You can mount the bay reservoir anywhere you want to. It doesn't have to be in the bays. I've seen them mounted on the floor of the case before.
EDIT: I've never seen it done, but it could still be mounted that direction. Just don't screw it down, it fits pretty good. Leave enough room in the tubing runs to slide it out to refill it. Just enough to get the fill port accessible. Besides, after getting all the air out of the loop, I've never had to refill mine.
Besides, in that case there's no reason you couldn't put a tube reservoir/pump combo in it. Something like this XSPC Photon tube reservoir/D5 pump, as an example.
I agree with Steve; what gets the water first, second, ect. means nothing after a couple of minutes the whole system will be one temp + or - a couple of degrees.
Pay close attention to the cpu water block because there is a inlet and outlet.
Never never let the pump run dry or you will be buying another one.
My system goes from pump, cpu block, radiator and back to the reservoir.
The outlet of the pump is 23.6C and the inlet is 24.8C. I'm taking these reading from the hoses (In and Out)at the reservoir.
My max. cpu temps average at the same time is 27.7C.
Read this and see if it will help, you too Jack. Radiator Size Estimator There's some good info in there.
Thanks Steve.
I did read your suggested site and I will read it again. Their is a lot of good information there. To much for me to digest on one read.
I'm kind of the overkill type.
More radiator, fans, and pumps than needed. It can't hurt anything other than the pocket book.
im going for 2x 240mm 30mm~ rads. havent decided if im going for a push pull or just pull setup, not sure if the front mounted one with a fan either side would hit my graphics card.
just need to decide on my cpu/gpu blocks now.
Is a gpu back plate essential? I see some who use them and some dont, its only like £20 for one, just wondering if airflow alone will be fine, considering theres not one fitted with a stock cooler.
A backplate supposedly improves the cooling, although I don't see how. It does seriously improve looks and especially for the larger cards, helps with rigidity making them have more support. I have one and really like it. To me, it's worth the $20 just for the improved looks. Who really wants to look at the PCB?
The website states the plate will improve cooling about 2 C.
The only thing I can think of is that it redirects air flow. Plus their is a heat transfer sticky tape the goes around the chip.
on the grand scheme of things 2c.. isnt exactly a lot. ambient temperature fluctuats more than that lol.
Ill add one to my buy on completion list!
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