CUSTOM MOUNTS
AND SCREW HOLES
The sheer number of off-the-shelf components available these days
means it’s quite easy to build a unique, or at least nearly unique, water-
cooled PC. However, not every component will fit in the place you want
it in every PC case, and if you case is quite old, it may not have the right
mounts for components such as pumps and reservoirs. Also, while
distro plates look great, tailor-made examples are only available for a
small selection of cases.
Mounting pumps and reservoirs in cases used to be a pain, and drilling
holes in cases used to be routine for this purpose. These days, fan-
mounted combined pump and reservoirs are commonplace, so you can
make use of a fan, fan mount or radiator as a universal location to secure
a pump and reservoir combo unit. Occasionally, though, you might want
to make use of a universal distribution plate or tube reservoir that simply
can’t fit into your case out of the box.
This is where you’ll want to use a power drill to discretely create your
own mounting holes for components. Start by making absolutely sure
of the location where you want to install the reservoir, and that includes
pre-planning your tubing routes. You’ll also need to remove any of your
PC hardware from your case before you start drilling.
After that, mark up where you need the holes to go on your case for
the included mounting screws using masking tape and a pencil. In this
example, our reservoir has a mounting plate we can use as a template.
If the screws aren’t long enough to pass through all the materials at your
location, eBay and Amazon are great places to find longer ones. The
manual for the components should list width of screws needed.
You’ll want to use a drill bit that’s slightly larger than the screw threads,
so they can pass through easily, so use a ruler or digital vernier caliper
to measure them. Use a drill on a medium speed setting to create the
holes, and then use the included screws to secure your reservoir. Finally,
clear away any metal fragments and install your hardware and water-
cooling loop.
If you’re not keen on drilling into your case, then alternatively you can
use 3M mounting tape for components that will carry weight, such as
reservoirs. As long as your component has a large enough mounting
plate then the tape is more than strong enough to hold it in place. Simply
cut it to size and apply it to the rear of your component. Beware, though,
as it’s extremely strong so if you ever need to remove the component,
make sure you can get at the sides to prise it away from your case.Use a drill on a medium speed setting to create the holes As long as your component has a large mounting plate,
3M mounting tape is strong enough to hold it in place
Use the included screws to secure your
reservoir to your new custom mounting holesMark up where you need the holes using masking tape and a pencil