I cant decide which case for a 2 x 360 AIO system.

[beberobu]

Hi ya!
In about 3 weeks i will start building my new machine, and will be based on these:
MB = ATX (MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk)
CPU = R7 9800X3D
CPU cooler = Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360
GPU = Gigabyte AORUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 XTREME WATERFORCE 16GB (360 AIO)
Power supply: ASUS ROG Thor 1200W Platinum (15 x 19 x 8.6 cm)
These are important in the chassis choose, everything else doesnt matter in this decision.

So, basically, i'll have to fit 2 x 360 AIO in the case, and in my opinion the best solution would be both to be push out (exhaust), im not sure why but i dont like the idea of one being intake and the other outtake.
As i can imagine now, the best solution would be 1 x 360 AIO radiator to be top, the other to be side / front. Then, my job would be to equalize the flow pressure with intake fans in bottom / side / front / rear.

I never been so torn between so many so good cases. I like the dual chamber cases in same measure i like the old style "compact" chases and i can't decide myself. More than that im sure there could be things i dont see at the moment and here, some of you, with more experience, can come to help.
My options seems to be these 8 cases, 5 dual chamber, 3 classics (the order is quite random):
1. Lian Li 011 Vision
2. Lian Li O11 Vision Compact
3. Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO RGB
4. LIAN LI - LANCOOL III
5. Montech King 95 Pro
6. Montech Sky Two GX
7. Fractal North XL
8. Phanteks NV5 MKII

Other things to take in consideration:
- the budget doesnt matter, more or less £150 for a case that i will keep for about next 4-5 years is next to nothing.
- the sound / noise it doesnt matter so much. Of course that in the end this could make a difference but if you have a good case / scenario in mind please dont be afraid if would be bit more noisy than usual.
- the case would be on floor, under the desk.

ANY IDEA MUCH APPRECIATED (but please keep it for yourself if you just want to say "why on earth you need 2 aio in a case"!)
CHEERS!

 

[beberobu]

Thank you loonyk!
How you set it up? Which side is intake and which is out? I suppose the top is out. Any video / pics?
What fans did you get for your setup? Or what fans would you recommend for bottom as EVO RGB allow 140's @ bottom.
Cheers!

 

[beberobu]

This case is just fantastic, indeed! And your rig looks fab! Is the case coming with top + front mesh by default in package or should be bought separately?
My current setup is a custom, using 2 x 360 XSPC rads + pump (D5 Photon) + Raystorm Pro RGB waterblock in a Fractal Define R5 case. But ive got lazzy and i decided i'll go AIO now on.
Isn't a better idea to use the side as exhaust for the second rad, in your case?

 

[beberobu]

I had pretty much settled on the following set-up, until I had a chat with Chat GPT and DeepSeek over the weekend (which both suggested a different config). So the set-up I was considering was:

• Top: GPU 360mm AIO as exhaust
• Side: CPU 360mm AIO as intake
• Bottom: 3x 120mm fans as intake
• Rear: 1x 140mm fan as exhaust

Yeah, this is the most used setup in customs, at the moment, or by the just few people with 2 AIO, as i've search using our big brother Google.
This setup i have me too, in my currently PC, a custom loop, except that the bottom intake is just by 2 x 140 because the case (Fractal Define R5 doesnt allow more, next to the power supply)
I was (still am) very curious about other options, as something in my brain sounds a bell saying "im sure there's better ideas than pushing the hot air inside, then to be taken by the second radiator".
And because the subject is not too much debated on internet, ive start this topic.
By the way, congrats for your new "baby" (5090) and i'll message you, as im interested about what you'll find, but in my opinion would be great that you to post here as well, as fits perfectly in this topic!

If you set both up as intake, have 2-3 120mm.exhaust fans probably through the bottom depending on case, you will have slight positive pressure which is supposedly better for dust limitation, and gets the coolest air through the aio's first which is where you want it, the rest of the components just need an air flow over them.

Don't listen to AI,

Unfortunately case manufacturers don't tend to offer cad models where you could build potential setups to ensure the components you want fit, unfortunately there will always be an element of risk, mostly that the hoses in the aio might be slightly too short..

What case do you like the look of the most?

Well, as i said, im not so enthusiast to push all that heat inside the case, as im gamer and all that heat will build up in time (minutes)... my pc is running nearly continuously not only 1-2 hours / day....
But ill take any idea in consideration, that's why i opened this topic, as i dont know the absolute truth, so thank you and ill let you know how's going, here!

@beberobu Welcome to the Internet I guess... you'll get 50 replies and 50 opinions (that's what I've generally found over the past few months also)

Probably best you decide on a case and then try your AIO / fans in assorted configs to decide what works best for your chosen case, components and usage pattern. I've just heard that my 5090 Suprim Liquid OC has just shipped from OverClockers, which was somewhat of a surprise - was expecting it to take months. I will be trying various AIO and fan orientations and logging the data before settling on the final config... will probably get some time on Wednesday. If you're interested, PM me and I'll share my findings.

With regards to info from non-AI sources, who have performed empirical tests and so can provide an informed steer, these are a little light on the ground. Check out the following from Jay. He's only using one AIO, so doesn't represent a dual AIO config, but I thought his sentiment about Intake 'v' Exhaust for AIO's was an interesting one (especially as he was try to address tech forum poster's pre-conceived ideas of what is right & wrong)

<only a single AIO used, but Jay's conclusion was that you shouldn't worry about AIO's set to 'intake' saturating your components, there are many more important factors to consider (positive pressure for example, good directional and logical airflow, etc)>

Good luck!

I like to watch the Jays2cents, he's funny! In this particular video we're not going the same way. I think he did 2 big mistakes in this video:
1. he cancelled the bottom intake, which should be seriously taken in consideration, the ecuation is not only of a one unknown but multiple.
2. he also cancelled the GPU, put it there just as thermometer he's funny but not the best idea in my opinion.
The problem with this test, is that when i will start playing games or do hard video editing the GPU will blast lots of heat inside, and that heat will come for hours, not a minute. Then and only then, in that situation, he should measure and compare the results!
But, as i said, he's funny and i appreciate your link!
Ive ordered the Lian Li Dynamic EVO RGB today. But if i will decide is not the best idea i can keep it for a different project or sell it back.

 

[beberobu]

Today ive found this video that comes in line with our ideas. Need to digest it and then see if is any possible improvment.

At the moment i see 3 main options.
1. the main option is the usual one:
- 1 x 360 radiator on top as exhaust
- 1 x 360 radiator on side as intake
- 360 / 420 fans bottom as intake
- 120 / 140 fan rear as exhaust
This is what ive got now (except the bottom is 280 now because i had to fit the power supply there too)

2. This is an idea which steady grows in my mind:
- 1 x 360 radiator on top as exhaust
- 1 x 360 radiator on side as exhaust
- 360 fans in front as intake
- 360 / 420 fans bottom as intake
- 120 / 140 fan rear as exhaust
So, basically, this second option add the 360 intake from front and allow me (at least theoretically) to switch the side radiator as exhaust.
Im not sure its a good idea, as i could bring that airflow surplus just increasing the bottom fans speed

3. Using both radiators as intake:
- 1 x 360 radiator on bottom as intake
- 1 x 360 radiator on side as intake
- 360 / 420 fans top as exhaust
- 120 / 140 fan rear as exhaust
As i said, im not so sure its a good idea to take all that heat inside... but who knows...

Lets see and hear other ideas, anyway!