[Build Log] Captivity - Now With CaseLabs! - Page 20

Thank you very much, superericla!

Mandrix - your thread is actually what got me thinking, as I saw how you made your Fillport and I really like how it turned out. I just don't have a step-drill with which to make the proper size hole. Do you think a hole saw (the kind you attach to a power drill) would work? I was thinking about using a slightly-smaller saw than the intended size to give room for error and for filing/sanding. I have a Dremel (two, actually; one is a mid-range, the other is the higher end model and has the flexible extension, the hole cutter, and such), as well as a pretty good power drill, two jigsaws (both are old though), a table saw (not likely necessary for most case modding), and an entire garage full of hand tools and automotive tools at my disposal, as well as everything my girlfriend's father left at her house (he uses the entire garage for storage).

Also, I am thinking that I will be getting the EX420 (well, I have been pretty sure for a while but I have been waiting and reading/researching) and doing push-pull with 6x Bgears Blasters 140mm 1800rpm/103cfm/3.5mmHg fans. I am also thinking about using 3 of the Phobya 140x140x7mm shrouds/Decouplers for the bottom push fans to take advantage of some of the space left courtesy of the slim radiator.
I am expecting to have to cut out 3/4 of the ODD bay panel for better airflow and tube routing.
Thus, I currently have the following fittings on my order list: 6x XSPC Compression Fittings, 4x Bitspower 45deg Rotary Adapters, 1x 90deg dual rotary Bitspower adapter, 2x XSPC 10mm extensions (male-female), 2x Bitspower 10mm extenders, 1x XSPC 5mm male-male coupler, and 1x Bitspower Rotary male-male coupler (10mm?). I already have 5x Monsoon comp fittings and 1x Bitspower 45deg dual-rotary compression fitting. I have more than i will initially need as I intend to purchase a second radiator (240) and a full coverage block + backplate for my in-transit EVGA GTX670 FTW 2GB.

As you both are clearly experts when it comes to this case and fitting stuff inside, is there anything I need that isn't listed, or stuff listed that I couldn't possibly need? I am wanting to do the tubing as cleanly as possible so I was thinking that the angled adapters could be very helpful in that regard?

I am mostly concerned about the radiator fittings as I am wanting to be able to fit push-pull but also restrict flow as little as possible. I think that having one 90 would be helpful or necessary, or am I wrong?

Lastly, I am really struggling with pump+reservoir placement :/ I can see why bay reservoirs are appealing to so many people! I just don't want to deal with one, nor do I want to permanently sacrifice all the ODD bays for a res (I intend on using a fan controller and a DVD burner initially, but I'd like to add a Blu-Ray drive in the future).
I just can't figure out how best to mount the pump+res, especially since it's a square shape and not round. I would really like them to be integrated as well as possible but I am worried that they will end up sticking out like a sore thumb.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I apologize for the wall of text. Now that I am about to order the last of my loop, and thus the last bits before everything gets assembled, I want to make sure that I am getting everything right and doing this the best way I can. Thank you again!

Wow. Well I don't have that much experience, I'm just used to fabbing stuff up to make it work. All those years I worked in a welding shop long ago, I guess. I've had to go back and order fittings, it's hard to know everything you're going to need. Certainly 45's are handy as well as triple rotaries (makes a clean 90 that can be twisted and aimed a little). I used 2 20mm G 1/4 extensions for the 360 up top, and I used 2 40mm I think on the bottom rad to bring it up above the cover I built.
I cut out that top piece by about 2/3, and I have a fan controller just below the hidden bay, as well as a DVD in there somewhere. I really needed HDD space so I left one of the HDD cages in.
The bottom will easily fit an EX240 radiator in push/pull, that is what I have, or you can mount one to the back of the fan brackets easily enough vertically if you drill 2 holes in front (what I did have before changing it).
super e can tell you more about the 420, I have a RX360 up top with push/pull.
Sorry I can't spend much time on this right now, I was in the middle of something when I heard the email notice come in. Gotta run for now, PM me if I can tell you something specific about my setup.

I am looking forward to seeing it!

About time to start a new thread, eh? Since you've Switched on us. lol.

Hahaha, I love how this case name is just ripe for puns!

I am interested to see how 2 EX420 rads perform together. Do you know what fans you will be using? Are you going push, pull, or push-pull? Will you be taking advantage of the space to use shrouds (Koolance 3x140 30mm shroud, Phobya 140x20mm plexi shrouds, or Phobya 140x140x7mm shrouds)?

I am curious why you chose to go with a second EX420 when you can fit literally any size of rad you want? Many espouse the benefits of the 60mm thick or thicker rads, so I am surprised that you are sticking with slimmer rads... I would have thought that you would have gone with an RX480 or UT60 480 or even a Monstra.

Very much looking forward to seeing how this progresses!

Oh man, if I had known that you had an RX240 + GT's for sale, I would have jumped on it!