My HTPC 2.0: water cooled!

[LandShark]

ok, I've been using a HTPC for almost two years now. you can see and find the spec of my current one in HERE (http://www.htpcnews.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=4709&perpage=9&sort=3).

well, even tho it's "ok" for HTPC duty, I've found I'm more and more wanted to build a new one. the P4 520 is just a bit behind for nowaday's new standard (HD video & advance post processing picture quality), and playing today's game w/ the 6600GT is just a pain!! plus I want to go HD and multi-tuner so my other rigs at home/room could also watch different TV channel together or I can record a couple show and watch another channel at the same time! and on my 2 x 300GB hard drive it only has about 60GB of space left! and lastly, even tho I have NvSilencer and Zalman 7700 heatsink, I still found it's a bit noisy to most "non overclocker"'s taste, aka girlfriend, visiting family/friends and even at stock speed, it's still HOT 'cos some of you know I fold 24/7 on all machine!! :D

so, with the noise and heat in mind, I've decided watercooling is the only way to go. I've looked at most off the shelve external unit, e.g. Zalman's. but I've just couldn't justicfy the price and being having a big tower (or cube) sitting next to the HTPC in my living room!! plus none of their performance is anywhere even near a good aircooled HSF!!

so, I decided with some careful measurement, planning, design, I could build my own watercooling unit and house it all internally even in a HTPC case!!

here's my new HTPC's spec:

~ Silverstone LC-20M HTPC case (silver)
~ E6600
~ 2 x 1GB Gskill DDR800
~ x1900xt 256MB
~ Asus P5W-DH (gotta have DolbyDigitalLive so I can still have 5.1 D3D sound from the game that is output to my stereo system via SFDIF)
~ 1 x 320GB Seagate 7200.10 (for OS & Apps.)
~ 1 x 750GB Seagate 7200.10 (for recording only, will move all my movies & tv shows to my home server)
~ PVR-500 MCE dual tuner (for two DirecTV box)
~ Fusion5HDTV Lite tuner (for OTA HD channels)
~ HVR-950 USB tuner (for OTA HD channles), edit: added on March 07'
~ SR-15 outdoor antenna (http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/pName/terrestrial-digital-sr15-unidirectional-hdtv-antenna/cName/hdtv-antennas) (for OTA HD channles), edit: added on March 07'
~ NEC 3550 DVD burner (cheap and reliable, what more I can say)

as for the watercooling, I've choose the following components. again, it's with quietness in mind w/ performance come second only!! who wants to hear loud fans or pump when watching movie?!! therefore, I've set my goal to match/near the best aircooling.

~ Swiftech Apogee
~ DangerDen Maze4
~ DangerDen dual 80mm rad.
~ Swiftech MCRES1000
~ 2 x Vantec stealth 80mm fan

I had a little leaking problem when I leak testing it due to the fact that I tighten the barb too much. since replaced a new o-ring and loosen it a bit, it's fine now.

I've just assemble the system yesterday. still waiting for the Fusion5 HDTV tuner card to come and I'm going to ghost my current HTPC's drives to the new one tomorrow.

currently, I'm just testing the performance of it right now. I must say I'm pretty happy with it!! current running @ 3.2ghz with 1.375v dual folding (100% loaded) @ 52c!! that match/near most highend aircooling temp thus met my goal!! I know currently, the dual 80mm rad and the stealth fans is my major bottleneck!! I can feel the rad's barb area being a little bit warm by touching it!! but again, performance only comes 2nd in this case!! quietness is the main goal for a true HTPC that sits in the living (with ease of use too!).

I know after this long boring reading, you guys want to see some pics!! here's a couple shots that I took yesterday when assembling the rig.

http://www.landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/leak_test.jpg

http://www.landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/testing_full.jpg

http://www.landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/testing.jpg

will post more pics when done!! stay tune!! :cool:

[LandShark]

res & pump pics. it's a Swiftech MCRES 1000 unit that consist off the bay res & a MCP350 pump. in order to make it easier to fill and to work on in the future, I cut a hole right on top of the drive bracket.

