Thermaltake Tai Chi Custom Water Cooling Build Query

patwa · 9 Jun 2015 at 15:41

Hello there,

I'm new to the forum but would be grateful for some of your experience to help with the below. I'm a computer enthusiast myself and love modding but work and life commitments have kept me from tinkering around for some time.

I have the Thermaltake Tai Chi VB5001SNA case with the in-built water cooling system. One of the hoses from the water tank to the CPU cooling block broke a while back and after struggling to find any hoses that exactly fit the existing ones and without any specifications to work off I decided to remove the existing system and replace it with one built myself. I've not started doing anything yet, as I'm also visually impaired and therefore don't want to do anything irreparable.

My questions are:
1. is there any guidance to be noted when removing the existing system, or do I just let rip with every screw I can find? the radiator seems to be the hardest to remove as I can't seem to locate some of the screws.
2. Can anyone advise as to a basic shopping list for what I need to purchase to put the new system together? I only want to go as far as the existing system, e.g. CPU cooling only, but I do want to ensure better liquid flow and use standard sized hoses.

Thanks in advance for any help and apologies also in advance for all my silly questions.

Best Wishes,

Hussein.

russell664 · 9 Jun 2015 at 16:44

Could you possibly take a picture of where the radiator is mounted at all? So we can get an idea or where the other screws could be.

patwa · 14 Jun 2015 at 07:44

Hi there,

Thanks for taking the time to get back to me and sorry for the delay responding. I'm on holiday and the internet was patchy

I'll take the picture when I get in tomorrow and upload. Thanks again for your time and patience.

Best wishes,

Hussein.

russell664 · 14 Jun 2015 at 23:35

No worries, here to help.

patwa · 18 Jun 2015 at 11:55

Hi there, As asked, please find photos below. I hope these are somewhat helpful, I tried my best with the light I had.

gary996 · 18 Jun 2015 at 16:51

Re-size them giant pictures please

patwa · 18 Jun 2015 at 17:01

Hi there,

Apologies for this. Unfortunately that's one area where I draw a blank. Being visually impaired graphics have never been my strong point and I'm not sure if I could tell whether my downsizing the pictures in MS Paint would also strip part of the image.

Could I be so bold as to ask if anyone could do this for me please and re-host them? Apologies again for the hassle and thanks for your time.

NoobCannon · 19 Jun 2015 at 19:49

NoobCannon · 19 Jun 2015 at 19:54

I would personally just remove everything and start from scratch, although I've never seen or worked with your case before so i don't know what it will be like to mod for water cooling, doesn't look like there too much space in there.

alternatively that case probably worth something to someone second hand so sell it and put the money towards a more water cooling friendly case like the Corsair 750D, have put a pic of my build below [ignore the temporary desk!]

have added a larger image in the spoiler as you say you cant see very well

patwa · 22 Jun 2015 at 13:47

Hi, have resized the images eventually as asked and hope these are better.

The new case idea is sounding good if I can't modify the existing. I'd have to sell without hoses and hope someone else can find replacements. I'll check out the spec of the Corsair in the meantime unless someone has any other recommendations?

russell664 · 22 Jun 2015 at 15:02

Hoses are easy to replace, have a look at my Corsair 780T build, love this case!

A new case route would be a great option as the space will be native.

patwa · 22 Jun 2015 at 15:49

Hi there. Thanks. I think I will go ahead and order the new case. I'll probably flog the Thermaltake on Gumtree or eBay. Will be a shame to lose it but 7 years has been a good innings. In the meantime, I'll start looking at the water cooling components I need. Already read some reviews of the Corsair 750d that indicate I need to be careful with the radiator size - bring on the challenge.