Which cases just 'work' for watercooling?

Marvin · 26 Aug 2010 at 12:03

Basically, this thread is designed for a list of cases that can be set-up (without too much difficulty) to take at least a 120.3 radiator, without missing features too much. So if you lose all the drive bays for example, it's not really a good watercooling case.

Key:
Works straight from the box
Requires modification (no more difficult than cutting fan holes)
Requires significant modification (removal of HDD cages, significant panel modding etc)

Current list:
Coolermaster CM Storm Sniper - thick rads may interfere with RAM slots. Uses 5.25" space
Coolermaster COSMOS 1000
Coolermaster COSMOS PURE
Coolermaster COSMOS S
Coolermaster HAF 932
Coolermaster ATCS 840
Coolermaster HAF X
Corsair 700D
Corsair 800D
Danger Den Tower 21 Series (inc wide)
Danger Den Tower 26 Series (inc wide)
Danger Den Tower 29 Series (inc wide)
Lian Li A70 - though only with an optional or modded top panel (triple 120 in roof, dual in front if HDD bays removed)
Lian Li A71 - though only with an optional or modded top panel (triple 120 in roof, dual in front if HDD bays removed)
Lian Li PC-P80 - requires top panel modding if HDD bays are to be preserved - space on floor for slimmer radiator - requires cutting
Lian Li PC-X500 - intakes hot air, so not recommended - requires HDD bay removal, which is riveted, though more are available in the roof - presents certain GPU length issues
Lian Li PC-X900 - intakes hot air, so not recommended - requires HDD bay removal, though more are available in the roof - presents certain GPU length issues
Lian Li PC-X2000 - intakes hot air, so not recommended - requires HDD bay removal and the GPU support strut, though more are available in the roof - presents certain GPU length issues
Lian Li V2000 - requires side panel cutting
Lian Li V2120 - requires new top panel or modding
Mountain Mods Ascension
Mountain Mods Monticle 24
Mountain Mods Pinnacle series
Mountain Mods U2-UFO
Silverstone FT02 - intakes hot air, so not recommended - presents certain GPU length issues
Silverstone RV02 - intakes hot air, so not recommended - presents certain GPU length issues
Silverstone TJ07
Silverstone TJ11
XSPC H1
XSPC H2

Becks86 · 26 Aug 2010 at 12:08

Coolermaster ATCS 840 supports triple radiator (roof) and single (back fan) or dual (in front of hd bay).

engstrom0304 · 26 Aug 2010 at 14:08

Take a look at my build log on the 800d (see below) ... It was one of the easiest watercooling projects i have done.

Nico_Joey · 26 Aug 2010 at 14:29

Silverstone RVO2

Whack out the 180mm fans & mountings and your have a grand canyon to fill with anything up to 360/420. An entire loop can be pulled out without any draining needed, aswell. You could allso fit a full-fat 120mm rad at the exhaust fan but could increase idle/load case temps.

A great case for £100-115

F.y.i , not my build, its from the Evga usa forums

. Planning on doing somthing similar as i have the same case

Marvin · 26 Aug 2010 at 14:52

Oh yeah, forgot about the RV02/FT02.

I'd seen the ATCS 840 too, just thought it was a dual in the roof.

RV02 looks to be the cheapest 'watercooling-friendly' case so far...

This is purely out of interest at the moment, as I doubt I'll be able to afford a new case now...

johnerz · 1 Sep 2010 at 13:13

Don't forget the HAF X or HAF 932 both fit a 360 in the top, and a 140/120 on the back and you can fit 2 240's on the side of the 932, and I think also on the X.

TheCenturion · 1 Sep 2010 at 13:18

Lian li pc-p80

I've got one sitting here. It's awesome for watercooling

Shame I can't do much with it right now

PaulyD · 1 Sep 2010 at 20:32

V2000 with its bottom compartment (if you can find one, really old case!)
Mountain Mods

xtremedetailz · 1 Sep 2010 at 21:52

Any mountain mods case it watercooling friendly as they are built for that purpose alone.

The U2-UFO's are quite big tho.

JeffyB · 2 Sep 2010 at 00:28

Love my V2000, thing is epically huge. Have a 420 in the bottom bit and space for a 360 in the roof

some that people may not usually see.
Mountain mods pinacle
Mountain mods ascension/u2ufo
Danger den Black series/double wide

Do bench tables count?

madindehead · 2 Sep 2010 at 00:32

Marvin said:
I'd seen the ATCS 840 too, just thought it was a dual in the roof.

The ATCS 840 can fit a triple rad in the roof, and a dual rad in the bottom. I suppose, if you really wanted, you could add a single rad to the back fan also.

Marvin · 3 Sep 2010 at 12:17

Updated OP. I'd say Bench Tables probably don't count - simply because they're not really a case as such...

Hopefully this could be made into a sticky to help others who want to find a nice easy list of good watercooling cases.

reflux · 3 Sep 2010 at 12:24

Great thread - I've been looking at grabbing a new case and putting my new w/c loop back together. It's frustrating that good w/c cases are so big though! Would be great if you could fit a 120.2 into a midi-tower!

RJC · 3 Sep 2010 at 12:42

My 800D was pretty easy, to watercool:

Marvin · 3 Sep 2010 at 13:57

That's one vibrant PSU there RJC.

Have to say though, everyone knows the 800D and 700D are great for watercooling, hence this thread...

Coolermaster's 690 II range allows for a 120.2 in the roof, enough space for a pump/res at the bottom, and a 120.1 at the back - so I think that'd be your best bet Reflux.

Or one of the Lian Li PC-P50s or Lancools.

w3bbo · 3 Sep 2010 at 22:49

Which cases just 'work' for watercooling?

Works for me

Marvin · 3 Sep 2010 at 23:40

Well of course w3bbo - love Mountain Mods cases, but couldn't afford one by a long shot...

I enjoyed reading through your build log on that one, really excellent results.

DeadMan · 6 Sep 2010 at 12:32

The TJ07 every time!

Serpantine · 6 Sep 2010 at 21:21

What about the upcoming Fractal Design Define XL removable HDD bays n' all

oLysmoLy · 7 Sep 2010 at 02:00

Nico_Joey said:
Silverstone RVO2

Whack out the 180mm fans & mountings and your have a grand canyon to fill with anything up to 360/420. An entire loop can be pulled out without any draining needed, aswell. You could allso fit a full-fat 120mm rad at the exhaust fan but could increase idle/load case temps.

A great case for £100-115

wow just 115...thats cheap...can u gime the link