Joinery Fun: Wood Radbox

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02-12-2009, 05:11 PM
CyberDruid

Joinery Fun: Wood Radbox

I am making a 24" x 16" x 16" rad box for a gut that has a Skulltrail rig he wants to cool down. Since he's using a Soldam casehe does not want to fool with modifying it and is going external.

Here's a render such as it is (I am no daVinci)

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9276/radboxloopkq6.jpg
Only thing that has changed from the render is the res is going to mount internally and sideways instead of vertical and through the top. 3 MCR320 and two MCP655.

The following vids should be self explanatory and follow the progression of the work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFp05KThYv4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KVbcaRG0Mc

Here are some shots of the enclosure coming together (in progress so be patient)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/158...mbly002ar6.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8868/...mbly004qr5.jpg
Side panels getting the radius moldings fitted

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/503...mbly005tr2.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/865...mbly006ed5.jpg
These are trhe other panels that get trapped between the sides. Birch ply and Anigris moldings. Everything still in the rough.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/609...mbly009ad6.jpg
Starting the glue up section by section

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/106...mbly010zt6.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/417...mbly011hz8.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/589...mbly016vg0.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/935...mbly017jb4.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/675...mbly018wv0.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/806...mbly019tm4.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/289...mbly020bu2.jpg
These moldings will get sanded flush then routed

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/770...mbly021bw7.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/215...mbly022mb0.jpg
Titebond II

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/949...mbly023mq4.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/674...mbly024hs9.jpg
Complete...just need to set up and then I can finish the sides...

More to follow ;)
02-12-2009, 05:13 PM
CyberDruid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8YdfgNWq0

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/299...bly2013ro4.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/390...bly2012fp1.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2932/...bly2011ho5.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9871/...bly2019wn8.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/802...bly2023kd5.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/680...bly2024fp8.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2865/...bly2027sr6.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/575...bly2029za9.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/675...bly2031oh2.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/724/r...bly2032za3.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/397...bly3001ns1.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/690...bly3002ue3.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/360...bly3003rz1.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/116...bly3010ix5.jpg

Here's a vid that explains more about the radiator placement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNgq4CMfdVg
02-12-2009, 05:14 PM
CyberDruid

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8599/done002vf4.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/695/done004hn1.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/701/done005kj9.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9812/done006hm3.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1338/done007qm9.jpg
02-12-2009, 05:15 PM
CyberDruid

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8379/done012nv2.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2707/done013dm5.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2601/done014pm9.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4310/done015pt8.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6317/done016mr6.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7193/done017ga4.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7122/done018cd2.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9335/done019ua9.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7587/done020ec3.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4884/done021rt3.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6738/done022xa0.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3509/done023zh8.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7964/done025co4.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5771/done026fj3.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7451/done027hn2.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7392/done028ry4.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4395/done030pr0.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/185/done031iv4.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4849/done033rx4.jpg

Here are some teasers the owner just posted

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/430/0581if5.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1240/0611eb3.jpg
02-12-2009, 05:27 PM
NaeKuh

i guess we can say this is definitely one to give us a woody! :rofl:

Man i love your wood skills CD.

You and my other friend woodbutcher are seriously in your own league.
Kayin is also fairly good at wood too.
02-12-2009, 05:51 PM
Linux_Box

Some good wood working skillz there. I can't wait to see the final results.
02-12-2009, 05:59 PM
CyberDruid

Sadly there is a budget so I am pressed to be hyper efficient. And no finish on the wood as that could easily double the labor.
02-13-2009, 01:52 AM
Waterlogged

Looking forward to completion CD. :yepp: :up:
02-13-2009, 02:29 AM
dingdong555

Your craftsmanship is amazing bro.
02-14-2009, 02:20 PM
CyberDruid

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/397...bly3001ns1.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/690...bly3002ue3.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/360...bly3003rz1.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/116...bly3010ix5.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6286/...bly3011eo4.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9880/...bly3012ep1.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8062/...bly3014wt8.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/149...bly3017ov6.jpg
02-14-2009, 02:21 PM
CyberDruid

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

I have a another vid to follow that explains rad placement.
02-14-2009, 02:33 PM
hotdun

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

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

I have a another vid to follow that explains rad placement.

Beautiful work :up:
02-14-2009, 02:50 PM
Weapon

Very impressive woodworking skills.

