seen it done is lifting the case on wheels with legs, and mounting the rad on the bottom sticking out, then have the fans inside the case on the bottom top.

Otherwise your SOL even with the board inverted.

[rioja]

but with much modding it is possible to get 120.3 at bottom and 120.2 on top
don't give up)
830/832 is the best looking case for me

[drakore]

i am thinking of doing a MCR320QP on the bottom and if i need another loop then it will be the PA120.2 on the top... maybe the MCR220QP on the top to save some $$$... right now i only have a Q6600 in the loop... gonna throw in the video card when i get a new one.... one day there will be NB and SB cooling.

[drakore]

oh how restrictive is the mcr320qp in comparison to the pa120.3?

[leo_bsb]

oh how restrictive is the mcr320qp in comparison to the pa120.3?

check the flow calculator for a complete comparision. the spreadsheet is attached at a sticky at this forum.

[dr4gon]

Drakore, i think the only way you gonna git a PA120.3 in a CM 830 is to cut the bottom tray and mount it there or to mount it on the back of the exhaust fan.

have you checked out the stacker thread (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102550)? long arsed thread but many ideas there... although they do require more modding...

also, GameGuru is doing a mod that i am basically getting most of my inspiration from and he posted some pics in my thread here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=158401)...

by switching to a MCR320, you only get a bit thinner rad but also may have issue in mounting it.

now, this is what i've tried with a PA120.2
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/kinghong1970/IMG_0664.jpg

diff case but let's say you use a 8/32 screw that's about 4" long and make it go through the fan and attach to the mid fan mounting holes on the rad, then you should be able to mount the 120.3 on the back...

be a damned shame to not put that 120.3 to waste... :D

just a thought...

cheers!

Woww tha'ts an interesting setup. I got something similiar and simpler with just using a radbox

http://www.dr4gon.net/ocn/JPEG/used/DSC03589%20copy.jpg

I like those standoffs though, provides more room.

[kinghong1970]

thanks... it was a nice idea... until i got over-excited with my drill and wound up getting a good look at the insides of a thermochill radiator.

yes, i was able to place at least 2 1/2" of clearance by mounting only 4 standoffs... anything longer felt wobbly so when i went to mounting 6 standoffs, i was able to get upwards of 3" clearance with a nice sturdy mount.

[dr4gon]

lol hope you sealed it up really good!

Just curcious, why do you have fan grills on that side of the rad? It only adds airflow restriction and doesn't protect your fingers :p

[kinghong1970]

it's called my...

"anti-clumsy-monkey-who-just-drilled-3-yep-count-em-three-radiators" insurance policy...

the radiator fins seems quite fragile and even the tubing was able to smush em so i wanted to keep em there while i was doing my thinking with my hands....