I am planning my first water cooled rig and would appreciate some advice.

I have a CM Storm Sniper case at present, and have a XSPC RX360 radiator en route right now. I am planning on putting push and pull fans on the radiator, along with shrouds on both sides as well. This radiator is already far thicker than most at nearly 60mm depth and 125mm wide (and 410mm long). Adding to that depth will be the depth of two 120x25mm fans plus two shrouds (which are actually 120x25mm fans with their guts ripped out), so the total depth will be about 160mm. That's a hefty chunk, and there's no way that's going to fit anywhere inside a CM Storm Sniper case.

The only thing I have found so far for external mounting is this Swiftech Radbox. The problem is, I don't think this will handle a large triple rad with all the additional fans and shrouds extending the center of gravity out even further, and thereby increasing load strain. Also it makes more sense to me to have fans and radiator mounted parallel to the surface they are attached to, so there's so obstruction to air flow. That radbox does not allow for parallel mounting.

Another thought is drilling a few holes in the side panel and attaching maybe 4 L-shaped metal brackets shaped like these, and the rad would mount parallel to the case.. that might be a bit more solid, but I guess the further away the rad is, the more tubing is required, and the more tubing, the less pressure... I think. Or is it negligible if we're only talking 6 inches or so more?

Anyone got any suggestions? Of course I'd love to buy a purpose-built case like a Mountain Mods job, but I'm on a budget here, and that sort of additional expense is just beyond.. although I am buying Bitspower True Silver compressions all round and other quality components too.

Also thinking of building a case out of wood / adapting a wooden toy chest for the purpose.. but that's a project for when I have more tools than a drill and a hacksaw, lol.
 

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/wc36rastbl.html
 
how about something like this?

robhall86
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/wc36rastbl.html
how about something like this?

Oh yeah sweet, now we're talking. That would attach to the case better, and allow for parallel mounting. Thanks!
 
p.s.... of course it seems to be out of stock everywhere, lol.. 
 

Nereus
Oh - let me know how it goes.. if it can handle a 480, there's hope for me yet.

Maybe two of them.. one at top, one at bottom.. that would be very secure.

Heh, yea I have an RX360 currently.. luckily for me though it fits inside my case.

I've got a sniper and I know how you feel, there just is no watercooling potential on this case. Have you considered modding it? The top and bottom of the case can be expanded with something like an adidtional chamber to house radiators, the plastic comes off easy enough. Otherwise all WC sniper builds I've seen have a radiator off a 120.2+radbox on the 120mm mount on the rear, and a 120.2 on the top.

Yeah, it really is a nice case. If I get my TJ07 I'll sell you mine and maybe you could make a super sniper? LOL

I have a thermochill PA 120.3 with shrouds both sides in push pull fan config using a Rad box off the back of my case 24.5mm fan largest 120.3 available and it all works well no issues here. I've hung several rads off the back of different cases and admit I was concerned too when day dreaming but it really works well. IMO
 

 

rona1012

http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25631

I used this - I like it alot because it can extend the radiator a fair amount away from my case so that it's not pulling any additional heat from the PSU, and such.

+1.  Very sturdy mount.  Below is a pic of my quad rad.  Rock solid with a huge rad.  The other thing I like about it is that the mount can be separated from the computer very easily without unscrewing anything. 
 

 

thor88

YerBuddy

rona1012

http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25631

I used this - I like it alot because it can extend the radiator a fair amount away from my case so that it's not pulling any additional heat from the PSU, and such.

+1.  Very sturdy mount.  Below is a pic of my quad rad.  Rock solid with a huge rad.  The other thing I like about it is that the mount can be separated from the computer very easily without unscrewing anything. 

Oh man.. I need to get one of those, that would be perfect.

I also used this adapter:
 
http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=26348
 
This allowed me to still be able to keep the 140mm fan on the back for case exhaust. 

YerBuddy

rona1012

http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25631

I used this - I like it alot because it can extend the radiator a fair amount away from my case so that it's not pulling any additional heat from the PSU, and such.

+1.  Very sturdy mount.  Below is a pic of my quad rad.  Rock solid with a huge rad.  The other thing I like about it is that the mount can be separated from the computer very easily without unscrewing anything. 

If I had to buy one and budget wasn't a factor I'd like this very much. Back when I bought the RAD box there was no other option from suppliers.

owcraftsman

YerBuddy

rona1012

http://www.performance-pc...&products_id=25631

I used this - I like it alot because it can extend the radiator a fair amount away from my case so that it's not pulling any additional heat from the PSU, and such.

+1.  Very sturdy mount.  Below is a pic of my quad rad.  Rock solid with a huge rad.  The other thing I like about it is that the mount can be separated from the computer very easily without unscrewing anything. 

If I had to buy one and budget wasn't a factor I'd like this very much. Back when I bought the RAD box there was no other option from suppliers.

I hear ya.  I was in the same boat several times before I found this one.  They are expensive though and that's a good reason to make your own.  I'm too lazy...

 
This has turned into a very helpful thread - thanks everyone :-)
 
Thor88 - It never occurred to me to hang it over the edge of the table like that, I figured you'd attach it at the 2nd fan down from the top. Kewl. :-)   ..isn't the PSU blowing right onto it though?

Sorry to bring this back again, but a cheaper option is this; 
Swiftech MCB-120 Rev2 Radbox
 

Swiftech radbox works and fits many fan size spots:
http://www.jab-tech.com/S...n-2-Black-pr-3337.html