Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

Spotswood · Apr 17, 2011, 10:32 PM

This is a project/build log for an aluminum case designed specifically for a large water cooled rig, specifically:

3 x 140x4 radiators
1 140x3 radiator
10-slot motherboard tray

Stay tuned!

t_ski · Apr 18, 2011, 02:29 AM

In the for the first sub

Spotswood · Apr 22, 2011, 04:16 AM

The basic frame of the case is done, which consists of .5x1-inch u-channel with its ends plugged with blocks (pictured in the first post), press-fitted and pinned with a #4 screw along with some 1-inch angle:

The assembled case frame is too tall to fit in the camera frame. hehe

The frame looks kind'a "meh" until I bolt on the gorgeous anodized quarter rounds.

Funtoss · Apr 22, 2011, 05:48 AM

How much did all these cost you!?
it looks so nice!

Eric_On_Web · Apr 22, 2011, 09:07 AM

Depends where you live Funtoss. You are in New Zealand and hes in USA. For my part I am in Quebec one of the largest aluminum producer in the world so even cheaper here. Seek around in New Zealand if there's a big aluminum importer from China or producer in your country. Just saying..like a world economy class at the same time. hehehe

Spotswood · May 15, 2011, 10:16 PM

The two shelves were cut from a .10-inch thick 5052 via my trusty router, a straight edge and a downcut spiral bit.

At the back corners of the shelves, two .5x1-inch cutouts were routed out via a temporary router jig.

The rounded inside corner left by the .5-inch flush router bit were filed square.

FWIW, here's the difference in the thickness of the aluminum sheeting I use compared to everyone else.

Finally, a mockup of the shelf inside the frame of the case:

lonewolf · May 16, 2011, 12:47 AM

that is just awsome. I want one!

Cold Storm · May 16, 2011, 01:20 AM

sub to watch it all unfold. Thanks for the project.

gumpty · May 16, 2011, 08:40 AM

Subbed.

That is one huge case.

3 x 140x4 + 1 x 140x3 = 3ft² of radiators.

Huge.

DrunkenMafia · May 16, 2011, 09:45 AM

That thing will be solid!! Love it

mATrIxLord · May 19, 2011, 02:00 PM

subed.... i wanna see how this goes... it will give me a few ideas...

Spotswood · Jun 3, 2011, 04:48 AM

The 5.25-inch drive bay rails finally came back from a local fabricator.

And a 140x4 rad arrived in the shop.

Wile E · Jun 3, 2011, 05:14 AM

Hmmm, subbed.

>>PhoeniX<< · Jun 3, 2011, 05:32 AM

Subbed

Looks great

Blue-Tiger · Jun 5, 2011, 11:12 AM

Subbed, the model looks soo clean!

Spotswood · Jun 6, 2011, 02:33 AM

Next up is to cut the front sheet.

In order to cut-out all of the openings for the 5.25-inch drives accurately, a custom router template is required. I used .5x1-inch u-channel and .25x1.25-inch flat bar to frame the openings on .5-inch particle board.

The aluminum bits guided my flush trimming router bit.

The aluminum bits were removed and the particle board template was used to cut the .10-inch thick aluminum sheet.

Now I just need to square all of the corners and cut to width. Ugh.

PopcornMachine · Jun 6, 2011, 09:44 PM

Another huge case. That is one big radiator you've got there.

ERazer · Jun 6, 2011, 10:11 PM

subd! this guys projects r EPIC!!!

Chicken Patty · Jun 6, 2011, 10:32 PM

Subbed, this looks good.

DrunkenMafia · Jun 21, 2011, 03:09 AM

more?? pleease!! Loving the fabrication on this project.

Spotswood · Jun 26, 2011, 08:05 PM

"Life" had gotten in the way of this project for a few weeks, but I've managed to fabricate the inner and outer sheets of the front panel. It took me 5 hours to square-off all of the inside corners.

HammerON · Jun 26, 2011, 08:19 PM

Sub'd. Glad to see you building another monster case!

fullinfusion · Jun 26, 2011, 09:09 PM

Subbed, this is going to be good

Wile E · Jun 26, 2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spotswood

"Life" had gotten in the way of this project for a few weeks, but I've managed to fabricate the inner and outer sheets of the front panel. It took me 5 hours to square-off all of the inside corners.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/w...heetSheets.jpg

Hand file?

Spotswood · Jun 26, 2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wile E

Hand file?

Yep.

