Question re case modification and water cooler

chili · 19 Jul 2015 at 09:21

As above

i purchased a pre built system from OC that is water cooled. The system is housed inside a bitfenix prodigy mini itx cube case, the plastic base/footing is a weak point and breaks easily. You guessed it mine has broken on one corner already, i now intend to replace this with some custom feet, which involves drilling 4 holes through the bottom of the case.

So the question is :- am i ok to turn the system on end to pop the holes in the case will water leak? i am guessing it will be ok after all it was delivered to me the wrong way up and it was all dry inside.

while i am here do water cooled systems need any kind of regular maintenance ie topping up if so how often?

thanks

savagesam117 · 19 Jul 2015 at 10:03

You shouldn't have a problem but I wouldn't be drilling holes in a case with any components in side, no way!

Check on it every month or so, change the fluid every 6 months to a year. Depends on how you feel really haha

chili · 19 Jul 2015 at 19:08

cheers for the reply, there is plenty of clearance and its not as if its 6" thick steel been drilled

D1craig · 19 Jul 2015 at 19:15

the bits flying around that are drilled out will/could be a problem. they can get into all kinds of things, imagine one of them give some tubing a little scratch, it could develop into something more serious.

static not a problem when something moves as fast as a drill aswell?

Disco_P · 19 Jul 2015 at 19:53

I have drilled many holes in my nzxt h440 with a full WC loop installed. Just be careful not to drill through any components . I would recommend using a vacuum cleaner in conjunction to suck up filings.

Static won't be an issue as the case is earthed.

Fluid only needs changing when it causes a change. For example huge temp increase or colour change.

Trunkey · 20 Jul 2015 at 10:18

+1 to the vacuum whilst drilling, and metal drilling is a slow speed affair the slower the better.

chili · 20 Jul 2015 at 22:27

i spent 15yrs in the steel industry operating cnc drills, and profile plasma cutters drilling a hole in a case is not an issue for me

there is plenty of clearance so no components will be touched, the hoover nozzle i can get in there too. my only concern was basically up ending the case with the water in it which has been answered.

thanks