New to custom loops.

[Gustrer]

I have experience building a custom loop before but not for my self and i didn't pick the parts. In both of my computers i want to replace my h100 with a custom loop to also include my gpu.

My budget is 500$ and i have a I7 3770k 4.8ghz 1.375vcore and a gtx 660ti in a Fractal arc mini.
I saw the video Tom did on swifttech's pre picked tripple radiator and he mounted it on the top of the case. Looks aren't a huge priority and i think having it on the outside of the case would be better. thanks for all the help in advanced.

Build Specs:
Intel core i7 3770k 4.8ghz 100x48 1.375vcore.
Dual 3.5hdd's
Single Mushkin Chronos enhanced 240gb ssd.
EVGA Gtx 660ti 3gb
2x4gb 1867 Corsair Vengeance
Corsair Ax850 PSU
Gigabyte G1 Sniper m3
Fans are all corsair sp/af fans *which are terribly loud, don't buy them*
NZXT Touch screen fan controller.

*This is the image of the case. This is 6 months old. The mobo, cpu, ram, and gpu are all different. The rest is the same. Full size here: http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7701/img0147cm.jpg

 

[airdeano]

gustrer,
welcome to the OC3D forums, glad you have interest in some help, but you will
have to help us with proper information, please!

please list current specs of rig.. hate to get wrong information from wrong specs.
thread approved upon specs to be listed.

as to cooling, dual XSPC rx240 rads or dual alphacool UT240 can handle the CPU/GPU
cooling. all inside and managable to be tidy. you'll have to relocate the lower HDD cage
(new holes) to allow front rad install. only issue that may come into play on the mini is
tall RAM heatsinks.
you'll need to verify your GPU for a waterblock. if it is non-reference, could be tougher.

 

[Gustrer]

Specs and etc.

Intel core i7 3770k 4.8ghz 100x48 1.375vcore.
Dual 3.5hdd's
Single Mushkin Chronos enhanced 240gb ssd.
Nvidia Gtx 660ti 3gb EVGA: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130811
2x4gb 1867 Corsair Vengeance
Corsair Ax850 PSU
Gigabyte G1 Sniper m3
Fans are all corsair sp/af fans *which are terribly loud, don't buy them*
NZXT Touch screen fan controller.


On a side note, I don't think I want to do front mount radiator Because I won't have room to put my hard drives. One option I could do is ditch my fan controller and possibly cd drive to hold both hard drives and ssd. Or i could keep the cd drive and remove the fan controller and get rid of my secondary hdd i rarely use. So i would have the dvd drive, a single hard drive and the ssd in the Drive bay. One other reason for concern i have is the way that the fans mount to the front panel. They use reach around clips to secure the fan into place so trying to attach something to the back of the fan would prevent that from interlocking and making a secure connection and also maybe even fitting into the case it self.

 

[Deejeta]

Grab a different case then. Front radiator is your best option in terms of radiator thickness. Buy a switch 810 or cm strooper. Loads of space.

 

[airdeano]

what voltage setting are the SP120(s) using to keep 'em quiet?
i have 10 SP120 PE undervolted to 7volts and they are fine and powerful to cool
my system sub 60°

the arc midi is easy to fix a radiator into and still use the HDD cage.
liketo R4, you can move the cage back (for clearence) and redrill new holes to secure
the HDD cage onto the floor. as to attach the radiator to the front (many have
done it) make a tab to bolt to chassis and bolt fans, tabs and rad to front. remove
fan clips from front panel. or you can space the rad fron front enough not to
have to trim the front panel clips. but it is all dependent on thickness of radiator
used.

alphacool has XT45 280 which will be way more than enough for a 360 roof rad
of 60mm. but the ODD bays will have to come out. or use the UT60 240 with the
XT45 280 and you should be fine.

 

[Gustrer]

The corsair fans are in pairs on the channels from the fan controller, except for the af140. They also all run on 70% except for the af140. I hate them Because they make so much noise. It's the motor or something but they sound like a dead hard drive.

Btw, the case is actually an Arc Mini, not Arc Midi. As for actually modding the case, if I were to go with the front radiator I would simply take out the hard drive bay and 5.25'' bay devices and mount the hard drives in there. The fan controller is really just a novelty and the cd drive I can get an external case for. I'm wondering and thinking that mounting the the radiator to the top of the case would be the best idea. I.E. like mounting a Swiftech h20 320 EDGE system to the top of the case and routing the cables in from the back. But, would that be able to addequitly cool the cpu and gpu?

 

[airdeano]

my mistake, i thought i saw midi.

ive also got a mini and after torturing the midi, i will go back and flog it as well.
depending on how hot of an overclock on both CPU/GPU will usually determine
cooling capacity. in your case, the bolt in option of XT45 240 in the roof and
XT45 240 in the front will keep a moderate CPU/GPU overclock and have headroom
for ambient spikes and constant use. using existing fans @ 7v (not your 8.4v)
push on the front rad and push or pull on roof rad. wire the fans direct to PSU
and your fan controller is now available for sale.

a 360 will fit in the roof, but the opti bay will be sacrificed. many have done this
mod and it looks fantastic. this is the one for me as a XT45 360 and XT45 240
using SP120PE undervolted or swiftech helix 120.

to your other idea, that will NOT adaquately cool the CPU/GPU with any overclock
at all. and will be LOUD as hell... the compact fin density give you two options.
one to use 1600rpm+ fans or low fan speeds and higher temps...