Case suggestion for EKWB 360 setup

Associate
Joined
5 Jan 2015
Posts
156
Hi all,

I think I am probably in the market for a new case to house my EKWB 360 setup with CPU and GPU blocks.

I am currently using a Fractal R5 which is a great case, but has a few issues for me specifically. Here is a shot of the inside right now:

20160806_131709_zpslozkgszi.jpg


There's nothing specifically wrong with the setup, but everything feels a little bit "cramped". Also, because of the size of the 360mm radiator at the top there, I have no room for a DVD drive, or anything else. I thought I didn't really need it, but there have been a few occasions where it would have been handy.

I like the idea of having the PSU separated from the main body of the case in it's own little compartment, and if I can also stick the watercooling radiator + fans in their own area, that would be good.

The Phanteks and NXZT ones look good, but any suggestions are welcome to fit what you see in the image above + a bit more space. Potential to expand to Crossfire/SLI also good!

Cheers!
 
Associate
OP
Joined
5 Jan 2015
Posts
156
Right, I'm leaning more towards this at the moment:

Be Quiet Dark Base Pro 900

It seems to have plenty of space in there, and the option for optical drives where needed.

Is anyone using this case already? All I really need to know is whether I can mount my 360mm radiator on the top, and also have clearance for a DVD drive if I wanted it? The problem with my Fractal R5 is that the 360mm radiator + pipes, blocks me from using anything in the 5.25 inch drive bays.

I would prefer something with a separate PSU space, but this looks good either way. Although I cannot quite see right now where I would put the watercooling pump?

Cheers, Ori
 
Associate
OP
Joined
5 Jan 2015
Posts
156
Ooh, thanks! That's the kind of info I was looking for.

Although I only have 1 Rad which I would mount on the top I think. Although I notice on those pictures that getting a DVD drive in there would still be a bit of an effort.

My biggest issue is that I am currently living/working in Madrid, where it sits at 35+ degrees for half of the year, so cooling and air-flow are definitely more important that when I am in the UK and ambient temps. are much lower!

Any other suggestions based on that?
 
Associate
OP
Joined
5 Jan 2015
Posts
156
Maybe another viable option:

Corsair Obsidian 750D.

Not quite as "pretty" as some as the other cases, and it does have the PSU shroud that I was looking for. But seems like plenty of space in there for more airflow, and I "think" I can get a 360 rad in at the top without having to remove the optical drive rack?

Anyone else using this one with WC?

Cheers!!
 
Associate
Joined
22 Jul 2009
Posts
357
Location
United Kingdom
I have a corsair 750d airflow edition case but I don't have watercooling, u can fit a 360 rad at top but won't be able to use the top optical drive slot u will however be able to use the other 2, great looking case in my eyes tho :).

However you only want a dvd drive so why not just get a USB drive and plug it in only when you need it ?
 
Last edited:
Associate
OP
Joined
5 Jan 2015
Posts
156
I actually do have an external DVD drive for my laptop .. but for some reason it's being a jerk when I connect it to my main desktop.

I tend to get a lot of CD's and DVD's on the front of magazines and things like that, so I was starting to get annoyed with constantly plugging in an external drive. Basically ... I'm lazy :)

I'm actually drifting more towards the Phanteks Enthoo Primo now that I've seen a few builds and videos with it. It's bigger than it looks in the pictures, and seems to have plenty of extra room to work with + lots of space round the back.

It seems I will have space for my optical drives + I can probably add another 240mm radiator into my loop for additional cooling. I am even toying with the idea of swapping to hard tubes, and making a proper project out of it :)

Cheers
 
Back
Top Bottom