Aquabelle - WC'd PC-Q11

[Guardsmon]

Current components:
Lian Li PC-Q11 w/ stock 140mm fan
Corsair HX620
Gigabyte Z77N-Wifi
Intel i7 3770K w/ Thermalright AXP-140 & Scythe LP 120mm fan
2x4GB Samsung green LP
Sapphire HD7850 2GB
1x SDD, 2x HDD, 1x 5.25" optical

Quick background:
Love Lian Li cases (a little too much) and in the last 2 years I've had 5 - each time getting smaller. I've strived for smaller and quieter PCs and back when the Corsair H100 came out I thought I'd try my hand at closed loop watercooling to help in my PC-C50. It was good for cooling, but not quiet so when back to air.
After completing a build using a PC-Q02 I move my gaming PC to a PC-Q11. The next step was going to be moving from my PC-Q11 to a Q02, but that's not going to happen so I've turned WC instead.

The challenge:- fit the following into my PC-Q11:
Pump->Rad->CPU->

• Laing 10W DDC-1T pump
• EK-DDC X-RES 100 CSQ
• Alphacool NexXxos ST30 120mm
• Heatkiller v3.0
• Hose 10mm ID/16mm OD
• Mayhems X1

There seems to be very few builds using water in the Q11 (atleast that I can find on forums) and I thought it'd be fun to share my experience as well as ask for help.
I've already taken delivery of many of the components and started playing a little already. I'll get some pictures up soon enough.

Conditions:

• I won't be cooling my GPU just yet as I'm just starting out and its not reference.
• I don't want to cut the case up.
• Optical must stay.
• 1x SDD and atleast 1x HDD
• (trying) Not to replace PSU with SFX form factor

Things left to consider (not already on the table next to me):

• 1x Intake fan - 120mm (space is an issue)
• Fan mounting - Need to convert 140mm bracket to 120mm in shortest distance - Anyone got any ideas on this short of making one up (the Koolance adapter isn't around any more)?
• Angled barbs - It's a tight fit, so might need them to help.
• Silver kill coil - do I need this with the Mayhem X1? (I've read conflicting info)
• Controlling pump speed - I have a variable controller only at the moment and no space in front 5.25" bay for controller.
• 5.25" to 3.5" + optical bay adapter

 

[Guardsmon]

First update (with pictures)

Had to strip the case done to measure me up some hoses - its all good drawing it up in sketchup, but when it comes to these small sizes, it doesn't give much idea for the actual flex I'd get and what I'd be working around.
Clean shaven

And with some close on:

Here's the sort of space I'm playing with. My PSU is already mounted with 40mm hanging out the back, which saves me from needing a SFX PSU and gives me a little more play.

Here's my lovely pump and reservoir fitting in with enough space to put the side panel back on.

And here's where I look like a complete idiot after completely overlooking the fact that my measurements didn't include the pump height...

Don't be an idiot like me... check and double check...

And so here I am needing to spent another £80 on a new smaller res (and while I'm at it some lovely compression fittings )

Fingers crossed they should be here in a few days.

 

[Guardsmon]

New Reservoir arrived today and it fits like a dream!!!

 

[Guardsmon]

I am also water cooling a PC-Q11, although I have decided I will wait for haswell. Mines a bit more custom though (squeezed 2 slim single rads in at the bottom and am considering another at the top). But for not having to cut up the case that's a pretty good job.

I look forward to seeing that progress I've seen one very similar to what you are referring to on HardForums. There don't seem to be many people modding these cases.

I'm struggling with the 140mm fan to 120mm rad mount at the moment. I've made one up in sketchup and it wouldn't be hard to make if I had the tools (which I don't) and I can imagine it would cost a bit to get custom made.
Everywhere I talk to tells me to use those plastic 140/120 adapters that are 10mm deep and don't seem to see why I want something like the old Koolance design (which is £34 to get shipped to the UK... ) So I'm looking at radiator mounts, but I'm getting fed up so might be paying someone soon.

 

[Guardsmon]

A fair amount has happened since my last update, and I'll comment on it with more pictures later, but I thought I'd put a quick pic up now all the parts have arrived.

 

[Guardsmon]

Been stuck going no where for a long time. Got a nice pile of parts and a power supply in parts that I can start working on again when I'm back in the country.