ABS Aplus ABS-Black Pearl

[Slave1974]

I JUST discovered this awesome case, and have searched this site. My search-fu is weak, clearly.

Here is my question, as I am sure someone here has some knowledge.

There is a build thread, but it didn't answer my question.

My plan is to water cool a HD 5870, AMD 955 BE and maybe the NB and SB with the Crosshair III.

I have seen people cooling all of these with just a 360 rad.

I want to sideways mount a 480 like people do those tj107 cases from silver stone.

I could also mount 2 240's or 2 360's, but I am wondering if I can flip the PSU mounting plate, mount my HX1000 (this damn thing is too damn long), above, and put the rads on the bottom of the case.

I know the bottom compartment can fit a rad turned side ways, cut vents in the bottom of the side, but is it long enough?

[Ketzer7]

Flipping the PSU mounting plate on the back actually ends up placing the fan on something like an HX1000 up against the bottom of the divider plate in the BP, so it would completely block airflow to the PSU.

You'd have to mod the plate to allow you to mount the PSU the other direction with the fan facing down. It can be done. Take a look for a V2000 worklog build by Eddie3dfx in that section as he did it and the V2000 is the same case as the BP.

I can personally vouch that the case is long enough to mount a quad 120 rad in the bottom without having to do anything special (with the PSU plate inverted). You just have to watch out for the clearance with the front mounted 120mm fan. Either flip it over on its mounting plate or get rid of it.

Don't forget that you can also look at V2000 worklogs since like I mentioned, the Lian Li V2000 is the same exact case as the BP, both in dimensions and internal layout. It just has some slight tweaks to it that make it slightly different, but not radically so.

[Slave1974]

thanks!

[shazza]

I think Ketzer7 covered the question on radiator placement.

With respect to cooling all that on the 480 rad ... I don't think it will be a problem. While I haven't see data on cooling the 5870 yet, I know the 955 runs a LOT cooler than the i7 920, so you should have plenty of rad as long as you've got decent flow and fans. I'd suggest going with a CPU water block with good flow characteristics.

No experience with the ASUS Crosshair III, but I know my Gigabyte UD5P-790FXT didn't show any signs of needing water blocks on the motherboard. (but I also ran it in an open case environment).

Do let us know how things turn out. It would be great to see some more work logs with AMD CPUs.

[hewi]

Originally Posted by Ketzer7

Flipping the PSU mounting plate on the back actually ends up placing the fan on something like an HX1000 up against the bottom of the divider plate in the BP, so it would completely block airflow to the PSU.

I have this exact dilemma with my V-2000 + 480GTX + HX1000 combo.
I thought that I could get away with the PSU mounted against the divider plate since there's a small gap for air. But under load that HX1000 wan't more air and starts getting too loud for my liking. Now im thinking I'll either get a new PSU with only rear fan ie. Antec Signature series 650/850W, or replace the 480GTX with 2 x 240GTX which allows PSU mounting where it should be, with good airflow, easier cable management and cleaner overall look.

Or I'll leave it be an bear with the noise and overheating HX1000.

[Delemon]

I'm glad my PCP&C 750 Silencer doesn't have a fan mounted like that. I have this same case, and will also be housing a large (120.3 or a 120.4) sized rad in the bottom.

[shazza]

That's why I'm going with the Antec 850 Signature in my Black Pearl. Still haven't decided on the exact orientation - working through that now.