And of course it’ll work if you keep it outside. Hell, it’ll work *better* if you keep it outside. Best cooling loop is one that runs out a window or into a pool.
RSG-ZR2
Technically it’ll work anywhere since its a radiator and as long as the fans are able to blow clean air the heat exchange will still occur.
That said, just get a 240 and call it a day.
cszolee79
new case it is
Lee1138
If it were me and a new case wasn’t an option, and I didn’t have cats or kids, I’d just duct tape it standing up sideways (for airflow through the fins) to the top of the case and run it with the sidepanel off. It would look janky as fuck, but it’d be better cooling than any equivalent internally mounted 360 radiator.
Leading-Leading6319
“There are no accidents” – Master Oogway
heinkenskywalkr
Just glue it where it stands. I kinda like it.
Crintor
As long as the CPU block is in place and isn’t the highest point of the AIO it will work as long as the fans can breathe.
*should* you get a new case? Probably, you’ll be using that cooler for years.
dbltax
C’mon you’re fooling no-one, where did you think it was going to fit in *that* old case? In the old CD drive bay?
Toast_Meat
This is why you should always check compatibility! But hey, now you get to browse for a new case.
Hutzzzpa
you didn’t check your case manual for compatability, ha,
oh well.
shit happens
Breklin76
Just use it on your car.
DsR3dtIsAG3mussy
Say no man ever XD
VidocqCZE
Get some Lian li case or something similar you can dance in these cases and fit more 420mm than you will ever need.
Kagebi
Weeeeell…. You probably could run it outside if you manage to fasten to case somehow, but I would strongly recommend to get a biger case.
Jacktheforkie
It’ll work outside the case
BigBadgooz
Darn tootin you did you didn’t get rgb fans.
HaikenRD
I almost made the same mistake. But mine had exactly 1cm clearance to the rear fan. BUT. I can only screw 8 screws instead of 12. The last 4 doesn’t go to the hole because the heatsink of my VRM are on the way and it won’t sit properly. Still, it’s pretty stable and doesn’t really vibrate at all.
Tyr_Kukulkan

Hooligans_
Stupid as bricks
sickzii
Haha, I’m on the same boat, this is my temp solution
If your case has HDD bays, it probably won’t fit a 3 fan radiator. Cooling was a lot different back in the day. Now it’s a competition to see how many rgb fans they can fit in one machine
It will work fine. I did the same mistake with the same coole some years ago. just placed it on top of the case with the sidepanel off. Had it like that for months
Quietser
Nah. You’ve just opened another door.
MrFruffles
Nah just weld it there and all is good.
BoxTricky7394
Happened to me when i upgrade to 4070 from 1660 super dual fan
kryspin2k2
Nah, just have it outside the pc. Easier to clean, won’t heat up the inside, won’t take space
OscarDivine
We call that an AI-UHOH. Also it will work outside of your case it will just be a bit cumbersome and put strain on the tubing most likely. Good luck though I hope it works out for u
Panboy
No, this is correct, you can never be too big
sheepdestroyer
I changed my case last month over this exact problem
markjaycups
Nothing a sawz-all can’t fix.
Habelx
Ooof been there. It’s a bitter lesson but I’ll bet you’ll never forget to check the dimensions again.
34 Comments
Angle grinder to the rescue!
And of course it’ll work if you keep it outside. Hell, it’ll work *better* if you keep it outside. Best cooling loop is one that runs out a window or into a pool.
Technically it’ll work anywhere since its a radiator and as long as the fans are able to blow clean air the heat exchange will still occur.
That said, just get a 240 and call it a day.
new case it is
If it were me and a new case wasn’t an option, and I didn’t have cats or kids, I’d just duct tape it standing up sideways (for airflow through the fins) to the top of the case and run it with the sidepanel off. It would look janky as fuck, but it’d be better cooling than any equivalent internally mounted 360 radiator.
“There are no accidents” – Master Oogway
Just glue it where it stands. I kinda like it.
As long as the CPU block is in place and isn’t the highest point of the AIO it will work as long as the fans can breathe.
*should* you get a new case? Probably, you’ll be using that cooler for years.
C’mon you’re fooling no-one, where did you think it was going to fit in *that* old case? In the old CD drive bay?
This is why you should always check compatibility! But hey, now you get to browse for a new case.
you didn’t check your case manual for compatability, ha,
oh well.
shit happens
Just use it on your car.
Say no man ever XD
Get some Lian li case or something similar you can dance in these cases and fit more 420mm than you will ever need.
Weeeeell…. You probably could run it outside if you manage to fasten to case somehow, but I would strongly recommend to get a biger case.
It’ll work outside the case
Darn tootin you did you didn’t get rgb fans.
I almost made the same mistake. But mine had exactly 1cm clearance to the rear fan. BUT. I can only screw 8 screws instead of 12. The last 4 doesn’t go to the hole because the heatsink of my VRM are on the way and it won’t sit properly. Still, it’s pretty stable and doesn’t really vibrate at all.

Stupid as bricks
Haha, I’m on the same boat, this is my temp solution
https://preview.redd.it/gnx4u8o5cr4d1.jpeg?width=2736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d4767874f0a61190cbfe8c0fd074b689f53a645
Ignore cable management, needs new case
If your case has HDD bays, it probably won’t fit a 3 fan radiator. Cooling was a lot different back in the day. Now it’s a competition to see how many rgb fans they can fit in one machine
Measure twice, cut once 🤷
Yeah, that radiator is overkill for your cpu.
Is it the Dremel or the ambition that you lack?
https://preview.redd.it/ckxtxwkndr4d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6cfca8baadf71d52c1e2f93bead69abb5b2f3a3
It will work fine. I did the same mistake with the same coole some years ago. just placed it on top of the case with the sidepanel off. Had it like that for months
Nah. You’ve just opened another door.
Nah just weld it there and all is good.
Happened to me when i upgrade to 4070 from 1660 super dual fan
Nah, just have it outside the pc. Easier to clean, won’t heat up the inside, won’t take space
We call that an AI-UHOH. Also it will work outside of your case it will just be a bit cumbersome and put strain on the tubing most likely. Good luck though I hope it works out for u
No, this is correct, you can never be too big
I changed my case last month over this exact problem
Nothing a sawz-all can’t fix.
Ooof been there. It’s a bitter lesson but I’ll bet you’ll never forget to check the dimensions again.