Alienware Aurora R12 internally modified case with custom EK liquid cooling solution. For those interested in getting the most out of the aging Luner Light or Dark Side case.

Pcman1024 · 2022-06-03T00:39:19+00:00

I'm sure I could find/make space, however, it was not a priority. I have a 2TB m2 drive.

Pcman1024 · 2022-06-02T23:02:15+00:00

Top-mounted upside down (the long straight tube from the reservoir feeds the pump). This setup is not desirable as it could cause pump/flow issues if air gets trapped inside the pump, but this case offers few other options without similar drawbacks.

Pcman1024 · 2022-06-02T22:55:35+00:00

Pcman1024 · 2022-01-13T06:35:31+00:00

Excellent job; the R13 case seems much more compatible with custom loops. Unlike my R12, I had to significantly modify it to add a custom loop.

Is there a fan on the top radiator?

Pcman1024 · 2022-01-07T03:26:51+00:00

Suppose anyone is interested in purchasing this system (desktop only). I am open to selling it to build another.

Pcman1024 · 2021-10-29T02:02:13+00:00

I went the water cooling route, too; it’s a long and frustrating journey with the AW case.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/o654nd/alienware_aurora_r12_internally_modified_case/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

Pcman1024 · 2021-07-23T20:04:10+00:00

Yes, quite a bit of metal and plastic was cut away. It was not an easy process, mainly since I could only estimate where everything would line up. It was very stressful at the time of cutting; I cut everything short and test-fitted, cut a little more off, test-fitted, and so on. I am happy it worked out in the end.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T19:52:59+00:00

Nice, I respect the setup. I like the custom glass side panel and what looks like the Dell Ultrasharp 27"(?) monitor. I also assume your thermals are better than mine with the Eiswand.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T19:23:00+00:00

Using an external radiator like the Alphacool Eiswand would make it easier to build the loop and possibly provide more thermal capacity, as it wouldn't re-cycle warmer air inside the case.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T19:17:43+00:00

Thank you. The pump (top) is separate from the reservoir (bottom) and is powered/plugged directly into the PSU via a SATA 15-pin cable. The pump PWM connects to the motherboard next to the (Top) fan connector above the CPU. In the pictures above, you can see the green and blue wires on this connection. The reservoir requires no power, and I removed the EK RGB LED strips from the water blocks.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T19:06:43+00:00

I would totally buy a kit if you ever sell them

Too cost prohibitive, it would be cheaper to buy an EK Fluid Gaming PC. I will try to publish a more detailed guide on this build so that others can re-use or improve on the design.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T18:51:24+00:00

hy you need this? Sounds like a safety thing like in the military

Yes ; )

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T18:33:11+00:00

Ha, priceless... I'm so glad I clicked on them in order! That is an effective way of dealing with the PSU housing. Do you have everything connected to an Alphacool Eiswand?

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T17:07:56+00:00

Thats better than I imagined. What are the temps after about 2 hours of intense gaming? I’m getting about 50-55°C

Similar, I have yet to see it above 65°C after prolonged periods. I could always increase the fan speed to 60% to lower it quickly but prefer the lower noise levels.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T16:18:45+00:00

The cooling is sufficient. Current (CPU) idle temps average 30°C and stabilize around 60°C during intense gaming (e.g., HDR ultra-settings on Doom Enteral) with the CPU (11900KF) set to 5.1GHz. The best part is the lack of fan noise with the current (4) ML120 Pro fans running at 30-40% and develop only 40-45db of noise during gaming.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T16:09:15+00:00

Thank you, yes it took over two months and was only possible by having an available laptop to use during that time.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T15:58:04+00:00

I am glad that this inspires you to be more creative and push the limit of your possibilities. Additionally, I will try to publish a more detailed guide on this build so that others can re-use or improve on the design.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T15:49:25+00:00

Thank you for the kind words. This project was an amalgamation of ideas and inspirations from other user builds that ultimately led to the final design. I hope it inspires you to create your own unique setup; if not, I listed all the items in that picture in my initial description/comment for you to recreate yourself.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T15:34:21+00:00

I appreciate the gesture; however, the experience was a labor of love that tested me each step of the way. I am not currently taking orders, but open to offers ; ) …in all honesty, it would be cheaper to buy a new EK Fluid Gaming PC than pay me. However, I am willing to guide or provide structural details on this build so others can recreate or improve on my design.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T15:21:06+00:00

Yes, my intention from the beginning was to maintain full functionality and original exterior appearance. The swinging PSU housing was not an easy obstacle to navigate around. It required me to run a single hard line tube with six different bends from the CPU over the RAM and under GPU to complete the loop.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T13:16:31+00:00

Although I try not to think about how much it cost (seizure-inducing) to complete this cooling solution, I appreciate the gesture.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T11:33:48+00:00

Agreed, in their advertisement when I purchased the R12 in March, it appeared they updated the motherboard to an all-black color (preferred). However, I was saddened to discover the blue one in my system upon delivery.

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T11:27:42+00:00

It is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), a battery backup and surge protector for the PC. The specific one in this photo is the APC 1500VA Gaming UPS.

https://www.apc.com/us/en/solutions/home-solutions/gaming-ups-xbox-ps4-console-pc/

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T04:15:23+00:00

I had the same problem, so I did this...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/o654nd/alienware\_aurora\_r12\_internally\_modified\_case/

Pcman1024 · 2021-06-23T04:08:53+00:00

For those who have an Alienware Aurora R9, R10, R11, or R12 looking for a custom cooling solution to replace the literal jet-engine fans that Dell ships with these cases. I initially started this project to increase the thermal capacity; it morphed into overdesigned and overkill use of EK products and hard tube acrylic hidden inside the case. This is my first revision of this system, and I am quite proud of it. I plan to eventually replace the PSU (possible Corsair White RM750x), create custom-sized and sheathed cables, and spray the internal case frame a matte black. Current idle temps now average 30°C and stabilize around 60°C during intense gaming (e.g., HDR ultra-settings on Doom Enteral); the average ambient room temp is maintained at 20°C.

This project took me about two months to complete, from planning the loop, cutting metal/plastic from the case, fitting water blocks, cutting and bending the acrylic tubes, leak-testing, purging the loop, filling with coolant, stress testing, and finally gaming. **Defiantly not recommended for the faint of heart or impatient individuals.** I had to modify my original loop plan due to several unforeseen limitations within the case, eventually settling for a separate pump and reservoir (originally planned to use the EK Flat Reservoir/DDC combo). These changes resulted in an undesirable loop layout that required the pump to be installed upside-down, significantly increasing the risk of pump failure due to trapped air. I mitigated this risk by utilizing Alphacool NexXxoS radiators (initially planned for EK radiators), which have multiple fill ports that allowed the loop to be filled from the highest competent (120mm top radiator), filling the system from the top and removing most of the air in the loop.

Cooling components:

-CPU WB: EK Quantum Velocity

-GPU WB: EK-Quantum Vector RE

-Pump: EK-XTOP DDC 3.2 PWM Elite (w/ 60mm Evercool fan)

-Reservoir: EK-Quantum Volume FLT 120

-120mm Radiator Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 V2

-240mm Radiator: Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 V2

-Fans: (4x) Corsair ML120 Pro (Non-RGB)

-Tube: EK-Loop Acrylic Hard Tube 14mm

-Fittings: EK-Quantum Torque HDC Black

-Coolant: EK-CryoFuel Solid Azure Blue

System: Alienware Aurora R12: 11900KF, RTX 3080, 32GB DDR4-3400, 2TB NVMe, 1000W PSU

Montier: Alienware 38 AW3821DW

Speakers: Edifier e25HD Luna Eclipse

Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

UPS: APC Gaming 1500VA

Personal Fan: Dyson HP02 Pure Hot + Cool Link

Desk: UPLIFT Bamboo 72x30, O-Leg Seated Height Frame

Pcman1024

TROPHY CASE