I’ve been working on a compact vertical case concept and wanted to share an early render and a peek at the innards for feedback. Currently, it is a work in progress, and I would appreciate some additional inspiration or feedback on how this design could be made feasible. The idea is a clean exterior shell with a custom loop integrated internally. The outer shell would be custom and can slide off to reveal the internal structure/loop.
The goal is to achieve a clean, ventless exterior on the visible faces while maintaining a small desk profile and aesthetic design. This exterior shell drew inspiration from Apple to minimize branding and utilize non-RGB colors. As for the layout, the goal was to fit a 280mm radiator in the most compact configuration possible. The radiator runs parallel to the components, and all functional venting is hidden on the rear. The motherboard sits on the opposite side of the GPU. In the second photo, there are vents on the rear; this design allows airflow to vent through ducts into the radiator and then exit out the other side. I want to allow airflow through the rear vents.
What I’d love feedback on:
Rad choice: in this envelope, is a slim 280 meaningfully better than a slim 240, or not worth the height penalty? Would it be worth trying a 360?
Functional customizability: Should I consider using QDCs to simplify loop maintenance? I’d love to hear from anyone with experience using QDCs.
Pump: I am considering using a pump/reservoir/block combo (utilizing a DDC); it is feasible in a loop of this size. Alternatively, should I look into D5/external DDC pumps?
Aesthetics: thoughts on overall “ventless” design. Clean and minimal or is it boring?
I am also in the planning phase for the tubing runs and plan to use standard acrylic and 12mm tubing.
Here are some renders:
The goal is to achieve a clean, ventless exterior on the visible faces while maintaining a small desk profile and aesthetic design. This exterior shell drew inspiration from Apple to minimize branding and utilize non-RGB colors. As for the layout, the goal was to fit a 280mm radiator in the most compact configuration possible. The radiator runs parallel to the components, and all functional venting is hidden on the rear. The motherboard sits on the opposite side of the GPU. In the second photo, there are vents on the rear; this design allows airflow to vent through ducts into the radiator and then exit out the other side. I want to allow airflow through the rear vents.
What I’d love feedback on:
Rad choice: in this envelope, is a slim 280 meaningfully better than a slim 240, or not worth the height penalty? Would it be worth trying a 360?
Functional customizability: Should I consider using QDCs to simplify loop maintenance? I’d love to hear from anyone with experience using QDCs.
Pump: I am considering using a pump/reservoir/block combo (utilizing a DDC); it is feasible in a loop of this size. Alternatively, should I look into D5/external DDC pumps?
Aesthetics: thoughts on overall “ventless” design. Clean and minimal or is it boring?
I am also in the planning phase for the tubing runs and plan to use standard acrylic and 12mm tubing.
Here are some renders:
