Modifying AIO into Custom watercooling

[Rafaelmp2014]

Guys I have an Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L RGB to watercool an I5 9600k, I want to modify it to a custom loop by replacing the 120mm radiator by a 360 mm and add a reservoir in the looping, keeping the same pump. The reason Is I want a good looking pc. What are your thoughts about that?

 

[rubix_1011]

I would just buy a different cooler without modifying that one. I would argue that 'modding an AIO into a bigger one' is not going to improve on your case aesthetics.

To clarify, this is all about 'not only do I AIO liquid cool, but I AIO liquid cooler larger'? Just buy a 360 AIO and call it a day.

 

[Rafaelmp2014]

It`s not about getting a larger AIO cooling, I want to add a water reservoir and transparent tubbings and I like the cooler master RGB pump box, that's why I want to keep that. My concerns are the pump will work fine even if I change the radiator for a bigger one and add a water reservoir?

 

[rubix_1011]

It should, although pumps on nearly all AIOs are very low flowing, so I hope you don't have a lot of expectation. Seems you are only concerned on the look, so should be fine.

Seems like you're really just wanting to build a custom loop and you would be much better off with a kit or building one rather than hacking up an already under-performing cooler to make it into something custom. Honestly, it would be far more rewarding to build a kit loop or build a custom loop rather than going this route, but I'm not here to dash your hopes and dreams.

I've seen this 'mod' build done countless times before on a large number of forums and rarely does the person end up very happy over a long period of time and either ends up abandoning the idea and reverting back to air or AIO cooling, or making the jump to bigger watercooling setups.

 

[Rafaelmp2014]

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Gam3r01]

Agreed, either do a full custom loop, or get an open loop cooler like the swiftech H240x2.

 

[Groveling_Wyrm]

There are MANY problems with trying to take a prepacked AIO, and increase the size of it.

The pump for your AIO may only have so much of what is called head pressure. If you don't have enough head pressure, your pump can't push the water through all the components. There is also the issue of pump flow rate. If your flow rate is too restricted, then you have less cooling.

The radiator, although in most cases, is not very restricting, there are some that WILL restrict your flows. You need to ensure this.

I would also recommend going with a custom loop for all components.

 

[rubix_1011]

Gam3r01 is going down the path I was meaning to recommend.

Both Swiftech and EKWB have 'AIO' coolers that are built using custom watercooling components (DDC pumps, copper and brass radiators, high-quality CPU blocks) and are easily expandable to include other cooling components. My son has a Swiftech H220X with a GPU included in his cooling loop.