J-J-J-Jam it in. A preview of my upcoming build.

[kuhla]

First off let me apologize for the atrocious file sizes of the pictures below. I had to save them with Microsoft's photo program (on my mom's laptop right now) which seems to saze all JPGs at maximum quality. I also had to boost the contrast/brightness in some of the pictures to bring out the details I wanted to mention. So overall not the most ideal pictures but they will do the job. Once I have my PC back up and running, I'll be back in Photoshop saving them to nice, small sizes.

So here are some pictures after my first day of actual test fitting. Everything is fitting just like I imagined (and planned) it would, perhaps even better than I thought. Like I said, the PSU at the moment is only attached with some string The pump will most likely be placed beneath the PSU either (a) directly against the other side panel or (b) on a L-shaped plate attached to the bottom of the case. Using a plate would be the better in terms of reducing vibration and function (since it wouldn't hinder me taking off the other side panel whenever I want). However the pressure from the tubing would always keep the plate slightly bent unless I get thick-ish metal for the bracket. I'll have to think about it.

In terms of how I plan to run the loop, it will most likely run OUT of the pump > INTO the barb on the radiator closest to the motherboard > OUT of the barb farthest away from the motherboard > INTO the cpu block. This should minimize tangle/bends/required length. Anyone have any better ideas?

On a sidenote: I will at some point (hopefully soon) be replacing my PSU. This 430 watt Cooler Master is getting old. It doesn't even have a proper 6-pin PCIE much less one of the newer 8-pin PCIEs. I will measure sometime about how big of a powersupply I can get but it looks like I will have to stick to the smaller, more normal sized models out there. Meaning most (not all) modular psus are off the list.

Enough of this... time for some pics!!


In the picture below: You can see roughly how I am planning to place/fit everything.




In the picture below: I took an angle show how the radiator lines up with the case feet. It fits roughly between them. I am still not sure where I am exactly going to make the cutouts on the bottom but I want to decide soon so that this project keeps rolling and I don't lose momentum.




In the picture below: You can see how much clearence there is between the motherboard and the radiator. This particular amount of space turned out to be more than I thought it would be (and since it also worried me the most its an added bonus)! Its more than enough space to easily deal with putting in/taking out RAM.




In the picture below: You can see the front and roughly where I am going to have to cut to place the PSU. Part of the string/knot that is holding the PSU in place for this photo shoot is also visible, hehe. The PSU is far enough to the right of the case that it will not interfere with the on/off switch. Ignore the cable hanging out of the 3.5" bay (from when I stuffed the PSU wires in there), I should have moved it before the shot...




In the picture below: I wanted to take one more picture showing the clearance on either side of the radiator.



Tommorow is kind of tight so I probably won't have any more updates for this until Friday. By then I hope to have decided where to cut for both the PSU and the radiator and get started on that.