Best cases for watercooling?

crinkleshoes · 5 Aug 2016 at 04:19

Now that the T-PX is out, it's time to start the new project.

I was planning on going for the Phanteks Enthoo Primo, but I'm going off the case a bit... I like a lot of the ideas behind the layout, but one review pointed out that you have to remove the reservoir mounting plate to fit large graphics cards and that's put me off somewhat. I'm also starting to think twice about the looks and wondering what else is out there.

I was planning to go green this time around. But my latest set of ram was red as that was the only colour in stock and I think a red colour scheme will go better with this motherboard (Asus Rampage Edition 10)... so I'm thinking of red lighting with black/gunmetal/white case.

I'd like a lot of space to work with... my last project was with an InWin 909 case and while a very pretty unit, you would think it would have more usable space inside with its size. I ended up having to mount the pump/res combo unit sideways in a location I didn't want it in order to fit a radiator in the right place and it left me wanting a bit more.

The Phanteks generally appears to have all the space I require, but the idea of potentially removing the res mounting plate is a little off putting as I'd like a standalone res this time. I also like the hidden PSU style of the Enthoo Primo without the likes of a double-wide case where you normally find that feature.

It has to have space for an E-ATX motherboard, somewhere to mount the pump and somewhere to mount the reservoir.

Could you please offer me some suggestions to compete with the Phanteks? I'll be taking a plentiful look around the main shop, the forum threads and other places too. I'm planning to purchase towards the end of next week as the GPU waterblock won't ship til the following Monday.

Thanks

crinkleshoes · 5 Aug 2016 at 05:24

I think the Corsair 900D might be winning me over... I don't think it looks as nice as the Phanteks, but the usable space and functionality is appealing.

I really like the look of the Caselabs SM8 - it looks to be a fantastic piece of kit from a functionality point of view... but I object to spending quite such a large amount of money on something that I just don't find all that attractive... I find it vaguely similar to the Corsair and the corsair seems almost as good... for nearly 1/3 the price.

I don't like NZXT cases, so they're out of the question.

Dirk Diggler · 5 Aug 2016 at 09:10

I had the same dilemma and looked at the same cases as you did, and took weeks to decide.... To stick with my Corsair Air 540, and I'm really glad I did.

I've just finished the loop and I'll post some pictures later.

D1craig · 5 Aug 2016 at 09:18

The parvum ones look good. Especially seeing as you build the case yourself so you can get into all the difficult parts. My next case will be a parvum one.

Dirk Diggler · 5 Aug 2016 at 09:54

Photos aren't great, but you can see the options (you're biggest restriction IMO is the EATX mobo).

I went for this case because the pump, drain and PSU all go in the back which leaves plenty room in front. To go SLI would mean the addition of card and bridge only (or even just leave the second card on air if preferred for short term SLI solution). I prefer the larger res at the front as opposed to a 360 radiator. It took a bit of modding, but that was all part of the fun for me.

I like my case on my desk, and I felt the alternatives where just too tall and cramped.

Dirk Diggler · 5 Aug 2016 at 09:58

D1craig said:
The parvum ones look good. Especially seeing as you build the case yourself so you can get into all the difficult parts. My next case will be a parvum one.

Won't allow for EATX unless it's the huuuuge case they do.

I did a custom loop in a S2 previously, and it was a bit of work but fun to do as well.

Greebo · 5 Aug 2016 at 10:59

I went Ethoo Primo. Not too bad of an issue with the plate removal for long cards, you just lose the black contrast panel. You can still attach a 50mm reservoir to the red panel behind or there are other locaions for the reservoir or if you have thicker ones.

Love the fact you get a vibration mount plate for the pump and its mounted out of sight behind the mobo (you can even put the reservoir there out of sight too.

Also love the space. You can fit a 480, 240, another 480 or 420 in this case. Plus other smaller ones as well if you want.

Top and bottom rads have enough space for push pull fans on them as well.

crinkleshoes · 5 Aug 2016 at 12:12

D1craig said:
The parvum ones look good. Especially seeing as you build the case yourself so you can get into all the difficult parts. My next case will be a parvum one.

Good call on that... I really like the look of it and had forgotten about them. They seem to be less used than the others too, so that's a bonus for me too as I like things a bit more unique.

The L1 supports E-ATX and I like the interchangeable colour panels too... think we might have a winner

String said:
Photos aren't great, but you can see the options (you're biggest restriction IMO is the EATX mobo).

I went for this case because the pump, drain and PSU all go in the back which leaves plenty room in front. To go SLI would mean the addition of card and bridge only (or even just leave the second card on air if preferred for short term SLI solution). I prefer the larger res at the front as opposed to a 360 radiator. It took a bit of modding, but that was all part of the fun for me.

I like my case on my desk, and I felt the alternatives where just too tall and cramped.

It looks good... I'm just not a fan of cube cases.

