Picked this case out cause it was nice and roomy. I'm currentyly running an old Koolance Mid-tower water cooling setup, but I'm no longer pleased with the performance of it. I'm considering building my own water-cooling rig (my first one), and I'm looking for suggestions on the parts (radiator, water block, tubing, fittings, etc). Also, any tips on where its optimal to put the parts (I want everything enclosed). I've read some of the threads and alot of people are praising DangerDen parts, any opinions on if they're the best? any others better?
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New Water cooling setup for Chieftech DX-01D case (first water-cooling project)
- Thread starter BigJ
- Start date
I would definitely recommend Danger Den and D-Tek customs.
Rad: I would definitely go with D-Tek's Heater Core. Absolutely one of the best rads you can get. I'd also recommend getting the shroud for it.
Block: There are several good blocks. I use the Maze2 and it performs well. The Maze3 -- no one seems to be sure about it yet. D-Tek has a new Spir@l out that is supposed to kick ass. If I were you I'd go with that Spir@l, or the Maze2 (Maze3 if you want to take a chance).
Tubing: Go with Tygon, no question. You can get it from Danger Den. A little costly but worth it -- it is the best tubing you can get.
Also on the subject of tubing -- I would recommend having an all 1/2 inch setup. So make sure when you get the block that it has 1/2 inch fittings. If you get that D-Tek rad I believe 1/2 inch fittings is the only option.
Pump -- I'd go with an Eheim.. they're the best quality. I personally use a 1048 (recently switched from the 1250, the higher-flow model) and it seems to be just right. You can go for the 1250 if you have a lot of lift, but in most cases I think it's overkill. Some people will say though that there's no such thing as too much flow.
Only use distilled water... and pick up some Water Wetter (found at auto stores, or Danger Den)... it prevents corrosion and bacterial growth. You only need a tiny amount (a small capful or two per gallon) relative to the water.
I'd have to see pics of your case to give you suggestions on where to put stuff.
Well good luck. Sorry this post was so long 😀 Keep us posted on how it goes, or if you have any more questions.
Rad: I would definitely go with D-Tek's Heater Core. Absolutely one of the best rads you can get. I'd also recommend getting the shroud for it.
Block: There are several good blocks. I use the Maze2 and it performs well. The Maze3 -- no one seems to be sure about it yet. D-Tek has a new Spir@l out that is supposed to kick ass. If I were you I'd go with that Spir@l, or the Maze2 (Maze3 if you want to take a chance).
Tubing: Go with Tygon, no question. You can get it from Danger Den. A little costly but worth it -- it is the best tubing you can get.
Also on the subject of tubing -- I would recommend having an all 1/2 inch setup. So make sure when you get the block that it has 1/2 inch fittings. If you get that D-Tek rad I believe 1/2 inch fittings is the only option.
Pump -- I'd go with an Eheim.. they're the best quality. I personally use a 1048 (recently switched from the 1250, the higher-flow model) and it seems to be just right. You can go for the 1250 if you have a lot of lift, but in most cases I think it's overkill. Some people will say though that there's no such thing as too much flow.
Only use distilled water... and pick up some Water Wetter (found at auto stores, or Danger Den)... it prevents corrosion and bacterial growth. You only need a tiny amount (a small capful or two per gallon) relative to the water.
I'd have to see pics of your case to give you suggestions on where to put stuff.
Well good luck. Sorry this post was so long 😀 Keep us posted on how it goes, or if you have any more questions.
Some pictures from Newegg
Thanks for the lengthy post man, its helping out alot.
I was thinking about maybe putting the radiator at the back of the case where the two fan spaces are, and the pump near the front of the case under the 3 1/2" hidden bays.
Thanks for the lengthy post man, its helping out alot.
I was thinking about maybe putting the radiator at the back of the case where the two fan spaces are, and the pump near the front of the case under the 3 1/2" hidden bays.
