skkhai

Name & Explanation: Kuro, in Japanese it means the color black or dark. What I want for this project is to make a sleeper tower. I used to be in the whole window mod/cathodes/led fans/etc... but now I want simple and clean tower, which led me to build this:



I have been wanting to paint interior black but because I've also been wanting to get my feet wet in water cooling, I decided to hold off until after I build my first loop.

Recently, I was able to pick up a used kit locally for a good price. His kit consisted of the, now old, Apogee GT CPU block, original MCR220 (3/8" threading), a nasty looking Micro-Res v1, and the old faithful MCP655 pump. It is an ok starting point for me, but I wanted more...

Planned Parts: (I now have everything I need ).
Apogee GT CPU block
MCR220 Radiator
MCR320 Radiator (thanks borito4)
2x MCW60 GPU blocks (thanks Stellarex)
MCP655 Pump
7/16" ID 5/8" OD Tubing
UN 3G Pump Bracket (thanks utnorris)

Here's the plan:


1: I will try my best to find someway to mount the MCR320 internally to the roof. I will most likely have clearance issues and may be forced to have the radiator mounted flush on top of the case while the fans sit inside. We'll see when I have the 320 physically in my hands to play with.

2: The smaller rad will be placed where the HDD bay currently is. Obviously I will have to remove the bay but this should give me a massive amount of space to work with for the MCR220 and I will most likely have push/pull setup and maybe able to get some shroud action too!

3: It was really hard for me to decide where to put the reservoir. I know the ideal place would be to have it at the highest point in the loop, but this is hard considering the limited space I have to work with and because I don't want any parts mounted externally (especially tubing). I decided to go with a floor mounted reservoir... It will have enough tubing for it to pop out of the case for easy draining. Filling will be the hard part... I plan to just flip the case upside down and pop the reservoir out facing up normally; this will then make it so it is at the highest part of the loop .

I want the coldest water possible hitting the CPU first, so my loop is:
Reservoir > Pump > MCR220 > MCR320 > Apogee GT > MCW60 > MCW60 > Reservoir

Water color will not be red, I just used red to provide contrast and visibility in the plan.


// Updates //
8/19/09 - Made sure used parts didn't have any leaks/Lapped CPU/New pump bracket.
8/20/09 - Removed HDD bay, test fitted 220 rad.
8/21/09 - Cut top of case for rad + surprise came in .
8/23/09 - Finished cable routing and fan grill cuts, cleaned pump + rads
8/25/09 - FINISHED LOOP!!!!!!
8/30/09 - Swapped fans and added terminal block.

Random\/

Sounds like a good plan, I have the MCR320 in the top of my case, mounted the way you are talking about, I couldn't fit it inside so I put it on top and have fans below sucking in. I have a pretty similar setup to yours, here's a pic so you can get an idea (it's not perfect but it works pretty well)

Can't wait to see it!

skkhai

Do you have a top shot of your case? If the 320 isn't too noticeable, I think I might just end up doing it exactly like you did with the barbs on the other end.

Random\/

Well the way I have it (very noticeable) but I kinda like it. Ignore the black tape and bad mount (old picture) If your case has room you could drop it into the case and have it hang (my mobo was the way) Looks like you have a little more clearance than I do.

I_dalder_I

Dam your cable management for ANY case never the less a antec 300, is truly epic wow.

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I just cant get a good sig dang it

skkhai

Thanks . The 300 really makes it easy though, I just threw all the cables into little nook behind the HDD bays. I will have to find a new way to cable manage since I'm removing it...

oliverw92

nice plan! i hope to see a worklog of this. just watch out for cutting your cables where you made a hole there. get some c-strip or something. even electrical tape. just to stop the cables getting snagged

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skkhai

That was an older picture... before I got my video cards. They've been filed down smooth since then .

Random\/

In response to your question: I don't currently have any work log pictures, I'm adding new fans to my rad and might be able to get a few pics so you can actually see how it's in there. I'll post them if I can get them, let me know if you have any other questions.

Rick Arter

Looking forward to more of this project sweet!

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