Mounting the PA120.3 inside a Mid Tower (w/pics)

[calvin]

Been some time between upgrades. Decided I wanted to reduce noise so picked up a PA120.3 from NCIX along with three new Noctua fans. My initial impression of the PA120.3 is that it is a high quality product! Will say the same for my first EK purchase, a 8800GTS water block. Fans are "OK", although I'm glad I got them on sale. Rounding out the loop:

Storm cpu block (Little River version)
Repak res with high flow mod applied
18w ddc pump with alphacool top
Chenbro SR107

The case in stock form is admittedly plain looking. Fortunately you can buy replacement front bezels in a variety of styles. I opted for a nice brushed metal one, definitely more classy looking :up:

Fitting the rad: in a mid the options are limited. Decided to stand it up next to mb. Final result appears below. Turned out fine but I would recommend going at least 18” on case height with this rad. The Chenbro is only 16.75” internally so I had to completely remove everything from inside the case to allow inserting the rad on an angle followed by pivoting it into a vertical position.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~legarep/internal%201_640x480.jpg

http://home.cogeco.ca/~legarep/rad%20inlets%20640x480.jpg

Brushed metal bezel: http://home.cogeco.ca/~legarep/SR107_front_small.jpg

[Polizei]

Could've made the tubing runs shorter if the barbs were towards the motherboard.

:up: for getting a big rad in a little place though.

[calvin]

Could've made the tubing runs shorter if the barbs were towards the motherboard.

The pump and the bay res are on the same side as the barbs so it it was a wash as far as I was concerned. Having the barbs face forward won out in the end as it looked cleaner.

[Polizei]

The pump and the bay res are on the same side as the barbs so it it was a wash as far as I was concerned. Having the barbs face forward won out in the end as it looked cleaner.

I just would've done it differently. :shrug:

Why's the tubing between your RAM?

[calvin]

Why's the tubing between your RAM?

Seemed like a good spot :shrug:

[Polizei]

Seemed like a good spot :shrug:

Haha... the only good thing I can think it would do would be to block airflow between the sticks. Oh... wait, thats not good. ;)

[InfamousChu]

man thats pretty good! 120.3 inside a midtower good job!

[[XC] NetburstXE]

Wow! A 120.3 in a midtower! Do you have room for a CD drive in there?

[calvin]

Do you have room for a CD drive in there?

Yes, I have three 5.5 bays. Below them is room for 8 x hdd. I do not lose any drive bay by placing the rad next to mb. The top device is a tube amp for audio.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~legarep/res%20640x480.jpg

[afX]

<3 the repack res, thinking of getting some myself, whats this high flow mod you speak of?

I had the full tower version of this case a couple of years back, I remembered it weighed like 50-60 pounds lol, ridiculous.

[calvin]

<3 the repack res, thinking of getting some myself, whats this high flow mod you speak of?

The repak has been cursed by many who threw them away and then get another product. I quickly learn why.

It is because there is a design flaw when used with a strong pump. It has a hump in the middle which traps air on either side. A strong pump pulls the air back into the loop. A ddc will do it easily. Then you cannot bleed the system and an urge to use a hammer follows :rolleyes:

To address this problem I add extra bleed holes where the air pockets form to allow complete elimination of the air. I use a drill and self tapping fan screws. I add two but only one is actually needed, on the right. It also allow completely filling the res as you can see in the picture in my last post, which look better.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~legarep/P1010348.JPG

[atomman]

Calvin,

I am building a system with that same case. What are the temps like with the rad mounted inside the case like that - do you find that you are getting adequate cooling?

[dana_2]

What Noctua fans did you buy? Why do you say they are "OK", do you have any problems with them or do you think they could be better?