Integrated water cooled cases

[rpv]

Hi all. Considering water cooling the i920 system that I am building. When reading about it(nooooobie) I came across this Thermaltake case :Thermaltake Armor+ LCS VH600LBWS that has integrated water cooling system in the chassis. I assume that it is not as effective as the external cooling option with all the extra hardware. I was just wondering if any of you have any experience with the case as I cannot find any independent reviews on it.

Here is the link to the product from the company website:

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/...ct.aspx?C=1309&ID=1480

Thanks.

 

[WoodButcher]

I have yet to hear from a satisfied Thermaltake water kit owner. Your money would be better spent elsewhere. Many of us that are into water tried TT at one time or another and found their product lacking, they have improved since I had a 735 Bigwater but TT is still a joke.

 

[CurseTheSky]

My previous case was a Thermaltake Kandalf LCS, similar to the Armor LCS but with a 3x120mm radiator.

It isn't bad for a starter kit - it cooled my dual core E6600 very well. However, their water blocks are sub-par compared to those by Swiftech, Danger Den, etc., the kit only used 3/8 fittings and hoses, and the radiator could have been better. If you're just trying to get your feet wet with water cooling (no pun intended), it isn't a horrible way to start; however, if you're looking for something that performs much better, the money would be better spent elsewhere.

The Kandalf and Armor cases also tend to be very heavy. If I were you, I'd compare the price of that case to what you'd pay for something like a CoolerMaster HAF 932 or ATCS 840 and a custom water cooling setup (3x120mm radiator, pump, water block, reservoir, and tubing). If the price of the custom setup is within $50 or so of the case, I'd just do it yourself.

 

[Beanie46]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
...the kit only used 3/8 fittings and hoses...

While almost everyone serious into the watercooling hobby would agree Tt watercooling setups and components are just junk and a waste of money, don't be so quick to be so derisive about 3/8" tubing.

From serious testing by Cathar, 3/8" ID tubing was shown to cool almost as well as 1/2" ID tubing, within 0.3C.

The biggest difference was in flow rate, but even then the flow rates weren't compromised much at all......roughly 0.5L/m more for the 1/2" ID tubing over 3/8" ID tubing, or not a heck of a lot.

Read the testing here....eyeopening!

 

[rpv]

Thanks. I think I am gravitating towards the Antec 1200 and the Megalehms for cooling. I hear that the 920 runs hot. I do plan to overclock..so I was looking at a non complicated water cooling setup..oh, well

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: Beanie46
While almost everyone serious into the watercooling hobby would agree Tt watercooling setups and components are just junk and a waste of money, don't be so quick to be so derisive about 3/8" tubing.

Exactly. I switched from 1/2" to 3/8" and don't regret it at all. You might lose a little bit in performance but the easier setup (especially in a small case like mine) more than makes up for it.