Antec P280-360 Radiator Possible?

tommybhoy · 26 Oct 2013 at 15:51

Has anyone managed to throw a 360 rad into the top 240 mount?

Don't really want to change case as it's pretty quiet and tall enough.

I realise it's not ideal but have been thinking for some time about going for a proper wc loop, thinking the extra would help overall temps even if it only had 2 120 fans on it?

Currently using a H100i and there isn't much space left between it and my Sabertooth mb either.

3770 and 7950 CrossFire is what would be going under water, doable or not, or just stick to 2x240 rads instead of a 360 and 240?

Any info on what rads fit would be appreciated.

Five.Stars · 26 Oct 2013 at 22:14

Hmmm don't think it is possible buddy. Even if it were, it would be a thin rad and you would really need to mod the roof to allow the warm air from the rad to be exhausted (from the most forward 1/3 or rad). I have the P280 and use an external 360 rad mounted horizontally on XSPC rad stands and a thin 240 rad inside. I use Koolance Quick Disconnects at the WC inlet/ outlets on the case, so that if I ever have to move the case I can quickly disconnect the radiator and can move them separately.

The only problem I found with this set-up was the fans on the 360 rad - having to find a route back in to the case and onto fan controller. Never looked particularly tidy, but they were out of sight. Rig has been dismantled at present, but will spend a bit more time tidying it up when I re-do loop.

Even getting 2 240's in there might be a struggle. Obviously 1 can go in the ceiling, but elsewhere it is a bit tight. Your 7950's are too big to have a rad go where the fans are meant to go inside the HDD cages. It is a great case, it just isn't really suited to a good custom loop keeping everything internal.

Five.Stars · 26 Oct 2013 at 22:23

That said, if you are good at DIY you could perhaps mod the side panel, have a big rad attached to it and connected via QDC's for when you need to remove side panel. What I mean is maybe mid-line on both inlet and outlet side of radiator have a QDC, and a little bit slack in the tubing so that you can partially remove side panel, disconnect the QDC's and then remove side panel fully.

It would work, but it would take quite a bit of work and the possibility of ruining side panel if you are like me and have very limited experience of case modding. But it is an idea if everything absolutely has to be kept internal.

*Although not sure what kind of space is between side panel and gpu's, so again this idea might not be any use*

ubersonic · 26 Oct 2013 at 23:13

I have seen a P280 with a 360 in the roof but it only had 2 fans on it (better than a 240 but not up to normal 360 standards) rad was a Swiftech MCR320-QP which I believe is about the same size as an XSPC EX360 or so.

tommybhoy · 27 Oct 2013 at 22:23

Thanks for the feedback guys, not really what I was wanting to hear but realised it was a hard ask from the P280, it's a smashing air case but that's about it it seems.

Not really wanting external rads as it would defeat the purpose of keeping it quiet I imagine.

Uncle Petey · 27 Oct 2013 at 22:30

Depends on the rad and the fans mate

A low fpi 1080 rad would be virtually silent with a bunch of fans whizzing away at 600-800rpm for example.
How about a couple of 360's or a single 560 at 800-1000rpm?

Any of those would be even quieter than your IceQ's and your H100

Five.Stars · 27 Oct 2013 at 22:49

A 240 in the ceiling and an external 360 with some Scythe GT's running at 800rpm is virtually silent and easily enough to keep your set-up at good temps. Even with a monster overclock the temps wouldn't go above 50c. If you want it a bit cooler still turn the fans up to 1000-1300 rpm and they are still pretty quiet tbh.

1 thing to watch though is if you get a 240 for the ceiling it needs to be a slim 1 because once the fans are installed it brings it quite tight to the motherboard, meaning if your cpu power connection is at top right of mobo and your cable is routed up through the back it is very tight and you will likely need to tie the cable to the extreme edge of the cable routing hole.

As you say though, it isn't a great WC case unfortunately, but it can still be used to decent effect with a bit of thought and planning.

dazzerd · 28 Oct 2013 at 15:31

If you use your imagination you can actually get a 240 on the top plus a 240 or 360 on the middle bracket.

If you use a 360 on the middle bracket you won't be able to add an optical but that should be no biggy anyway.

I did have a picture of mine somewhere but seem to have lost it.