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/res1.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/res2.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/res3.jpg

and here's the dual 80mm rad that's mount at the stock 2 x 80mm exhaust fan location. the fans is Vantec Stealth fans that's rated at <20db! and I use the pci pass through bracket to route the tube back inside the case.

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/rad1.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/rad2.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/rad3.jpg

[LandShark]

fully assembled pics. :)

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/full1.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/full2.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/full3.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/rear1.jpg

here you see the PVR-500 MCE dual SD tuner, and the FusionHDTV5 Lite HD tuner.

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/rear2.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/rear3.jpg

[LandShark]

Lutron remote control light switch w/ "mood mode"

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/light.jpg

and my beloved Harmony 880 remote!!

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/remote1.jpg

it's controls my HDTV, upconvert DVD player, stereo system, HTPC, and the living room light!!

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/remote2.jpg

the HTPC "screen" when using the HTPC. notice the "movie light" button that I set up! so I can just press the button to dim the light to the preset brightness when I watch a movie w/out getting up!! LOVE this!! :D

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/remote3.jpg





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~


UPDATE On 1/2/07

full setup. 50" Samsung HDTV, bottom right is the HTPC (via DVI), top right is 2 STBs, bottom left is my PS3 (via HDMI).

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/fullshot.jpg

it SUX that PS3 doesn't included an IR port so I can't use my Harmony to control it!! just went to bought a PS3 bluetooth remote as I really don't like to use the controler for viewing blueray movies!! guess after all these effort, I'm back to the multi-remote age again..... :bang head

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/blog/BTremote.jpg

Meedio, simply THE best MediaCenter frontend software IMHO. too bad it's sold to yahoo now.... :shrug:

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/mee1.jpg

[LandShark]

UPDATE On 1/2/07

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/mee2.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/mee3.jpg

My other #1 choice, BeyondTV!!

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/btv1.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/btv2.jpg

HD camera capture shots. it looks much better in person since I have to resize and compress for the web.

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/1.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/2.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/3.jpg

Blueray movie camera shot played via PS3. again, it looks a lot better in person b/c of resize, compress, plus I'm no where as a good photographer!! but check out the facial and hair details!!

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/PS3/16.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/PS3/17.jpg

[speed bump]

Looks nice, what kind of pump are you going to use with it?

Also its to bad there was no where to fit a 12cm rad in there since those DD 8cm rads don't seem to have much going for them in the performance department.

[jivetrky]

subscribed!

[Evilsizer]

you using the mcp-350 or 355? also what coolent is that? looks realy nice and clean. *thumbs up*

[LandShark]

EDIT: more pics added :cool:
Looks nice, what kind of pump are you going to use with it?

Also its to bad there was no where to fit a 12cm rad in there since those DD 8cm rads don't seem to have much going for them in the performance department.
yeah, the dangerden dual 80mm one definitely isn't one anywhere near the top performaner at all!!! and I would say it doesn't work too well w/ a slow fan too!! but well, it gave me the perfect fit and clean look and won't block any cable/wire at the back panel.

you using the mcp-350 or 355? also what coolent is that? looks realy nice and clean. *thumbs up*
the MCRES 1000 comes w/ the MCP350 pump. again, quietness is one of my main concern, so I want to get the MCP350 anyway even if I'm not getting the MCRES. but I think getting the MCRES make it a lot cleaner inside the case imho.

I'm using blue FluidXP+ coolant. I really like the crytal blue look!

[Evilsizer]

hmm you think this heater core would work better with lower cfm fans
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=478104
imo would help a bit with routing, thought it was neat little dual 80mm rad vs the swiftech one.

[Flip-Mode]

NICE, can I move in with you?

