Looking at a kit...

[GoldenTiger]

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swh2licokitr1.html

I'm looking at that kit to stuff into my modded ATX-using X-Qpack... it would be a bunch of work, but I think I could make it fit, making the only external item be the "Radbox" on the rear 120mm fan slot hanging from the back of the case. I plan on soon upgrading to a Core 2 Q6600 from my current E6600, and I know the heat output will be too much. I'm already running fairly warm with my 8800GTS 640 in there along with the E6600, so I want to implement something better . Will this keep that kind of beast cool enough? What about if I later added a block into the loop for a video card (not in the near future)?

Thanks !

 

[Gyrfalcon]

I gutted a 120mm fan for spacer off the back of my Qpack and have a Panaflo U1A mounted inside with a PA120.1 hanging off the gutted fan. I am using a TDX block on a A64 X2 4200+ and a Maze 4 on my 7800GT with a DDC-2 (non modded) I would bet if you went with a PA120.1 or if you are a little crazy and strapped a PA160 on it you would be just fine. Grab a modified DDC-2 from petra and a Dtek fuzion and you are set to cool, just not with an OC.

 

[Sideroxylon]

If the rad is already going to be external then you might as well get a 2 X 120mm rad or even a 3 X 120mm. That's a good kit but you need to up the size of the rad. Check out Petra's wc'ing kits. They've got some great kits put together and a great store.

 

[GoldenTiger]

Unless I mounted the 2x120 Rad on top of the case, it wouldn't fit. I have an 80mm fan mounted on the back to pull air through the chipset area and RAM. Would the Rad in the kit I linked really be a limiting factor for just one quad-core CPU? I'm trying to keep it relatively low on price, I can get the linked one for $150 shipped. Also, I'm trying to keep the size fairly small, if I don't I may as well grab a whole new case, etc. I'm interested in water due to its small size requirements, since I can't fit a tower cooler in the case, but have room elsewhere in it. Still, I'll look around... I'd rather not switch cases, but perhaps...

 

[Sideroxylon]

It pays to do wc'ing right the first time. A substandard wc'ing setup will be worse than a high end air cooling solution. Quads get HOT and I wouldn't recommend using anything less than a 2 x 120mm rad. Take a look at my sig for my loop and quad details.

 

[Ranker]

Start off with a Petra's kit if you're a first timer. It's a great way to get started and not screw yourself with substandard components you can't reuse in future builds.

For a Quad, I'd recommend at least a PA120.2 if not a PA120.3 with a Swiftech GTX and a DDC-2 pump w/ Petra's top. Quad's are ridiculously hot and need their own loop to be sufficiently cooled.

If money isn't too tight, I'd recommend going two loops. The most powerful loop dedicated towards your CPU and the 2nd loop for the chipset/video cards.

 

[GoldenTiger]

You guys are right... I don't think watercooling is in my budget for this upgrade , and I agree 100% it needs to be done properly the first time around rather than buying and needing to replace the very next time.

Thank you for the thoughts, but I think I'm going to have to stick with air for a few still .

 

[Sideroxylon]

Damnit!!! Lost another one.

 

[GoldenTiger]

Damnit!!! Lost another one.

It's not anything personal .

 

[Sideroxylon]

It's not anything personal .

No problems. I'm just messin with you.

 

[Gyrfalcon]

you guys do realize it is a SFF case...

 

[GoldenTiger]

No problems. I'm just messin with you.

Hehe .

you guys do realize it is a SFF case...

Hence why I was trying to see if it would work with a minimal-size setup. Looks like a tall order, so I am gonna see what else I can do to take care of the heat (I think I can slip on an XP90-C without much extra modding, then replace one of the fans with a higher CFM one (the rear bottom right (when facing the case front) exhaust I added). Also, I realized putting an X-Fi in the slot infront of the 8800GTS 640 might be stifling its airflow LOL !