That looks a lot like my shop at the moment as I finally got tired of trying to find desks that are built with any concept of computer cooling in mind so I designed my own and I'm building it from the ground up. The ground up design let me add a bunch of computer oriented tweaks (like pop-up laptop ports, wire routing channels, multiple cooling vents in specific locations for the main box as well as other hardware, built-in power distribution, etc) that I never could have found in a pre-built desk (at least not one that was less than several thousand $$$$)

Based on your first pic, you are planning on mounting the fans flush to the rad? If so, you will get considerably better cooling performance if you use a shroud and have around 40mm of standoff between the fans and the fins on the face of the radiator. The standoff gets rid of dead air spots under the hub of the fan and puts the cooling fins in those areas back into full play.
02-14-2009, 03:12 PM
brammers

sub'd!

Looking like it will be damn fine!

J
02-14-2009, 03:25 PM
TedShred

very, very cool.:up:

looks like you're enjoying shifting back into the wood scene. there's love in those joints!
02-14-2009, 03:39 PM
Hockeydude

:up: This looks great, an awesome way to mount rads externally.
02-14-2009, 03:43 PM
ILikeCosmosS

it looks great can't to see the finishing product
it would kind of be like one of those murdermod cases but wooden and a lot cooler
02-14-2009, 03:54 PM
CyberDruid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weapon

Very impressive woodworking skills.

That looks a lot like my shop at the moment as I finally got tired of trying to find desks that are built with any concept of computer cooling in mind so I designed my own and I'm building it from the ground up. The ground up design let me add a bunch of computer oriented tweaks (like pop-up laptop ports, wire routing channels, multiple cooling vents in specific locations for the main box as well as other hardware, built-in power distribution, etc) that I never could have found in a pre-built desk (at least not one that was less than several thousand $$$$)

Based on your first pic, you are planning on mounting the fans flush to the rad? If so, you will get considerably better cooling performance if you use a shroud and have around 40mm of standoff between the fans and the fins on the face of the radiator. The standoff gets rid of dead air spots under the hub of the fan and puts the cooling fins in those areas back into full play.

I think the owner will probably not use a shroud. He wants push pull. I tried to keep the size of the enclosure down but it's already quite large.

There are a lot of ways to put the rads into a box...but most of them really pummel your ears. So far this 45 degree mount seems to be the quietest.

I agree a shroud will help with deadspots but I guess we'll be skipping that step.
02-14-2009, 04:57 PM
Bobly

Hawt :d
02-14-2009, 05:02 PM
SNiiPE_DoGG

great stuff CD :) you never cease to amaze me with your hand craft skills :D
02-14-2009, 08:20 PM
Groveling_Wyrm

Nice work CD! That makes me regret converting my once-burgeoning woodshop into extra room for my computers.....:am:
02-14-2009, 09:05 PM
dexster

very neat work...

but does appear to be quite large.. suppose if room is not am issue, why not
02-14-2009, 10:02 PM
Martinm210

Wow, great work as usual. I really like the radius edging. I've done my share of straight edging for my kitchen cabinet project, but nothing quite like that. It adds something alot of flow to it.

Biscuit cutter is another great tool for that sort of stuff, that and the pocket hole jigs are probably my favorite.

That I don't don't know how many times I've got back to the store for yet another set of clamps. I don't think you can have enough with this sort of construction.

Awesome box!!!
02-14-2009, 10:10 PM
Movieman

I'm a pretty fair woodworker by most standards but what you folks are seeing here is a master at work..
Damned top quality casework with perfect joints and don't think that is easy.
Wood isn't perfect and making 2 perfect cuts doesn't necessarily mean you get a perfect joint..
As always Warren, I love your threads!:up:
02-14-2009, 10:16 PM
jellyrole

This is amazing!!! Can't wait to see more!
02-14-2009, 10:33 PM
Tom128

Threads like this combined with a Lowes that is close enough see out my window make my wallet shiver.
02-15-2009, 08:46 AM
voigts

To make the window cutout, I would assume you used hole saws to cut the corners, but what did you use to cut the straight lines between the rounded out corners? The lines are so perfectly straight. Band saw?
02-15-2009, 10:52 AM
Spankyfart

Good choice in music, couldn't exactly make out who it was though.
Also mad joinery skills, I love working with wood. And that sounded so wrong in many ways.
Let's just say wood > metal if you don't have alot of tools.
02-15-2009, 11:27 AM
Jokester_wild

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spankyfart

Good choice in music, couldn't exactly make out who it was though.
Also mad joinery skills, I love working with wood. And that sounded so wrong in many ways.
Let's just say wood > metal if you don't have alot of tools.