Thanks for the link to the case pics. It looks to me like it's a mid-tower, right?.... doesn't look like it's quite a full tower... but it does look like it's a tiny bit taller than most mids. The more room the better for a WC setup.
Your plan seems like a good one to me... were you going to suspend the rad then?... if so that would be good as you obviously have those exhaust fans. On my setup I have my rad in my top two 5.25 bays (not ideal but no other choice) with a blowhole directly above the rad on the top of the case.
And under your 3.5 bays is definitely a good place for the pump... that's where I have mine.
Basically though wherever you can fit stuff is probably fine... main consideration is, you don't want the hot air from the rad blowing into the case... you want it exhausting directly out... which seems to be what you're planning on doing.
One more thing I forgot to mention... you will probably want to order at least 5 feet of tubing. You may not use all of it but I like to order more than I need just in case you mess something up (you cut a length of hose too short, etc.). I usually end up ordering 8-10 feet just to be safe, and so I can have extra if I ever re-do my setup.
Ooops, another thing 😀 You may be aware of this, but the proper order for the water flow is Pump --> Rad --> Block --> and back to pump. The theory is to feed the coolest possible water to the block.
Again keep us (me?) 😀 updated or if you have any more questions, post em.
Your plan seems like a good one to me... were you going to suspend the rad then?... if so that would be good as you obviously have those exhaust fans. On my setup I have my rad in my top two 5.25 bays (not ideal but no other choice) with a blowhole directly above the rad on the top of the case.
And under your 3.5 bays is definitely a good place for the pump... that's where I have mine.
Basically though wherever you can fit stuff is probably fine... main consideration is, you don't want the hot air from the rad blowing into the case... you want it exhausting directly out... which seems to be what you're planning on doing.
One more thing I forgot to mention... you will probably want to order at least 5 feet of tubing. You may not use all of it but I like to order more than I need just in case you mess something up (you cut a length of hose too short, etc.). I usually end up ordering 8-10 feet just to be safe, and so I can have extra if I ever re-do my setup.
Ooops, another thing 😀 You may be aware of this, but the proper order for the water flow is Pump --> Rad --> Block --> and back to pump. The theory is to feed the coolest possible water to the block.
Again keep us (me?) 😀 updated or if you have any more questions, post em.
Gunslinger08
Lifer
I'm actually getting ready to install my watercooling setup into the same case. I was planning on the same placement as you.. radiator (Black Ice Extreme) in place of the two exhaust fans, pump under the 3.5" bays. I'm thinking I may have to remove the lower 3.5" drive cage to fit the pump in there (might not be enough clearance).
My biggest challenge will be figuring out how to attach the radiator to the case, and then the fan to the radiator (without damaging it). I'd appreciate it if anyone could give me some help here.
Josh
My biggest challenge will be figuring out how to attach the radiator to the case, and then the fan to the radiator (without damaging it). I'd appreciate it if anyone could give me some help here.
Josh
Well I'm not exactly sure about the BIX, but if it is like other heater cores, it has lots of fins. There are spaces in between the rows of fins... just enough room to stick a screw through (sometimes you have to bend the fins a bit but it doesn't hurt anything assuming you're careful).
Ok this is going to sound really dumb... I don't know what they're called but there are these long (6+ inches) screws without a head on either end... you use wingnuts on each end to secure them to things... anyway, that's what you use to secure, say, a shroud to a heater core. I'm thinking that if you put 4 of these long screws through your fan(s), through the rad, and then through the holes in the case, you could secure it like that. I've never done it but it seems do-able. Just an idea.
suppose it would be possible to cut a 120mm hole in the side of the casea and mount the rad on that? if so, can you explain the logistics of mounting the rad onto the side. like, can you explain what i need and how to mount it there? and/or how mounting the rad where the two exhaust fans are would work. thanks. i'm planning a water cooling setup as well, but just a supplemental system to wire through my hs on my chip. thanks for the instruction.