Is ther a problem with top mounted rads?

EgeWorks · 08-08-02, 11:36 PM

I've got this shiny new case and I don't really want to cut the crap out of the front to fit in two 120mm's and my rad. It will all fit nicely mounted horizontally in the top, is there a problem with this setup? It's just that I havn't seen many people do this.

Diggrr · 08-08-02, 11:47 PM

The only problem, is it can be a bear to get all the trapped air out of it. That air can cause flow restrictions and even cause some of the coolant channels to not be used.

BUT, if everything's bolted down in the case, it's no problem tipping it (assuming leak proof reservior/no reservior) and giving it a good knock to bust 'em loose. Just like knocking on a door, no need to dent the case

EgeWorks · 08-09-02, 12:49 AM

I think I can live with bumping my case a few times, thanks for the nfo.

BTW - I just got my first star; I'm so proud!

wildfrogman · 08-09-02, 01:04 AM

I would atleast make a covering that is spaced above the radiator so nothing can get spilled into the computer. I have known a few people that have done blow holes~ rads on top and som crazy person at a lan or there kid puts a drink ontop and it tips over and uh well.....not good to have mountain dew inside your computer

EgeWorks · 08-09-02, 01:12 AM

For looks as well as practicality i was thinking of some nice external duct, alu/plexi maybe.

MEAT BAG · 08-09-02, 01:19 AM

I just put a fan grill on mine. Havent had any probs.

grunjee · 08-09-02, 01:55 AM

My D-Tek heater core is mounted just like you said... top of the case horizontally, with a blowhole directly above it... I squeezed it into my top two 5.25 bays. Haven't had a single problem.

The only thing I don't like is that if I want to use one of those bays, I'm outta luck. It's the only place I can fit it though in my case, even though I have a Lian-Li pc-60 which is fairly roomy. Will NOT fit down in the lower front of the case.

Btw I suppose depending on your config, it could be a 'bear' to bleed your system. As long as it's securely mounted though it won't be a problem. Mine isn't bolted, but it sits completely tight between the walls of the case. So I just shake the case from side to side when I need to bleed it.

cack01 · 08-09-02, 04:13 AM

mounting it in a blow hole setup won't give you steller proformance, b/c its going to be sucking hot air out of your case. Unless your water colling everything, it won't be a problem.

EgeWorks · 08-09-02, 09:34 AM

Thanks for all the info. It is not actually going to be a blow hole, more like a suck hole

; two fans blow the air down through the rad and underneath is a duct and another fan sucking air out the back of the case(above the PSU). I know there will be less air flow inside the case but there is also an 80mm(HDD) and 120mm intake at the front, and a 92mm outlet plus the Antec dual fan PSU as another outlet - so hopefully enough air flow. Still debating whether or not to put in a GPU waterblock.

08-08-02, 11:36 PM	Thread Starter #1
EgeWorks Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Is ther a problem with top mounted rads? I've got this shiny new case and I don't really want to cut the crap out of the front to fit in two 120mm's and my rad. It will all fit nicely mounted horizontally in the top, is there a problem with this setup? It's just that I havn't seen many people do this.
	QUOTE Thanks

08-08-02, 11:47 PM	#2
Diggrr Underwater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Gun Lake, MI. USA	The only problem, is it can be a bear to get all the trapped air out of it. That air can cause flow restrictions and even cause some of the coolant channels to not be used. BUT, if everything's bolted down in the case, it's no problem tipping it (assuming leak proof reservior/no reservior) and giving it a good knock to bust 'em loose. Just like knocking on a door, no need to dent the case __________________ Rig1: C2D E8400 @3510 Ф Asus P5G41T-M-LX Plus mobo Ф 8 Gigs Ballistix DDR3 1333 Ф Asus GT520 Silent Ф 4 Deep Cool 92mm case fans Ф FSP 1U 460 Watt PSU External Watercooling: 40' Copper Coil Geothermal ground loop Ф Cooling modded MCP350 & MCP355 W/Swiftech white dual pump top Ф D-Tek Fuzion V2, 1/4" Rig2: Via Esther C7 1.5 @ 1.65 Ф Jetway 7F2WE1G5D mITX mobo Ф 1 Gig Generic Ram (max) Ф 120 watt Pico PSU. Life's Tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. ~ Benjamin Franklin
	QUOTE Thanks

08-09-02, 12:49 AM	Thread Starter #3
EgeWorks Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia	I think I can live with bumping my case a few times, thanks for the nfo. BTW - I just got my first star; I'm so proud!
	QUOTE Thanks

08-09-02, 01:04 AM	#4
wildfrogman Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sitting at my computer playing UT2004.	I would atleast make a covering that is spaced above the radiator so nothing can get spilled into the computer. I have known a few people that have done blow holes~ rads on top and som crazy person at a lan or there kid puts a drink ontop and it tips over and uh well.....not good to have mountain dew inside your computer
	QUOTE Thanks

08-09-02, 01:12 AM	Thread Starter #5
EgeWorks Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia	For looks as well as practicality i was thinking of some nice external duct, alu/plexi maybe.
	QUOTE Thanks

Is ther a problem with top mounted rads?

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08-09-02, 01:19 AM	#6
MEAT BAG Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TX	I just put a fan grill on mine. Havent had any probs.
	QUOTE Thanks

08-09-02, 01:55 AM	#7
grunjee Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington	My D-Tek heater core is mounted just like you said... top of the case horizontally, with a blowhole directly above it... I squeezed it into my top two 5.25 bays. Haven't had a single problem. The only thing I don't like is that if I want to use one of those bays, I'm outta luck. It's the only place I can fit it though in my case, even though I have a Lian-Li pc-60 which is fairly roomy. Will NOT fit down in the lower front of the case. Btw I suppose depending on your config, it could be a 'bear' to bleed your system. As long as it's securely mounted though it won't be a problem. Mine isn't bolted, but it sits completely tight between the walls of the case. So I just shake the case from side to side when I need to bleed it.
	QUOTE Thanks

08-09-02, 04:13 AM	#8
cack01 Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San diego or UC Davis	mounting it in a blow hole setup won't give you steller proformance, b/c its going to be sucking hot air out of your case. Unless your water colling everything, it won't be a problem. __________________ LianLi PC70 Dual PIII 1.0@1.2 (7.5*160) on ABIT VP6 768 PC-133 Geforce 4 TI4200 310/580 Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum 2x 40 GB Seagate 5400 w/Striping 1x 80 GB Seagate 7200 24X Yamaha CD-RW Sony 520GS 21"
	QUOTE Thanks

08-09-02, 09:34 AM	Thread Starter #9
EgeWorks Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Thanks for all the info. It is not actually going to be a blow hole, more like a suck hole; two fans blow the air down through the rad and underneath is a duct and another fan sucking air out the back of the case(above the PSU). I know there will be less air flow inside the case but there is also an 80mm(HDD) and 120mm intake at the front, and a 92mm outlet plus the Antec dual fan PSU as another outlet - so hopefully enough air flow. Still debating whether or not to put in a GPU waterblock.
	QUOTE Thanks

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