first water cooling setup advice

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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I think it's about time I got into water cooling. My current setup is an i7 920 and 285gtx in a p182 case. I think I've been having some overheating problems lately and I was going to get an H50 but decided what the heck, might as well go all the way.

My current idea is to get an Antec 1200 case, and use a 3x120mm fan radiator internally in the front. I haven't seen a lot of info on how to do this, but of the one or two people I've seen with that set up, it is fairly easy. From what I can tell, it is possible to simply remove the hard drive bay cages and attach the stock case fan and grills directly to the radiator and plop it right in. I only have 1 hard drive and dvd drive so I should have enough space left over. I haven't decided on what radiator to get yet because I don't know what will fit yet, but so far I'm eyeing the swifttech QP radiator.

For pump, I'll go with a swifttech mcp650. I'll stick it on the floor of the case behind the power supply. I will only be water cooling the CPU for now, and for that I'll get a swifttech apogee-XT. When I'm ready to upgrade video cards, I'll get one with a factory water block and add that to my loop. I'll also use a reservoir of some sort somewhere, but I don't know which one or where to put it just yet. If the radiator isn't too big and I have a 3rd 5.25 slot still open, I could get a bay reservoir. Otherwise I could get some sort of small reservoir and clamp it to the side of the case.

I'd prefer to not have to do any hard modding (i.e. drilling/cutting). I have the budget so I think I will use compression fittings although I'm not exactly familiar with the different types of fittings and how they work but I've heard that compression fittings are easier to use if you are willing to pay for them.

So how does my plan sound? Any recommendations on parts or assembly? My main concern is how easy/hard it will be to mod the front grills to hold a radiator and how well it will fit. Maybe there is a better case to use altogether for this purpose that I'm not aware of.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
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I have a 1200 and I installed a 120.3 in the front, and it took some hard modding to get everything real nice. I would strongly consider getting a different case.
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
1
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How much modding did you have to do?

Some alternate cases I've found might suit me are the Coolermaster Cosmos S or HAF-932. Any experience with these? What would be nice about those is that if I can mount the rad on the roof of the case, then that leaves me room for a cool looking double height bay reservoir.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
21,091
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corsair 800d.

Can take natively a 120x3 rad up top.
Has clearance for it as well.
 
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smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
I've never used the cases you've mentioned, but I know the HAF comes highly recommended. I, personally, am really interested in the 800D, and will be picking one up next time I go to Atlanta.
 

RockinZ28

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2008
2,171
49
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I have no hard mod skills either, may start trying that soon, but the 800D is a pretty good case to start with. Either that or get one from MountainMods, they have some very nice platforms built for water. Warn you it does get addictive, I started with just my cpu in November, so plan ahead lol.

Here's my 800D build currently:
img0641zk.jpg
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
1
76
While my budget is flexible, the 800D costs twice as much as the alternatives so I'm not really that interested in it unless it had some super whiz-bang feature that made it ideal for water cooling. $300 for a regular steel case is just nuts.
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
1
76
After looking at some rigs I think the Cosmos-S case is the way to go. It can hold a 120.3 rad in the roof without any modifications and is a nice looking case with good features.

I'm also think I might get a neato bay reservoir with a waterfall like this:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/85...68&id=tG8j3XsE
Although one with lightning inside might be even better.

How does my set up sound? I think I may put together a shopping list soon and get this build worked on next weekend.