Solve my dilemma, and you can name my rig...

[ScissorClaw]

Okay, I'm just starting to build my first ever water-cooling rig. I have a maze 3 WB for the CPU, and a WB from maze for the northbridge. The mobo is an ABIT IS7. However, the problem does not lay with the water-cooling. I have a ThermalTake Xaser III as the basis of my modding project. I was just putting the system together in a rough layout to get an idea of where and how to hide all the cables and wires properly. This is where I came a cross the problem. I have two brand new WD 120GB 8MB cache drives that I was going to use with the PATA to SATA converters, along with an old 20 GB WD drive that I was going to use as a swap file drive and data backup. HOWEVER, when I slide the three drives into the HD cage that faces the side window, the window will not close properly because the converters and power adapters coming off of the converters press up against the window so much that the whole side bows out.I figure at this point I have three options. One, I could get out my dremel or plexi-glass cutter and make a couple of cuts (small rectangular holes) in the window so that the wires, ET all stick out about 5 mm or so. This option would look very cheap I would imagine. Number two, I could use the TWO WD 8MB drives on the PATA channels and the 20 GB I could slide in above the floppy drive and use that with a converter on the SATA channel. And number three, I could slide one of the WD 120GB drives in above the floppy, the other 120 GB could go in the cage with the CD-ROM and DVD-RW with an adapter that comes with the case (can be hooked up to the hardcano unit), and use the STA channels with them, and then put the 20GB in the side HD cage and use the PATA channel for that one. I really like the third idea as I get to use the SATA channels for the big boys (less clutter). I hope this all didn't confuse you, If you have any questions about the layout please ask.Another pressing question related to this setup is cooling. With the two big boys not behind any fans (one in the floppy cage and one in the 5.25 bay) will I get MAJOR overheating of the drives? At least they won't be right next to each other helping each other to overheat and intensifying the problem. Ugh, this is a problem I did not anticipate. Please help. Anyone who comes up with a workable solution will be the person who can OFFICIALLY name the rig. Name it after yourself, after your pet, your wife, makes no difference to me. Just help me find a workable solution. Thanks

 

[Cerb]

remove the HTML & CSS

 

[ScissorClaw]

Sorry, have no idea how that ended up in there.

 

[Jeff7181]

I think it would be easier if you got a simple ATA133 PCI controller rather than mess with a PATA to SATA converter.

Also... I don't understand how the hard drives can interfere with the side panel... what kind of case do you have? Have you modified it in some strange way so the drives are sideways in the case?

With 3 hard drives in there you're gonna need some good case ventilation... but to be honest, I'd ditch the old 20 GB drive. With 1GB of RAM, you're not gonna be hitting the swap file very often anyway, so just leave the swap file on your boot drive.

My advice... stick with the usual arangement of devices... I know case modding can be fun, but unless you plan to redesign most of the case, making radical changes to one componant can effect other componants, or effect airflow.

*EDIT* Just looked at that case... pretty odd idea to orient the hard drives that way...

*EDIT again* Do the plugs on the cable interfere with the side panel? Cause if they don't, if it's just a matter of the cables themselves being in the way, I would guess you could find a way to route the cables that gets them out of the way... maybe try to space out the hard drives differently so you can run the cables between the drives, then behind the drive "cage." But yeah... ditch that 20 GB drive... if you MUST use it for backups... get a cheap USB 2.0 or Firewire enclosure and use it that way.

 

[Cerb]

OK, the 120GB SEs need their air! no cramming them in.
So...here's what I'd recommend. I'm taking it your case's inside looks like:
This
Now, my image will not completely match up with what I'm saying. It is just a visual aid of how to fold the cable, not to place the drives.
my pic
Two cages, six slots:
----------
slot1
slot2
slot3
----------
----------
slot4
slot5
slot6
----------

If they are going on the same channel, have one WD SE ins slot 3, and other in slot 5, with the cable pushed into slot 4 (see pic). If separate channels, have one is slot 2 or 3, the other in slot 5 or 6, and just do the bending around the cage part, maybe with a tab of foam tap for them to stick to in the case (or those little stick-on clips OEMs use that are hard as hell to find).
This will get the normal PATA cables out of the way. Then put the 20GB in another bay (maybe above the floppy or under a CDROM) with the SATA converter. The 20GB should be fine that way, but the 120GB SEs will get very, very hot stacked together with anything.

On the overheating, with a little space and some airflow, they will cool fine. I can't tell by the pics at the egg whether or not there are front intake fans. If there are, you'll be fine, as drives do need cooling, but not much (with ideal cooling, like the Antec SLK3700 or Evercase e4252 offer, you only need an exhaust fan going...I;ve never used a Xaser, though, nor the case (Enermax?) it is based off of).

Edit:
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Tt_Xaser_III/1023.html
If you've got that thing, you're set, just get the cables folded so they go through that. That's one of those clips I was talking about.

 

[ScissorClaw]

The problem part is the actual PATA to SATA converter. When plugged into the HD along with the SATA cables, the connector on the cable that plugs into the adapter is the real problem. It is hard plastic so there is no bending and I could possibly get the case closed, but these two drives are my babies and I am not going to put any unnecessary pressure on any of it. I have to agree with CERB. That was the way I was leaning to for the setup. I was hoping to not use the old style flat parallel cables, but c'est la vie. I actually have a couple of rounded ones I am going to try. However, I reall want ALL wire, cables, etc hidden if possible and I probably woill be able to do thast with the flat cables and a whole lot of origami folding. The rounded ones might work too with some plastic tie-downs. I guess I'll set it up both ways and see which looks better. And yes, there are intake fans right by the HD cage so I don't have to worry about airflow at all. If there is one thing this case has, it's airflow and fans. & fans to be precise. At least I have them all hooked up to the Hard Cano unit so Ican keep 'em low. I don't need 'em cranking away when the CPU and the NB is being cooled by the Waterblocks.

Well, CERB, better start thinking of a name for this rig. Unless somebody comes up with a better solution by tomorrow at midnight (my own deadline) you name it.