Radiator help

[rehpyc]

If I can't fit a PA 120.3 in the front of my Tt case (due to then leaving me with only being able to use 1 bay slot, and I need 2 for the power/reset/floppy combo + dvd writer), what is the best alternative? I'd be using fans that are around 30dBA and am looking to eventually run a quad core (the penryn when they come out) + a nvidia 9800 (when they come out). I'm just not sure what my next best option is, whether it's the MCW 320QP, BI 360GTX, PA 120.2 or what?

Any help is appreciated :)

[demonbane23]

you interested in internal only? If you really want a pa120.3 you can do a top mount or a rad box in the back....

[rehpyc]

Yeah, I'm mainly looking to keep things internal right now. The position of the PSU keeps me from being able to use a rad internally at the top of the case, and the PA 120.3 being too tall keeps me from putting it in the front of my case.

Like I said, I'd be wanting to use fans that are 30dBA, or maybe even as low as 27-28, so I'm not sure which radiator would suit those best.

[rehpyc]

I mean, would you be able to measure the height of your own PA 120.3 and let me know the dimensions in inches? I want to double-check that I can't at all fit it in the front of my case.

[shabranigdo]

I mean, would you be able to measure the height of your own PA 120.3 and let me know the dimensions in inches? I want to double-check that I can't at all fit it in the front of my case.


A PA 120.3 is 17" x 5" x 2 7/16"

[rehpyc]

Yeah, that's too tall :[ It seems all the other 120.3 rads are fine, just not that one. It's then just a matter to if the type of fans I'd want to use would work best with one of the other available 120.3 rads or the PA 120.2.

[rehpyc]

What is the next best option in terms of radiator performance behind the PA 120.3?

[Nate P.]

What is the next best option in terms of radiator performance behind the PA 120.3?
Swiftech MCR-320.:yepp:

[NaeKuh]

Swiftech MCR-320.:yepp:

he still loses all but 1 drive space because the top bay is the power button, and reset switch.

Ive had that case, and ive tried everything to make a 120x3 fit. It wont.

The only way is to top mount it externally, or relocate your PSU to the bottom sideways. But that would look really ugly...

The only other alternative would be really expensive. But i think 2 x PA160's would cool better then a PA120.3

[rehpyc]

The MCR 320QP is said to be 16.13" tall. If it's fine to use some padding with double sided stickiness to put between the bottom of the rad and the bottom of the case and then use zip ties to hold the radiator in place.. the radiator should be short enough to where I can still have 2 drive slots.

The BI GTX 360 seems to be a little over 15.6" tall, which will also work. Is this radiator better than the MCR 320QP?

I'll most likely be using these fans in a push/push fashion with small shrouds:
http://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-S-Flex-Fan-SFF21F-pr-3257.html
or
http://www.jab-tech.com/Scythe-ULTRA-KAZE-120-x-38-mm-Case-Fan-Medium-pr-3939.html undervolted some

I've noticed this on thermochill's site: http://thermochill.com/images/products/pa2-vs-mcr3.jpg
Is it a pretty true test between the two?

[STEvil]

You can put the rad on top of the case with about 1-2" between it and the top of the case.

[rehpyc]

I want to keep it internal, heh. In the future, I may add a 120.1 to the back 120mm fan area, but internal as well.

[rehpyc]

Any suggestions from post #10? :[

[Nate P.]

The MCR-320 is a better rad than the BI... but if it comes to that, you really don't have any choice, do you?

[Marci]

But i think 2 x PA160's would cool better then a PA120.3
See link in my sig - 2x PA160s were compared against PA120.3... they fall just behind...

[rehpyc]

The PA 160s wouldn't fit within the drive bay area of my Tt, which is where I'm intending to put my radiator heh. It's coming down to either getting one of the other 120.3s available that are under 16.5" or going with the PA 120.2. This is with fans that'd be pushing roughly 70-80cfm.

[rehpyc]

Marci, looking at your data in your sig (I'm a newb with most of the terminology used), the PA 120.2 will outperform the MCR 320? If this be the case, is it namely due to the PA being quite thicker than the MCR and it having less air restriction? Furthermore, if the PA 120.2 beats the MCR 320, do most people then suggest the MCR simply because it's quite a bit cheaper?