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case for watercooling - help needed

S

shaks

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
160
Hi guys.
I'm going water cooled and looking for a good case.
The criteria are:
- at least 8 expansion slots as I will run 4 double slot cards;
- my board doesn't have on board usb 3.0 header, so pass-through cable would be
preferred;
- enough space for 4 hard drives
- I don't want to spend more than 200, case might be used

I already took into consideration few case, such as 800D, which I like very much, CM HAFX 942, CM Storm Trooper and Thor v2 and Blackhawk, also considered NZXT 810, Antec 1100

Now issues with them - 800D - I wasn't able to find a custom panel for the back (stock one has just 7 expansion slots);
Antec 1100 doesn't look good, it's looks just like a box, not more than that;
I had a chance to work with Rosewill Blackhawk and quality of the materials used was OK
I think NZXT 810 should cost 130 bucks, like Thor 2 and it is too boring for my taste.

What would you guys recommend?
There is no way I would pay 600 or more for Temjin - it's a great case and I can afford it, but seems to be to much for a case.

Any reviews on Xigmatek Elysium?
As of right now I am using a transformer by Antec - Lanboy Air Yellowand it's a bit too tight for everything and it will go up for sale after I get my new case.

Thank you all in advance
 
the case depends on the water cooling your going to go with. if your going for a single rad or up to quad+. maybe you want to go with a all in one like an h100.. you need to figure out what setup your going to use first then pick a case..

you even need to figure out what pump your going to go with. it makes life so much easier when you plan everything out for your new water system.
 
I would keep looking at the NZXT Switch 810... it meets all of your criteria, and it is not as boring as you make it out to be. I comfortably fit a 360 rad in the top, and have room for another 240 rad in the bottom. The cleanliness and utility of the case put it above the rest.
 
I have already gotten the waterblocks for cpu and video cards, no pump or res yet, no rads either.
I'm leaning towards two loop setup - separate one for video and another one for cpu. There are no blocks available for my mobo - MSI 890FX-GD70
 
The Switch 810 is worth every penny. And I'm not just saying that because I'm an NZXT Rep.
As well, have you checked out the Xigmatek Elysium? That's a pretty good case at a good price as well.
 
If you get a dual bay xspc res for dual d5 pumps that give you more room in the case for stuff. I used it for my setup I had. Ran separate loops for video and cpu like you want. Used a CM Sniper case. 240 up top and 360 mounted jetpack style on the back. The switch 810 looks nice. If you can mount a triple 140mm rad up top thats a lot of cooling. Maybe be able to run a single loop with that.
 
DeathPrincess said:
Doesn't the 800d have an extra 8th slot at the bottom where the card can still fit?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, as I was looking into it and the best option would be to get a custom rear panel with 10 slots and no one manufactures them any longer (I just might be missing something)
 
two loop = tj07 with triple radiator on top and quad radiator on bottom :D

 
zzDarkwingDuck said:
If you get a dual bay xspc res for dual d5 pumps that give you more room in the case for stuff. I used it for my setup I had. Ran separate loops for video and cpu like you want. Used a CM Sniper case. 240 up top and 360 mounted jetpack style on the back. The switch 810 looks nice. If you can mount a triple 140mm rad up top thats a lot of cooling. Maybe be able to run a single loop with that.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's a good advice here, if by jetpack you mean mounted outside - I'm not a big fan of doing things that way
I was checking out the CM Storm Sniper and it looks like it has enough room for 240 up top and another 240 at the bottom or vertically behind the front grill.


For me the idea of separate loops is a possibility, even maybe a necessity - right now, with 3 cards on air temperatures stay at around 69-73C, if I open the window in the room and it's cold outside - 63C :D and that with the custom scheme for fans, they work on 80% speed.
I should mention that computer is doing calculations for unlock codes for cell phones, so video cards are on 90% and up load at all times - that's why I decided to go WC and of course for the coolness of it and bling :p
 
firas said:
two loop = tj07 with triple radiator on top and quad radiator on bottom :D

Click to expand...


Great case, I adore it, but I've stated in the OP that budget is 200, maybe 220 and if you could find me one in decent shape for that money I would buy you 24-pack on top) :)
 
XNine said:
The Switch 810 is worth every penny. And I'm not just saying that because I'm an NZXT Rep.
As well, have you checked out the Xigmatek Elysium? That's a pretty good case at a good price as well.
Click to expand...

I like the 810, but not that much, it should have a shelf/separator right under the mobo - in that case it would be just perfect.
Xigmatek looks fine and I see lots of possible configurations for it.

Do we get any discount being the forum members? :D
 
After saying you looked into the HAF X, it doesn't say why or if you passed on it or any reason why it wouldn't fit your requirements. Is there anything holding it back (besides looks I know it's a little to distinct for some people).
 
