LIAN LI PC-A05NB watercooled parts & thoughts
So my initial goal in this slippery slope of water cooling was to go all out: TJ07 multiple rads with very elegant, simple modding (similar to the effect murdermods often have) with extreme hardware (EVGA Classified and full-cover block anyone? :slobber:)
But alas those three things together would easily run $900 in themselves. In the seemingly daily "virtual builds" people like us seem to do across the Internet in merchant's shopping carts, I've come across another case that I think would make a perfect start to water cooling.
First, let everyone know, while I've never done water cooling, I've always had a voracious appetite for computer hardware/tech and DIY stuff; I've also built several computers for family friends, but non have required modding so I'll also be getting the standard rotary tool/drill/jigsaw/solder iron/etc base setup. Further support for going a cheaper route for my first actual case build & mod.
Without further adieu, here's the beauty! Lian Li 805NB
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_FHHx2dWqYJk/Sh...P6Tg/ao5nb.JPG
This case has been around for a few years and has a new revision, so there's been lots of reference material to peruse. A great example: A still posted to HardForum thread dating back to Christmas 2006. I've played around with what type of water cooling I'd get and what mods I'd do to the A05NB in relation to a standalone setup and to future upgrading to a TJ07.
To that end, I've varied mostly the type and size of radiator I'd get. Ultimately (for the TJ07) I want a XSPC RX480 with some Gentle Typhoons, unless I go 4x140mm. - 4x120 external mounting is the only way to use this now for the A05B and future TJ07 . It would require a radbox on the back or mounting above the top panel. Using a strong rad box seems the best as ventilation slots below the 120mm back intake fan would provide a perfect place for the radiators tubing to enter the case (I'm thinking 45s would be needed to make the abrupt downward turn). I know the RX480 would look rather goofy with the top half extending above the case, but I think it'd be worth it for the extra performance and future upgradability.*I don't like this idea anymore as it would leave the A05NB without its own radiator solution if I ever upgrade. There are savings in that however. Still I don't like it in lieu of the options below.
- 2x120 radiator now and later mount it to the TJ07's top panel fans and/or along with a new 4x120 radiator in the bottom compartment. Since my hardware at the moment comparatively will suck, maybe a 2x120 radiator in the A05NB's top/botton panel or at the back with a radbox would be the cleanest solution, present and future. However, mounting it in the top panel would block a motherboard PCI slot and mounting it in the bottom would prevent any radbox external mounting and cramp the PSU (or just not fit).*If I use a shroud and casters, which I'm leaning towards, I'll be able to fit an XSPC 2x120 radiator without any clearance issues and unless I upgrade to a really long PSU, won't hit or cause cabling problems.
- For the A05NB alone, it seems the Swiftech MCR220-QP is best because it is only 24.9MM thick and therefor obstructs the mobo the least for a top panel mount. Mounting a 2x120 radiator in the bottom gives more leeway, so maybe an RS240 and fans would fit.*No reason to mount on top and using a shroud on the bottom uses the extra 30mm to hide the fans to make things less cramped on the mobo/ram (but either way wouldn't get blocked because of case bottom width) and allow a better/thicker radiator (RX240 or Feser240).
- External mounting of anything kinda defeats the purpose of this case (ATX functionality in a decent SFF case), so to that end I've thought about adding a Koolance shroud to the bottom to give extra room to the fans.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_FHHx2dWqYJk/Sh...-1020bk_02.jpg
I don't believe they make a 2x120 shroud and the dimensions are 419mm x 182mm x 30mm so it might not fit without either (1) high enough case feet (maybe swivel-kind?) or (2) removing the IO bay on top. On top it helps eliminate the heat pocket other A05NB users seemed to have and could cool a 5.25 bay-mounted hdd. On the bottom it could help cool a PSU (I plan on a 120fan-less PSU, removing PSU's case, and inverting it for cold intake). As long as it could get enough clearance for air intake, I think I prefer the bottom method. I could probably even fit an RX240/Feser in the bottom without clearance issues.
*Even though it will add $70 to my initial costs (Koolance shroud and 4 casters), I like the overall look and functionality of a bottom shroud. I'll cut in the case floor intake for the upside-down PSU and that will cool it beautifully. The case is long enough for the shroud and casters (181.6mm shroud + 84.1375mm dual casters = 265.7375mm > 209.804 case width BUT 419mm shroud + 42.06875mm caster = 461.06875mm < 490.22mm case length)
Aside from the radiator choices...
And in the near future:
So tell me what you think about my parts selection and mod choices!
Would you pull the switcheroo on your mom?
So, had a friend tell me about a pretty nifty mITX board (ZOTAC GF9300-D-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI Mini ITX) the other day and I've always liked Silverstone's Sugo SG05-B.
The board comes with sound and video, and apparantly the video isn't half bad. This got me to thinking about the computer I built for my mom a while ago and how this little setup ($322 on Newegg for case, mobo, slimDVD burner, CPU fan) and my current Pentium4 HT processor would fit her needs perfectly without any expansion cards.
Now it goes without saying I could then ask her into letting me have the computer I built for her to "mess around with" and use her GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R mobo and Pentium E 2410 CPU for my own A05NB build to mess with before getting something better. Aside from her getting my currently-used Pentium4 HT 4 GHz CPU it would actually be an upgrade for her all around! I could then use/sell the extra HDDs/ODDs/case.
Does this make me a bad son? (mom)=>:slapass:<= (me)
Aside from the processor, I honestly believe she's gaining from the deal and won't need the processing difference anyhow. I'm even comtemplating doubling the Newegg order so I can have a Lanparty PC. Probably just add an A05BN and some Dominator memory, however. Any advice on if I should use the 4xDDRs slots or use the 2xDDR3 slots? I don't know if I can use both, but that would be awesome if I could.
Lastly, I'm going home in a week so now would be the perfect time to order all the stuff and have it sent home, so any quick thoughts would be awesome
