External Watercooling with small case?

[Dominic-Toretto]

Hey all,

I currently have a Thermaltake Core P5 TG edition watercooled build. Loop specs are as follows:

Hardware Labs Black Ice GTX 420mm
XSPC Photon 270 Pump Res
Heatkiller IV CPU Block
Heatkiller IV GPU Block

I really like the aesthetics of this case, but I have the following issues

1. I wish I could add more rad space
2. It is an absolute pain to work on, having to drain the entire loop every time if changing any parts etc

So I have been thinking about grabbing something like a MORA-3 external radiator, and mounting the pump/res to it outside of the case.

I was then thinking of downsizing my build to a small M-ATX, and just running the tubes in via quick-disconnects via a PCI pass through.

In my head this should give me a much easier time draining the loop and general maintenance, along with giving me more cooling capacity, while taking up less space

Are there any draw backs to this approach? Apart from the extra space for the external rad box?

Edit: Just also had a thought that I could put quick disconnects in to my existing loop, and have the Mora 3 just sat next to the Core P5 as well, I guess that is another option.

Thanks

 

[Dominic-Toretto]

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I done the external thing using an XSPC 480mm rad on a stand i just stuck under my desk but drilled some holes for pass throughs in the back of the case and connected the qdc's between rad and the pass through exit as i didn't like the pressure there seemed to be with tubing hanging off them connected straight to the case.

I had the fans spinning almost at max speed and as it was under my desk i could hardly hear it and i had great temps, this was in a Caselabs BH7 case.

That looks really clean! Were there any cons to this setup apart from the pressure of tubing hang off when connected to the case?

 

[Dominic-Toretto]

There was no issue using pass throughs when i switched to straight compression fittings coming out the back, i dont think there was any real drawbacks for me and i loved not messing with fan speeds ever and having constantly good temps.

<snip>

I had mine setup like this but i had an external fan controller setup using a small power brick but didnt really use it.

<snip>

This was another not so elegant way i did it.

Thanks, looks good! Question, is there any other way to feed power to fans outside at these distances?

 

[Dominic-Toretto]

Thanks for the input everyone, some really nice examples in here, and great looking setups! I am currently still thinking about this, and may well end up keeping my current case, but also have an external radiator.

 

[Dominic-Toretto]

So an update to this:

I have sold my Core P5, and am now looking to downsize to an MATX case with external watercooling as discussed in this thread.
Currently have my eye on a Corsair 280X Matx case, seems like a great balance of size, usability and aesthetics. Particularly a fan of the dual chamber PSU design.
https://www.modding.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Crystal-280X-127.jpg

Then looking at a PCI watercooling pass through bracket and koolance quick disconnects connected to the pci bracket. (Should make disconnecting, draining, and working on the pc way easier)

Then a heatkiller mora 3 420 pro, sat beneath the desk, not sure how I could mount a reservoir / pump to this
http://shop.watercool.de/WebRoot/Sa...D22/0A0C/05EA/29C5/MO-RA3_420_Edelstahl_3.jpg

** Do not hotlink images **


Not sure about fans at this point, still throwing ideas around at this point

Its what the Zalman Reserator was made for. The pump, reservoir and radiator all live outside the case.

They should be cheap as chips on eBay by now.

snip

Are these Reserators still competitive against modern radiators and pumps?

 

[Dominic-Toretto]

So in a dramatic twist of events, I ended up buying a Thermaltake level 20 XT!
I was looking at MATX boards etc, when I came across this case. It is huge! It can fit 3 x 420mm radiators, plus a 280mm with no thickness restrictions, looks great and fits my current hardware. It was hard to say no.
So I am now looking to aquire some hardware labs 420 radiators to fill this case out

 

[Dominic-Toretto]

I've got the same case, it's a definitely a beast, but a great case.

Only be aware that multiport rads have issues with this case, I bought 2 Black Ice SR2 Xtreme+ 480mm rads but can't use them unless I cut into the rad brackets in the roof

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated

Any pics of your build? Don't seem to be too many online. Looking for inspiration haha