Apr 17, 2011, 10:32 PM	#1
Spotswood Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 118 (0.09/day) Thanks: 46 Thanked 170 Times in 73 Posts	Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case This is a project/build log for an aluminum case designed specifically for a large water cooled rig, specifically: 3 x 140x4 radiators 1 140x3 radiator 10-slot motherboard tray Stay tuned! __________________ Rich Custom Case Builder Latest project: Project: Server and Gaming Case Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

Apr 18, 2011, 02:29 AM	#2
t_ski Staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 8,822 (3.40/day) Thanks: 2,977 Thanked 3,296 Times in 2,521 Posts System Specs	In the for the first sub __________________ t_ski's stuff for sale ~ TPU Eyefinity Club ~ Heatware Silverstone TJ07 build ~ Mini ITX Home Server build Intel i7 3930K ~ Asus P9X79 Pro ~ 4 x 8GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 1866 C9 ~ Triple 7970's with EK FC-7970 CSQ ~ Triple Asus VW246H LCD's ~ 2 x 120 GB Corsair Force 3 (Raid 0) ~ 500GB WD ~ Lite-On BluRay ~ Nickel-plated Heatkiller 3.0 CU ~ D5 with EK X-top ~ BIX Quad Rad ~ Corsair AX1200 ~ Silverstone TJ07

System Name:	My i7 Beast
Processor:	Intel Core i7 3930K
Motherboard:	Asus P9X79 Pro
Cooling:	Heatkiller 3.0 Nickel, three FC-7970 CSQ with an FC-link , D5 with EK X-top Rev2 & BIX Quad Radiator
Memory:	4 x 8GB Corsair Dominator GT DDR3-1866
Video Card:	Two Sapphire 7970's + Asus 7970
Hard Disk:	2 x 120GB Corsair Force 3 SSDs in Raid 0 + 500GB WD
Optical Drive:	Lite-On BR Reader
CRT/LCD Model:	Three Asus 24" VW246H LCD's
Case:	Silverstone TJ07
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Corsair AX1200
Software:	Windows 7 x64 Ultimate

Apr 22, 2011, 04:16 AM	#3
Spotswood Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 118 (0.09/day) Thanks: 46 Thanked 170 Times in 73 Posts	The basic frame of the case is done, which consists of .5x1-inch u-channel with its ends plugged with blocks (pictured in the first post), press-fitted and pinned with a #4 screw along with some 1-inch angle: The assembled case frame is too tall to fit in the camera frame. hehe The frame looks kind'a "meh" until I bolt on the gorgeous anodized quarter rounds. __________________ Rich Custom Case Builder Latest project: Project: Server and Gaming Case Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

System Name:	My Heater
Processor:	Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 3.2ghz
Motherboard:	Asus P5B-E Plus
Cooling:	Zalman CNPS 9700 NT
Memory:	Patriot 4GB 800MHz DDR2
Video Card:	EVGA GTX 460 1GB
Hard Disk:	2x Western Digital 640GB (1.28TB)
Optical Drive:	LG DVD-RW DL
CRT/LCD Model:	Viewsonic VX2349wm 24"
Case:	Raidmax Hurricane
Sound Card:	C-Media 8738
PSU:	Aywun Megapower 650w 80+
Software:	Windows 7 64 Bit

Apr 22, 2011, 05:48 AM	#4
Funtoss Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 555 (0.69/day) Thanks: 278 Thanked 62 Times in 53 Posts System Specs	How much did all these cost you!? it looks so nice!

Apr 22, 2011, 09:07 AM	#5
Eric_On_Web Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 265 (0.34/day) Thanks: 23 Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts System Specs	Depends where you live Funtoss. You are in New Zealand and hes in USA. For my part I am in Quebec one of the largest aluminum producer in the world so even cheaper here. Seek around in New Zealand if there's a big aluminum importer from China or producer in your country. Just saying..like a world economy class at the same time. hehehe

System Name:	Cougars Seeker
Processor:	Intel Tualatin 1.26gig 512k FSB133
Motherboard:	ECS P6STMT skt370 FSB133
Cooling:	Intel Stock Fan + HS
Memory:	PC133 Sync 640megs
Video Card:	GeForce FX5200 PCI 256megs / Onboard FXcel 133mhz 64megs SiS630ET
Hard Disk:	20 gigs
Optical Drive:	LG DVD-ROM GDR8164B / LG CD-ROM GDR-8164B / Matsumi CD-BURNER
CRT/LCD Model:	LG W2242TQ
Case:	Generic
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Random 425w
Software:	XP Pro 32bits Corporate

