Radiator/Heater core

[mixsetup]

Hi I'm new to Water cooling. I'm going to set up a custom water cooling system.I will make or have made by a friend my water block or blocks I will buy a pump but the radiator/heater core can that lay flat or does it have to stand up? As I have a mid sized case and there is heaps of room along the bottom of the case just 140 milimeters gap high till I hit my drives bay. So can I lay it flat? Or shall I make it external to my computers case?

[eXCeSS]

You can lay it down as far as i know. Ive seen a few people who've got them laying down. Good luck and post pics for us :)

[rogerdugans]

The radiator (hereafter referred to as RAD) can be mounted in any way you wish.

The most important consideration is airflow in and out of the rad fans. The idea is to have as few obstructions as possible to allow the air to move freely in and out of the rad. The BEST situation has nothing within 8" or so but many have at least one case panel (front bezel) within an inch or two. This doesn't kill efficiency but it DOES hurt it somewhat- simply opening my case door drops my cpu temp about 2c.

Pretty much you want to follow regular air cooling methods however you mount the rad- air into the case low and in front, out high and in back; with water cooling you are just adding a radiator to a fan or four.
Most common placements in order of commonality:*
Low in front (intake)
High on back (exhaust)
top (exhaust)
Sidewinder( intake or exhaust, also some straight through and air never enters the case)
Bottom (Intake)

*That I have seen.

Like anything else, the direction of airflow is not ALWAYS best the way I have it listed but that is what works best most of the time.

[mixsetup]

Thanks heaps for the info I'll see whatI can work out to get the most airflow in my case I will post pictures as soon as I have it setup and going.