Completed Cosmos II - Watercooled

[JD]

Originally Posted by Nic-CM

I'd also note that without the bottom hard drive cages, it is possible to mount up to 2 x 240mm radiators on their side in that space. If you're of a modder's mindset, you can also fit a quad radiator up top with pull fans beneath the top cover. (link)

Hmm nice, but I don't want to cut up a $350 case just yet

[JD]

Rigged up a radiator support system out of some steel L-brackets. Bent one of them to secure into the upper fan mount, which puts the radiator on a slight angle so the fan nearest the PSU isn't up against the support pillar. If it's too close, the fan gets pretty noise from the air resistance. Used another L-bracket in it's original form on the bottom to hold up the radiator.



Cleaned the radiator and mounted it for good, along with neatly wiring the fans into the built-in fan controller.

[Prolab]

Damn thats a tight fit.

Are you just running one 360 rad?

[JD]

For now, yes. It's been doing me just fine and no hardware is changing so I don't see why it wouldn't continue to offer the same performance.

[lowfat]

Another user of the Koolance radiator bolts I see. I tap everyone of my radiators to M4 just so I can use those mounting bolts.

[Prolab]

Ive gotta say man, the more and more i see this case - the more i wanted to get one and mod it to fit (2) 360 Rads.

Then again, i can do the same with the Fractal XL as well. Decisions, decisions...

[JD]

Originally Posted by lowfat

Another user of the Koolance radiator bolts I see. I tap everyone of my radiators to M4 just so I can use those mounting bolts.

Yup, best thing since sliced bread!

Originally Posted by Prolab

Then again, i can do the same with the Fractal XL as well. Decisions, decisions...

But it won't look as nice, and well I'm pretty sure Cosmos II is much better built than the Fractal XL. Not that Fractal Design makes bad stuff, seeing as I own a R3, but you get what you pay for.

No further progress tonight, just finished cleaning out my reservoir and calling it a night.

[Prolab]

Originally Posted by JD

But it won't look as nice, and well I'm pretty sure Cosmos II is much better built than the Fractal XL. Not that Fractal Design makes bad stuff, seeing as I own a R3, but you get what you pay for.

I hear yah. My server is enclosed in an R3. My parents pc is enclosed on a Fractal Arc.

So i do like their chassis. Very affordable, quiet.

No doubt that the Cosmos 2 looks very nice, elegant to look at - but there's also that $200 price difference between the Cosmos 2 and Fractal XL. So...

[kyle_L]

Great start man, any plans for a side window.

Originally Posted by Prolab

Ive gotta say man, the more and more i see this case - the more i wanted to get one and mod it to fit (2) 360 Rads.

Then again, i can do the same with the Fractal XL as well. Decisions, decisions...

i agree with you on that, while the case does look good on the out side, its pretty much the same as the fractal XL, and being i own the r3 i like the nice clean look it has and would choose the xl even if i could afford the Cosmos 2. But who you never now JD might suprize us with his build and we could all change are minds.

[clshades]

So.. it's a little hard to tell by your picture but the rad sits right on the 12volt without any fans. Seems a little weird considering the Cosmos S had more than enough room even with the fans installed. I'm curious why you couldn't adjust it up top a little and put the fans in the top tray with longer bolts. When you had the rad up top for a test fit was it right up against the case interior?

Like I say it's a little hard to tell from the pics.