Looks like I need a new case...

Haggisman

Haggisman

Haggisman

Soldato
Joined
6 Oct 2004
Posts
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Location
Birmingham
Upgraded my PC late last year, has all been fine until recently, but I've noticed since it's been warmer, the temps are creeping up, and looking at the cooling options for my current case, a new case is probably the better idea:

Current case is a Raijentek Arcadia, which supports 2x 120mm on top, 1x120mm in front, & 1x 120mm rear, but currently only has the single pre installed 120mm at the rear.

Ryzen 3600x
MSI B450-a pro max
Patriot viper 3600mhz (2x8gb)
Powercolor 5700xt (dual fan)

The GPU has the stock cooler installed
The CPU has an Alpenfohn Matterhorn

The GPU was reporting >100c when I was playing PUBG, and I was getting some graphical flickering in game. For some reason I wasn't able to get a CPU temp reading, but the heatsink was pretty toasty too, and I could feel the heat on the side of the case.

Originally I was looking at adding some additional case fans to increase air flow - but unfortunately the heatsink at the top of the motherboard actually blocks both fan positions on the top of the case, so I could only fit low profile ones there.

Having priced up some decent fans (e.g. Noctua or Bequiet!), I'd be looking at spending ~£50-60 on fans anyway, so might as well look at what cases I could swap to instead which might give me a better overall result.

Just to be awkward, I'd prefer a white case, not hugely fussed about windowd or RGB - would be nice to haves, but only if they don't add a lot to the cost or compromise other features.

Budget wise, £100 is pretty much the max (including any additional fans if it doesn't come with them).

A few options I like - preference to the Be Quiet ones, although not sure what the air flow would be like on the Pure Base 500 given the solid front, also really like the design of the Zalman, but again, it has a solid front. Unfortunately, the Phanteks RGB isn't compatible with the onboard controller of my motherboard, so while it is otherwise a good option, it loses a lot of points for that:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £735.19 (includes shipping: £58.32)
​
 
I'm a huge fan of the Fractal Design kit, having recenty used a Mini C, normal C and now the R6 USB-C version, airflow is good and cable management options are aplenty, a lot of folks I see on here go for the Fractal Meshify C as it has superb airflow, I'm just not a fan of the look :)
 
If it were me, it would be a toss-up between the Silverstone Fara and the Be Quiet 500DX. Worth baring in mind that the Fara comes with one case fan, and doesn't perform particularly well in this configuration (per the Gamer's Nexus review). The 500DX, on the other hand, performs reasonably well with the three stock fans.

I know the P400A reviews well, but the white version just looks nasty. Real shame Phanteks weren't willing to spend the extra to make the case white throughout.
 
I have a Meshify C but if I were looking now it would be the 500DX, its reviewing well, looks good and comes with decent enough fans but I would also be upgrading the fans to Silent Wings 3
 
I quite like the black & white contrast of the P400A to be honest, but I'd rather spend the extra £6 for the 500DX, it's by far my favourite, but unfortunately doesn't appear to be in stock at the moment :(
 
Ended up ordering the 500DX - spoke to OcUK who advised the lead time is only a couple of weeks, so hopefully here next week or at the latest the week after :)

Out of interest, what would I need to control the RGB via software? I don't think my motherboard supports it as it has a 4 pin 12v rather than the 3 pin 5v
 
Well this is interesting... I've received a dispatch email from OCUK and a "we have a parcel for you for delivery tomorrow" email from DPD. This is despite the case still showing as out of stock and being told it's ~ 2 weeks lead time. Not that I'm complaining if it does come tomorrow, but am curious to see what actually turns up :D
 
Wahey, it's arrived, top marks for OcUK for delivering a case which apparently doesn't exist yet :D

Edit: realise that maybe comes across as sarcastic, but it isn't - genuinely happy with the service from OcUK, and the reason I buy from you guys where possible, ordered another item (not stocked by OcUK unfortunately) from a competitor, at the same time as the case, and hasn't even been dispatched yet despite being in stock :rolleyes:
 
Filling back orders so would never appear in stock as the delivery only fills the outstanding orders maybe?

RE RGB if you use the 4 pin header I think you can still control via motherboard header via motherboard software
 
Relentless81 said:
RE RGB if you use the 4 pin header I think you can still control via motherboard header via motherboard software
Click to expand...

Isn't the case lighting in the 500DX ARGB (3-pin, 5V)? You can't connect that to the a 4-pin, 12V header. If you haven't got a 5V header on your motherboard, you have to either use the case's built-in presets or buy a hub. Some hubs (like this) connect over USB and give a wide range of configuration options. Or, if you're using Corsair stuff elsewhere in the system, you can get cables to hook other manufacturer's products up to the Corsair hubs and control with iCue (search Pirate Dog Tech).
 
Sorted :D:

NB5KWsd.jpg


(yes, I know I need to hoover and do something about the cables on the floor :()

Yes, the RGB is the 3 pin type, and I only have the 4 pin on the motherboard, so it's stuck using the case's controls for now.

Will decide if I can be bothered to do anything about that at a later date :p
 
Am looking at same case and I think that I have the same 12V 4 Pin on motherboard.
Was routing the cables fairly easy - i.e. you didn't end up that they were short coming round the shroud and back through the motherboard space?
 
Hi,

Yeah, routing the cables was pretty easy, there are cutouts at the top and bottom of the motherboard tray, so cables can be routed wherever, only (minor) issues I had were:

  • 24pin power needs to be bent at quite a tight angle to get under the Ssd tray/cutout towards the front of the case (see pic below)
  • The USB 3 header cable needs to bend 180 degrees to get through the bottom cutout neatly
  • My Pcie power cables weren't long enough to reach the GPU without the splitters being visible
Other than the 24 pin cable, those aren't really issues with the case, and more peculiarities to the connectors on my motherboard and PSU

I've also attached a picture of where the 8 pin ATX connector attaches, so you can see how it routes neatly around the top :)



View attachment HVhmddz.jpg

View attachment 9vc2AME.jpg
 
Nice thanks for the pics, very useful. I'll take a look at mine tomorrow for kinks in cables.
2 other build pics have GPU power going down and under MB, not round front ?
 
Last edited:
Doh, just realised you meant the 4 pin RGB connector in the previous post! I blame the rum... :D

The GPU power cables come through the same slot as the 24 pin power next to the Ssd tray towards the front of the case, they are near the bottom, but it's the same hole, unfortunately the 2nd plug in the cable is in just the wrong place, I might get some extensions as they'd look much neater coming up from the bottom. I can try to get some better pics for you tomorrow if you want?
Any other areas you want some shots of?
 
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