[natewildes]

It kind of makes me feel insignificant to know that someone's HTPC is 2x what my main computer is :(

[Gautam]

Yikes...that has GOT to be the most powerful HTPC out there. :thup: :cool:

[LandShark]

here's an update and new pics too!

just put the htpc together and fresh installed the windows. got BTV4.4 up and running along w/ the FusionHDTV5 Lite! man, the HD picture quality is, well, one word, AWESOME!!! http://landshark.damnserver.com/icon/thumbsup.gif got most of the major OTA channel, NBC, ABC, CBS, etc. reception is pretty good in my area even w/ the indoor antenna. however, I do planning to put up a outdoor antenna down the road tho. will try to take/capture some pics for you guys later on.

however, somehow I couldn't get the USBUIRT to work...... it used to working fine w/ the D11 STB from DirecTV. but I just couldn't get it set or send any singal to the box when running the BeyondTV setup wizard....?! will try to work on it over the weekend again.... so, ATM, no SD TV...... :(

also, I'm still not 100% sure what kinda front end I'm going to use.... I've been using Meedio for so long, but might going to try something new tho.

oh, I really like the ATI x1900xt card. not only it's very good for gaming (got 6000+ points in 3DMarks06, I know it's nothing for you guys :p , but I never bother to try it on my old setup which probably got less than 1000pts!), but it also let me to run my HDTV w/out any under or over scan!! which the nVidia card didn't do.... (nVidia only let me run 1280x720 which my HDTV native resolution is 1280x768. may be I didn't look deep enough....)

oh, back to my main concern, NOISE. it is as near dead silent as possible, only next to complete fanless setup!! :beer:

stay tune for more update. ;)

[jivetrky]

I don't see any new pics? :shrug:

[LandShark]

I don't see any new pics? :shrug:
new pics at top, third post! (sorry, speed is a bit slow today as my server is BT'ing.... :p )

[jivetrky]

Very nice looking! As others have said, it's one heck of an HTPC! :) And I think a 6000 3D06 score is quite nice for an HTPC.

[Seven]

Awesome work, that thing kicks the crap out of my present computer.

The liquid cooling is very well done, excellent work.

[Femto]

Very nice! Top quality job you got there hehe :D

That has to be the most powerful HTPC I've seen yet. X1900 + E6600, lol, that's loads better than my rig right now and it's for everything haha!

Excellent job!

[LandShark]

Update:

have my 2 STB (set top box) also hooked up to the PVR-500 MCE so now ALL 3 tuners is working!! tried yesterday watch a HD shows while recording a SD show and vice versa, no problem at all! :D

also yesterday, first time to try to record a HD shows. NFL Redskin vs Cowboy game, 3hr long, guess how much space it took??

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

almost 25GB of space needed!!! :eek: I'm glad I've got the 750GB JUST for the recording and moved all my saved/downloaded/ripped movies/tv series to my home server (that alone already is 300+GB)!!

pic quality is superb!!! the only problem is, it's really a major pain when watching SD TV source now..... :bang head

p.s. any one know what kinda software that can play .ts file and allow me to capture a frame so I can post and let you guys see the pic quality?? (I used to have zoomplayer that could do, but dont' wanna pay for a player just for capturing)

[LandShark]

Updated w/ new pics up top at the #4 post!! :cool:

[jivetrky]

I guess it would be a shame if there wasn't a $200 remote inputting this nice HTPC :)

[LandShark]

I guess it would be a shame if there wasn't a $200 remote inputting this nice HTPC :)
you can get a Harmony880 as cheap as <$150 on the net! ;)

[Sleepy_Steve]

Does anyone want to know how long this thread (without a 56k warning) took for me to load??
Mind you im on a T3 connection.

Too long :D But the pics that eventualy loaded were worth it.

[Froggy]

I am using FF 2.0 and see no pix. Any Ideas?

[jivetrky]

I am using FF 2.0 and see no pix. Any Ideas?
The problem isn't your browser, it's that Landshark's pic hosting is a wee bit slow.....give it some time and it should load, eventually :)

EDIT: actually it looks like they are timing out

[LandShark]

I am using FF 2.0 and see no pix. Any Ideas?
sorry my home server had been acting up lately..... http://landshark-racing.com/icon/dunno.gif

Fixed now. :cool:

[LandShark]

updates with pics on post #4 & #5!! ^^^^^ :D

[jivetrky]

Pic hosting is timing out again :(

[Sleepy_Steve]

So... is it comcast messing up over there in MD or verisons FIOS thing??

