Cm690 + Pa120.3 X 2!! - Overclock.net

Dawgdoc · 04-20-08

Heya everyone

Ive got some time while Im waiting on an RMA, and decided to redo some things. I currently have a Rocketfish with a PA 120.3 mounted on the inside top of the case, and Im adding another PA 120.3 and another loop for a GPU only loop as well as a CPU only loop with a PA 120.3

Its overkill FOR SURE, but within the next few months I plan on some upgrades, perhaps SLI, perhaps something else I dunno, and getting 2 loops stuffed in here right now will make the upgrade process easier for me.

So....Ive got my CM690 stripped bare. Spray painted the interior and all around it black (I like that look). and I am trying to figure out how to put 2 loops and mount 2 PA 120.3s......

Here are my ideas and suggestions appreciated!

PA 120.3 mounted on the back outside of the case. No radbox, just use a 120mm fan instead of the radbox. Do you think that will support a 120.3? Do you think the tubing will be way overboard if I mount it barbs at the top for easier bleeding? Should I just mount it the better way for tube management with barbs on the bottom and just tough it out for bleeding? Pump will be mounted on the floor of the CM690 for the GPU loop which will run to the back end 120.3. I saw a neat thing where someone cut a semicircle out of the HD cage and halfway pushed it in there which Is what I am going to do. I only have/need 2 HDs for a RAID 0 on this rig (100% gaming rig - no other purpose).

PA 120.3 #2 mounted most likely outside of the case on the top. I was thinking of mounting it inside, but i think temps will be better outside of the case. Do you think it would be "better" in some way to mount it inside? PA 120.3 for just a CPU should be overpowering with regards to cooling so it likely wont be a big issue.

The top PA 120.3 I was planning on just a simple screw assembly. Bolt down long screws to the top. Cut holes for the tubing/wires. Plastic spacers over top of the screws for cosmetics, and then bolt it onto the PA 120.3. Once again, barbs to the back or barbs to the front? Barbs to the back I think would be easier (less cuts in the top metal part of the case, and less top mesh cuts) but barbs to the front would look cleaner. Pump for this loop will likely occupy the lower 2-3 5.25 drive cages.

Obviously with 2 loops and limited space there will be no reservoirs. All T-line action.

I plan on using a shroud for BOTH of the 120.3s. Good idea? Bad idea?

Any input appreciated! Rep+ given for anyone who contributes as well

TY!

PS - No ideas are too simple. Please let me know what you are thinking. I have only done 1 case-mod and 1 water loop before, and that was the Rocketfish that I did about 2 weeks ago. I would keep the Rocketfish, but to add another PA 120.3 would make it INSANELY BULKY since even on a case that size there is no way to fit it inside.

Spart · 04-20-08

You don't need to flip the 120.3 with the barbs up top to bleed. Just use the bleed screw at the other end. Makes it oh so much easier. If you keep the rads external you should have plenty of room for stuff on the inside. Will you be using Fillports and T-lines or res's? What pumps?

iandroo888 · 04-20-08

altho i dont know anything about w/c'ing but heres what i think. if 120.3 means its a 360 rad (3 120mm fans) probably best to mount one on the back of the case and one on top.

loop wise.. the rad on the back can be using the stock w/c holes on the cm 690 to go for the video cards.. and the rad on the top, you can make like two holes for the tubing to go to the chipset/cpu.. think that would be simplest so the tubes wont go every which way. as for pump placement.. u can maybe put one next to the psu for the video card loop and mount one on the top right of the mobo tray for the other loop.

i dont know. thats how i woulda "winged" it if i decided to do an LCS haha

Dawgdoc · 04-21-08

Pumps are D5 Varios

Im planning on using T-lines. 2 res would take up too much room I think.

I did indeed mount 1 on top and 1 on the back. I used a combination of long screws with bolts and a 120mm fan. Screw the radbox......Using a 120mm fan is REALLY sturdy even with just 1 on a 120.3. PLENTY sturdy

The top rad I mounted barbs down, but because of the USB/headphone ports on the top I had to have the back 1/3rd of the rad hang off the back. The back-end rad I mounted barbs at the top for better bleeding. The tube routing is going to be a little bit more challanging like that, but I think it will be do-able.

Its still not done. I just did the skeletal case modding tonight.....drilling holes, cutting out unneccesary parts, mock-up mounting the rads/pumps, and finished off with painting everything. Jet metallic black.

Tomorrow when my shrouds arrive I will assemble the majority of it, but I am still waiting on the 2nd pump to arrive so I wont be able to fire it up just yet

Any suggestions or advice appreciated!

iandroo888 · 04-21-08

is it possible to have both lines run into 1 res? or would that counteract the effect of having two rads? maybe u can mount two res's on the front side where the plastic trim is. one on each side.. iunoe. i always thought to make it symmetrical in a way so all the weight isnt on one side and the case just keels over haha.

should post some pictures. would like to see how its going

Spart · 04-21-08

Its possible but it only larger res's support multiple ins/outs and I personally find res's a hassle to fill and empty.

How are you planning on mounting the pumps? I know that the D5 is a ***** in small spaces. I had a hard time finding a place to put it in my old Stacker. It is a great pump though. So powerful and reliable.

Dawgdoc · 04-21-08

Pumps were easy mounts.

Ill post some pictures later tonight when I get home.

