Radiator clearance and motherboards

[eco_bach]

About to start a new build with a Phanteks Enthoo luxe case. Quite a bit larger than my current Fractal Design S case so I assume there will be no issue installing my predator 360 radiator at the top.

However, in checking my rad dimensions I see it is on the thick side at 68mm, and most builds I've read suggest a maximum 60mm thick rad on top.

Checking the actual Phanteks specs I see 69.85mm clearance to mobo.

https://benchmarkreviews.com/19262/phanteks-enthoo-luxe-full-tower-case-review/6/

So my question
Is less than a couple mm enough clearance?
If there is any heat from the rad then I assume that means no and I will need to invest in a thinner rad.

Any wc experts care to chime in?

Thanks!

 

[Alaric]

There is room in the compartment above the mobo in the Luxe to mount either the radiator or just the fans (in a pull configuration). It's a great case, and that's my unbiased opinion. LOL

 

[||Console||]

There is room in the compartment above the mobo in the Luxe to mount either the radiator or just the fans (in a pull configuration).

+1

 

[Alaric]

I just measured mine. There's 20mm above the rad mount for fans. That leaves an easy 5mm clearance with most fans, so there should be room for a fat radiator up top. Build away and enjoy. That case is a blast to build in. Oodles of room behind the mobo tray, removable drive cages, multiple SSD mounting options, and a PSU cover. Anyone can come up with a really clean looking build in that case.

 

[Alaric]

Great review of the case here

 

[trents]

I just measured mine. There's 20mm above the rad mount for fans. That leaves an easy 5mm clearance with most fans, so there should be room for a fat radiator up top. Build away and enjoy. That case is a blast to build in. Oodles of room behind the mobo tray, removable drive cages, multiple SSD mounting options, and a PSU cover. Anyone can come up with a really clean looking build in that case.

But most 120mm fans are 25mm thick.

 

[Tír na nÓg]

There is room for 420mm rad on top on the Enthoo Luxe: 2 fans screwed straight on the rad inside the case, and 2 fans that maintain the radiator to the case in the compartment above, like a sandwich. That is what I have ATM.

I will take pics tomorrow if you like, too lazy now, watching some junk on popcortime!

 

[EarthDog]

I just measured mine. There's 20mm above the rad mount for fans. That leaves an easy 5mm clearance with most fans, so there should be room for a fat radiator up top. Build away and enjoy. That case is a blast to build in. Oodles of room behind the mobo tray, removable drive cages, multiple SSD mounting options, and a PSU cover. Anyone can come up with a really clean looking build in that case.

typical fan depth/thickness is 25mm...not sure that fits...

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There is room for 420mm rad on top on the Enthoo Luxe: 2 fans screwed straight on the rad inside the case, and 2 fans that maintain the radiator to the case in the compartment above, like a sandwich. That is what I have ATM.

I will take pics tomorrow if you like, too lazy now, watching some junk on popcortime!

but the OP's rad is 68mm...is your around there?

 

[Tír na nÓg]

typical fan depth/thickness is 25mm...not sure that fits...

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but the OP's rad is 68mm...is your around there?

No, it's including the fans thickness:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/ek-predator-360-aio-cpu-gpu-liquid-cooling-review,4.html

Edit: worse case scenario, you mount the fans on top in the upper compartment of the case and maintaining the rad inside with their 8 screw (don't know if I made myself clear...).

 

[EarthDog]

Then he has less than a mm clearance.

 

[Tír na nÓg]

If he puts the fans beneath the rad he has close to zero. But if he puts them above, he has 25mm.

 

[GTXJackBauer]

OP, if you wanna do this the right way, please do measurements and jot everything down.