Mount a BIX2 (or similar rad) inside a P180

EZ-Spidey · May 17, 2006

Spring is here and like I planned, I will be moving to water cooling.

I've been recommanded to use a dual 120mm rad for much better cooling
performance but I was never keen on having to mount it outside the case.

So looking at some pics members here posted (thanks to all who did and
still do

) and getting measurements, I think my idea might work but like
usual, I always like to hear your opinions before I make my move.

I plan to cut out another hole next to the fan on top of the case so that
I can install a fan there and then mount the radiator.

Everything will be mounted in the inside top. Both fans will intake fresh air
from the outside top of the case to cool the radiator.

How does it sounds?

Dice · May 17, 2006

EZ-Spidey said:
Spring is here and like I planned, I will be moving to water cooling.

I've been recommanded to use a dual 120mm rad for much better cooling
performance but I was never keen on having to mount it outside the case.

So looking at some pics members here posted (thanks to all who did and
still do ) and getting measurements, I think my idea might work but like
usual, I always like to hear your opinions before I make my move.

I plan to cut out another hole next to the fan on top of the case so that
I can install a fan there and then mount the radiator.

Everything will be mounted in the inside top. Both fans will intake fresh air
from the outside top of the case to cool the radiator.

How does it sounds?

Sounds promising.

I think you have the right idea by using the coolest available air for the rad's intake.

I have seen many assert that fans are more efficient when pulling the air through the rad, not pushing.

Also, they say to allow convection to do it's thing. Heat rises naturally and you are planning on forcing it down.

Even if you take these points into consideration and use them, I am unsure what actual change in temps would be noticed. I would venture to guess: "Not a whole lot."
But every little bit adds up in the end.

soloz2 · May 17, 2006

here's one way to do it. looks pretty sweet to me. I'm thinking about picking up one of these cases if a tripple would fit...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=262&products_id=4269

EZ-Spidey · May 18, 2006

Nice soloz2, really nice find. Now I'm thinking 3x 120mm hehehe.

Good points Dice. I'm not sure when exactly I'll get to work but I'll
experiment a little.

Like try a fans/rad stack or a rad/fans instead.

I'll also check to see how much clearance there will be beetween
the radiator & fans and the mobo. Thinking of adding 2 more fans
to 'sandwhich' the radiator in push/pull config.

Dice · May 18, 2006

EZ-Spidey said:
Nice soloz2, really nice find. Now I'm thinking 3x 120mm hehehe.

Good points Dice. I'm not sure when exactly I'll get to work but I'll
experiment a little.

Like try a fans/rad stack or a rad/fans instead.

I'll also check to see how much clearance there will be beetween
the radiator & fans and the mobo. Thinking of adding 2 more fans
to 'sandwhich' the radiator in push/pull config.

Good luck, and as usual, keep us posted as you progress. :beer:

soloz2 · May 18, 2006

yes, keep us posted!

I've been looking for a new case that will allow me to fit a tripple rad internally.
I know temps won't be quite as good with an internally mounted rad, but I really like the way the radgrills looks on top of a case. it just looks soo clean. Also, it would be easier to transport than what I currently have with my double heater core mounted on the back of my case

EZ-Spidey · May 18, 2006

No sweat guys, I will definetly post back.

Hey soloz2, how much of a performance hit do you think I'll get with
the rad mounted internally?

soloz2 · May 18, 2006

I'm really not sure about that. I have heard that the difference between internally and externally mounted rads can be anywhere between 3-10 degrees. But it all depends on how it is mounted and where the airflo is coming from. If you could get your rad mounted in the top of your case with some sort of ducting so you pulled cold air in from the top and exhausted it out the back of the case the difference would probably be very small

Speedmonkay · May 18, 2006

soloz2 said:
here's one way to do it. looks pretty sweet to me. I'm thinking about picking up one of these cases if a tripple would fit...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=262&products_id=4269

I definitely think a triple would fit. It might need a little help but it should fit. Really sweet case but I would want to mod the hell out of that case. A little to plain for me.

RangerXLT8 · May 18, 2006

soloz2 said:
here's one way to do it. looks pretty sweet to me. I'm thinking about picking up one of these cases if a tripple would fit...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=262&products_id=4269

That's nice.

You are not going to be able to use the top 2 5.25 drive bays.....

Here is what I did, but it's only 1 120mm Black Ice EXtreme. In the near future I might sacrifice that top 5.25 bay for a dual 120 rad....

soloz2 · May 18, 2006

yeah, I'm not concerned about loosing 2 bay drives. I only have 2 optical drives, and if I had to I would be willing to cut down to one.

I like the way that looks!

meionm · May 18, 2006

My setup from a week ago

soloz2 · May 18, 2006

is that a double rad? bip or bix? 25mm fans? and what size rad is that in the front?

EZ-Spidey · May 18, 2006

Hey meionm, which rad and fans your using?

I was looking at a BIX-2 and some Deltas but I'm not sure of the
thickness, might cause problems with the top of the mobo.

meionm · May 18, 2006

soloz2 said:
is that a double rad? bip or bix? 25mm fans? and what size rad is that in the front?

It is X Flow BIP on the the top and PA160 up front

meionm · May 18, 2006

EZ-Spidey said:
Hey meionm, which rad and fans your using?

I was looking at a BIX-2 and some Deltas but I'm not sure of the
thickness, might cause problems with the top of the mobo.

If you are planing on using Bix just put rady on the top of the case and leave fans inside. I have BIP and it fits inside although I am moving it out side right now.

Mount a BIX2 (or similar rad) inside a P180

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