Fractal Define C radiator clearance

[scruffy0402]

Has anyone successfully fit a 280mm rad into the top of a fractal design define c? Reviewers I read said it can be done as long as the motherboard inside has heatsinks that are under 40mm tall. I've measured and the heatsinks on my motherboard are around 30mm max. I really want to buy the new tempered glass version but I don't want to have my rad not fit in the top and have to return it. 

[For Science!]

No chance unless you don't plan to have a fan on it. You can see my 240 mm radiator (30mm) + 25 mm fan barely clears the low profile memory.

 

[scruffy0402]

2 hours ago, For Science! said:

No chance unless you don't plan to have a fan on it. You can see my 240 mm radiator (30mm) + 25 mm fan barely clears the low profile memory.

 

Alright, thanks for the help. 

[TVwazhere]

2 hours ago, For Science! said:

No chance unless you don't plan to have a fan on it. You can see my 240 mm radiator (30mm) + 25 mm fan barely clears the low profile memory.

Can confirm

 

[scruffy0402]

4 hours ago, For Science! said:

No chance unless you don't plan to have a fan on it. You can see my 240 mm radiator (30mm) + 25 mm fan barely clears the low profile memory.

 

I checked the dimensions on the rad and fans and it is 27mm+25mm so it might actually fit as I have the same low profile ram, do you know if the top has proper mounting holes for 2x140mm fans? 

[For Science!]

1 hour ago, scruffy0402 said:

I checked the dimensions on the rad and fans and it is 27mm+25mm so it might actually fit as I have the same low profile ram, do you know if the top has proper mounting holes for 2x140mm fans? 

It has mounting for fans, but seriously, the 280mm rad will not fit. Even if you manage to clear the RAM, notice I have a CPU monoblock so I have no VRM heatsink, and lets not forget the EPS 12V cable.

 

You can see from the post above the Fractal Define C does not support 280 mm radiators on the top, and I can wholeheartedly confirm this.

[For Science!]

1 hour ago, scruffy0402 said:

I checked the dimensions on the rad and fans and it is 27mm+25mm so it might actually fit as I have the same low profile ram, do you know if the top has proper mounting holes for 2x140mm fans? 

If you have a 280mm AIO, just mount it in the front. Assuming your graphics card is reference length though.

[scruffy0402]

1 hour ago, For Science! said:

It has mounting for fans, but seriously, the 280mm rad will not fit. Even if you manage to clear the RAM, notice I have a CPU monoblock so I have no VRM heatsink, and lets not forget the EPS 12V cable.

 

You can see from the post above the Fractal Define C does not support 280 mm radiators on the top, and I can wholeheartedly confirm this.

The vrm heatsink shouldn't be an issue, reviews say that the mounting holes are offset and it can fit as long as the vrms are under 40mm, are you sure there is no way it would fit? It would be ~3mm higher up than your current rad

 

[For Science!]

6 minutes ago, scruffy0402 said:

The vrm heatsink shouldn't be an issue, reviews say that the mounting holes are offset and it can fit as long as the vrms are under 40mm, are you sure there is no way it would fit? It would be ~3mm higher up than your current rad

 

To me it sounds like you've somehow convinced yourself that it will work.... go ahead and try it then. I mean...dont you think Fractal would say it is compatible if it is?

 

I will leave these photos as a last attempt to make the point that it won't work.

 

Memory and slot tab collision 

 

VRM collision

 

Likely collision with 12V cable

[scruffy0402]

14 minutes ago, For Science! said:

To me it sounds like you've somehow convinced yourself that it will work.... go ahead and try it then. I mean...dont you think Fractal would say it is compatible if it is?

 

I will leave these photos as a last attempt to make the point that it won't work.

 

Memory and slot tab collision 

 

VRM collision

 

Likely collision with 12V cable

I was basing it working on the assumption reviewers wouldn't lie about the compatibility of a 280mm rad in the case. If it doesn't work then I won't buy it. Thanks for the help. 

[For Science!]

2 minutes ago, scruffy0402 said:

I was basing it working on the assumption reviewers wouldn't lie about the compatibility of a 280mm rad in the case. If it doesn't work then I won't buy it. Thanks for the help. 

I would trust the manufacturer more....I mean you can't hold a reviewer responsible for your mis-purchase if the manufacturer said it won't be compatible.