May 15, 2011, 10:16 PM	#6
Spotswood Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 118 (0.09/day) Thanks: 46 Thanked 170 Times in 73 Posts	The two shelves were cut from a .10-inch thick 5052 via my trusty router, a straight edge and a downcut spiral bit. At the back corners of the shelves, two .5x1-inch cutouts were routed out via a temporary router jig. The rounded inside corner left by the .5-inch flush router bit were filed square. FWIW, here's the difference in the thickness of the aluminum sheeting I use compared to everyone else. Finally, a mockup of the shelf inside the frame of the case: __________________ Rich Custom Case Builder Latest project: Project: Server and Gaming Case Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

May 16, 2011, 12:47 AM	#7
lonewolf Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 78 (0.05/day) Thanks: 15 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts System Specs	that is just awsome. I want one!

System Name:	demon tower
Processor:	I7 920 oced to 4.0 gig
Motherboard:	evga X58 classified
Cooling:	corsair H100 water cooler
Memory:	Kinston extream 2000 MHz 6GB
Video Card:	nvidia gtx 580
CRT/LCD Model:	samsung sync master 932
Case:	Antec full tower
Sound Card:	creative Xfi extream gamer
PSU:	700 watt
Software:	win 7 ultimate

May 16, 2011, 01:20 AM	#8
Cold Storm Battosai Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In a library somewhere on this earth Posts: 10,566 (5.15/day) Thanks: 4,238 Thanked 3,047 Times in 2,493 Posts System Specs	sub to watch it all unfold. Thanks for the project. __________________ The only way success is before work, is in the dictionary Support for the mind. Support for your hardware

System Name:	Haru
Processor:	i7 3770k @ 4.5ghz
Motherboard:	Biostar Tz77xme4
Cooling:	Koolance C370si loop
Memory:	8gb G. Skill Trident X 2400mhz at 10-11-11-28
Video Card:	XFX Double D 7950 / Zotac 620 for physx
Hard Disk:	Samsung 830 128gb (os)Muskin Chronos 120gb, Pyro 120gb
Optical Drive:	Asus Blu-Ray (SBW-06C1S-U)
CRT/LCD Model:	Testing: Vizio 37" lcd tv / Viewsonic VX2450WM-LED 24" & Hanns G 28"
Case:	Cooler Master Cosmos II
Sound Card:	Auzentech X-fi Forte 7.1 Opamp modded
PSU:	Silverstone Strider Plus 1000w pp05 cables
Software:	Win7 Pro64
Benchmarks:	i5 750 4.62ghz pi runs // Evga FTW p55

May 16, 2011, 08:40 AM	#9
gumpty Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 564 (0.31/day) Thanks: 229 Thanked 135 Times in 96 Posts System Specs	Subbed. That is one huge case. 3 x 140x4 + 1 x 140x3 = 3ft² of radiators. Huge. __________________ "It's going to install and overwrite the OS. It will kill all your family pets and everything in the 'fridge will go bad. The shingles on your roof will curl and ants will infest your underwear drawer."Kreij HEATWARE

System Name:	PBD
Processor:	Core i5 760 @ 4.0GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus III Gene
Cooling:	Corsair H-50-1
Memory:	4 x 4096mb G.Skill Ripjaws 1600 Cas7
Video Card:	ASUS GTX 670 DirectCU TOP
Hard Disk:	Crucial 256GB SSD (system) + 2x Samsung F3 1TB (storage) + 2x 2TB Raid-1 NAS (backup)
Optical Drive:	BD-ROM
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell SP2309w 23" 2048x1152
Case:	Antec Max Fusion Remote
PSU:	Corsair AX750W
Software:	Win 7 Pro x64

May 16, 2011, 09:45 AM	#10
DrunkenMafia Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cairns QLD, Aussie Posts: 1,868 (0.81/day) Thanks: 230 Thanked 239 Times in 215 Posts System Specs	That thing will be solid!! Love it __________________

