KoSoVaR

Edit: Page 4 has pictures.. most of the action is page 3 and 4 for now. I will update the main post with a build log when I complete. For now, join me and help me out.. lol

My last attempt at Water cooling was in July of 05' and it turned out pretty good, but just last month I took all of that apart and popped on my XP-90C because I changed cases. I had the Heatercore mounted on top of my Thermaltake Skull case, looked ok but I definitley was an amateur then.

Now my friends, I have a bigger case (Thermaltake Xaser III) but not as big as the new armor, so the HC will not fit in the empty bays. I have removed the bays that were there before and the heatercore fits but I want to cut the side panel on the side of the mobo and put the heatercore there. It seems like an idea that will work if I can make some kind of mounts.

Another issue I'm having.. I don't know how to cut this stuff. I really don't have tools necessay .. I probably do but I consider myself a perfectionist and I hate bending stuff because I will always be like.. wow it looks broken, and I don't know if any of you know what I meen.

So what I need:


Tips
------

1) Which design should I use?

Internal under the 5.25 bays or external behind the mobo tray (which isn't removable)

I was also considering a full external setup like frst's.. I love his Heatercore and I would definitley build a water tower like that if I had detailed instructions on how to make the holes and secure them from leaks.

2) What tubing should I buy?


Tygon or the same stuff I used last time from Home Depot.. $6 for 20 feet

3) Which CPU blocK?


I have a Swiftech MCW600 that uses the original mounting brackets for 939 boards, but I sent my brackets off to a friend and I thought I had another pair but I don't. My other choice is to buy the Storm G5.



So.. I will post some pics of what I currently am working with in my next post because I have to go to my other computer.

<3

KoSoVaR

Pictures

Behind the mobo - This is where I want to mount the Heatercore


Heatercore - I just placed it up there to see what it would look like



5.25 Res coming soon - Just ordered my res, but I don't know where to leave my HD. I took out the other bays to leave room for other stuff because I only got one HD. I think I'm gonna get one of those external hard drive bays and pop that baby in there.



What it looks like right now - The setup is ghetto. The two fans aren't screwed in, I really don't know how they stay there blowing that much air. However, they do make the processor about 3c cooler because of airflow. I don't have any case fans at all yet. XP-90C with a Vantec tornado is currently on there, and it sounds like.. a tornado.

SheepGoBleet

Definitely put at least the radiator outside of the case. I don't see a point of getting watercooling if all you're doing is putting the hot air in the case anyway :P

The tool needed for cutting metal is called a dremel, it's a very high speed drill. You put a bit on it and sort of grind the hole as opposed to drilling it.

KoSoVaR

How much does a dremmel cost? I dunno if I should go pick one up tomorrow or see if one my neighbors has one. Last time I modded my case I just used a drill to do the holes.. and I used a huge drillbit for the t-connector tubing to come out. Wasn't so fun...

As for my setup, I'm going to do it pump > cpu > rad > res > pump - I get my res hopefully wednesday if Lone ships it out tomorrow as planned.

I'm still not sure if I should purchase a storm g5 block.. bleh

Attached Thumbnails

 

soloz2

for a tool, a drill can be verry useful! I'll list the tools that I used in my modding adventure:
dremel
drill w/ various bits and a 1" metal hole saw
jig saw w/ metal blades

then just your regular tools like pliers, screw drivers, spray paint and the such.

You can get dremels new for as little as $35-40 dollars from Sears, but I went with the better one. I paid about $90 for my dremel from Sears, but it came with many accessories that more than made up for the price difference. Also, my dremel has variable speed and the motor is rated at 2.0a instead of 1.1a like the $70 version. (only the top few models offer variable speed)
You can definately get by with the cheaper dremels, but especially since the stacker is mostly steal I am glad I got the better one. And I know I'll use it in the future as well, and my wife wants to learn how to use it as well.

Just a side note... I bought my dremel for the purpose of modding my case, so while I have used many hand and power tools over the years a dremel was new to me. I found that I did a pretty good job, but towards the beginning I was a little rough and scuffed up the top panel of my case in a couple places. So, you'll want to find some spray paint. I used rust oleum aluminum metalic colored paint and it turned out very good. But keep some sand paper and some color matched spray paint close by as your friend.

now, for where to mount it....
I have seen someone with your case that mounted their rad on the top of the case and I thought it looked pretty sweet. here is the build log... but the guy who did it got banned so you can't ask him any questions.
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.p...ight=grandslam
I do know he had a similar thread on dfi-street, but I don't think he updated as often there.


I do have another idea... paint your heater core whatever color you want and mount it on the top of your case with standoffs so it's about 2-3" up off the top of your case. then get some case handles and mount them on the front and rear of the case to give it a industrial look. Put the tubing through the top of your case and get some gromits form froznecpu.com to finish off the holes

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KoSoVaR

I think I'm going to go buy a dremel today. This case is going to be my second attempt at doing a water cooling project, and in early August I'm going to do another one.

I was looking at that guys thread.. I read the whole thing (Adam) and I want to do the top mount with the fan grill but I want to boost it about half an inch up. I am going to buy an external hard drive bay (5.25) so I have all of that room at the botom for the pump and what not. My res should be here soon.

Well... no update for awhile then I guess... til I get my stuff. The computer really can't go offline. I might take it out of the mobo and run it free standing until I get the case modded.

The problem with the case is that I've had it for awhile. I've punched it.. scratched it.. bent it.. you name it I've done it. I'm not even sure if I want to mod THIS case.

soloz2

take your system out of the case, sand it down, pop out any big dents and repaint it. you'll be amazed how much better it'll look

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KoSoVaR

Hmm..

I will have about $250 this Friday from some work I did (driving .. forever.. omg :-p)

Should I buy a Storm G5 and a new pump ( i have a hydor l35 ). I also have this idea for mounting the heatercore on the mobo tray and popping it out about a half inch.. basically making a custom mount.

I need a new pump in my opinion.. mines to loud.. I just don't like it and plus I chipped a piece of plastic off of it so I have to use extra teflon tape so it doesn't leak but it still works perfect :-p

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm tempting

ALSO -

what do you guys think of OCZ Silver thermal paste stuff ($5 / tube) vs AS5 .. they both have 5% silver.. but TG didn't have AS5 at their wearhouse so I just bought the OCZ stuff. Seems like the same thing..

Allen

Yea i agree thats why i like my TT armor you can put the rad on the inside in the front right in front of the mesh and put your fans pulling in the case so that way you can keep it internal

soloz2

yeah, I had an L35 and it was too loud for me as well. I replaced it with a Swiftech MCP655 and I love this pump. it is just as powerful, 12v so there is one less cable out the back of my computer and it is very quiet. I can't hear it!
While the L35 is a good pump the noise level will make or break the deal. if you want to switch now would be the time as someone has it on sale for $65 I think... voyermods maybe... can't remember.
What are you getting for a dremel?
I personally don't see the need to spend the extra money on a storm block when you can get almost the same performance from an apogee for much less. I may get a storm one day, but I'd have to do a bit more research first. You have to have the right kind of loop to get better temps because the storm is more restrictive than the apogee.

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Current Sound: Auzen X-Fi Prelude > Soloz Audio Reference IC > TCA Gizmo > Onix Reference 1 MKII speakers

Selling:Lots of Great Stuff!

Feedback: Heatware Ebay