[LandShark]

So... is it comcast messing up over there in MD or verisons FIOS thing??
hmmm..... gotta give them a call tomorrow and see what's going on.... it was fine even when I upload the pics. but now, I can't even access my site...:shrug:

[LandShark]

should works fine now. turns out my hosting company screw up. pointed my domain to the wrong place.... :mad:

[jivetrky]

For compressed, resized pictures of a TV screen...those look REALLY good.

This is me being jealous:

"Ahh, I'm jealous."

:)

[Avyer]

I'm curious where you picked up the shelving unit you have around the set... I have the same set in the 57" and would love to pick something like that up.

Thanks

[LandShark]

I'm curious where you picked up the shelving unit you have around the set... I have the same set in the 57" and would love to pick something like that up.

Thanks
I picked that up from bestbuy awhile ago. this one is specially design for the TV.

p.s. my hosting company is having some problem on their end. so pics might need to refresh to show.

[Sleepy_Steve]

Man, you have that setup in silver spring?? You sir are a braver man than I.
For i am 'safe' in PG ;)

I am not normally one for the home theaters... But that looks to be very well done. Nice work man!

[jivetrky]

Silver Spring not a safe neighborhood or something?

[shard]

I really like it! But now you need to get a real sound system ;) When I am going to do my HTPC, it will be much more music/movie oriented. At least until I can afford to have the full HD NFL sunday ticket from DirecTV. And as for the sound system that I have going on for my HT, the sub is bigger then your AV case :D

[LandShark]

Man, you have that setup in silver spring?? You sir are a braver man than I.
For i am 'safe' in PG ;)

I am not normally one for the home theaters... But that looks to be very well done. Nice work man!
huh? silver spring not safe? and PG (prince george's county?) being safe?? :confused:

[Skeen]

Nice setup. What's that tower thing to the left of your tv, and what's that little garbage can-sized apparatus to the right of the tv?

[LandShark]

Nice setup. What's that tower thing to the left of your tv,
Samsung stereo system.
and what's that little garbage can-sized apparatus to the right of the tv?
subwoofer of the stereo system.

the TV and the stereo system are two years old model already. they were the very first HDTV (that's why only 720p/1080i, no 1080p :( ), well at least I'm glad they both support HDMI!! you know, HDMI was just out by then.

[epauls]

Hey LS,

What is the tower thing just to the left of the TV?

Are you using the TV's speakers as the center channel?

[LandShark]

Hey LS,

What is the tower thing just to the left of the TV?

Are you using the TV's speakers as the center channel?
that's my samsung stereo system. the center channel speaker is on the top left shelf on top of the PS3.

[JustChill]

LS, whats your opinion on: frontend software realy have no idea what direction to go in? HTPC case that will allow me to fit a 120.2 in the rear (with mods of course) but not stick out over the top? thanx for ant sug......
JC

[David_N]

You must be having one heck of a super bowl party tonight :beer:


Looks awesome!

[LandShark]

LS, whats your opinion on: frontend software realy have no idea what direction to go in? HTPC case that will allow me to fit a 120.2 in the rear (with mods of course) but not stick out over the top? thanx for ant sug......
JC
front end, I still love Meedio. best customization-able front end, period! just take some time to get it setup the way your want. and might be hard, and time consuming for beginners. for easiest (not necessary worst btw!), I would say MCE. plus it has quite a bit of plugins too, and would easily work w/ other M$ stuffs (e.g. could use a XBox360 as a client).

hmmm...... 120.2 huh? that could be a bit tough as the 120.2 will be long enough to extend all the way down (or more like across) to block off some of the rear plugs/cables unless you have it sit far enough to clear the cables. but sitting very far will also means to increase the depth of the htpc case too. and you'll sure need to make some sort of custom bracket to hold it at the back. not easy for sure, but doesn't seem to be impossible tho!! however, why you'll need that much cooling power for a htpc?? even just a single 120.1 would be good enough for even a quad core imho, unless you are planning to clock it all the way up. I know 120.1 would fit as I thought about it too!! you can use a 80mm to 120mm fan adapter at the back to hold/mount the 120.1 to one of the stock 80mm rear fan mount.