System Name:	GaMEr / HTPC
Processor:	FX8120 4.5ghz so far NB- 2815mhz / X2 255 @ 3.2ghz (Temp till BD)
Motherboard:	990FX-UD5 / GA-MA785GPMT-US2H
Cooling:	XSPC - 240rad 480rad 5 x 120mm out, 6 x 80mm in / H220-edge 1/2" & 2 x 120mm Magma
Memory:	4gb PI 6,8,6,18 1T 1706mhz / 4gb Crucial D9's 1400 @ 6,6,6,18,1T
Video Card:	2 x 5870's MCW80's + AC ramsinks / Onboard
Hard Disk:	3 x 160 Raptors RAID0 / 60gb vertex 2 + 2 x 2tb WD Greens
Optical Drive:	Samsung DVD / Pioneer DVR216
CRT/LCD Model:	24in Dell Ultra / NEC 32" FullHD LCD
Case:	LL PC71A Full tower / Antec fusion black with Imon remote Modded for WC
Sound Card:	OB / Auzentech cinema 7.1
PSU:	TT 700w TR2 / TT 600w Litepower modded with Noctua S12 fan.
Software:	7 Ult / 7 premium x64

May 19, 2011, 02:00 PM	#11
mATrIxLord Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 88 (0.07/day) Thanks: 2 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts	subed.... i wanna see how this goes... it will give me a few ideas...

Jun 3, 2011, 04:48 AM	#12
Spotswood Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 118 (0.09/day) Thanks: 46 Thanked 170 Times in 73 Posts	The 5.25-inch drive bay rails finally came back from a local fabricator. And a 140x4 rad arrived in the shop. __________________ Rich Custom Case Builder Latest project: Project: Server and Gaming Case Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

Jun 3, 2011, 05:14 AM	#13
Wile E Power User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Western PA (Pittsburgh suburbs) Posts: 18,129 (7.49/day) Thanks: 450 Thanked 3,825 Times in 3,123 Posts System Specs	Hmmm, subbed. __________________ Visit Ashentech “What the hell did you expect? Leave Vista under the pillow and the OS fairy would make it Win7?” -El Fiendo “And Bring Mailman back god damnit, he is the Eric Cartman of TPU” -MRCL

System Name:	The ClusterF**k
Processor:	980X @ 4212Mhz 24/7
Motherboard:	Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling:	MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory:	3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24
Video Card:	Evga GTX 580
Hard Disk:	Seagate 7200.10 320GB x2 RAID0; 2 x Samsung F2 1.5TB; 1 x F1 1TB; 1 x F4 2TB
Optical Drive:	LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case:	Technofront Bench Station
Sound Card:	Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
PSU:	ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software:	Win7 Ultimate N x64

Jun 3, 2011, 05:32 AM	#14
>>PhoeniX<< Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 130 (0.15/day) Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts System Specs	Subbed Looks great

System Name:	FrosTByTe*
Processor:	AMD Athlon II X2 3.5Ghz
Motherboard:	MSI 880GM-E35
Cooling:	Rocketfish Universal CPU cooler. Push/Pull
Memory:	G. Skill Rip. 4GB DDR3 1600
Video Card:	PNY GTS450 850/1850-
Hard Disk:	WD 250GB
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer 20" LED
Case:	Dell Dimension 2400 Mod
Sound Card:	Realtek Onboard HD audio
PSU:	600w OCZ w. Custom LED fan
Software:	Win7 Home Premium 64bit

Jun 5, 2011, 11:12 AM	#15
Blue-Tiger Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houten, the Netherlands Posts: 42 (0.05/day) Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts System Specs	Subbed, the model looks soo clean!

System Name:	Cabless
Processor:	Intel Core i5-750
Motherboard:	MSI Big Bang Trinergy
Cooling:	Prolimatech Megahalems + 2x Prolimatech MK-13
Memory:	GEIL 1333MHz 4GB DDR3 RAM @ Arctic Cooling RC
Video Card:	XFX HD6950 2GB (HD6970 Flash) + XFX 9800GTX
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 2 + Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
Case:	Cabless
Sound Card:	ASUS Xonar DX
PSU:	Corsair HX-750W
Software:	Windows Se7en Ultimate 64-bits UK

Jun 6, 2011, 02:33 AM	#16
Spotswood Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 118 (0.09/day) Thanks: 46 Thanked 170 Times in 73 Posts	Next up is to cut the front sheet. In order to cut-out all of the openings for the 5.25-inch drives accurately, a custom router template is required. I used .5x1-inch u-channel and .25x1.25-inch flat bar to frame the openings on .5-inch particle board. The aluminum bits guided my flush trimming router bit. The aluminum bits were removed and the particle board template was used to cut the .10-inch thick aluminum sheet. Now I just need to square all of the corners and cut to width. Ugh. __________________ Rich Custom Case Builder Latest project: Project: Server and Gaming Case Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

Jun 6, 2011, 09:44 PM	#17
PopcornMachine Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles/Orange County CA Posts: 1,124 (0.82/day) Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 372 Times in 302 Posts System Specs	Another huge case. That is one big radiator you've got there.

