Help me replace my Raven 2 with an HTPC (w/ cooler implications)

ricsimas · 1 Jul 2013 at 14:53

Hi,

I'm currently using a Raven 2 in the living room, but I must admit the aesthetics are getting to me, as it simply doesn't match its surroundings.

I'd like to replace it with an HTPC/desktop case, but without sacrificing that much in terms of cooling performance.

The system that will just be migrated to it is:

i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz
GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Geforce 670 (I'd like to be able to do SLI)
One SSD, one HDD and one BD drive

I'm currently using a Thermalright tower cooler, but I guess I'll have to replace that in any case. No need for screens, or remote controls - as a matter of fact, the more discreet, the better.

Any suggestions? Noise is a consideration.

Thanks!

ricsimas · 1 Jul 2013 at 22:16

Thanks for your input.

I thought I'd be able to keep the OC by moving to something like one of those Corsair closed-loop watercoolers.

Is the problem with SLI one of cooling or space with the Grandia cases? Because this one looks plenty big for one of the bottom-up (as opposed to side-by-side) Noctua coolers, for example: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-215-SV

By the way, it doesn't have to be small: the advantage of a desktop case would be that I'd be able to place it in a rack next to the audio/TV gear, so it would blend in a lot more.

ricsimas · 2 Jul 2013 at 00:48

The Fortress 2 was my original plan, but I wanted to build the system on a certain weekend and the only locally available option was the Raven.

This time I'd really like to stick with the desktop format to make it blend in.

The Lian Li PC-C60 is the leading option right now.

ricsimas · 2 Jul 2013 at 12:15

Thanks for the options, I'm weighing them all right now. Those Corsairs do look pretty slick.

ricsimas · 2 Jul 2013 at 14:53

The R4 is indeed very clean-looking. That could work.

It's hard to beat the desktop advantage arrangement-wise, as it would realy cut down on the footprint in my case (there's a slot in the hi-fi rack just asking to be filled by a PC).

ricsimas · 3 Jul 2013 at 18:34

I figures that - the side-to-side ones just don't fit. I was considering the H90, though, as the Lian-Li case does have a 140mm opening on the top close enough to the CPU, if I'm getting its design correctly.