Mounting the rad beihind the CPU and northbridge? Is it worth it?

[ScissorClaw]

I have a Xaser III 2000 silver case that I am getting ready to use in a water cooling set-up. The mobo will be an IS7 for now. I have a PC800 deluxe also, but that is in use with another computer and depending on what kind of OC I get with my 2.4C, I may switch the two and use that one. Hopefully, my wife will be getting me an IC7 Max3 for Xmas, but that remains to be seen. Anyway, on to the question.

I am going to be using a Black Ice Extreme II rad that supports two 120mm fans. I want to mount that puppy with both push and pull fans on the non-windowed side of my case using super-industrial Velcro. It just occurred to me that if I placed it right behind the CPU and Northbridge and cut the relevant holes on the case, I would have some pretty extreme cooling on the back of the mobo. I would also cut holes in the mobo tray. What kind of cooling effect would I get? Is it worth it to chop up the case?

[Dieter@be]

Uhm where would the air come from to cool down the rad? straight through the motherboard?
(if i understand it correctly)

[hatemi]

There isnt enough room between the MB tray and the case to get the air moving freely. just put the rad where the HDD racks are in the case. And remember to cut a propper hole to the sheetmetal infront of the case to make the air go through without making any extre noise:D

[ScissorClaw]

Well, the rad is going to be put on the outside of the case pulling air from the outside and pushing it into the back of the mobo. The size of the hole will be only slightly smaller then the rad so I can velcro the rad to the case. As for keeping the rad on the inside, I really have never been a fan of that train of thought. I don't like the idea of pulling in cold air, warming it up with the water going throught the system and then sending that warmed up air through the rest of the case. It's moot point anyway, the Black ICE II is a monster of a rad and I don't think it would fit comfortably, if at all.

Actually. I still haven't decided exactly what I am doing yet. I might be getting a Chip-Con promthia Mach II for XMAS with my work bonus. If that happens, then I won't have to worry at all about extra cooling. Not at -35 C anyway...Muwahwahahahahahaha.

[ScissorClaw]

I decided to ditch the idea of cuttng the hole in the side of the case because I might need the case for something else in the future for something else and it's not worth the extra degree or two cooling I MIGHT get out of it.


Thanks for the suggestions folks!