Question about radiators

Stolly · 16 Apr 2007 at 13:21

I'm not clear how water cooling radiators attach to the case.

Are they external ? The one i am interested is the HWLabs Black Ice Stealth GT240, in a Gigabyte Aurora case. Would the Rad be external, and mounted over the existing two 120mm exhaust fans ? Would the exhaust air from these existing fans supply the air for the radiator ?

Sorry for the basic questions !

MikeTimbers · 16 Apr 2007 at 13:39

A radiator has pre-drilled holes for attaching fans with screws. If a rad is to be mounted directly to the case (usually to the top on the inside), you would need to cut holes roughly in line with where the fans would be and precisely drill holes in line with where the screws would go. The fan holes could be any shape really but it wold be better to make them at least as big as the fans themselves to prevent restriction. The radiator would be attached to the case top using screws going down from the outside, through the top and into the radiator.

If you wanted to fit one externally to the back of your aurora, the only question would be whether it would a) actually fit physically since radiators are not longer and wider than the fans themselves and b) whether the existing fan mount points on the case would marry up with the screw holes in the radiator.

One way would be to use the Swiftech radbox mounting thingy to fit the rad to the top of the two 120mm fans so that it roughly lines up with the case's exhausts. You could then seal the gap between the case and the rad to form a duct to ensure all the exhaust air goes through the rad.

Stolly · 16 Apr 2007 at 16:02

Cheers, that radbox does seem like the best bet.

Borden · 16 Apr 2007 at 17:42

The Aurora has rad holes pre-drilled in the rear of the case behind the fans. I don't know if this will fit all rads as i've never watercooled but it should save a lot of hassle if it does.