You and my dad wouldn't get along... haha (blacksmith)

The wood case looks awesome. Can't wait to see the finished product :up:
02-15-2009, 11:44 AM
CyberDruid

Quote:

Originally Posted by voigts

To make the window cutout, I would assume you used hole saws to cut the corners, but what did you use to cut the straight lines between the rounded out corners? The lines are so perfectly straight. Band saw?

I made a template with jigsaw..no holesaws involved. I fixed it up on the spindle sander and gave it a lick with the a sanding block. I then clamped it to the panel and routed it using a top bearing flush trim bit and a plunge router.

This way if I need to make more than two holes I will be ready to go next time.

Thanks for all the comments guys. I am almost done. I had to get some housework caught up today:shrug: but I'll be back it at in the morning.:up:

The only downside is weight. If there was no budget involved I'd use vacuum bagged composite panels (3mm ply sandwiching hexcell core) and tasty veneer:D Composite panels are more stable than ply and lighter of course and also deaden sound.

@ MartinM210 Yep a biscuit joiner is a helluva tool. A lot easier than dowels and stronger too. I miss my huge clamp collection. All those years in Florida rusted a mess of them up solid and when I moved it was easier to give them to a fellow wood worker than pack them. I still have a few dozen but I find I run short. I resisted running out and buying stuff for this project as I actually am trying to make a little money :p:
02-15-2009, 12:10 PM
voigts

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

I made a template with jigsaw..no holesaws involved. I fixed it up on the spindle sander and gave it a lick with the a sanding block.

Ah ha, spindle sander. Nice. I've wanted a spindle sander and shaper, but have other more important purchases that need to be made first, namely a decent table saw. I have a basic 10" tabletop that drives me nuts.

You're not kidding about the clamps. I bought a bunch of clamps when I built my case from Harbor Freight, only to find that it never seemed I had enough.
02-15-2009, 02:40 PM
dengyong

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

I think the owner will probably not use a shroud. He wants push pull. I tried to keep the size of the enclosure down but it's already quite large.

There are a lot of ways to put the rads into a box...but most of them really pummel your ears. So far this 45 degree mount seems to be the quietest.

I agree a shroud will help with deadspots but I guess we'll be skipping that step.

Have you considered mounting a larger fan (110v) at the end of the box to draw air through the rads ?
02-15-2009, 02:49 PM
CyberDruid

It would be a different build...something with less acoustic damping. The owner is considering having me line this in Sonex to further kill off the fan noises. I have a Pelko 265 CFM fan that would probably be enough for all three rads but it's hella loud.

Or do you mean like a 20" box fan?
02-15-2009, 03:41 PM
dengyong

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

It would be a different build...something with less acoustic damping. The owner is considering having me line this in Sonex to further kill off the fan noises. I have a Pelko 265 CFM fan that would probably be enough for all three rads but it's hella loud.

Or do you mean like a 20" box fan?

Maybe a centrifugal fan or anything that would fit and not be to loud, (speed control ?)
02-15-2009, 04:22 PM
CyberDruid

I think the most efficient fan would be a "squirrel-cage" type fan...which come in all sizes and shapes. I'll look into that. No sense in smothering the radiators with 18 fans if one large one would do the trick.

Thanks for the idea ;)
02-15-2009, 04:27 PM
dengyong

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

I think the most efficient fan would be a "squirrel-cage" type fan...which come in all sizes and shapes. I'll look into that. No sense in smothering the radiators with 18 fans if one large one would do the trick.

