Case Mod Question

[Kopesetic]

Here soon I will be starting the project log for my water-cooled 350D project. Now, this will be my first attempt at a custom loop/system build so I've spent a long time researching and preparing. I've got all the parts selected and a lot of them are on order currently.

I'm going to be going with rigid tubing since I don't see many 350Ds with it, trying to be somewhat original, but the case leaves something to be desired as far as what will fit and what won't. Originally, I was planning to remove the 5.25" bays and mod the front panel to hold 360mm rad. I've done all the measurements and what not and it will work. But, it would mean scrapping the mod I have planned for the front panel. (See image below)

So here's the question, which mod would you choose? The 360mm rad front panel mod, or the mod in the image.

With either choice, I'm sure I can still have the ROG logo cutout which will be illuminated UV Red.

Also, if anyone has done any modding to the 350D and have some pointers for a first time modder with it, please share.

 

[maniac]

if you choose to keep the front panel, what rad will fit in the front?

 

[Kopesetic]

I'll be using the Alphacool UT60 240mm, which I have already ordered along with a ST30 for the top. No biggie if I decide to switch to the 360, I'll just resell here or on ebay.

If I use the 360 it will also be a UT60 (360)

 

[tinytomlogan]

Have you tried both in the case? Have you even considered airflow path on the 360?

You cant plan a rig properly till you have it dude.

 

[Kopesetic]

Have you tried both in the case? Have you even considered airflow path on the 360?

You cant plan a rig properly till you have it dude.

Actually, air flow was the first concern I had and was why I had initially decided not to. But, after seeing other various builds with the same hardware (mainly the ST30 as a top rad) I'm not entirely convinced that it would cause severe airflow problems. But as previously stated, I have already ordered the UT60 240mm so I'll be able to get a better idea of what I have to work with once that arrives.

I'm basically using to-scale wood mock-ups of various components and seeing how much room I will have to work with inside my 350D.

 

[tinytomlogan]

I thought we were talking a 360 in the front?

 

[Surfie]

My view, for what little its worth is: function before form.

So, the way I would approach it is: see if both can fit, if not, pick the one which provides best functionality, unless it looks completely God awful, in which case pick the other one.

But everyone is different, most, I think would go the other way: pick the one which looks the best overall. In the end, you are the one who will have to sit next to it, so ultimately, it is your view which really counts.

 

[Kopesetic]

I thought we were talking a 360 in the front?

We are. If I put a 360 in the front however, I will slightly lengthen the front. In other words, the rad will pretty much be pushed back to where the fan filter is.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Surfie is right to a fashion but you have not said what the intended spec is.

I go for as much rad as possible but what works. Just look at Orca, 2x360 12 fans - custom case - silent - but the temps work out pretty damn good.

Its just about finding a balance

 

[Kopesetic]

Surfie is right to a fashion but you have not said what the intended spec is.

Specs will be:

Core Components
Case: Corsair Obsidian 350D mATX (Obtained)
Processor: Intel Core i7-4770k
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Gene
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 1866 (8g - 2x4g) - For now
Graphics: EVGA GTX 780ti or Asus R9 290x
Power Supply: Corsair AXi Series AX860i
System Drive: ASUS ROG RAIDR Express 240g SSD

Watercooling Hardware
Radiator (T): Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 240mm (Ordered)
Radiator (F): Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 240mm (Ordered)
CPU Block: XSPC RayStorm
GPU Block: XSPC GTX 780 Razor
Reservoir: XSPC Tank Reservoir (Ordered)
Pump: Swiftech MCP655 Variable Speed (Ordered)
Tubing: PrimoChill 1/2" OD Rigid Acrylic - Clear (Ordered)
Fittings: PrimoChill 1/2" OD Rigid Ghost - Anodized Black (Ordered)
Coolant: PrimoChill Ice Intensified Non-Conductive - UV Red

Fans and Lighting
System Fans: Corsair AF120 High Performance 1650 RPM (x1 @ Rear) (Obtained)
Radiator Fans: Corsair SF120 HSP 120mm 2350 RPM (x2 @ Top, x2 @ Front) (Obtained)
Fan Controller: Lamptron CW611 6-Channel Liquid Cooling Controller
LED Bars: Logisys 16" Corner LED Light Bar - UV (x2) (Obtained)
Tailed LEDs: 3mm 2-Pin 24" LED - UV (x4) | 5mm 2-Pin 24" LED - UV (x4) (Obtained)
LED Manager: 2-Pin Power Distribution PCB 8-Way Block (Obtained)

Cable Sleeving
Mod/Smart Professional Kobra System Sleeving Kit - Black (Obtained)
-LEDs: Black
-PSUs: Black/ UV Red (Black Obtained)
-Fans: Black

 

[tinytomlogan]

So are we discussing rad possibilities in the front? 240/360?

 

[Kopesetic]

So are we discussing rad possibilities in the front? 240/360?

Exactly. My preference is more rad as well, but it's also mATX.

 

[Surfie]

And what are your goals?

Silence? Low temps? Both? Good looks? Something else?

Edit looks like the guv has this under control, so I'll lurk for a while.

 

[Kopesetic]

I'm aiming for atleast 4.5-4.6Ghz Stable with low temps and fairly quiet. Doesn't have to be very quiet though.

I'm always looking to make something look good, but I also want to keep it fairly original.

 

[maniac]

The Guv seems to be interested in this, you must be doing it right

 

[Kopesetic]

Oh, he hasn't seen anything yet. I have seen how much of a critic he is about paint jobs, and as I am currently a professional painter, I want to see how I do in his opinion with what I'm planning.

I'm going to splatter coat the exterior and shave it down to a scaley texture. Then, I'm going to prime it matte black with a high-build black semi-gloss top-coat, and seal it with a clear-coat. All done with a cup-gun of course.

The objective is to give the appearance of a rough, volcanic glass surface texture. Then, the interior lighting will be UV, with UV Red reactives. The project will be called The Corsair Volcano. I've already sent the side panel off to have the Corsair Sail logo cut out of my side panel. Once it comes back, I'll start on the paint-job and what-not.