Question regarding Rads & Fans

SiD-P · 21 Dec 2006 at 13:44

Hi all, Iv just started my first ever water cooling project & need some help with regards to rad & fan placement.

I have Aqua-Computer Airplex XT 240 Rad that will be top mounted.
My question is where should I install the fans??
1)On top of the rad sucking air out of the case?
2)On top of the rad blowing air in to the case?
or
3)Under the rad blowing air out?
4)Under the rad sucking air in?

Now my limited understanding is that with option 1&3 the warm air that's in the case will pass through the rad limiting the cooling ability

With option 2&4 the cooler air from outside will pass through the rad resulting in better cooling, but it will also add more hot air into the case increasing temps.

Please could the pro water coolers please help me out

thanx in advance

MikeTimbers · 21 Dec 2006 at 14:17

Firstly remember that your case temp will fall massively since all the heat from the cpu is now in the rad.

Secondly, you don't want to make cold air go downwards through the rad without a duct on the other side to clear the warm air away from the rad. Doable, but a pain and probably ugly.

If I were you I would go with the rad sucking air from in the case through the rad and up.

Captain Fizz · 21 Dec 2006 at 15:06

Not even a watercooling noob TBH, but for top case fans/rads I would always have air exhausting.

That means if anything drops onto the case and/or dust will not be drawn through the radiator/fans.
(Say someone spills crisps on the top of your PC for example... You don't have to spend 3 hours picking them out with a pair of tweezers.

)

feriso · 21 Dec 2006 at 15:29

Captain Fizz said:
Not even a watercooling noob TBH, but for top case fans/rads I would always have air exhausting.

That means if anything drops onto the case and/or dust will not be drawn through the radiator/fans.
(Say someone spills crisps on the top of your PC for example... You don't have to spend 3 hours picking them out with a pair of tweezers. )

Ah... the voice of experience

weescott · 21 Dec 2006 at 15:34

MikeTimbers said:
If I were you I would go with the rad sucking air from in the case through the rad and up.

This is what I did with my old 120.3.

SiD-P · 21 Dec 2006 at 15:38

Thank you very much for your input guys.

Now to Argos & get my self a Dermel

collisster · 21 Dec 2006 at 15:48

be carful!! may be a competitor,

Captain Fizz · 21 Dec 2006 at 15:52

feriso said:
Ah... the voice of experience

Thankfully not my case.

My experience was a light splashing of beer on the side-window fan.

New PC now tho. :cool:

(in sig)
(And new mobo for the old PC - Which needs JUMPERS to overclock!!!)

Oh, and if you are thinking of purchasing a dremel (or dremel clone) then don't opt for the £20~30 ones.
I started with one on offer for £10 at that catalogue store - Hmmm...
Sister then bought me a dremel (proper one!) for my Birthday - Wow - A joy to use!

So don't skimp on the dremel!!

SiD-P · 21 Dec 2006 at 16:40

Captain Fizz said:
Oh, and if you are thinking of purchasing a dremel (or dremel clone) then don't opt for the £20~30 ones.
I started with one on offer for £10 at that catalogue store - Hmmm...
Sister then bought me a dremel (proper one!) for my Birthday - Wow - A joy to use!

So don't skimp on the dremel!!

Man, these Dermels are expensive
I was thinking of this:
http://www.dremel-direct.com/acatalog/300_Series___25_Accessories_and_Case.html

any good??

My first idea was to drill holes and use a jigsaw, what do you guys think?

Captain Fizz · 21 Dec 2006 at 16:49

SiD-P said:
any good??

Looks to be along the same lines as mine - Yep.
AFAIK, the B&D type ones are good also... Just don't get the cheapy-cheapo ones.

Jigsaws are much easier to do straight lines with, especially if the material has a decent thickness to it.
(Like the Lian Li v1x00 series I'd use a jigsaw as the Alu is quite thick)

Rounded corners etc - I'd use a dremel for.
So jigsaw to do main cuts, dremel to tidy up.

For cutting blades, don't waste the money on the normal ones, or even heavy duty.
For metal there's nothing better (that I've found!) than the re-inforced cutting disks. (Like mini-angle grinder disks instead of the 'glued sand' disks you get with them)

Peeps recommend the diamond disks too, I've not yet tried them but will need to test them to see which is better £/length & ease of cut.

SiD-P · 21 Dec 2006 at 17:09

Thanx for all your help, got tomorrow off, I want to get all the work done before Xmas, will post pics once Iv finished