I recently picked up an ASUS Prime LC 360 AIO water cooler for a great deal, but it turns out it doesn't fit my case like I thought. I originally believed I had a Fractal Design Torrent, but I actually have the Compact version. Unfortunately, I don't have the right mounting parts to set the radiator in the front, and it's too long to fit at the bottom since it would block parts of the motherboard.
I really like my case and the idea of installing the cooler up front, but my initial plan to just get a standard Torrent model has hit a snag since they're out of stock at all the local stores and would take a week to ship.
I could grab a Fractal Design North XL nearby, but the wood accents aren't my style. Plus, I'd need to put the radiator at the top, which I know is generally better. I'm hoping to explore other case options that would work well with my setup!
4 Answers
It sounds like a tough situation, but it happens to a lot of us! Always a good idea to double-check the measurements. You might want to look into removing some parts from your case if you haven't already. Some AIOs can fit on the top or front, depending on the setup. Plus, if you consider getting a smaller AIO, you could possibly fill any extra space with another fan for airflow.
Have you considered some DIY fixes? I know it’s a hassle, but it could be possible to make it work by modding your setup a bit. Maybe remove the bottom fan and see if that gives you more room to play with?
I’ve tried a few setups already, but it’s a tight squeeze. I think I could get it in if I take out that bottom fan rack, but I'm not sure how well that would work.
If you're open to different cooling options, the Torrent lineup is designed more for air coolers. You might want to check out the Thermalright PS120—it’s pretty affordable and good enough for most builds except for the absolute top-end CPUs.
Getting in touch with Fractal's support could be super helpful! They might have the mounting rails you need, and who knows, they might even send them for free—worth a try!
Yeah, I had to remove my 5.25 bays when I mounted my AIO. Sometimes you just gotta make it work!