You must be having one heck of a super bowl party tonight :beer:


Looks awesome!
h*ll yeah!!! had a great time tonight!! plus I won $125 from the super bowl pool from work tonight out from a $5 slot!!!! :D :beer: (almost won 2 times more IF Colt didn't miss the field goal after their first touch down in 1st quarter and didn't greedy enough to attempt a touchdown instead of a field goal in 4th down in the last quarter......:bang head )

[hyperasus]

Landshark where did you buy the LC20 case? I'm feeling a bit ripped off here because both of my LC20's have a different type of hard drive rack. Did you customize yours or did it come like that out of the box?

Here's what my HDD racks look like.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?Image=11%2D163%2D066%2D01%2Ejpg%2C11 %2D163%2D066%2D02%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D03%2Ejp g%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D04%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D0 5%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D06%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D0 66%2D07%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D08%2Ejpg%2C11%2D1 63%2D066%2D09%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D10%2Ejpg&CurImage=11%2D163%2D066%2D07%2Ejpg&Description=SILVERSTONE+LC20%2DS+Silver+Aluminum+f ront+panel%2C+0%2E8+mm+SECC+body+ATX+Media+Center+ home%2Dtheater+Computer+Case+%2D+Retail

[splat]

holy.....

i just swapped my 4000+ out of my media case and threw my sokcet a 900mhz into it (voodoo3!!!). My coolermaster case has these two tiny (60mm?) fans on the back that I definitely need to remove...I'm not brave enough to drop a bunch of dough on a media box because I know I'll want to eventually bring it over to my desk.

[LandShark]

Landshark where did you buy the LC20 case? I'm feeling a bit ripped off here because both of my LC20's have a different type of hard drive rack. Did you customize yours or did it come like that out of the box?

Here's what my HDD racks look like.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?Image=11%2D163%2D066%2D01%2Ejpg%2C11 %2D163%2D066%2D02%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D03%2Ejp g%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D04%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D0 5%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D06%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D0 66%2D07%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D08%2Ejpg%2C11%2D1 63%2D066%2D09%2Ejpg%2C11%2D163%2D066%2D10%2Ejpg&CurImage=11%2D163%2D066%2D07%2Ejpg&Description=SILVERSTONE+LC20%2DS+Silver+Aluminum+f ront+panel%2C+0%2E8+mm+SECC+body+ATX+Media+Center+ home%2Dtheater+Computer+Case+%2D+Retail
yeah, that is different than mine!! mine is a large single piece instead of two smaller pieces!! btw, I think I got mine from pcalchemy.

[Wicked Klown]

I got mine at performance-pcs (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=168&sort=20a&page=2) and it came with the single HDD cage. You can get them at PCalchemy (http://www.pcalchemy.com/index.php/page/3/manufacturers_id/11/sort/3a) as well.

[therookie]

She most stay real cool with that setup

[hyperasus]

Well I like that single hard drive rack much much better. If I didn't have a CW01 showing up in the mail today I would be feeling really tough about it. The silverstone site still shows the older hdd racks. For any of you looking to buy LC20 or LC17, make sure you get the newer version.

[Carisma]

LS - you have a PM.

BTW...great setup.

[LandShark]

LS - you have a PM.

BTW...great setup.
replied. :cool:

[Carisma]

replied. :cool:
Back at you.

[jstutman]

Hey LS can you look @ PC alchys site and tell me if the images from the lc-20 are identical to the one you have? I just want to make sure it is the new version still.

Thanks

[Wicked Klown]

All the pictures of the LC20 including the LC20-m on PC Alchemy's web site show the old two HDD cage ones. Best bet would be to e-mail them and ask if it's a dual cage one or a single cage one and just using the old pictures.

