Micro ATX case for water cooling?

[Shryne]

See my sig-rig I am building...I promise I will post some pics of my setup tomorrow

i look forward to it!

That is not the Koolance all in one unit you think it is, in fact, it's not even an all in one. It's actually 2 separate units. If you look at the pic closer, you can see that that tubes go to the drive bay which is where the Koolance pump/res/control unit is and up top is just a shroud with a rad attached.

Those type units are no longer typical of Koolance's hardware, I'm not positive but, I believe they may be phasing those types of systems out.

performance-pcs.com has them there, and that is what i was going by to identify it. I dont see a pump anywhere so i assumed that had to be a combo reservoir and pump, no?

[Waterlogged]

i look forward to it!



performance-pcs.com has them there, and that is what i was going by to identify it. I dont see a pump anywhere so i assumed that had to be a combo reservoir and pump, no?

One of these is the unit in the drive bay.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=21424

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=25341

[Shryne]

then the top unit is a radiator? it must be a huge one, and the whole top of that case is not stock...
edit, dont those pump/reservoir combos go against a basic rule of liquid cooling? Have as few turns in the loop as possible. Those units have several 90 degree turns!!

[Waterlogged]

then the top unit is a radiator? it must be a huge one, and the whole top of that case is not stock...
edit, dont those pump/reservoir combos go against a basic rule of liquid cooling? Have as few turns in the loop as possible. Those units have several 90 degree turns!!

It's merely a shroud with a rad. The shroud "buys" more room in the case by relocating the rad to a slightly higher location. They have 3 and 4 fan models which have a matching bottom part (3 fan / 4 fan) to make a fully enclosed unit or "buy" even more room in the case.

As for the pump/res combo and the 90's, it's nothing that particular pump can't overcome, they're pretty powerful little pumps.

[Shryne]

ur good, i see what they did now! is that the best idea for a small(er) case (with the same basic layout) like mine? and why are only the tubes on the CPU wrapped?

EDIT: and why is there a second mini radiator at the END of the loop?

[Waterlogged]

ur good, i see what they did now! is that the best idea for a small(er) case (with the same basic layout) like mine? and why are only the tubes on the CPU wrapped?

If you don't mind the shroud sticking up like that. . .yeah, it's a pretty decent option.

For that. . .I haven't a clue.

[Shryne]

what is the function of wrapping the tubes?

[lichyetan]

A05N setup

[meanmoe]

what is the function of wrapping the tubes?

To allow a tighter bend radius without kinking.

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

A05N setup

Is the rear fan functioning as an intake?

[Shryne]

Im looking now at the logistics here and there are 7.5cm of clearance above the mobo (after removing the fan). That can fit these radiators with 120 25mm fans.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=25250
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=3985

Would it be ok to have the rad at the top of the case?
is there a better option?

[dejanh]

i look forward to it!

snip...

Done. Build log updated Pics are not the best but they will do. If anyone wants to inquire about the MIPS blocks in my build let me know via PM. I may/should be able to help you out

Anyway, enjoy

[Shryne]

Ok, im torn on a GFX card... $300 would be my max...

[dejanh]

Ok, im torn on a GFX card... $300 would be my max...

I went with two HD 4850s. They provided best $/performance ratio and were single slot so I could use two in CF. I actually got one as a promotion and the other for $30 off of Craigslist though even purchased if you can find them they are quite cheap.

[Shryne]

i almost did that but i am worried about space and airflow with the crossfire. i found this card to work perfectly. its only 9.5 inches long!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-857-_-Product

[Envy]

about to finish this one, RII Gene NB and CPU stay cool with 1000rpm fan 2xSSD behind motherbord tray and there is 2 drive bay free still.

[Shryne]

that looks really good!! what is the tube that goes up into the case next to the top fan for?

[Shryne]

Is this the northbridge water block you are using?
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24469

[Envy]

its a fill/drain port ,northbridge block its the same you may check using EK configurator

[zeroibis]

As far as mobility goes it should be fine. My system is made out of two full tower cases that split apart so I can move them back and forth from school. They have been moved over 20 times and have never had a problem.

[Shryne]

So Ive done some searching and some assuming (sorry!). I've mostly concluded what liquid cooling components to use for this build. I do however still have a few questions and also am in need of a few clarifications. I do have a few parts i don't know which is better and need help deciding on, as well.

Im torn on the CPU block, these were the two i was looking at;
Swiftech APOGEE XT Ultra Extreme Performance CPU Water Block
Alphacool HF 14 Yellowstone B/B/B Socket 775/1366/1156 Ultimate CPU Water Block

EK-NB ASUS HP Northbridge Water Block - Acetal

Bitspower BP-WBVGA5870AC-MBK GPU Block for ATI 5850/5870

XSPC 150 Passive Aluminium Reservoir
Here is an area i did not see a clear answer on what reservoir to use. I would like some input here

Black Ice Pro II Compact High Performance Radiator
Is there a better low profile option?