JayJapanB said:
You can get custom 700Ds that are designed to fit an sr2.
They have 10 pci expansion slots
link: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=29084

Edit: Woah, sorry! I completely glazed over the price issue xD
Click to expand...

that's right - money))))

it's seems a bit pointless to pay somebody 700ish for case that I could have modified much better for my taste) we remember that stock price was 250 or less
I could get a used 800D and am willing to pay 50-70 bucks for a custom rear panel, but couldn't find any place that does that.
 
Topweasel said:
After saying you looked into the HAF X, it doesn't say why or if you passed on it or any reason why it wouldn't fit your requirements. Is there anything holding it back (besides looks I know it's a little to distinct for some people).
Click to expand...

No reason for now, it fits perfectly - just checking my options to see if better solution for the same price exists

thanks for the question
and I'm glad that CM is offering two cases that fit my criteria - at least they think about water cooling needs)
 
Last edited:
the photo of the tj07 looks pretty nice
Switch is pretty nice too

if you got some time, I have seen a few 800d for a price in your budget on here

I have a hafx but I am air cooling

I hope that helps
 
shaks said:
No reason for now, it fits perfectly - just checking my options to see if better solution for the same price exists

thanks for the question
and I'm glad that CV is offering two cases that fit my criteria - at least they think about water cooling needs)
Click to expand...

Cool. Just wanted to see. I mean from everything from the pump, to the pass throughs for the USB 3. It seemed to have everything. Building a machine in it as we speak, got it on Tuesday and over all its pretty spectacular. The care for internal design I think it only matched by cases at least 50% more expensive.

The full 2x200 top fan setup. Drive replacement ease. Grommet location. GPU and PSU shrougs and guides.

The only thing I can't remember without looking at it (at work) is whether or not they still provide the full length USB3 cables from the front ports, considering they now added in a adapter to change those cables into a internal connector (great for me so now I can keep 4 USB3 connectors). But either way the actual connectors on the back of the front facia are intended for USB cables to run to the back.

I just didn't want to gush about it if you already scratched it off.
 
bonnev659 said:
the photo of the tj07 looks pretty nice
Switch is pretty nice too.
Click to expand...

I just bought a TJ07 yesterday. It's hard to believe that it is still on the short list for water cooling so many years after it's introduction.
 
bitbum said:
I just bought a TJ07 yesterday. It's hard to believe that it is still on the short list for water cooling so many years after it's introduction.
Click to expand...

wow 2005 when it was introduce

didn't even know it was that old
 
picking up a Corsair 600t for the second build, still checking options for water cooling case.
thanks for all the opinions!
 
In that price range:
Thor, BLACKHAWK-ULTRA, Xigmatek Elysium, BitFenix Shinobi, Fractal Design Define XL, Silverstone Raven, NZXT Switch...


They may require different levels of modding, to accommodate two or more large radiators.
Although Personally... if was shopping for a huge watercooling case right now, I would spring for the coolersmaster cosmos 2.

A few things become apparent, since you are going to dual loop, your going to have your cpu in it's own loop, so flow doesn't become an issue. Gpus are flow agnostic.

Then Suggested budget build:
1)Xspc Raystorm ($50) (there are marginally better blocks but for a huge premium)
2)Xspc Dual Bay dual loop res (50 dollars)
3)2 Danger Den DD-CPX-Pro or one of the many jing-way varients (120)
4)If you're going to go full cover, xspc tends to make the least expensive full cover blocks.
5)3 swiftech/xspc radiators (1 360mm for the top, and possibly another two 360mm radiator on the bottom if you have sufficient clearance). 150

370 + Case + Gpu Blocks+ Fittings/tubbing + kill coil + distilled water + a bunch of yate loon fans, or whatever is on sale.

Alternatively just grab a bunch of corsair h60/70/80's (5), and mount them to your cpu and gpu blocks, for 250-400 + a case of your choice.


This is all assuming that you want to to do an internal build, you can get large radiators and go external.
 
thanks for all of your input guys and girls (if there were any), got my 800D - aka case of my dream yesterday :) Newegg had a great deal on them, I ended up paying just 225 AR and discount code with 3-day shipping.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, I got a 600T from Microcenter, that is an open box, but as they couldn't find the exact case - they gave me a new one))))))
got lucky here)) Let's the modding begin! and water cooling build too))
 
shaks said:
thanks for all of your input guys and girls (if there were any), got my 800D - aka case of my dream yesterday :) Newegg had a great deal on them, I ended up paying just 225 AR and discount code with 3-day shipping.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, I got a 600T from Microcenter, that is an open box, but as they couldn't find the exact case - they gave me a new one))))))
got lucky here)) Let's the modding begin! and water cooling build too))
Click to expand...

glad you got your 800D
 
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