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Radiical radiator fitting using stainless stand off kit

Radiical radiator fitting using stainless stand off kit

Date Log; March 09, 2005

The problem of radiator placement has become an issue with the current practice of water cooling smaller and smaller cases. Recently, we water cooled a Shuttle case using stand off's. Stand off's are metal tubes which act as supportive spacers so that objects can be suspended away from an object. In this situation the computer case.

The advantages of moving the radiator into free air using stand off's is that the cooling is greatly improved because the fan is dealing with ambient air temperatures. Inside the case placement of the radiator means that as the case heats up so do the components which includes the radiator. This situation reduces the effectiveness of the radiator.

We have developed our own range of stand off kits to mount our Radiical radiators with the minimum of fuss.

Pictured Radiical Pro Kit

The spacing length of the stand off can be varied to suit the circumstances. In this case the spacing distance is set at 60 mm this allows access to add or remove cables at the rear of the case.

Please Note that the number of stand off's in the Radiical Extreme Kit is eight.

For the purposes of demonstration we will be using the CM Stacker case from our Stacker project because it has an easily viewed 120mm fan situated on the back wall of the case.

The 120 mm fan hole is covered by a mesh screen which we have left in place to stop nasties from entering the case.

Outside View

Inside view

This fan is removed to provide access for the screws.

Radiical Pro Radiator Fitting

Three quarter rear view

The four screws are then inserted into their own stand off and then screwed into the radiator face plate. The finished view from the rear using a 120 mm Radiical Pro Radiator looks like this.

Rear View

As can be seen from this picture there is no encroachment onto the area of the PCI slots and fitting of graphics, network and other varies plugs is not impeded. There are several options for the connection of hoses by routing them down to the nearest unused PCI slot. In this case the CM Stacker has an alternate PSU mounting plate (just visible in this shot at the bottom of the picture). This would be a very good choice for tubing entry. If you don't mind cutting two holes in the case back than as can be seen by this picture there is enough space to enter directly into the case.

If there is not enough room for tubing entry in the upright position turn the radiator upside down. Be sure to bleed all the air out of the system first.

Position of holes to be cut.

Okay, so you now have the basis for fitting a small radiator onto the back of your smallish case but you want to use a bigger radiator to squeeze out the last bit of overclocking while providing near silent usage. You don't want to cut up the top of your case and you want to provide the coolest conditions for your radiator to work in i.e.; free air. So...... fit a bigger radiator.

Radiical Extreme Radiator Fitting

Using the same set offs we fitted one of our larger Radiical Extreme radiators to the rear of the CM Stacker

Side View

This is the top up view so you may wish to put the radiator barbs down. No problems. Bleed out the air turn it upside down and away you go.

Three Quarter View

We have only shown four stand off's in this picture. Should you want to add more stand off's the Extreme kit will have a total of eight. The template that came with your Radiical radiator should be used to locate the hole placement for drilling additional holes for stand off's. Tubing hole placement will depend on the type of case you fit the radiator to.

It is really quite a simple task to fit water cooling when the all important decision regarding radiator placement is out of the way. I must admit to a special preference to this type of radiator placement as it frees the user from cutting up a perfectly good case. Besides, after investing hundreds of dollars in cooling the next time you go to a LAN party you want to show off your latest work not hide it. In the words of an old entertainer "If you got it............ flaunt it"

Part Two..............Tubing