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Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02

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Brazen_NL
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2011/01/02 04:16:56 (permalink)
This is a recap of things I ran into using water cooling with this case. For now, I'm using a single 120 mm radiator which keeps the CPU temps down nicely and also keeps the noise, one of the major reasons I picked the FT02, down to original levels.
 
Here is the shot from MODS/RIGS, the preliminary end result.
 

 
I started out getting myself a XSPC Rasa kit since it's reasonably priced and includes everything but coolant. Also, the block you get is one of the better blocks out there.
 
 
 
What I ran into is that there is no way I could get the radiator mounted on the original 120 mm fan, which is what I wanted. There are clearance problems with the I/O assembly, the NB cooler, and to a lesser extent the two 8-pin power connectors.
 
A "standard" 25-35 mm fan does not give you enough clearance to mount the radiator away from the I/O assembly. It doesn't matter which kit you choose (RS or RX), it's either the fan that's too thin or the radiator being too wide. Even the thinner RS cannot be used, as there isn't enough space between the I/O plate and the NB cooler.
 
Now I didn't want to immediate watercool the board since I wasn't sure that the one radiator would be enough to cool the CPU. After using this solution for about a week, I'm confident that it will handle it, and this might open up more options fan/radiator wise.
 
If you use the original backplate with the black mounting hardware you will find that the springs are already compressed just getting the bolts in the backplate! Luckily, there's a set of silver mounting hardware that's more in-line with the likes of EK which works.
 
So, what did I end up using?
 
Fan: TFC Triebwerk TK-122. At first glance this is an expensive fan. But you have to bear in mind that this is in effect a combination of a fan and an optimized shroud. The fan has been constructed in such a way that it almost eliminates the dead spot when pulling. Since shrouds come in the EUR 10 price range, the fan would net EUR 10, too. Also, the fan is very silent. You can only hear the air being moved.
 
Radiator: HW Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 120 Xflow: The thinnest radiator I could find, and it fits up to the millimeter!
 
Reservoir/Pump: This is from the kit.
 
Tubing/clips: Optional red versions have been chosen purely for aesthetic reasons. The kit comes with clear tubing/black clips.
 
So, the money shots of a working solution, and I hope they indicate the problems I have described above. See the notes under each shot.
 

Here you see the clear plastic fan providing enough clearance for the radiator from the I/O assembly directly to its left.
 

There is just enough room for the radiator to squeeze it between the fan and the NB cooler! And yes, they touch.
 

Hard to identify, but at the top you're looking at the radiator, then the two 8-pin power connectors and finally the VREG heatsink. Not really a problem, just something to watch out for.
 

One set of bolts that come with the Feser fan are almost perfect. Make sure you use spacers here (the only place possible) as to lessen the risk of screwing them into the radiator too far. Never overtighten these!
 

Finally here is a shot of the silver mounting hardware. You can see that there is enough control range using this set. This becomes very important if you use the Indigo Xtreme "TIM" as you do not want too much pressure when using it! I ended up using a backplate I had lying around like so: bolt - washer - backplate - board - washer - nut - block - washer - spring - washer - tightening nut.
 

Same shot as the first one. The red tube going into the drive bays is my drain line.
 
What it all boils down to is that I have a silent cooling system. The TFC Triebwerk TK-122 is very nice and a really silent fan indeed. Idle temps are normally at 35-40 degrees, 65 when gaming and 77 degrees running IBT for 8 hours.
 
Next steps for me:
* Seeing how a 240/360 mm radiator would fit on top of the bottom three 180 mm fans, but I can't do that yet as I need to wait for the GTX 580's. The AMD cards are too long for that.
* Switching to a bay reservoir/pump combo
* Cooling the board
* Replace barbs with compression fittings
* Using a quick-release for the drain line.
 
I hope this has helped someone.
post edited by Brazen_NL - 2011/04/29 10:19:15


 Linx stable at 4.25 GHz and cooled using one 120 mm radiator.
 See and rate [+1] my system in EVGA MODS RIGS.