Thanks for the idea ;)

"squirrel-cage"= centrifugal :up:
02-16-2009, 12:40 PM
CyberDruid

Done

I updated the first page if you would like to see more details

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4849/done033rx4.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6606/done032mo1.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/185/done031iv4.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4395/done030pr0.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2601/done014pm9.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1884/done010zf1.jpg
02-16-2009, 12:45 PM
Waterlogged

Cyber, what else can I say than simply awesome job! :eek: :up:

From your previous work, I had high expectations for this project...and your crushing them. :clap:
02-16-2009, 12:53 PM
SNiiPE_DoGG

well that does just look damn amazing doesn't it, great finish to a very cool project. :up:
02-16-2009, 01:03 PM
bentleya

the above two just said it all :)
02-16-2009, 01:42 PM
Hockeydude

That looks absolutely amazing. :D
02-16-2009, 01:51 PM
Sadasius

Nice work! :clap: Would like to see this all bolted and tubed. You got some serious wood skills!
02-16-2009, 01:53 PM
whe3ls

looks nice cd.
02-16-2009, 02:20 PM
CyberDruid

Thank you all very much. Us builders love feedback :D When the owner gets it put together I'll see about getting some of his shots posted up.

I enjoyed the project and compared to the other radboxes I have built this one is more technically refined and dare I say more elegant than some pop rivetted aluminum and lexan :p:

Do you think a PC case along the same lines would be interesting? Damn heavy obviously...but what do you think? Is it worth the effort?
02-16-2009, 02:25 PM
CyberDruid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFnzBfu1p1c

Completed unit vid
02-16-2009, 02:38 PM
Sadasius

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

Do you think a PC case along the same lines would be interesting? Damn heavy obviously...but what do you think? Is it worth the effort?

Hell yeah! Would be very nice. It's simple and elegant at the same time. Who cares about heavy. Fork Lift it to a LAN party if you have to...:rofl:
02-16-2009, 02:46 PM
CyberDruid

Maybe put some wheels on it and propel it with a couple of Pelko 265 CFM fans :D
02-16-2009, 03:08 PM
Sadasius

There ya go! See no problem...:up: Just strap a seat to it! :rofl:
02-16-2009, 03:15 PM
Hockeydude

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

Maybe put some wheels on it and propel it with a couple of Pelko 265 CFM fans :D

Lol, maybe add a hitch to the back to pull the computer along.:rofl:
02-16-2009, 03:41 PM
Bei Fei

WOW that is awesome.
02-16-2009, 10:06 PM
Groveling_Wyrm

GREAT LOOKING BOX!!! Beautiful craftsmanship right there!!!
02-16-2009, 10:37 PM
exe163

Amazing craftsmanship, definitely first class :up:.
02-17-2009, 03:24 AM
The[R]eaper

Wow freaking gorgeous! Great work :up: wish i had the skills to make something like that.

eagerly awaiting more :D
02-17-2009, 03:38 AM
Vapor

That's simply amazing....wow. Beautiful looking on all levels--the workmanship, the design, and the functionality (not to mention it would fit in perfectly in my room at home).

Great work as always :up:
02-17-2009, 04:23 AM
CyberDruid

:D That's always good to hear. Thanks guys.
02-17-2009, 04:54 AM
AlucardCasull

That looks awesome, how did you cut the windows out so perfectly?
02-18-2009, 09:20 AM
CyberDruid

Here are some teasers the owner just posted

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/430/0581if5.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1240/0611eb3.jpg
02-18-2009, 09:21 AM
CyberDruid

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlucardCasull

That looks awesome, how did you cut the windows out so perfectly?

Router and Template. There is a sticky on it somewhere in the Case section.
02-19-2009, 09:28 AM
mmansueto

hello everyone. I am the customer this was made for. I will update some pics here in a little bit. As of right now, i am figuring out the PSU and rheostat placement, as well as the wire management. Here are some pics of the build that this will be cooling:

Skulltrail Soldam ZR-3000

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ueto/021-1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ueto/022-1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ueto/028-1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ueto/001-5.jpg

Here is how everything looked last night, before splicing the fan wires and getting the other wiring organized:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ueto/063-2.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...nsueto/067.jpg

From the looks of it, the MCP655's may not be able to handle it, so I may just bite the bullet and get some Iwaki's and sell these.....
02-19-2009, 09:36 AM
nikhsub1

WOW CD, your skillz put 99% of us to shame! Excellent work, I can only dream of creating something like that.
02-19-2009, 10:16 AM
CyberDruid

Thanks.

And thanks again to Mmansuetto for shelling out some serious coin for a wood box :D
02-19-2009, 10:54 PM
Martinm210

Wow, that was fast. Awesome work!