Koolance PMP-450 High-flow Pump
good head

EK-Mosfet ASUS X58 KIT
does this fit my Asus Rampage II Gene? I was under the impression i will need these?

What tubing should i use?!

whats the deal with flow meters and temp gauge? do i need them? etc.Koolance INS-FM17 Coolant Flow Meter & Adapter Board

Fittings & Connectors?

Koolance Tubing Spring Wrap, Black [10mm, 3/8"]
(where applicable)
Primochill Reusable Hose Clamp [10mm, 3/8" OD]

please let me know if any of these are horrible decisions. I am in no way married to what i wrote here this is just what my novice mind thought would be a good setup. Set me straight if its clear i need better direction.
Lastly, tell me if anything here is not compatible (bars/sizing/fittings/whatever)! thanks!!

[Shryne]

Is there anyone out there that can help atm? i need to order ASAP!!

[Waterlogged]

I'd go with the Apogee over the Alphacool.

Res: Do not want, I can't get any clearer than that. It will cause galvanic corrosion if you don't use a lot of anti corrosion blocker (which will hurt your temps). Go with a EK multi-option, Magicool tube, Swiftech McRes-micro, or (dare I say it) Alphacool tube (make sure they have Delrin ends before ordering).

BIP: This is my personal choice/recommendation for true thin rad requirements. If you can fit a 34mm thick rad, go with Swiftech MCR.

Pump: If your looking for a D5, scroll down P-PC's listing page a little further for the Swiftech MCP655 for a good bit less for the exact same pump. My personal preference is the DDC which is a little bit strong than the D5.

Flow meter is really not needed but they do seem to give a few piece of mind knowing what they're flow rate is and can give a clue as to something wrong (like a block slowly getting clogged up) with the system in advance with proper monitoring.

Tubing: I personally like Primochill's PrimoFlex Pro LRT, very nice bend radius and some nice colors.

Fittings: If your going with those clamps, I'd recommend 3/8" barb fittings from Koolance. I'd also recommend you get the proper size clamps for the tubing you get. I'm guessing you'll be getting 3/8" x 1/2" tubing (since that's the size of the coils), so you'll need 1/2" clamps. Koolance make some pretty nice nickel plated clamps like that for $.20 more each, have a whole bunch of them myself.

[Shryne]

Im a little lost on the tubing and clams/"nozzles".
ID = inner diameter
OD = outer diameter
WT = wall thickness

on the Apogee it says " Fittings Stock 1/4" BSPP X 1/2 " Barb Chrome Plated Fittings" (stock).
was is the BSPP? does that mean i cannot use 3/8 tubing?
I was gonna go 3/8 (10mm)
(not a fan of this standard system, hard to remember)
but also use compression fittings (koolance)
the clamps, tubling, and fittings are where i get lost! and i am not sure it will all be compatible! lol
Thanks for checking the other hardware, i too looked at the Swiftech 655 and made the same change when i saw the price
i assume BIP is "black Ice Pro" so i did good with that pick! woot.

EDIT: here is what i have so far
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1699/cart001.jpg
i will do the GPU later
but i need to make sure all will fit 10mm ID tubing
and get the right fittings for the GPU block for the future
compression ones dont need clamps, right?
are they reliable as clamps? the deff look better to me, but are they worth the investment
do i need to somehow get adapters or replacements for the pump (its at 13mm (i believe)) and the CPU block too?

[Waterlogged]

1/4" BSPP refers to the thread size of the fitting. This has finally been somewhat standardized so with a minor few exceptions, there's nothing to worry about here.

The other dimension given is the barb end of the fitting, which in that case, is 1/2". This means that it's for 1/2" inside diameter tubing which would make the Outside diameter either 5/8" or 3/4" depending on the wall thickness you preferred. Most ppl prefer the thicker wall thickness because they feel it gives a better bend radius and less chance of collapsing on the more extreme bends.

[rant]Personally, I say bollocks to that, as most of the worklogs and finish builds in the gallery I see don't have proper bend radii to start with and they wouldn't know a proper bend radius if it bit them in the arse. [/rant]

If you plan on using Koolance compressions, you don't need the clamps at all. You also don't have to worry about what size fittings the blocks come with as you'll be replacing them all anyway. Just make sure that if you order 3/8" x 5/8" compression fittings, you have to get that size tubing, and if you go for 3/8" x 1/2", you have to get that size tubing for those. This goes for any compression fittings.

If you could post up some links to the tubing and fittings you'd like to use, we'll make sure they check out for you.