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#1

10 Replies Related Threads

    YerBuddy
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 04:24:42 (permalink)
    It's awesome!!!  I look forward to seeing 580s in that sweet case.  Very well done Brazen.
    #2
    _Havoc_
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 07:43:01 (permalink)
    Nice, been wanting too see how people go about putting H20 in the FT02, since I own one.
     
     

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    #3
    Brazen_NL
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 11:57:14 (permalink)
    Thanks, guys.
     
    There's nothing really sexy about this, it's about finding the right components that fit in the limited space available.
     
    In the end, it's not crowded at all, and using the Feser tubing also helps. The supplied tubing is a little stiffer, but also thinner, so it might not make a difference.
     
    If you're interested in going H2O with your FT-02, you can immediately go the compression fitting route since you can now see what kind of fittings you would need. (Or forgo compression fittings/clamps altogether and use 7/8" tubing on 1/2" barbs directly for the ultra-clean look.)
     
    EDIT: Thanks for the ribbon!
    post edited by Brazen_NL - 2011/01/02 12:15:16


     Linx stable at 4.25 GHz and cooled using one 120 mm radiator.
     See and rate [+1] my system in EVGA MODS RIGS.

     Your PC can help find cures for diseases while you browse the web.
     My affiliate code for product registration is D9G79LRPS5. Thanks!

    #4
    _Havoc_
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 12:19:41 (permalink)
    Well If I ever go H20 prob try setting it up like this
    1: My drive is outside usb connect so my drive bay area is clear
    So I would get a small rez, and decent low profilish pump and mount them in drive bay area.
     
    I would remove the 180mm fans, and use 120 adapters silverstone sent with my case, and mount a low profile 240mm rad at the bottom of the case.
     
     

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    #5
    Brazen_NL
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 12:33:48 (permalink)
    I think that's what I'm going to do, too. Ie. move the current res/pump into the drive bay. I like the sleek looks of the FT-02, and this way, the front of the case would still be plain. Haven't done that yet as it requires 90-degree angled fittings and they're expensive. Once I go with compression fittings, I'll do it all at once.
     
    Not sure what you mean by removing the 180 mm fans, as the adapters supplied by SilverStone are to be used on top of the fans (they go in place of the grills). I'm not sure if you could get a radiator thin enough to provide clearance for your 5870, and if it would then be effective. I'm all ears, though, as that would be one of my next steps!


     Linx stable at 4.25 GHz and cooled using one 120 mm radiator.
     See and rate [+1] my system in EVGA MODS RIGS.

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    _Havoc_
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 12:48:25 (permalink)
    You can do it, seen someone do it over on OCN. Just didn't have fans on other side rad.
     
    Basically he had it like this
    rad
    fans
    Adpaters or something that made 120 mm fans mountable.
    far as my 5870 goes, its being replaced by a GTX 570, even then my 5870 is still has inch clearance with the 180mm fans

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    #7
    Brazen_NL
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/02 13:03:57 (permalink)
    Hmm, I'm going to look for that then.
     
    Not sure if I want to give up the overall silent cooling those 3 fans provide, though. The new solution would also have to provide the overpressure while keeping it all silent.
     
    Thanks.


     Linx stable at 4.25 GHz and cooled using one 120 mm radiator.
     See and rate [+1] my system in EVGA MODS RIGS.

     Your PC can help find cures for diseases while you browse the web.
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    #8
    aleximo
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/03 16:57:08 (permalink)
    Ill be following this, ive been looking at this case, a nice quiet watercooled case.


     
     
    #9
    seabigbear
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/03 17:22:04 (permalink)
    It's awesome!!!

    #10
    Bowenac
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    Re:Water cooling and the SilverStone Fortress FT-02 2011/01/04 20:56:43 (permalink)
    awesome
    #11
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