Corsair Air 240 case. Mini ITX Build with Custom Loop Cooling

[lunermac]

So I've been keen to find a case than can house 2x 240mm radiatiors in a custom liquid cooling loop for a mITX build and I think I have it. As specifications are limited due to the Air 240 not having been released yet, I'm at a loss with the planning of my loop. Therefore I thought I would post here and see what you guys think is possible

As stated on the official Corsair landing page for the air 240, it will house two 240mm radiatiors with a mITX mobo, front and bottom. Assuming this is in reference to the case being in this position, one of the rads will sit behind the GPU. Setting this up as an intake for the air to rise within the case would simply blow hot air onto the GPU which doesn't seem like a good idea to me 😉

So flip the case upside down?

With Radiators now in the front and top with intakes at the rear and bottom, this will make for better airflow however will my GPU get in the way of airflow to the top radiator?

Lasty, if this orientation is the way to go, I'd like to route watercooling to the reservoir and pump in the other half of the case using the extra cable management holes due to the use of mITX over mATX. My reason is that I cannot see any other mounting space that would do the loop justice.

My worry of course is how busy it will get in this half of the case already without a pump and reservoir.

So any suggestions? I don't mind investing the time into this project as the finished result will meet my requirements perfectly

 

[KalTorak]

My guess on the setup would be a front and top mount, so front is intake and top is exhaust. Simple

Makes no sense for them to put a Rad at the bottom where there is limited airflow.

 

[lunermac]

That was my first assumption but looking at the image, the top barely clears a fan let alone fan and rad.

 

[KalTorak]

http://www.corsair.com/en-gb/landing/air240

"The air 240 has pre-spaced holes for 240mm radirators on the top bottom and front." .... "If you're using a Micro ATX motherboard with dual GPUs you can install a front 240mm radiator.

So my guess would be M-ITX and top is usable, single GFX card and MicroATX and bottom is usable. Front is usable at all times.

But that is pure guess work.

"The included rubber feet can be placed on any of 3 surfaces"

So feel free to flip it however you want!

 

[KalTorak]

Looking at it a bit further, Yes. I would flip the case upside down as you suggest. Or go for a desktop solution and pull in the front and exhaust from a side? The only problem would be a vacuum effect by the gfx card (not ideal)

Maybe input through the side(acually bottom) and output from the front, but this will create quite a breeze forwards and increase its sound output as well. This would put cooler air (once through radiator) directly onto the gfx card, not ideal, but the only way to not screw up the thermals or through flow of air.

 

[lunermac]

Thanks for your input, its a bit misleading to be honest 😛

I think I will wait for a review and also see how others liquid cool.

 

[Philip Gajewski]

You should follow my Instagram account. 'gamer_phil'

I did a full loop with my Corsair 250D case.

I putting a full water cooled loop in the air 240. I have the case on pre order and I have purchased everything I need ready to crack on.

I will also be modding the case slightly too. I have some ambitious ideas for this case.

What I will say is that you defiantly do not need 2 radiators. My 250d build have 1 radiator. My CPU at 100% load achieves 35 degrees and my GPU gets 44 degrees. These are very low temps for an overclock plus 100% load.

In my opinion I think that 2 rads is a waste of space time and money.

I will have my rad on the front of the case. A reservoir horizontally on the floor of the case and the pump in the 2nd compartment.

 

[jonni3_101]

You should follow my Instagram account. 'gamer_phil'

I did a full loop with my Corsair 250D case.

I putting a full water cooled loop in the air 240. I have the case on pre order and I have purchased everything I need ready to crack on.

I will also be modding the case slightly too. I have some ambitious ideas for this case.

What I will say is that you defiantly do not need 2 radiators. My 250d build have 1 radiator. My CPU at 100% load achieves 35 degrees and my GPU gets 44 degrees. These are very low temps for an overclock plus 100% load.

In my opinion I think that 2 rads is a waste of space time and money.

I will have my rad on the front of the case. A reservoir horizontally on the floor of the case and the pump in the 2nd compartment.

Followed you on instagram.. jonni3_101.

Thinking of getting the Corsair AIR 240 and doing a custom loop for the CPU. Im excited to see what you do with it. I dont know if
everything will fit into it.