I need some help planning my first custom loop!

[jamesisninja]

Dear Internet, let me start by saying, I have a very minimal knowledge of custom loops. I really want to build in the Thermaltake T81 case, it seems like it has solid radiator support, and really fits the look I want, but I had a few questions before I pull the trigger, just due to my setup. I know the drive bays and 5.25 bays are all removable, but I was wondering if anyone has any insight into whether or not I can leave the bottom drive cage (2HDDs) in and fit a 240/280 into the front, and get a 480 or if not a 480 a 360 in the top, and would a 480/360 + 240/280 be enough for an OC'ed i7, and 2 GPUs? I could also add a thick 120 in the bottom as well, but I don't want to if I don't need it to keep good temps as I thought I might have my pump sitting in the bottom.

 

I also wanted to know if a pump/res combo is good or bad or depends? I was looking at an XSPC D5 pump/res combo I believe. Good? nah? Let me know. I plan on doing straight runs too, so I wondered if 90 degree fittings were bad? Would 2 45 degree adapters be better? Or bending acrylic tube perhaps?

 

I've attached some pictures of my rough outlines, if anyone has answers/tips/suggestions I'm very welcome to them! Im going to be taking my time with this build and hopefully learning a lot along the way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brandishwar]

ThermalTake's website says it supports up to a 420mm or 360mm in the top, not a 480mm radiator, and I don't think you'd be able to mount a 480 in the top of that. I wouldn't worry much about having a small 120mm on the bottom as if you put a 420 in the top and a 280 in the front, you'll have plenty of radiator space.

 

You can use a pump/res combo if you want as there are good options out there. Or you can just use a fitting to run from the pump to the reservoir as that's what I've typically done.

[jamesisninja]

ThermalTake's website says it supports up to a 420mm or 360mm in the top, not a 480mm radiator, and I don't think you'd be able to mount a 480 in the top of that. I wouldn't worry much about having a small 120mm on the bottom as if you put a 420 in the top and a 280 in the front, you'll have plenty of radiator space.

 

You can use a pump/res combo if you want as there are good options out there. Or you can just use a fitting to run from the pump to the reservoir as that's what I've typically done.

Whoops meant 420! If I did a regular ish thickness 420, and a very thick 280 do you think that would be solid cooling? I'm going for a super clean look so if the combo is possible it'd ne nice, since this case has no basement.

[brandishwar]

I don't see why that wouldn't work. I mean you're talking about 5x140mm of radiator capacity which is more surface area than 6x120mm. That's more than enough for what you're intending to cool.