Super Compact Custom CPU Loop

[4rtex]

Hi all. I could do with a bit of help. I would like to make a custom loop for an ITX build, only for the CPU. I have limited watercooling hardware knowledge, but feel confident I can assemble the parts.

The project would be to assemble the kit so that it will fit over ITX enclosure and act as an AIO. I will want to cut the tubing to absolute minimum. The assembly should be held by some form of 3D printed structure and look more or less like a tower air cooler. My challenge is to make it fit within 135 mm clearance.

Must have:
- 140 x 45 mm radiator
- CPU block with water pump ideally with PWM and liquid temperature sensor.

What I don't want:
-reservoir

Please suggest what products would be suitable. I have no idea what pump power is sufficient for such a small loop.

 

[4rtex]

I have up to 135mm of clearance and the footprint of this could be in region of 200 x 150mm. I'm thinking 45mm thick radiator + 25mm fan that leaves me 65mm for the fancy pump. I could maybe have a tiny reservoir next to the radiator.

I'll have to read up on methods of bleeding the system and what smallest radiators are available....

 

[4rtex]

I'll make a 3D mockup of this layout. I can see Barrow (what are they like?) make a very small pump/res combo. Maybe a standard CPU block and this instead.

I haven't mentioned the CPU because this wouldn't be for it. I have a 12600k at the moment, but I would be building this for 9800x3d.

I'll have a play with CAD and post some images as soon as... thanks for now!

 

[4rtex]

Genuine question: why not just buy an AIO?

I'm all for crafting something yourself, but as it stands right now you're describing building an AIO with 10 times more headaches.

This is exactly what I had in mind. The inspiration comes from CORSAIR H5 SF. Why wasn't this more popular?

I should mention, I'm working on a small enclosure design, where a 240 AIO won't fit. 120 AIO isn't efficient enough I think. The primary mean of cooling the CPU will be air nevertheless, but I would like to make a provision for mounting a 140mm radiator at least. I can see now that the thickness of it isn't going to help a lot.

I would still like to try for the sake of it, but as the clearance is tight, I think it will make more sense to mount the pump "elsewhere" not on the CPU block.

 

[4rtex]

if don't have a reservoir
would suggest a multiport radiator
so can bleed from the extra rad ports
otherwise bleeding air out will be
a pita

Great advice, thanks!

This is the project I'm working on. As you can see the space is very limited. The more I look at it, the more impossible it seems...

 

[4rtex]

The challenge will be getting any res/fill port well above the highest component which looks to be the CPU. As side note you might need to add some cooling to memory especially if this is a DDR5 platform.

This is a very outdated model of an itx motherboard. These days the cpu socket is located more or less centrally to the motherboard, but I surely get the point.

Theoretically, if this design was to be a "Monoblock" type rigid assembly, could I fill and bleed the loop away from the machine, and then just connect it to the motherboard once it's closed?

 

[4rtex]

Please don't laugh

2 x Alphacool 80mm radiators with multiports
2 x 80mm fans
1 x Modultra Lobo

 

[4rtex]

What do we think about stacked radiators and inline connection?

 

[4rtex]

...so I'm gonna leave this at concept stage for now, but not off the table. Will focus on finishing off the new enclosure.

BTW, I will be using Dynatron Q11P in the build.