Front Mounting Radiators
The front panel of the case supports mounting of a maximum of 3 x 120mm, 2 x 140 or 2 x 200 fans or a 360mm (3 x 120), 280mm (2 x 140), or 360mm (2 x180) radiator. To use a larger radiator or more than a single fan requires removal of the 5.25" device bays. A multitude of mounting holes are provided in the mid to lower center of the front panel supporting fan and radiator mounting in almost any conceivable height or vertical positioning. The preferred mounting method for the radiator is along the inside front of the case, while fans can be mounted along the outside front underneath the case plastic front panel assembly.
Front-Mounted Radiator
The front-mounted XSPC 360mm radiator gives a good showing of how well the front space can be effectively utilized. While you do lose the use of all three 5.25" device bays, the amount of space effect space usage is impressive. The radiator is shown with the barbs on top, but would be just as effectively mounted in used with the barbs along the floor of the case. The radiator is held in place using screws through the front panel holes along the lower two-thirds of the radiator, giving more than sufficient stability to the assembly. Further, you still have the ability to front mount fans to the case underneath the plastic front panel, making for a very effective and space efficient push-pull configuration. A smaller radiator could be used in this space as well, like a 240mm or 140mm radiator, if there is a need for one or more of the 5.25" device bays in your build. One other thing to notice is that the radiator mounted does not inhibit the front panel assembly mounted to the left (as shown) nor to the right in the alternate configuration.
The side view of the front-mounted radiator gives a much better illustration on how must space is available between the mounted radiator and the PSU shroud, as well as how much floor space remains available for use versus a bottom or side mounted radiator. Further, there remains more than sufficient floor space along the front left and right sides of the mounted radiator to accommodate a reservoir and pump.
With a hard drive bay mounted in the front left position, the amount of space and the efficiency of a front-mounted radiator becomes more apparent. There more than sufficient room to accommodate the radiator and airflow through it. Further, the radiator mounting does not in any way inhibit use of the drive bays, nor use of cabling from the drives housed within the enclosure. The only caveat is in using a radiator in a top-down orientation. Using the thicker radiator shown would be tricky without the use of 90 degree barbs and innovative tube routing. Further, accessing the barbs for maintenance would require removal of the drive bay should it be used in a top-down configuration.
The view from the right side of the case gives a better look at the space available behind the drive bay. You would have more than sufficient room for an additional side or bottom mounted radiator, as well as an additional drive bay in the front right position if desired.
The top-down view of the radiator best illustrates how much space is left in front, on top, and to the sides of the radiator even with a hard drive bay in the front left position. As stated previously, there remains more than enough space for vertically mounted reservoirs along either side of the radiator as well as a pump mounted to the right or left of the radiator.
I couldn’t really get a sense
I couldn’t really get a sense of the massive scale for this case until I saw how tiny the DVD burner looks on the front panel. What an absolute beast!
That is huge. Should have the
That is huge. Should have the option to use it as a coffee or bedside table by mounting tempered glass on top.
It can heat your coffee too,
It can heat your coffee too, I suppose. 🙂
Please do one for the little
Please do one for the little brother V21.
Sorry Morry, but you missed a
Sorry Morry, but you missed a point on one count. Most (all?) of problems with clunky tubing can be easily solved with X-Flow radiators. I understand you didn’t have one on hand, but still IMHO it deserves a mention. At this moment in time I see no point in mixing PVC and PMMA/PETG – even for sample system ;).
can this host 2 mobs ?
I want
can this host 2 mobs ?
I want in a single chasis windows and linux
Not in its default
Not in its default configuration. You would have to mod to to host multiple motherboards…
do you know an optimum
do you know an optimum chassis for my purpose ?
thanks in advance
you could try something like
you could try something like the Thermaltake Core X1 or Core X2 if you are planning to use mITX or mATX motherboards, both cases are stackable…
Great case. I have 3 XSPC
Great case. I have 3 XSPC RX480 rads in mine!
I ditched the HDD case and
I ditched the HDD case and used the brackets on the right lower side for the 3rd 480 rad.
BTW, EXACT swivel casters can be purchased from Apollo Caster Co (online) where the metal brackets exactly line up with the holes in the floor. Cost me @$20 and the BEST purchase I made for a heavy WC system.
Sounds like a nice build (3 x
Sounds like a nice build (3 x 480 rads that is). Do you happen to know the exact name or product number of the casters you used for your build?
Sure Morey:
4 ea. 40mm
Sure Morey:
4 ea. 40mm Twin-Wheel Caster with a Nylon tread, Top Plate connector, and Black finish (#68392) $6.68 per caster.
That part number is from their catalog. Took me awhile to find it but it matches perfectly.
I LOVE this build. I have
I LOVE this build. I have this case with very similar parts. Will be switching to hard line tubing and adding a second card soon and with it another 65mm thick 360 Radiator. I love that you have one pulling down, mounted on bottom.
I’ve been back and forth on where to put it, have so many options…
Not sure why I didn’t think of it but that’s perfect…She’s going to be so beautiful…I have one of those monstrous Radiators on top already and it holds the weight just fine and looks great.
Thank you so much for this build idea!
Always glad to help out and
Always glad to help out and share ideas. I was really glad how well the top and bottom radiators lined up, especially since they are from two different manufacturers (Swiftech on top and XSPC on the bottom). The straight up and down run gives it a really clean look. Please share pics of your build, I'd love to see it.