Some day I'll have to finish my kitchen cabinet project...:D I know how much time that stuff takes. Setup, rip, Setup, miter, Setup, dado, Glue, Clamp, Wait, dado, router, Glue, Clamp, Wait, Sand, Sand, Sand, Finish, Sand, Finish, Sand, Finish, Hardware, Install.. One box done, Repeat. Repeat. After about a dozen cabinets, I'm not sure I built any two exactly the same..lol! Ideally you'd have about three dedicated tablesaws for this sort of work, one that does nothing but rip/cut and two for differing thickness dado cuts. Working with wood is alot of fun though, lots of craftsman satisfaction from it all.
02-19-2009, 11:18 PM
santiagodraco

That is just amazing. Where were you when i was trying to solve my home theater water cooling problem! ;) I'd have loved to have something like that sitting next to the home theater. With the right finish it would have blended in nicely!
02-20-2009, 01:47 AM
MaxxxRacer

wow.. Your woodworking skills are superb!

For such a nice box, the rad choice is sad. I want to see tripple PA120.3 in there, paired up with some RD-30's.
02-20-2009, 02:47 AM
Groveling_Wyrm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1240/0611eb3.jpg

OOOOOOOOOO!!!! I like the way that manifold stain came out! NICE!!! :up:
02-20-2009, 02:49 AM
Groveling_Wyrm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmansueto

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ueto/063-2.jpg

Are the rads just setting in the box or do you have them secured in there?
02-20-2009, 03:30 AM
coolmiester

It always amazes me to see a few bits of wood that could quite easily of made there way onto a bonfire or chucked on a skip but in the hands of a skilled craftsmen like CD can be turned into a piece of furniture art.

Absolutely incredible and also great to see its built for Skulltrail..............i'll always have a softspot for Skulltrail :up:
02-20-2009, 04:37 AM
CyberDruid

lol.

@Martin yeah I would have liked to have a much larger and more complete shop.

BTW the Manifold wood is not stained. That's Purpleheart sanded out to 320 with some Carnuba wax rubbed onto it and buffed out.

And yes I made it so the rads just lay on the cleats at a 45 degree angle.

Same design can work with any type of rad.
02-20-2009, 06:44 AM
mmansueto

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

lol.

@Martin yeah I would have liked to have a much larger and more complete shop.

BTW the Manifold wood is not stained. That's Purpleheart sanded out to 320 with some Carnuba wax rubbed onto it and buffed out.

And yes I made it so the rads just lay on the cleats at a 45 degree angle.

Same design can work with any type of rad.

So, after looking over some comments and suggestions from everyone (on XS, OCN and HWC), i have decided to put 3 PA120.3's (CD, since you made this, will they fit?) in here and 2 Iwaki pumps. So, any suggestions on which pumps? I know the RD-30 is what CD has, but are there ones that will perform roughly the same for cheaper?
02-20-2009, 07:24 AM
CyberDruid

Hmmmmm

PA rads are too long and are marginally wider too...

Alphacool 1510 is the only pump I know of that comes close to an Iwaki RD30.
02-20-2009, 07:53 AM
mmansueto

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

Hmmmmm

PA rads are too long and are marginally wider too...

Alphacool 1510 is the only pump I know of that comes close to an Iwaki RD30.

hmmm.......from comparing the dimensions:

(L-W-D)
Pa120.3 - 430mm - 128mm - 61mm
MCR320 - 410mm - 128mm - 34mm

so the 20mm difference in length will not allow it to fit? Any other Rad choices that will fit?

So, some of the Iwaki's (MD-20RZ-N) will not perform as well as a MCP655?
02-20-2009, 07:53 AM
situman

Beautiful beautiful workmanship. Puts any retail stuff to shame. I think 2 PA120.3 and one Iwaki RD30 is more than enough to handle anything.
02-20-2009, 08:00 AM
mmansueto

Quote:

Originally Posted by situman

Beautiful beautiful workmanship. Puts any retail stuff to shame. I think 2 PA120.3 and one Iwaki RD30 is more than enough to handle anything.

