How much gap for bottom mounted rad?

[CutterJon]

Well, the subject really covers it. After a long break from water cooling, I'm jumping back in. I'm going to mount an MCR220 with 2 Yate Loon fans in the bottom of a case pulling air from outside. How much of a gap do I need between the bottom of the case and the desk's surface to allow for proper air flow? I was thinking between 0.5" to 0.75" Will that be enough?

[evilrad]

If you want decent temps, you need a higher gap. I did something similar the first time I set up my WC, but I had my radiator on top of my case with about 0.5" gap from the top of the case. That was a temp setup until I got some 2 inch spacers to raise the radiator off the top of the case. If I remember correctly, my temps dropped about 8 degrees with the increased air flow. So I'd recommend making that gap between your desk and the rad larger than 1".

[smokie mcpott]

what case do you plan on doing this with?
my stacker had wheels that lifted it up enough
http://tpgclan.sytes.net/pics/smokies%20pc/100_1092_800x600.jpg

[CutterJon]

If you want decent temps, you need a higher gap. I did something similar the first time I set up my WC, but I had my radiator on top of my case with about 0.5" gap from the top of the case. That was a temp setup until I got some 2 inch spacers to raise the radiator off the top of the case. If I remember correctly, my temps dropped about 8 degrees with the increased air flow. So I'd recommend making that gap between your desk and the rad larger than 1".

Thanks for the advice. After thinking about it some, I seem to recall reading somewhere that a minimum gap of 1" to 1.25" is necessary for good airflow. So, yeah I'm going to have to get it up, so-to-speak.

what case do you plan on doing this with?

The case is an old (probably close to 10 yrs old) Inwin A500 mid-tower. I know it's a small case. I have a Shark and an Armor Jr. sitting around but, I really like the Inwin. It fits my space really well and has a surprisingly large empty cavity below the drive cage in front of the mother board. I've had a couple of different single 120mm rads, including a PA120.1, in it. I've also had a PA160 in it with room to spare. I have the MCR sitting in the bottom now and there's plenty of room for the pump and possibly even another rad. I may add a PA160 if I can squeeze it in. The case is made out of steel and built like a tank and was one of the first cases to have a removable MB tray. Plus, I'm something of a minimalist and I like the bezel. Unfortunately, it sits only about 0.25" above the desk on small rubber feet and has a one-piece wrap-around cover.

I've been looking around for replacement feet to get it up in the air a bit, but haven't found anything I like yet. I gave up on the modding sites since most of what I've found are either casters or lighted feet. I' don't want either. I have started looking at woodworking suppliers for cabinet feet and drawer pulls. I have found one or two pulls that I almost like. If anyone has any ideas for something I can use for feet to raise the case up between 1" to 2", I'd sure appreciate it.