External Rad help + advice

[Adsta]

Decided to put back together my WC rig but I really would like a smaller case. Been looking at the Bitfenix Shinobi midi tower. Will be installing a 2500k and most likely one 780GTX.

I have a fair few bits from my last build which I'm hoping to re-use as much as possible. I have a 360 120mm rad (XSPC EX360) which I think should do the job for cooling both of these in a closed loop. But obviously the 360rad will not fit in the midi tower. I'm thinking of having it externally which should still keep things cool

1min paint drawing to show the idea

Do you think there will be any probs with the GPU being hit first before the CPU ? I remember reading that really most closed loops should go CPU then GPU but I'm trying to keep the tubing as neat and minimal as possible.

Failing all this.... any ideas for a "small" case that would house a 360 rad.

Also the res I have is a dual bay res which will take up most of the space in the Shinobi midi but that is ok because I wont be installing a disc drive. I also have a 120 rad too (XSPC EX120) but not really sure where to put that if needed. Was hoping to leave the top of the case empty to use as an exhaust for hot air.

 

[OLDPHART]

No problems at all, that's how my loop is set up GPU first. The water temperature levels out no matter which way you do it.

My rad is mounted externally as well free standing, you can fit some quick release fittings if you what between the rad and the case, to make life easier for moving ,etc.

 

[Five.Stars]

Wont matter at all which component comes first - the fluid temp will reach an equilibrium.

I have a 360 rad mounted externally and my gpu's are the first component out of the res.

mines goes res > gpu (2x7970's in parallel) > top mounted 240 rad > cpu > external 360 rad > res

Seems to work well.

What you could do is have the 120 rad on the roof, with a fan mounted outside on roof drawing the air out through the radiator. Possibly wont look as neat and tidy as the rad and fan both being internal, but when space is at a premium you sometimes have to get creative, as with the use of external rad.

What you could do, is get some quick disconnects to put between outside rad and tubing to and from case so that if you need to move case for whatever reason you dont have to pick up this huge dangling object as well. Will post couple pics of what I mean.

 

[Five.Stars]

If you can please excuse the mess behind case - got a bit of tidying up to do as just put rig back together after a few modification.

As you can see the fans are on extensions to the fan controller as well so again theses can be unplugged and I can drain the system and radiator separately or move either separately for whatever reason.

 

[Five.Stars]

Using your pic I have modified your loop a wee bit to what I would go for probably - in my opinion will be a bit tidier looking.

Or if you do decide to use the 120 at top...

 

[Adsta]

Cheers for the advice, I agree the first pic using just the 360 seems a much neater option. I think I will go with that. I forgot about my fan controller too grrrr how to keep that neat ! I hate trailing on show cables