Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case Review

Installation

Test Rig:
Intel i7 920
Gigabyte EX58-UD4P X58 motherboard
Asus ENGTX260 Matrix geForce GTX 260 video card
Crucial Ballistix Tracer Blue DDR3-2000 6GB triple channel memory kit
OCZ EliteXStream 800 Watt power supply
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

I have to say, installation of the waterblock’s baseplate is slightly scary, you have to remove the existing LGA 1366 baseplate that protects the electronics components that lie directly beneath the CPU, which involves removing the Torx bolts. But, the CPU “clamp” actually has some movement when the bolts are tight, so I guess it’s ok. The LGA 1366 baseplate has the typical female protrusions that fit in the mounting holes in the motherboard, but there are also 4 threaded pins. These threaded pins go into the holes under the CPU mounting bracket, and the Torx head bolts screw onto them. I’m assuming that the bracket itself, along with the baseplate, are standard Intel fare.

Take a Torx size T20 and loosen the four bolts that hold the CPU “clamp” onto the baseplate. I saw no need to remove the “clamp” from the motherboard.IF YOU DO REMOVE THIS TAKE NOTE OF THE DIRECTION IT IS ORIENTED ON THE MOTHERBOARD AND REPLACE IT FACING THE SAME DIRECTION! Remove the stock baseplate. Place the Ikonik baseplate onto the motherboard, fitting all eight protrusions from the baseplate into the holes in the motherboard. Start the four Torx bolts onto the threaded pins, being very careful not to crossthread them. Tighten the bolts to snugness, do not overtighten. As I mentioned there will be a little play in the “clamp” after the bolts are tightened.



Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case

Install your optical drive(s) into the case. Install by sliding the drive into place and push the round button on the drive lock. If the button is already locked, slide the bar to unlock the locking pin to allow the drive to pass by the lock.

The lock works well, the drive is held securely in place.


Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case

Install the power supply. It will have to be put into position from the inside of the case, be careful not to bend the radiator. Place the power supply on the anti-vibration strips, line up the holes, and install screws.

I’d like to mention the screw installation holes. Even the most expensive cases I have owned have had the traditional mounting holes, which involve a combination of slots and holes. In even the most expensive cases I have owned, with oblong holes, I usually have to leave one screw out because it doesn’t fit.

The Ra X10 has four holes.real holes.and they are slightly raised from the case surface. The screws fit perfectly. I don’t know what everyone else’s problem is.


Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case

At this point in time, I would normally do a bench test of the watercooling system to check for leaks. Ikonik recommends checking for leaks after the motherboard is installed, but before installing the video card, and keep absorbent materials like towels on hand in case there are leaks. I decided to follow Ikonik’s instructions.

Remove the motherboard tray by removing the aforementioned thumbscrew and slide the tray slightly towards the front of the case. There is a handle made into the tray for this purpose. Install the motherboard offsets into the motherboard tray, using the proper configuration for your motherboard’s form factor. The holes are marked, and the legend for the markings is engraved into the tray. Place the I/O shield that came with your motherboard into the opening.

Prep the CPU by cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth. You may as well prep the waterblock base at this time, remove the label and clean with isopropyl alcohol. If you don’t do it at this time, don’t forget later! Install the CPU into the motherboard. Install the system memory.

Replace the motherboard tray by placing the pins into the proper position and slide the tray rearward. Replacement is very easy, the slots that the pins fit into are large, so no tedious fitting and cursing. Replace the thumbscrew.

It is probably better to install the waterblock before wiring up the motherboard so you’ll already know where to run the wires around the tubing rather than just guess.

Apply thermal compound per the manufacturer’s instructions, and install the waterblock on the CPU. Start each of the four screws, and tighten each a turn or so at a time until all screws are tightened.


Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid Cooled Aluminum Full Tower Case

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