Noob radiator installation q's

[Mr. Smith]

Before I order my w/c kit (big thanks to all your input on that thread) a few questions about radiators...

I have decided to mod my case and cut a hole in the top to mount the rad there as seen here

I haven't 100% decided on the rad, either the Thermochil PA120.2 or Swiftech MCR220-QP Dual.

Other than cutting the hole, I don't actually know how to mount the rad to the case! Also, how would i fix the fans to the underside of the rad? I've seen nice grills to cover the hole, wont the screws for the grill interfere with the rad if its mounted right to the top of the case?

I decided on the DDC ultra pump, apogee cpu block and either the eddie ek gpu block or the swiftech mcw60 with the ram heatsinks, xspc 5 25 bay res, coollabs liquid metal paste, mastercleer 7/16 tubing and 2 120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fans for the rad.

Thanks in advance:worship:

 

[FarFarAway]

When you get the RAD through you'll see how to mount it. I mount mine through the case and fans and into the fan holes on the RAD. I also use a couple of proper holes in the RAD that are designed for mounting a RAD.

 

[ai_01]

looks like a bangin setup =P btw get the thermochill

 

[masterblaster]

having done this before I mounted the fans flush to the case first, then the rad with the fans sucking the air through the rad and out of the case.

 

[Mr. Smith]

Cool. Thanks guys.

Just have to wait for my auctions on ebay to end Wednesday (selling my old 7300gt and my spare 7900gt, already got rid of my old ipod to get the fundage together for this!) then I can get onto the blower to ST. Shame they dont do Thermochill.

Is the thermochill worth the extra £20 over the swifty rad? I can only find reviews of the PA 120.3; nothing on the 120.2 (

Once this is in and I get some cable management sorted my system will be worthy of the rig gallery )

Hmmm... Might just order everything tonight in advance for the weekend ;o)

Whats this talk of cleaning your rad out with some vinegar? soak it for 12hrs? Should I take apart everything (except the pump) and clean it before installing?

 

[FragTek]

Yup, get the Thermochill. Best rads on the market!

 

[Mr. Smith]

having done this before I mounted the fans flush to the case first, then the rad with the fans sucking the air through the rad and out of the case.

This sounds like a good idea... Do I need one of these?

I am putting my purchase on hold for one more night on the hope that I win the w/c kit comp lol. If not guess i'll have to cough up the reddies

 

[Mullet]

Go to thermochill's website and take a peek at the FAQs see here: http://www.thermochill.com/faq.html. Some helpful guidance on there bud. Up to you how you mount...some say better to suck the air from outside through the rad then into case...others say to push air from outside case through rad into case....really is up to you.

Yes...do clean the rad out...distilled water rinser...then vinegar...soak for 6 hrs...then rinse....then rinse...then rinse....(make sure you remove the nickel plated barbs before you mess with the vinegar....as barbs may discolour)

Blocks (if they have clear tops)....if you can see swarf (small metal/copper shavings) take top off and leave copper to soak in a bowl of white vinegar for 6 hrs and rinse as above.

If you get the PA120.2 get an FG120.2...use this as a template for cutting a hole in ya case. See here: http://www.thermochill.com/fg120.php

 

[Mr. Smith]

Go to thermochill's website and take a peek at the FAQs see here: http://www.thermochill.com/faq.html. Some helpful guidance on there bud. Up to you how you mount...some say better to suck the air from outside through the rad then into case...others say to push air from outside case through rad into case....really is up to you.

Yes...do clean the rad out...distilled water rinser...then vinegar...soak for 6 hrs...then rinse....then rinse...then rinse....(make sure you remove the nickel plated barbs before you mess with the vinegar....as barbs may discolour)

Blocks (if they have clear tops)....if you can see swarf (small metal/copper shavings) take top off and leave copper to soak in a bowl of white vinegar for 6 hrs and rinse as above.

If you get the PA120.2 get an FG120.2...use this as a template for cutting a hole in ya case. See here: http://www.thermochill.com/fg120.php

Legend.

As I didn't win the comp I'm off to order my stuff to cheer myself up, I'm just trying to find a store that has everything I want (waiting for ST to get some stock in) at this rate i'll be paying about £40 in p&p!

EDIT: "For best temps on the PA series, testing currently shows PUSH to be the best solution... shrouded vs unshrouded exhibits minimal benefits, in the region of upto 2%. Fans pushing as opposed to fans pulling exhibits increases of upto 4%, and is roughly equivalent to running a shroud with fans in a pull configuration."

I may be misinterpreting the above statement but i do not understand the difference between push/pull as you could argue both sides so...

Placing my hand over the exhaust fan on the rear of my case i feel the air blowing on my hand; air the fan is pulling from inside my case. If my hand was a rad, then the air would be 'pushed' through the rad by the fan (?)

If the rad was on the otherside, inside the case, then the case air would be 'pulled' through the rad by the fan (?)

Is that it? Put me out of my misery! P.S If this is a double post apologies but some error just popped up when I tried to post this!

 

[Mullet]

Okay...

An Auzzie guy known as Cathar played a major role in dev of the thermochill rads ...his tests showed the push method to be the best...another guy who's name escapes me found pull to be most effective...hence me saying it's up to you. For ease of cleaning dust off rad I would go for the pull method with the fans sited below the rad sucking air in from outside, throuigh the rad, through the fan and into the case. ALWAYS best to have the clean air being brought in from outside of the case by any of the above means...may result in a case temp rise of 2 degrees or so but this is more than ofset by the cooler air cooling the water which is keeping the business end components cool.

Question answers:

Placing my hand over the exhaust fan on the rear of my case i feel the air blowing on my hand; air the fan is pulling from inside my case. If my hand was a rad, then the air would be 'pushed' through the rad by the fan (?) - YES (and the mounting screws supplied with the rad are designed for this method of fitting)

"If the rad was on the otherside, inside the case, then the case air would be 'pulled' through the rad by the fan (?)" - YES (if you want to go with this mounting method you will have to source further screws)

I hope this helps clear any mists!!

Where are u gonna get ya kit from?

I bought my DDC ultra from the lads at specialtech....VERY good service.

The guys at over-clock are also a top bunch of peeps...

You should be able to source all of your kit from these 2 places.

Any more q's please post away!!

 

[Mr. Smith]

I ordered the DDC ultra, apogee, xspc res, swifty mcpwhatever its called + heatsinks, dye, clamps - as much stuff as posible - from specialtech.

Got the thermochill rad and 7/16" and a few bits from the thermochill online store.

ST are holding my order back until the gpu block arrives, the rad was SUPPOSED to arrive today. It didn't grrrrrr.

Thanks again Mullet

 

[Carbine]

I ordered the DDC ultra, apogee, xspc res, swifty mcpwhatever its called + heatsinks, dye, clamps - as much stuff as posible - from specialtech.

Got the thermochill rad and 7/16" and a few bits from the thermochill online store.

ST are holding my order back until the gpu block arrives, the rad was SUPPOSED to arrive today. It didn't grrrrrr.

Thanks again Mullet

You do know there are various UK sites which sell Thermochill rads don't you?