From looking at the measurements, the PA120.3 is 16.92 inches long and I have only a 14 1/4 inch gap for fan placement. I think that it would fit, but i may not be able to have all the fans on it, but i run the risk of not being able to close the top hatch.....
02-20-2009, 08:04 AM
Brother Esau

Nice job Warren love how clean and meticulous your work always is:clap:
02-20-2009, 08:05 AM
SNiiPE_DoGG

If those are MCR 320's done even bother switching. People are stupid, dont listen to them, the MCR320 is only 3-10% behind the PA120.3 and only in high heat load applications. go for the RD 30 though :D thats extreme
02-20-2009, 08:10 AM
mmansueto

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

If those are MCR 320's done even bother switching. People are stupid, dont listen to them, the MCR320 is only 3-10% behind the PA120.3 and only in high heat load applications. go for the RD 30 though :D thats extreme

Good to know. Thanks man. So, with a push/pull config, it should hold its own against the PA120.3's? I will get some RD-30's or the Alphacool 1510 (as CD suggested).
02-20-2009, 08:13 AM
SNiiPE_DoGG

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmansueto

Good to know. Thanks man. So, with a push/pull config, it should hold its own against the PA120.3's? I will get some RD-30's or the Alphacool 1510 (as CD suggested).

yes, actually with the 3-rads you have I dont even think you would see an increase in performance at all.

youd be better off spending the $300 on an AC unit to cool the intake air :rofl::rofl:
02-20-2009, 08:25 AM
mmansueto

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

yes, actually with the 3-rads you have I dont even think you would see an increase in performance at all.

youd be better off spending the $300 on an AC unit to cool the intake air :rofl::rofl:

hmmm.......
02-20-2009, 08:43 AM
CyberDruid

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

If those are MCR 320's done even bother switching. People are stupid, dont listen to them, the MCR320 is only 3-10% behind the PA120.3 and only in high heat load applications. go for the RD 30 though :D thats extreme

I have to agree man...after 4 years posting threads on tech Forums one thing I always see is the inevitable "you shoulda" posts.

Now sometimes those are valid but a large percentage are just "teh internet" responses to anything that's cool.

You just have to sort the wheat from the chaff and for me that requires FIRST HAND experience.

Just turn the thing on! put it under some load and see what you get. If temps are not good enough upgrade the fans first then if it's still not good enough upgrade the pumps.
02-20-2009, 11:56 AM
mmansueto

Thanks for the tips you guys. It is not so much that i care what the other "you should have" people say, it is more so that the more i look at it, the more i feel that i spent a good deal of money on a rad box, and then went the cheap way out with the rads. i will do a test run shortly. I do not doubt the cooling on the MCR320's (prior to this, my Skulltrail was cooled by a 320,220 and 120, so I know they can cool well). It is more, "If i want to add another system onto this loop, will these be sufficient"? i guess only time will tell.

thanks you guys.
02-20-2009, 11:59 AM
SNiiPE_DoGG

just think about it this way: you went the SMART way out with the rads. Thermochills are a waste all around IMO (unless you buy them for 50$ used, unpainted and scratched like me :D)
02-20-2009, 12:07 PM
mmansueto

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

just think about it this way: you went the SMART way out with the rads. Thermochills are a waste all around IMO (unless you buy them for 50$ used, unpainted and scratched like me :D)

Thank you. I have owned one before (actually one from CD, with his waterfall Res) and i only noticed a 1-2 degree difference from my MCR320, but i assumed (maybe naively) that the thermochill would offer better expansion possibilities. The hydra will be cooling 2 systems. I will have my CPU on one loop, my GPU/chipset on another and a watercooled xbox 360 on the last loop. Until i7 Skulltrail comes out of course.....
02-20-2009, 12:13 PM
SNiiPE_DoGG

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmansueto

Thank you. I have owned one before (actually one from CD, with his waterfall Res) and i only noticed a 1-2 degree difference from my MCR320, but i assumed (maybe naively) that the thermochill would offer better expansion possibilities. The hydra will be cooling 2 systems. I will have my CPU on one loop, my GPU/chipset on another and a watercooled xbox 360 on the last loop. Until i7 Skulltrail comes out of course.....

gabe is releasing the SLI stackable mcr rads soon and if you feel the need to upgrade even more you can add them to your existing MCR 320s on the other side on the rad holder you have now (at least it seems like you could)
02-20-2009, 03:09 PM
Grinch

very nice work :) you gonna paint or stain & varnish when complete?

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