Losing hope on finding a WS setup

[HRPC]

I collected a bunch of info and have come to the conclusion that even though my case is a full tower (Silverstone TJ03) I will not be able to fit a radiator inside without modding the case (which I won't becuase I paid to have it custom painted)

I know I can go with dual 80mm rad but as I also understand not only will it be a real tight fit it also will not cool my setup appropiately

So I am left to ask, what else can I do? I think the external radbox's look kinda lame.

Any advice? I would love to add highend watercooling to my rig....

 

[sprocket]

What is your cooling like with air?
Can you list the temps your major components run now?

Need to prioritize the heat loads before you can design a loop.
For instance, in my PC (3500 Winnie and 6800 GT) I could easily leave the CPU out of the loop...it runs that cool.
The design necessary to cope with just the GPU (with stock cooling I was hitting 55-60c at idle) could prolly get away with some 80mm rads, but I don't really see the point.

Are all external solutions verboten or just RadBoxes in particular?

 

[HRPC]

At idle:

CPU = 43
GPU = 46
MB = 36
RAM = 35

While 3DMark 06 is running

CPU =54
GPU =54
MB = 39
RAM = 41

4 fans:
1 front 120mm
2 rear 80mm
1 top 80mm
CPU Fan Zalman 7000

My case is loud as anything...

 

[Erasmus354]

You could build an external watercooling box. Without wanting to cut up the case or use a rad box your options become kind of slim.

 

[sprocket]

Have any pics of this custom painted case?

 

[Leeum]

80mm radiators are generally a waste of time, they have a smaller surface area and most likely more restrictive due to the small width needing more tubes - they can't cope with the heat load!

You could easily fit an 120.2 radiator at the top of the case loosing perhaps the first 5 1/4" drivebay. It being painted isn't a problem, get a good few layers of masking tape down to protect the finish and apply the measure twice cut once technique

If you aren't confident about jigsawing the full shroud outline you could instead use a holesaw to take out 2 holes slightly smaller than the diameter of the fan, I think it's 102mm off the top of my head. Then simply get yourself some nice grills to cover the edges where it has no paint.

If it's been painted black you could always try the permanent marker trick

 

[HRPC]

Thanks maybe I will do the 120mm mod. The fan now is 80mm. As for pics you can look here, it is the white\blue flame case

www.thehotrodpc.com

 

[sprocket]

Ah, I see the problem.

You could avoid touching the paint (or any metal for that matter) by fabbing a 120.2 or similar heatercore facing the sidepanel window. Replace (or cut ) the window panel to allow for grillwork/air access.

Maybe.

 

[HRPC]

What about using a single 120mm rad in place of the 120mm intake fan in the front of the case? Unless it is too big to fit with the 3.5 inch bay cage

 

[BellaCroix]

I'd say go with an external enclosure using a pump with wicked head, use really long hoses to put the water under the desk then feed into the rear.

Otherwise, your options become VERY limited.

 

[Bugsmasher]

I would simply go with an external radiator mount using the Swiftech Radbox. Yes, this will drop your tubing size to 3/8" ID but you will still get some pretty danged good performance.

MCB-120 Radbox by Swiftech at Jab-Tech

The link shows the black version, its also available in blue and would be easy to repaint yourself to match your custom case. This way you could fairly simply mount a single 120mm or dual 120mm rad/HC and get the performance you are looking to get. You will have a slight flow rate drop due to using the 3/8" ID tubing but it will be minimal assuming you arent going with some monster pump like a MD20 RZT Iwaki.

 

[HRPC]

THanks I think you are right. Can I mount a DUAL 120mm in the single Rad box design?

 

[Kil4Thril]

yes you can

 

[p0intblank]

The Koolance Exos-2 sounds like its right up your alley.