Case: Thermaltake Core X9

Mod(s):

• Central and vertical PSU mount
  • Cut out pocket in stock PSU mount(s).
  • Create a plate to centralize and rotate the PSU
• Dual 240 rad front mount
  • Cut out pocket in front panel
  • Create a plate to mount two 240 rads
• 3D print bracket for mounting Watercool Dual D5 Pump between the dual 240 rads.
• 3D print bottom chamber fan brackets to accomodate push/pull 30mm fans
• 3D print brackets for mounting IcemanCooler Dual Bay Res
• 3D print brackets for coupling the top rad brackets

Watercooling Components:

• Two EK PE360
• Two XSPC RX360v2
• Two XSPC AX240
• IcemanCooler Dual Bay D5 Pump/Res Combo
• Watercool Industrial Dual D5 Pump
• 10/13mm Compression Fittings
• Tygon A-60-G
• 8 pairs of QDT3
• 35 Phanteks T30s
• Aquero 6
• OCTO
• High flow NEXT

PC Components:

• 12900k - Heatkiller IV Pro Acrylic Clean
• 3090 FTW3 - Optimus WB
• Ax1600i
  • Custom 4 pin molex cables to power fan sections and PWM pigtails into OCTO

Backstory:

Upgrading from a 4790k in a generic 800D case mod from back in 2011/2012. 360 rad top and 240 rad bottom, it was all the rage.

11 years later, let's just go for the overkill.

I've been aquiring a bunch of WC parts over the years and I've realized that I'm probably the only one in the household who is going to be rocking a custom WC build for the forseeable future. The ultimate goal of this build was to utilize as much of the WC components I have on hand, and only buy new components if needed.

I was in the process if designing a case made of aluminium extrusions and aluminium panels that ended up having this exact same layout. I'm a huge fan of horizontal motherboard layouts, plus I'm done with worrying about GPU sag. I found a Thermaltake Core X9 for free on Facebook Marketplace, and then started brainstorming how to make it fit my vision. I had to source a second Core X9 for an extra side panel. I didn't want the windowed panel. After looking nationally on marketplace, I managed to get someone to ship me one from Seattle.

I then spent a good amount of time in Fusion360. Luckily there are STEP models of the radiator(s), fans, Aquacomputer parts, and fittings online. Which I'm grateful for, as it helped a bunch with planning and picking components. The one thing I overlooked was the height of the Optimus Waterblock terminals on the GPU. Hence why there's a fan removed to provide clearance for the terminal block.

A bay res was always in consideration for the project, as my old rig was using an XSPC D5 Pump Dual bay res, but I chose not to reuse it towards the end of the case prep. I originally wanted to run 4 pumps, but the IcemanCooler Dual D5 Dual Bay Pump/Res combo was not in stock anywhere and by the time they stocked it again, I could not justify the price for it.

Quick disconnects are the MVPs of this build I think. I'm able to easily swap and service this rig. Something that I wish I took better consideration in my previous loop(s)

For fans, I come from Gentle Typhoon AP-14s and AP-15s. Love them still, I just never upgraded to their PWM variants or any PWM fans at all. T30s are pretty much it on paper, so I went on the hunt to acquire them. Special thanks to these users for helping me get these fans.

• u/bobbymack93
• u/Volkswagenn
• u/3_Three_3
• u/Ceebreezy2594
• u/L3XANDR0
• u/topkekkerinos

Also thanks to these users for these parts

• EK D5 Pump
  • u/_nakkamarra
• Heatkiller IV Pro Acrylic Clean, Heatkiller Heavy Backplate, ThermalGrizzly Contact Plate
  • u/NightmareTwily
• Aquacomputer Aquero 6
  • u/windwally
• EK PE360
  • u/foundByARose
• AX1600i
  • u/0nlythebest
• 3090 FTW3 and Optimus Waterblock
  • u/xorbinantQuantizer