picking the right case

[bigKr33]

I posted recently for some info with reguards to the lancool k7b. This is just one of many options i have been looking at for my new wc'n project. The goal is to use a mid tower case. The k7b certainly seems like a possible option. As well as a simple solution.

The case i've pretty much always wanted since back in 05 was/is the lian li v1000b. I love the design of the case. I like the fact that it has an inverted motherboard mount, and a solid design. I've been really wanting to water cool one, but at the time i didn't have the money or tools to mod such a case. Now things are different and i have the money, and i can get the tools. I like a sleeper design, with internal dual or possibly triple rad. I'm not sure if theres enough room to mount a top rad or bottom mount for that matter. Even though the mobo would be inverted is it going to hit the gpu? And if its on the bottom hows the psu clearance? I tryied google, but mainly v1200, and v2000 come up. And thats too big of a case for my taste.

Another question i have is powder coating. I would like to powder coat the inside and outside matte black. Is there local places in san diego that can provide this sort of service? I would honestly like to try it myself, but don't have enough knowledge on it.

I'm open for suggestions as well. I've had a long goal for mid tower inverted cases with a top mount rad. The lancool is nice and all, but its seems to be an easy out. I'm looking for a challenge.

Best reguards

 

[aigomorla]

lesson 1 in h20.

you will always run out of room.

Even tho you think you have enough room, somehow you will manage to run out of room.

So pick the biggest possible case you think can fit.

You'll thank me on this recomendation later on.

 

[daw123]

I would listen to Aigo - you need the biggest case you can afford.

Here's a photo of a custom single CPU only loop in a Lian Li A70A full tower case, which will give you an idea of how much space the loop takes up. btw I cannot fit any drives in the top two 5.25" bays due to the fill port and 360mm rad mounted to the underside of the top panel.
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0885.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/al...wilson123/IMG_0886.jpg

 

[bigKr33]

I understand your point. I did that 3 years ago with my last build. I bought a cm stacker for my last build and yeah it was great and had plenty of room, but the darn thing was way too big. I realised i could of done the same or similar setup in the past with a much smaller case. And before i had the cpu and gpu wc. This time around its only going to be the cpu thats wc. I don't need a whole lot of space, and i'm not the type of person who thinks bigger is better. I'm not tryin to pi$$ on anyone's cheero's or anything. Between this forum and one other you guy's have been my inspiration to even do water cooling in the first place

That A70 is pretty nice by the way.

All I really wanted to know in a nut shell is if the v1000 had just enough clearance. And again i don't need a whole lot of room.

Theres always a way. Just a little FYI

best reguards fellas

 

[aigomorla]

well without a large, you would need to mount the rad outside.

IF you want to keep everything internal, then larger is better, because you can fit the larger radiator inside.

If you dont mind having the rad outside, and a lot of people grow old of it fast, then you can pull off a smaller case.

 

[WoodButcher]

This guy? Unless you were to use an external box like the Koolance shroud top mounting a rad on this wouldn't fly, I think even with a nice enclosure you would loose the "look" that you like. An alternative for you would be to use a MATX board like I did in this build and that will give you room up top. You may have possibilities at the bottom for a smaller rad maybe a 120 x 2 in front of the PSU, I really don't know.