Where to put radiator?

[rtierney]

I've decided on everything that I want to get except for my radiator.
My problem is this: I cannot find space in my case to put the radiator that I want (a double heater core).
I could fit a BIX 120mm in there, but obviously that won't cool as well as a double heater core.
According to Danger Den's site, even the single heater core won't fit in my case. It's just a hair too wide/tall.

I've included some pictures with measurements of the available space in my case. My question is this: do any of you have any ideas where or how I could fit a double heater core into my computer? I'd really like to avoid cutting up my case if possible just because I think I'd mess up and/or it'd look like a crappy mod job.

Here are the links to the case pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/rtierney/case/100_9541.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/rtierney/case/100_9542.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/rtierney/case/100_9543.jpg

The outside of the case can be seen at:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-124-081&depa=1


Thanks in advance.

 

[vodEVIL]

Have you thought about outside the case?

 

[black_b[ ]x]

I chose my case with that heatercore in mind and ended up with a coolermaster Stacker (see my thread for pics, and the shroud thread too). I put mine on the bottom.

Other options: cut out a window on the side and put it there. But keep in mind that with the fans and shroud, its just over 4" deep. Average case width... 8" I would go with an external enclosure. (assuming you don't want to buy a new case)

 

[rtierney]

Have you thought about outside the case?

I have, but again, I don't know where the best place to put it would be.

Would it be possible to have it stand like an inch off the top of my case? That way I'd only have to drill holes for the screws that would be supporting it and the air could be pushed down through the radiator and out the space between the heater core and top of the case.
I'd then just drill two holes at the top where the tubes would come up and clamp to the barbs and such.

Would that work? Or should I rethink another method?

 

[rtierney]

I chose my case with that heatercore in mind and ended up with a coolermaster Stacker (see my thread for pics, and the shroud thread too). I put mine on the bottom.

Other options: cut out a window on the side and put it there. But keep in mind that with the fans and shroud, its just over 4" deep. Average case width... 8" I would go with an external enclosure. (assuming you don't want to buy a new case)

Hmm, gave me an interesting idea.
Have some pegs on the bottom of my case to make it stand off the ground about an inch (like little feet) and just drill two 120mm diameter holes in the bottom of it then just mount a double heater core rad to the bottom of the case and have the fans blow through it and out the bottom.
That seem like a decent idea?

 

[Vulcanus]

yeah, you could have it blowing out, but just FYI, most heat collects in the of the case (PSU, optical drives, hdds) I don't know if you're w/c your gfx card, but the heatercore fans would be fighting the gfx card fan because the gfx card fans blow onto the card.

On the other hand, if you sucked air, youd be pulling a lot of heat through your case off of that heatercore.

 

[rtierney]

yeah, you could have it blowing out, but just FYI, most heat collects in the of the case (PSU, optical drives, hdds) I don't know if you're w/c your gfx card, but the heatercore fans would be fighting the gfx card fan because the gfx card fans blow onto the card.

On the other hand, if you sucked air, youd be pulling a lot of heat through your case off of that heatercore.

I will be watercooling my video card. Gonna use a swiftech vga block with the 6800 adapter.
I've got a 92mm Enermax fan running at full speed in the back to blow out most of the hot air that'll be around. Would it be better to suck air from under the case, through the radiator, and blow into the case? The air outside the case is probably cooler than what's in the case, so it may make sense. Plus some of the air that gets blown into the case from the radiator fans will be exhausted through the 92mm in the back.

 

[black_b[ ]x]

I would suck the air in from the bottom, otherwise the flow will be all messed up. The PSU fan would be fighting the radiator, etc. My case came with casters that are a good height for air to get in.

 

[rtierney]

I would suck the air in from the bottom, otherwise the flow will be all messed up. The PSU fan would be fighting the radiator, etc. My case came with casters that are a good height for air to get in.

Thanks.
Would about an inch be a good height to lift it? Or a bit more?

 

[black_b[ ]x]

I think mine is about 1.5-2" I'll measure when I get home.

 

[rtierney]

I think mine is about 1.5-2" I'll measure when I get home.

Thanks.
Also, any idea where I'd buy some?
Frozencpu has a set of acrylic case feet that look pretty good, but it doesn't say how tall they are. I'd like them to be atleast an inch tall (preferably an inch and a half), but alas, it doesn't say.

 

[black_b[ ]x]

its about 2.25" from the floor to the bottom of the case (the front bezel comes a little lower). The CM stacker comes with the casters (and other feet, I removed those).

 

[debaucher]

If your really hurting for space, you could try and make a shroud which covers the entire heatercore and mount it on top. ( I may be doing this using an aluminum sheet)

This would (of course) stick out and be very noticeable, so you would need to make a good shroud to cover it for looks, and leave enough room to mount a couple of fans to pull air out of your case thru the radiator.

If done right, it would look good (kinda like an exos or other external setup on top)

If not, then you could make some acrylic feet (using an acrylic rod) to raise your case up to the desired height. It will just suck up a bunch of dust into the heatercore over time, so you will need to keep it clean.

Good luck

D.