Greebo said:
I went Ethoo Primo. Not too bad of an issue with the plate removal for long cards, you just lose the black contrast panel. You can still attach a 50mm reservoir to the red panel behind or there are other locaions for the reservoir or if you have thicker ones.

Love the fact you get a vibration mount plate for the pump and its mounted out of sight behind the mobo (you can even put the reservoir there out of sight too.

Also love the space. You can fit a 480, 240, another 480 or 420 in this case. Plus other smaller ones as well if you want.

Top and bottom rads have enough space for push pull fans on them as well.

I was set on it, but for some reason I'm going off it, not sure exactly why.

Dirk Diggler · 5 Aug 2016 at 12:15

The Parvum cases are nice (I own a S2 and a Veer) but be aware of two things...

1. The GPU mounting bracket is very poorly designed.
2. Every corner is like a razor blade.

haszek · 5 Aug 2016 at 12:50

Can you hear buzzing noise comming from those noctua fans? On low speed? I've got two and both of them make some additional noises, not sure if to swap them for corsair

Sorry for question not on topic

Dirk Diggler · 5 Aug 2016 at 12:57

haszek said:
Can you hear buzzing noise comming from those noctua fans? On low speed? I've got two and both of them make some additional noises, not sure if to swap them for corsair

Sorry for question not on topic

Like a humming noise? Two things can cause that, set to DC instead of PWM in BIOS or, strangely, at certain speeds when used as intake with no radiator or filter in place.

haszek · 5 Aug 2016 at 13:02

I've got them as intake with no radiator to phobya PWM splitter, yeah humming noise weird

Dirk Diggler · 5 Aug 2016 at 13:04

haszek said:
I've got them as intake with no radiator to phobya PWM splitter, yeah humming noise weird

Switch them to extract just to see if the noise goes away.

crinkleshoes · 5 Aug 2016 at 13:55

I only get a buzzing from them when they run below 40-50% fan speed.

My custom fan curve has them set at a minimum speed of 50% though which I find to be a good combination for airflow and low noise. They stay at that speed til the CPU hits 60C, so I don't get much of a spinning up and down variation during normal workloads.

Maybe String's suggestion will help you if it's not related to the fan speed.

The Corsairs will be interesting to try - I'm putting the ML120/ML140 in this build (120s with the Parvum case). White LEDs should light up the acrylic nicely and not conflict with the colour scheme elsewhere.

crinkleshoes · 5 Aug 2016 at 14:06

Might wait a little bit longer to complete the build as I like this waterblock for 1080 and I'm hoping they'll release the same style for Titan PX:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phan...ion-acrylic-rgb-lighting-black-wc-000-pt.html

The RGB that'll hook into the motherboard header is something I'd like.

I'm looking to get the Parvum in white & green, then go with Mayhems UV Yellow/Green which looks to give a hue along the lines of the parvum case. Going to have a go with acrylic tubing this time too.

Completely different look from what I've done before which tends to be more black/grey/silver/blue normally.

queeg · 6 Aug 2016 at 19:24

from what you said in op the parvum l1 sounds perfect for you I have just finished a build in one it hides the psu has loads of space for cables behind the board stacks of rad space and is very customisable. if I can remember my photobucket login & password I will throw a pic up tomorrow at the moment if you don't want the enthoo or to spend the cash on a caselabs the parvum is the best watercooling case out there imo

BluD · 6 Aug 2016 at 21:50

Greebo said:
I went Ethoo Primo. Not too bad of an issue with the plate removal for long cards, you just lose the black contrast panel.

You dont even need to lose the panel, i just cut 2 slots out where my cards hit the plastic panel and they slot in nicely, and it always supports the cards stopping them sagging, its actually quite nice having it there.

Greebo · 6 Aug 2016 at 22:18

BluD said:
You dont even need to lose the panel, i just cut 2 slots out where my cards hit the plastic panel and they slot in nicely, and it always supports the cards stopping them sagging, its actually quite nice having it there.

Actually thats a brilliant idea and I can trim the cut out with some rubber and no card sag!

You sir are a genius!

crinkleshoes · 7 Aug 2016 at 06:49

queeg said:
from what you said in op the parvum l1 sounds perfect for you I have just finished a build in one it hides the psu has loads of space for cables behind the board stacks of rad space and is very customisable. if I can remember my photobucket login & password I will throw a pic up tomorrow at the moment if you don't want the enthoo or to spend the cash on a caselabs the parvum is the best watercooling case out there imo

You could always use imgur or flickr

BluD said:
You dont even need to lose the panel, i just cut 2 slots out where my cards hit the plastic panel and they slot in nicely, and it always supports the cards stopping them sagging, its actually quite nice having it there.

Good idea, but I'm pretty much set on the Parvum now - even working on a custom logo for the acrylic inlay in a contrast colour

enapace · 7 Aug 2016 at 08:04

I'm just waiting for my Parvum Custom R1.0 case to be finished you will be happy when you get they are solid cases.