4th build. A case that didn’t ask for anything—no valid reason.

Overview of the build – MSI B85-G43, LEPA W600, and no room for an AIO

There are sensible people who buy a new case when they install a 240mm AIO. And then there’s me.

The subject: an old Antec tower that has clearly seen better days and whose design dates from another era. The motherboard: an MSI B85-G43 and an i7-4770K that needs no introduction

The state of the thermal paste – intermediate-level thermal archaeology

The problem, short version

The case has no space for a 240mm radiator. Not at the front, not at the top, not anywhere. After removing the top panel, first positioning test inside to see what’s feasible.

First integration attempt – testing the waters before breaking out the saw

Verdict: it fits, but not without some surgical work on the metal. Off to the workbench.

The solution, DIY style

Grab the marker, the hole saw, and a little bit of ingenuity.

Marking the two 120mm holes – the layout on the sheet metal

Result of the cut – not perfect, but perfectly functional

Two 120mm holes cut by hand into a black metal plate. It’s DIY. We’re proud of it.

The Installation

The radiator, with its two white Corsair fans, is installed in the upper part of the case.

The H100i with its 240mm radiator – before installation

Corsair H100i mounted on the custom panel

The custom panel houses two 120mm fans with chrome grilles in an exhaust configuration on the top—the same two fans that provided push-pull cooling on the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. Proudly repurposed.

The top panel with its two 120mm fans and chrome grilles – external view

Final assembly

Final interior view – H100i in place, pump on CPU, wiring in place

The result – exterior view

Front panel lit up – blue LEDs, full 2010s "fully charged" look

Side view with window – RGB pump + blue LEDs, killer combo

Temperatures – before / after

Before – Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO push-pull (RealBench Stress Test, 30 minutes)

Temperatures under load – push-pull air cooling, 30-min stress test

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO wasn’t in its stock configuration: two 120mm fans in a push-pull setup, so it was already optimized. CPU average: 75°C in real-world use – 84°C at peak. CPU at 100%, everyone’s suffering.

After – Corsair H100i (RealBench Stress Test, 1 hour)

Temperatures under load – H100i, 1-hour stress test

CPU Core: 65°C actual – 68°C peak. Over a duration twice as long.

The Results

Hyper 212 EVO H100i Delta
Actual temp. (CPU) 75°C 65°C -10°C
Peak (highest recorded) 84°C 68°C -16°C

Cooler. For longer. In a case that wasn’t designed for it.

Was it necessary? No.
Does it cool better? The numbers speak for themselves.
Would I do it again? Of course.

— Jemadhar, terminal water cooling addict