System Name:	Green-Blooded Vulcan
Processor:	I5 2500K @ 4.6 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus Gene-Z
Cooling:	XSPC Rasa 750 RS240 Kit & EK 6970 Water Block
Memory:	G.Skill 8GB DDR3 1600
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 6950 (900/1400)
Hard Disk:	Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Case:	NZXT Vulcan
Sound Card:	On Board
PSU:	CORSAIR 650HX
Software:	Win 7 64-bit

Jun 6, 2011, 10:11 PM	#18
ERazer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,421 (1.08/day) Thanks: 334 Thanked 500 Times in 337 Posts System Specs	subd! this guys projects r EPIC!!! __________________ Gaming Rig: i7 2600k \| ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z Intel Z68 \| 8gb Corsair Dominator GT \| ASUS ENGTX580 DCII \| Intel 510 series 120gb \| Corsair 650d Daily Rig: i7 860 \| GA-P55A-UD6 \| 8gb Corsair Dominator III \| HD5770 \| x2 250gb WD RE4 Raid0 \| Haf932 Modded *Server: i3 540 \| GA-H55N-USB3 \| 4gb Corsair XMS DDR3 \| x4 500gb WD Blue \| lian li pc-q08b \| My HeatWare \| My For Sale \| SteamID \|

System Name:	Resurrection
Processor:	i7 2600k 4.6ghz
Motherboard:	ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z Intel Z68
Cooling:	EK Supreme HF, EK Bay Spin Reservoir, Bitspower Compression Fittings, MCP 350, Fesser Tubing
Memory:	8 gig Corsair Dominator GT III 1866 (CAS 9)
Video Card:	asus 580 direct cu II
Hard Disk:	Intel 510 series 120gb
Optical Drive:	Steam FTW!!! who needs Cd's
CRT/LCD Model:	ViewSonic 24 LCD HD VX2439wm
Case:	650D
Sound Card:	on board X-Fi
PSU:	Corsair Memory AX850
Software:	Window 7 x64 Pro
Benchmarks:	X Armor u9bl Mechanical Keyboard "Cherry MX Brown" and SteelSeries Ikari Gaming Mouse

Jun 6, 2011, 10:32 PM	#19
Chicken Patty WCG Team Captain Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 23,887 (11.95/day) Thanks: 15,149 Thanked 12,309 Times in 7,775 Posts System Specs	Subbed, this looks good. __________________ Help save lives, CRUNCH and/or FOLD for Team TPU and make a difference! Crunching with a 2600K, i7-950, FX-8120, Radeon 6850 (2 WU's), Radeon 7770 (4 WU's) *"AlienIsGOD - Awe!!! CP has grown from a small chicken nugget to the IMMENSE PATTY and WCG Team leader he is today"*

System Name:	Cruncher #1 & Main Rig
Processor:	Intel Core i7 2600K
Motherboard:	ASUS P8P67 B3
Cooling:	Prolimatech Megashadow
Memory:	G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600
Video Card:	HIS Radeon 6850
Hard Disk:	Super Talent GX2 64GB SSD (OS) // Seagate 500GB (Programs) // Seagate 1TB (Storage)
Optical Drive:	External Samsung Slim DVD Drive
CRT/LCD Model:	Toshiba 40" LED 1080P TV
Case:	NZXT Source 210 Elite (White)
Sound Card:	Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer Edition
PSU:	BFG Tech 1000W Modular
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64 - Bit
Benchmarks:	Real man crunch for TPU! :)

Jun 21, 2011, 03:09 AM	#20
DrunkenMafia Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cairns QLD, Aussie Posts: 1,868 (0.81/day) Thanks: 230 Thanked 239 Times in 215 Posts System Specs	more?? pleease!! Loving the fabrication on this project. __________________

Jun 26, 2011, 08:05 PM	#21
Spotswood Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 118 (0.09/day) Thanks: 46 Thanked 170 Times in 73 Posts	"Life" had gotten in the way of this project for a few weeks, but I've managed to fabricate the inner and outer sheets of the front panel. It took me 5 hours to square-off all of the inside corners. __________________ Rich Custom Case Builder Latest project: Project: Server and Gaming Case Project: Aluminum Water Cooling Case

Jun 26, 2011, 08:19 PM	#22
HammerON The Watchful Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Cold North Posts: 4,329 (2.81/day) Thanks: 3,962 Thanked 2,868 Times in 1,539 Posts System Specs	Sub'd. Glad to see you building another monster case!