Testing Platform Configuration and Installation

Our test bed consists of a Cooler Master sponsored CM-Stacker full tower case in which we will install and modify the installation as well as the case, as an enthusiast's point of view. In doing this we are going to make a slight modification to the installation procedures.

Pass-thru Connector Case Modification

We are going to change up the installation and drill out some holes to allow our pass-thru connectors to pass directly thru the chassis of the Cooler Master Stacker case. We will not use the bracket, so essentially we will only use the pass-thru tubes and secure them to our chassis.

Swiftech 3/8" I/D pass-thru connector assembly

The MCB-PT "Pass-thru" is meant to be installed in a PCI slot bracket and the pass-thru tubes would install over a PCI slot and allow the tube circuit to be complete. However in our installation we are going to modify this to pass directly through our case. So the first thing we are going to do is configure and modify the radiator - pass -thru installation.

PCI Pass-thru kit:

• Tubes dimensions: 0.375" OD x 0.320" ID x 2.80" length
• Tubes material & features: plated brass tubes designed for use with either quick-connect or conventional fittings such as worm-drive clamps (included with the complete kit);
• Plated brass nuts specially dimensioned to slightly overlap edges of chassis opening for secure installation.
• Custom PCI bracket with slotted hole for electrical routing.

For additional case exhaust, we are adding an A.C. Ryan Blackfire4 UV Lighted Fans into the mix, courtesy of A.C. Ryan. While not necessary this was just a personal preference on our part. We could of left the stock fan in place, but this is just another mod we wanted to check out and A.C. Ryan provided us some well-built fans for this project.

The matching A.C. Ryan UV Lighted Fans we have will shed some light as to the over all scheme we are trying to achieve. It just so happens the mounting hardware (nuts, bolts, washers) for the RadBox fits the additional UV fan perfectly, as we will see shortly!

Starting with a Cooler Master Stacker Case we yanked the factory 120mm fan assembly and replace it with a custom UV LED fan and Swiftech's RadBox. We measured up the RadBox mounting bracket to our 120mm fan relief area. Right away we decided to custom drill two holes into the mounting plate to facilitate easy access to the side panel.

Adding the bracket was just a matter of calculating enough space for the glass side panel to have enough clearance space to allow removal of the side panel with no obstructions. However as mentioned above, we had to drill our own holes with a Makita drill to accommodate the new attachment points.

Once we found the sweet spot to put our new attachment holes, we attached the UV fan and the RadBox bracket to the outer 120m port hole. We used the included screws to fasten the fan and bracket to the chassis. (n, pronounced, Cha-See) Now that we mounted the bracket, we tested the side panel for access. BAM! Perfect!

We took a short golf pencil and gently inserted into the 1/2" press fittings and proceeded to draw on the back of the case as our drilling template. We disassembled the RadBox to make the Pass-thru holes. We did not want the metal drill shavings all over the equipment so mandatory disassembly was performed.

Mission complete! With the holes drilled and filed down with a rat tail file to debur the metal, we went ahead and tested for alignment, using a 3 inch piece of 1/2" vinyl tubing we tested the alignment. Good enough, while its not perfect it's well within tolerances.

The alignment was almost perfect so no need to do any further massaging of the pass-thru hole. Now the screws to lock the RadBox to the mounting bracket will be installed and tightened to specs. (Hand tight with medium force is all that’s needed) Now that the holes are tapped and prepped (debured and edge finished) we pulled off the radiator and configured our pass-thru tubes and 1/2" vinyl tubing to marry up to the 1/2" press fittings on the radiator.

Taking a piece of three inch tubing we inserted the press fitting inserts at one end and put the stainless steel Pass-thru fittings on the other end and attached the assembly inside the 1/2" press fitting. The picture above shows just how easy it is to configure a system this way. The worm clamps are just another precaution as the tubing is sealed from inside the press connector, but to make double sure the pass-thru side would not spring a leak, we worm clamped them anyway.

As you can see in these shots, the pass-thru connectors are just above our UV LED 120mm A.C. Ryan fan. This configuration was done to future proof our rig for a SLI setup and because we did not want the tubing configuration any other way. So this is the part in the manual that states general installation guidelines might change to do case configuration. So this is what we ran with and we like it!

This is the done deal! We re-checked all our fittings and clamps. Tightened the entire RadBox assembly once more and added a cool like Mirrored Skull 120mm Fan Cover courtesy of CrazyPC and the miniature Skull Thumb Screw's are courtesy of Sunbeam.

Now that the radiator is properly installed and configured to our specifications we can now go onto prepping the motherboard...