Case and cooling suggestions for AM5 and big GPU?

bfar · 3 Jan 2023 at 14:35

Hi all. Just upgraded to a 7600x and RTx 4080 build. All that remains is case and cooling.

Still using an old Corsair 450D, which is fine but the kids broke the front panel connectors years ago (now held on by blutak

), and the fans have become kind of noisy, they need serious fan curve taming. My cooler is an old Noctua D14 from probably as far back as 2008, which is excellent, but the fans are probably near eol at this stage. Wouldn't be opposed to just replacing these, but new Noctua fans are pretty expensive.

One combo I'm looking at is the Fractal North with a good air cooler like D15 Chromax and a couple of additional exhaust fans. Would look really good, perform well and probably last years.

Another option is to go 280/360 AIO from the likes of Artic, but would need to pair it with a case that can hold it and a massive GPU (mine is a 330cm 4080 Palit Gamerock). Would prefer a mid tower, and don't have space for anything more than standard width. Such a build would be very versatile for future upgrades. Been considering Fractal Pop and NZXT H7 Flow, but pretty sure there are other options.. any thoughts?

Drumroll · 3 Jan 2023 at 21:50

The issue with the north is that, using an AIO at the front, you possibly won't be able to fit your GPU. I'm facing the same dilemma. The Suprim X 3080 is 336mm long. The only way it could work for me is with an air cooler.
As I use my PC mainly for gaming, I don't think a decent air cooler would struggle to cool my 12700K.
Noctua has a smaller cooler now, but is more expensive than the NH-D15.
Personally I'm really considering a build with the NH-D15S, as the offset away from the GPU is a godsend when trying to unlock the GPU, also won't interfere with the side bracket if using at the lower position.
Considering how wide the 4080/4090 are, I believe they'll fit, but not sure you would be able to use the side bracket, but the TG version should be fine.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/fractal-north-case-of-the-year-contender.18963769/ I'm just waiting to see about thermals from real life users to pull the trigger.

bfar · 12 Jan 2023 at 23:14

Went with the NZXT H7 Flow, an Artic Freezer 360 and a pack of Artic P14 fans. Should be a good platform for a few years.

Other cases that suited, like the Lancool 216 are out of stock. The Meshify 2, Lancool 3, Fractal Torrent and Phanteks P500a are all a little too big for my liking. The compact versions of those cases along with the Corsair 4000D and Fractal North (what a looker though!) are a little too squeezy for my needs. I researched the O11 Dynamic Evo too, some interesting features but not for me.

rare · 12 Jan 2023 at 23:19

Drumroll said:
The issue with the north is that, using an AIO at the front, you possibly won't be able to fit your GPU. I'm facing the same dilemma. The Suprim X 3080 is 336mm long. The only way it could work for me is with an air cooler.
As I use my PC mainly for gaming, I don't think a decent air cooler would struggle to cool my 12700K.
Noctua has a smaller cooler now, but is more expensive than the NH-D15.
Personally I'm really considering a build with the NH-D15S, as the offset away from the GPU is a godsend when trying to unlock the GPU, also won't interfere with the side bracket if using at the lower position.
Considering how wide the 4080/4090 are, I believe they'll fit, but not sure you would be able to use the side bracket, but the TG version should be fine.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/fractal-north-case-of-the-year-contender.18963769/ I'm just waiting to see about thermals from real life users to pull the trigger.

I have an AK620 on a 12700k, easily handles it.

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Will take a better picture tomorrow…

Drumroll · 12 Jan 2023 at 23:47

rare said:
I have an AK620 on a 12700k, easily handles it.

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Will take a better picture tomorrow…

Very nice. Do you know if the fans at the front must be 25mm thick or the T30 will fit? The only thing holding me from ordering it.

Zeebedy · 13 Jan 2023 at 14:21

Second this. My 5900X cooled by the AK620, great cooler.

Seems though that DeepCool products are creeping up in price a little bit..still good value though!

bfar · 13 Jan 2023 at 14:36

Drumroll said:
Noctua has a smaller cooler now, but ersonally I'm really considering a build with the NH-D15S, as the offset away from the GPU is a godsend when trying to unlock the GPU, also won't interfere with the side bracket if using at the lower position.

You could add another 120mm to the cooler afterwards, or if you ram is too tall, a 120mm Noctua A12x25 would be ideal. Noctua will send you the fan clips for free if you ask them.

bfar · 20 Jan 2023 at 14:30

NZXT N7 Flow arrived this morning, it's an excellent case.
I think this one will be sleeper hit.

An Aritic Freezer ii 360 AIO, and a pack of P14 PWM fans also arrived