Hello, Bit-Tech Forums: I'm sure this is common for n00bz like myself to water-cooling and case-mods... asking the experienced folks. Well, let me start by typing, "I LOVE YOUR FORUMS !!!" Very specific and detailed toward me... who doesn't have any hands-on experience in the Water-Cooling department... aside from what I have learned in Forums and online in the last 6-8 months. Great information you have here. Let me list the items I've already purchased, what I plan to get, and the direction I am going with the modification-process. Okay... so far, I have the following items: Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 Case PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1200 PSU (non-ESA) Hardware Labs Black Ice GTX 240 Hardware Labs X-Flow Black Ice Extreme III (or 360... whatever) Danger Den Dual 5 1/4 Bay Reservoir (x2) Scythe KAZE MASTER ACE 5 1/4 Bay Fan Controllers (x2) Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm Fans (big-fat case full of 'em) Meanwell S-150-24 (x2... just in case) *** access to every tool known to man... (exaggeration, of course) The other items I am trying to find "reasonable" sources for are: Iwaki RD-30-24 Water Pump Iwaki RD-20-24 Water Pump Grills for Radiators Tubing Misc. Parts... umm... that's all I can think of, at the moment. I know, I know... "Where are the computer parts, dude?" Well folks, I promise to get to that... once I can get my head around all of this case-customization and water-cooling. The chassis is my primary focus, at the moment. And, in all honesty ~ I can wait until AMD Phenom II AM3 Sockets come out with DDR3 capability. Presently, my Intel selection would be like purchasing Kia Sorento for cash. (Who has expensive taste? This guy---------> "SKINNABLE") The theme of the case that I am going for is remnant of a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. It seems that I am "supposed" to do this, but that's a whole other story... more on that later. I've been working at a local body-shop after work on their lathe to scrap the Cosmos 1000 plastic top for something along the lines of the hood shown above, but... it's been a while since I've done any CAM and I feel like an even bigger n00b scratching my head, a lot. (Building dirt-track late models, sprint-cars, and motors in my younger days... this is much more meticulous.) Still trying to get my mind on the case sides, and this is what I am trying to work out in my head. Aftermarket pieces for Corvette's are not quite "exact" to factory specifications... so, I will be attempting a total-machining of these side-panels to match the cars sides in a couple of weeks. I'm under the impression that they can incorporate exhaust vents using 120mm fans through the holes, if done correctly... once I figure out how I'm going to do that. <snicker> Folks... I've planned this purchase for roughly 6 months; knowing good and well that I was prepared to spend a small fortune; but, I never knew what you all had been going through "during" the overall process. I'm no stranger to computers... been working with them since the "Old-West Days" of UNIX System VII, (circa '83???) But, you guys have some phenomenal "vision" to be able to work-out all of the pitfalls you encounter. I'm going to need your help. Either way, my hat goes off to you all. Well, I've come to a point where... umm... I think that I've run out of room in the case. Sure, I can modify the KAZE MASTER Fan Controllers to mount virtually anywhere, the radiators have plenty of room and clearance... but, **cough**, I have this larger-than-expected Meanwell 24-volt power-supply that just won't fit anywhere. The "Hood-Piece" or top-of-the-case loses room with the 360 Radiator being mounted there... and, still using the Cosmos 1000 Panel in the top-front of the case. Building excess or external pieces to compensate this would kill the overall aesthetic I'm going for... but, at this point... it's been causing me to . What questions I have to ask would be: * Does anyone see an opposition to possibly building the side-panels a little "wider" on the case's overall chassis width to compensate for this? Or, would that be a ugly-looking long shot? * Anyone have experience with the Iwaki RD-30 or RD-20 Water-Pumps? My interest in this specific water-pump is from what I've read of the durability and warranty that these pumps have. Umm, and they seem powerful enough for a larger loop that will be incorporated into this build. * Anyone have a scrap piece of metal that I can bang my head on? Think I've worn this one out. I appreciate what directions you all can guide me in, and I hope to have some pics of the Work-in-Progress soon. Thanks so much, Skinnable
I'm kind of surprised at the way you're approaching this project. Not the "modding the case to fit Corvette design elements" part, rather, the pick the watercooling before settling on the components to be cooled aspect. Given your race car background, this is essentially akin to building a car before opening the rule book. Typically, you'd only see Iwakis (and their attendant separate power supplies) in much larger cases...like MountainMods and their ilk. Good luck.
Here is a thread in the Projects section where one of the members is working on the very same case. Same Case I understand why you're designing the way you are, but if you're going to do a heavy duty Mod you should have some of the hardware picked out. I too love the Vette so I'll be watching to see what you come up with. Good luck, Keith
Thanks, everyone... clocker: Yeah, I understand what you are saying. The thing is with building "Outlaw" chassis and motors... the only rule is: "If you can bolt it in and hold on... it's legal". <snicker> (Sorry, I was laughing when i was typing it. Good times.) For months I've toyed the idea around and knew I'd have a 360-style radiator in a loop with, umm... proc-NB-and "possibly" RAM cooler. The 240-style would take care of video-cards and "possibly" SB, if able. The Iwakis are big-boys, clocker... and, there's no way I can get real old-skool and mount the pump in a custom-housing to make it... nah... that doesn't even "think" attractive. Oh, well... depending on what I come up with, I'll make sure to keep you all informed on which direction I go... with pictures, even. Thanks for the reply, clocker. SkyLord77: I really appreciate the link. Haven't had much time to look through it today, but... I will. The hardware that I "am" waiting for is the newest AMD-stuff. The Intel i7 Extreme's just are more buck-for-the-bang, in my opinion... and, I can upgrade more often and easily... i.e. - financially... using AMD, for now. (I run a college on majority AMD, aside from proprietary server. Schools right now, anyway... are looking at pinching dimes.) And, with such new technology... I will probably be paying a company to make the water-blocks for the mobo and possibly proc. Will hopefully make that decision once the AM3 / DDR3 Boards start dropping from more companies. Maybe I'll be done with the case by then. I too like the Corvette and saw where Coolmiester of CoolerCasesUK built up the Mercedez/McLaren SLR chassis from a Cosmos 1000. He's actually hooked me up on Radiator Grills and will be sending me what I need. I promise, I'll post what goes on after the weekend... because I get to make the "Honey-Do" trip to the folks house, and we have a full metal-working shop in the back. (My father leased shop and tool-access to many of the traveling dirt-track racers that came through the south after I'd left home. Typical...) And, thanks again for the reply, SkyLord77. I really appreciate it. Last night, I shaped aluminum to fashion a hood-like piece for the top of the case. It doesn't look like much, now... but, after a weekend in my old stomping grounds at the 'rents... I should have something worth looking at. An old friend who owns a body-shop has agreed to paint whatever I need for the cost of materials only. Said he'd do it whenever I was ready. (Fortunately, he is the only painter in the area that was approved by Lexus, Toyota, and Infinity. Apparently, they are more picky than a federal audit.) Thanks guys... I'm planning to get the folks who work on my folks farm to get some extra cash this weekend... by polishing up what pieces I get done with so the "BLING" will shatter the camera. Take care all... thanks for the replies ~ Skinnable
I've had an Iwaki so I know how big they are. I also know that multiple MCP355's or D5's can work just as well while using a fraction of the space. Isn't your whole "bang-for-the-buck" theory shot to hell if you must pay for custom blocks?