Pump#1 is on the floor of the case. I cut away the inside wall of the HD cage and sacrifices the bottom 3 HD bays since I only need 2 in this rig. It fits 80% under the HDs with only the nozzles sticking out into the main part of the cage.

Pump#2 will be mounted in the 5.25 bays in the bottom 2 or 3. This is an ideal place for the CPU loop which will be on the top rad. There should be minimal tubing. The only problem with this pump placement is the T-line.....there isnt going to alot of vertical space for it, but I will figure something out....maybe make a loop-de-loop and just pull it out of the case for filling/draining.

Pics tonight!

Keep the advice coming I really appreciate it!

04-20-08	#1 (permalink)
Dawgdoc New to Overclock.net Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 185 Rep: 22 Unique Rep: 17 Trader Rating: 0	Cm690 + Pa120.3 X 2!! Heya everyone Ive got some time while Im waiting on an RMA, and decided to redo some things. I currently have a Rocketfish with a PA 120.3 mounted on the inside top of the case, and Im adding another PA 120.3 and another loop for a GPU only loop as well as a CPU only loop with a PA 120.3 Its overkill FOR SURE, but within the next few months I plan on some upgrades, perhaps SLI, perhaps something else I dunno, and getting 2 loops stuffed in here right now will make the upgrade process easier for me. So....Ive got my CM690 stripped bare. Spray painted the interior and all around it black (I like that look). and I am trying to figure out how to put 2 loops and mount 2 PA 120.3s...... Here are my ideas and suggestions appreciated! PA 120.3 mounted on the back outside of the case. No radbox, just use a 120mm fan instead of the radbox. Do you think that will support a 120.3? Do you think the tubing will be way overboard if I mount it barbs at the top for easier bleeding? Should I just mount it the better way for tube management with barbs on the bottom and just tough it out for bleeding? Pump will be mounted on the floor of the CM690 for the GPU loop which will run to the back end 120.3. I saw a neat thing where someone cut a semicircle out of the HD cage and halfway pushed it in there which Is what I am going to do. I only have/need 2 HDs for a RAID 0 on this rig (100% gaming rig - no other purpose). PA 120.3 #2 mounted most likely outside of the case on the top. I was thinking of mounting it inside, but i think temps will be better outside of the case. Do you think it would be "better" in some way to mount it inside? PA 120.3 for just a CPU should be overpowering with regards to cooling so it likely wont be a big issue. The top PA 120.3 I was planning on just a simple screw assembly. Bolt down long screws to the top. Cut holes for the tubing/wires. Plastic spacers over top of the screws for cosmetics, and then bolt it onto the PA 120.3. Once again, barbs to the back or barbs to the front? Barbs to the back I think would be easier (less cuts in the top metal part of the case, and less top mesh cuts) but barbs to the front would look cleaner. Pump for this loop will likely occupy the lower 2-3 5.25 drive cages. Obviously with 2 loops and limited space there will be no reservoirs. All T-line action. I plan on using a shroud for BOTH of the 120.3s. Good idea? Bad idea? Any input appreciated! Rep+ given for anyone who contributes as well TY! PS - No ideas are too simple. Please let me know what you are thinking. I have only done 1 case-mod and 1 water loop before, and that was the Rocketfish that I did about 2 weeks ago. I would keep the Rocketfish, but to add another PA 120.3 would make it INSANELY BULKY since even on a case that size there is no way to fit it inside. Last edited by Dawgdoc : 04-20-08 at 01:22 PM.

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Cm690 + Pa120.3 X 2!!

04-21-08	#4 (permalink)
Dawgdoc New to Overclock.net Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 185 Rep: 22 Unique Rep: 17 Trader Rating: 0	Pumps are D5 Varios Im planning on using T-lines. 2 res would take up too much room I think. I did indeed mount 1 on top and 1 on the back. I used a combination of long screws with bolts and a 120mm fan. Screw the radbox......Using a 120mm fan is REALLY sturdy even with just 1 on a 120.3. PLENTY sturdy The top rad I mounted barbs down, but because of the USB/headphone ports on the top I had to have the back 1/3rd of the rad hang off the back. The back-end rad I mounted barbs at the top for better bleeding. The tube routing is going to be a little bit more challanging like that, but I think it will be do-able. Its still not done. I just did the skeletal case modding tonight.....drilling holes, cutting out unneccesary parts, mock-up mounting the rads/pumps, and finished off with painting everything. Jet metallic black. Tomorrow when my shrouds arrive I will assemble the majority of it, but I am still waiting on the 2nd pump to arrive so I wont be able to fire it up just yet Any suggestions or advice appreciated!

04-21-08	#7 (permalink)
Dawgdoc New to Overclock.net Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 185 Rep: 22 Unique Rep: 17 Trader Rating: 0	Pumps were easy mounts. Ill post some pictures later tonight when I get home. Pump#1 is on the floor of the case. I cut away the inside wall of the HD cage and sacrifices the bottom 3 HD bays since I only need 2 in this rig. It fits 80% under the HDs with only the nozzles sticking out into the main part of the cage. Pump#2 will be mounted in the 5.25 bays in the bottom 2 or 3. This is an ideal place for the CPU loop which will be on the top rad. There should be minimal tubing. The only problem with this pump placement is the T-line.....there isnt going to alot of vertical space for it, but I will figure something out....maybe make a loop-de-loop and just pull it out of the case for filling/draining. Pics tonight! Keep the advice coming I really appreciate it!

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