First try at a water cooling setup

[MFZ]

I've been paying a lot of attention to what people have been using in their setups and/or what they've recommended and decided to finally take the plunge and give it a shot. This is what I've got so far:

Danger Den - RBX CPU Waterblock with Brass Top
Maze 4 GPU Block
1/2" Fiittings
Black Ice Xtreme II Black Radiator (I know lots of ppl recommend heatercores but I had already ordered this)
2 120mm Evercool Fans
D4 12volt Pump
10 Feet Clear Flex Tubing
Stainless Steel Hold Down
12 Hose Clamps & Y & T Fitting
4 oz Zerex & Blue Motion Dye
Airplex Evo 240 Grill

And just received the lian li pc75 (sweet case):

So does anyone have any tips as far as mounting the radiator up top inside the case in conjunction with the evo grill outside? For example how did you line it up so you knew where to drill the holes from the outside to match the radiators holes? Any other general tips on what I should expect when setting this up would be appreciated.

 

[cnealjr]

Put in your power supply and test fit the radiator to make sure you won't have any clearance issues, then take a measurement of where the center of the radiator is from the front or back of the case, transfer this measurement to the top of your case and use it as the center point to cut your hole. I used a hole saw, so all I did was use a center punch to make a mark in the top panel to give me a place to start the drill bit. If you are going to use a dremel to cut out your fan hole, you can use the same principle, just use the center point and a compass to scribe your mark on the case to guide your dremel or jig saw. I would suggest covering the top of your case in masking tape prior to marking the hole and cutting it. You WILL slip at some point - and you don't want to be marking up that fancy new case's top panel. Once the hole is cut, I generally use a fan grill to mark the holes to drill for the actual mounting hardware for the fan bolts. Just center the fan grill over the new hole you cut for the fan, make sure your fan grill is straight, mark the holes with a sharpie and use your center punch to mark the holes and drill.

 

[ewarz]

...I would suggest covering the top of your case in masking tape prior to marking the hole and cutting it. You WILL slip at some point - and you don't want to be marking up that fancy new case's top panel...

i just wanted to bring more attention to what cnealjr said. this is really important. i have a few scratches on my lian li that could have been prevented if i took the time to cover the panel with masking tape.

im really interested in some pics when you get all that together. congrats man.

 

[MFZ]

Thanks for the replies and tips fellas. I'll be sure to keep updating this thread as soon as the rest of my parts arrive and I get started on the mod.

 

[xfoureyedgeek]

seems to be a start of a good project. I am waiting myself on a 360 grill. Before i can redo my system.

 

[xfoureyedgeek]

Can you give me a favor. Install the bay res. I was wondering if it will be shown in the front.

 

[cnealjr]

Can you give me a favor. Install the bay res. I was wondering if it will be shown in the front.

Well, it installs just like a drive. You COULD make it shown, but I've got mine stealthed behind a blank drive bay cover. It is translucent and doesn't really look like much if left out in the open, unlike the old leak prone acrylic bay res that were meant to be shown. If you use the right mounting holes in your case, you can slide it fore and aft just like a drive.