Do I Need a Large Case?

[YukonTrooper]

So, I want to do this thing called water-cooling, but I'm not sure if an Antec Solo will suffice? I'm pretty sure I could fit a pump and a res in there. Any thoughts?

[jollyjoker]

If you install the radiator externally you don't need a bigger case.

[YukonTrooper]

Yes, definitely plan on an externally mounted rad. Anybody else with experience in doing water-cooled setups in small cases? Need hints. Will do neat magic tricks for good info.

[ownage]

-Don't use large tubing like 1/2 because it takes lots of space, and also needs lots of space for bends.
-Use a small pump in or with a reservoir, like Eheim station 600 or a mcp355+reservoir top.

[douirc]

i bought a toolbox from ACE for $20 and built an external waterbox. works awesome!

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=296577&highlight=external

[YukonTrooper]

i bought a toolbox from ACE for $20 and built an external waterbox. works awesome!

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=296577&highlight=external
Dude, no. That is tacky as hell, at least to me. :p:

@ Water-cooling gurus - If I have to use smaller tubing / pumps, will I severely limit my options and performance? I plan on having a 45nm dual/quad and single GTX 260 216SP on the same loop.

[alacheesu]

If I have to use smaller tubing / pumps, will I severely limit my options and performance?

No.. read The impact of tubing sizes (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=147767) by Cathar. As far as pumps go, the MCP355 (or 350) is the pump of choice for many people and it's only 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches.

[Riggs]

i bought a toolbox from ACE for $20 and built an external waterbox. works awesome!

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=296577&highlight=external

You've gotta post that in the ghetto mods section!

[chuck4456]

I'd go ahead and get a large case.
Why not?
Then, you will have the self-assurance of knowing that you will have any necessary space.

[Polizei]

You can easily put a quad core and a GTX260 on one triple fan radiator with cooling capacity to spare. Even full load on both isn't enough to max out a Swiftech MCR320.

[Waymon3X6]

I'm using a Antec 900, watercooling 2 graphics cards, the CPU (Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz) and NB and everything fits - the only thing that's outside is the 220 radiator.

[Bobly]

As long as the rad is externally mounted then you should have no issues with space, a triple rad would do fine with a Quad and GTX 260.
The pump and res hardly take any space, especially if you get a res-top in which case they're one block, the tubing shouldn't be an issue as anything able to do a CPU-GPU bend will be able to make it's way around your case :)

Either attach the rad on the back of your case with a spacer or make your own radbox which can range from an actual box to simply having it mounted on the wall as someone else did before ^^ (obviously not flat against the wall, you still want air to be able to get through it :P)

[2low4u]

I'm using a Antec 900, watercooling 2 graphics cards, the CPU (Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz) and NB and everything fits - the only thing that's outside is the 220 radiator.

Your running all that off a single 220 rad?

[nlancaster]

the radiator housing I am using would work with the case you have.

It would be able to use the MCR, BlackICE, and Feser radiators. If there is enough clearance above your power supply.

http://nlancaster.shackspace.com/G50%20Redder/Final%20pictures/PICT0965.JPG

[Waterlogged]

That Antec is roughly the same size as my Centurion 5 (seen below). I had a simple CPU only loop in it with a single BIP, I could have easily put a 120.2 up top on the inside, but if your going external...you should have plenty of room.

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/7380/img0025sp8.jpg



Just for reference, I'm currently cramming a complete CPU only loop into a case that's 14½" H x 7¼" W x 14" D, this includes a res and the same BIP that I used in the C5.

[YukonTrooper]

OK, guys, I'm going to start a new thread for parts suggestions, and ask for this thread to be merged. Thank you so much and see you all there! :D

[Zehnsucht]

I have a Lian Li A05, which is the smallest ATX case out there I believe.

All internal:
http://img.techpowerup.org/080731/DSCN0310.jpg
All home-made :)
http://img.techpowerup.org/080731/DSCN0304.jpg

And both 5.25" slots are occupied (one fan controller and one DVD)
External 3.5" is modded to hold the mic/sound/usb front panel.

[ownage]

You want your loop to be as simple as possible. If you use an mcp355 with reservoir top and a decent 220 or 320 radiator you will have great performance.
This was my first loop, really simple, but later when I put a gpu block in the loop it was still able to cool an e6600 @.38ghz and 2900xt @ 900mhz.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8707/44304411um6.jpg

[douirc]

Riggs;3493253']You've gotta post that in the ghetto mods section!

yes yes, i know it's a bit ghetto, but it works like a charm, plus upgrading is a cinch since i don't have to break down my loop everytime i need to remove the mobo.

anyway, i just bought the Swiftech H2O-220 Compact (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108105) from Newegg. I haven't tried it yet, but everyone's saying it should perform on par with what i've already got. the best part is i don't have to break down the loop for any upgrades and it's compact enough not ot get in the way of all my other peripherials.

if you don't have 2 fans on the rear of the case like my antec 1200 does, they still make the H2O-120 Compact (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108100) for single-fan installation. If you're just cooling your cpu you should be fine.

[mattkosem]

I've got a completely internal WC setup in an Antec 300. It's got a TFC 360 rad, CPU Block, and 4870 X2 block. Most recent pics can be seen here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3485195&postcount=100

It all depends on how much of the case internals that you're willing to sacrifice.


--Matt

[Bun-Bun]

I fit a CPU only loop (GTX240 rad) in a mid tower lian li (all internal as well).

http://pics.livejournal.com/bun_bun/pic/0017qwye

Can see more pics here (http://pics.livejournal.com/bun_bun/gallery/0000axzr).

[Oli4v]

jup it's perfectly possible, a P182 wich is a little bit bigger but a cpu-gpu loop fits fine in it, I'm just ready with changing some thing's on it, but it's quite similar atm (exept the the way the tubes are going).

http://i38.tinypic.com/11t0my9.jpg

[STi489]

I have a Antec 900 and while it works with cpu and 4870x2 looped..I wish i had a larger case.

This an older pic with only cpu looped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BETCbxwgIKw

[YukonTrooper]

Looks like you might have been better off with some smaller tubing?

[Waymon3X6]

Your running all that off a single 220 rad?

Yeah man, it's working great too. Temps for the quad are 40/62 GPUs are usually 30/42 and I am not to sure of the NB as I don't have a program to monitor that.

[STi489]

Looks like you might have been better off with some smaller tubing?


Me? That's 7/16 ID.

[l33t p1mp]

My case is big and looks like crap on the inside with the old wire management, but here is a spaghetti shot to give you an idea of the space I have.

Mine is also 7/16, great tubing to use but it can be tight on some pumps (damn d5 fittings!). It is like having the half inch stuff, but its not quite as bulky.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/l33t_p1mp/Computer/DSCN6336.jpg