[jstutman]

All the pictures of the LC20 including the LC20-m on PC Alchemy's web site show the old two HDD cage ones. Best bet would be to e-mail them and ask if it's a dual cage one or a single cage one and just using the old pictures.


Thanks, I emailed directron and Pc-alchy and Directron was the first to reply. I ordered it from directron (as I do all my cases) cheaper shipping....

Directron verified the case's found in there warehouse were the new single hdd version.

[Wicked Klown]

Thanks, I emailed directron and Pc-alchy and Directron was the first to reply. I ordered it from directron (as I do all my cases) cheaper shipping....

Directron verified the case's found in there warehouse were the new single hdd version.



Sweet glad to hear you got the one you wanted. I even looked lastnight for you at performance-pcs. This is where I got my black LC20-m with the single rack but the pics they had were the old dual rack ones.

[g0dM@n]

oh wow... i'm jealous... man... i like!!

[LandShark]

oh wow... i'm jealous... man... i like!!
TKS!! :beer:

the system has some changed too. I've changed the theme/skin for both Meedio & BTV. and I have since added another OTA HD tuner (HVR-950) and a outdoor antenna for better reception too.

so, it now has quad tuners (2 standard def for DirecTV, 2 OTA HD)!!

next project in mind..... adding HD DVD! ;)

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/antenna.jpg

http://landshark-racing.com/pics/htpc/antenna2.jpg

[Evilsizer]

next project in mind..... adding HD DVD! ;)


why not blueray and HD-dvd?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136124
LG FTW!

[g0dM@n]

$1000... what a ripoff (sorry)... just ridiculous

[ARCJr]

Word. When similar drives drop below 300, then I'm doing it.

And dammit, I still haven't posted the pics of my WC HTPC! Okay, really, after I put the 2600pro in. Really. Seriously.

[LandShark]

why not blueray and HD-dvd?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136124
LG FTW!
well, seriously, for that $, I'd rather get the LG's multi-blue set top player instead! plus I already has the PS3s for blueray duty. also, I've heard the PowerDVD HD/BR edition can't do both at the same time!! means, even you have both HD and BR drive in the system, it will require a reboot to "re-config" to use either or only!!
Word. When similar drives drop below 300, then I'm doing it.

And dammit, I still haven't posted the pics of my WC HTPC! Okay, really, after I put the 2600pro in. Really. Seriously.
yeah, we've been waiting.....

[Fr3@k3r]

Hey landshark, any way i can get you to send me your Meedio config? im using essentials 1.4 and love your layout and skin.

[LandShark]

Hey landshark, any way i can get you to send me your Meedio config? im using essentials 1.4 and love your layout and skin.
check your PM. :cool:

I've just disassembled the HTPC to cleanup the w/c parts (it's getting VERY cloudy!). when I put it back together later on the week, I'll post some pics of the new theme too.

[{PMS}fishy]

Do you think there is any way to move the radiator to the inside?

I'm stuck trying to figure out if I want to use a 1x120mm or 2x80mm.

[LandShark]

Do you think there is any way to move the radiator to the inside?

I'm stuck trying to figure out if I want to use a 1x120mm or 2x80mm.

yes, I've seem people did that. I think it's JustChill(?) who did that. search in the htpc section, I remember he (or another member) post pics on it. I went to external b/c it'll be easier to work inside the case that way.

[JustChill]

Yep, dual 80mm rad inside the case. Just click the HTPC in my sig to see some pics. That rad now cools not only the CPU but the GPU as well.

[mrgreenjeans]

Nice rig. did you get the noise down to acceptable levels?

[LandShark]

Nice rig. did you get the noise down to acceptable levels?

who? me? yup, the rad is powered by 2 silentx fans and I actually hear the PS3 than the htpc.

[benbaked]

Nice water cooling job LandShark, :thup: I like it.

[LandShark]

tks again!

well, I think I'd better add the part 2 "follow up" thread 'bout the Xbox360 HD DVD drive add-on for this HTPC onto this thread. http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=533104