Making it all fit...MSI 1080 Seahawk, Noctua NH D15 etc

[GeordieStew]

Hi

I'm a tosspot. Glad to have that out of the way.

I have a Fractal Define R5 http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r5-black

I have a Ryzen 7 2700x covered with a Noctua NH D15 https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15-se-am4/specification

I needed a graphics card and like a prize chump I bought an MSI 1080 Seahawk (https://www.msi.com/Graphics-card/GeForce-GTX-1080-SEA-HAWK/Specification). And I can't get it to fit anywhere in the case. The Noctua is a monster and the cooler on the Seahawk is too deep, meaning the cooler (when placed in the fairly ideal position of the top centre) is fouled by the CPU cooler.

I could move one of the 140mm case fans to the top of the case and maybe the Seahawk cooler could go to the back of the case, but not sure what that'll do to airflow.

I'll whack some pics up in a bit (once I've calmed down).

My current options...

1) Resell the Seahawk (take a hit) and buy something with air cooling
2) Move the case fan to the top of the case and the GPU Cooler to the rear
3) Try to replace the Noctua with something smaller, but I think I'd only get away with something like H80i or NZXT X42 (140mm fan) due to lack of space
4) Buy a bigger case

1 feels like the smart move, it'd cost me a chunk of money in loss, but I wouldn't have to sacrifice space. 2 could be doable, I'm hoping for some advice from the experts. 3, not sure. 4, I'd rather avoid!

HELP! Please. You're my only hope.

 

[GeordieStew]

Where I'd hoped it'd go (see that it doesn't) fit

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RMjJ7dMfcjqMqVmu7

Front of case

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6y9eiuGJtuTSNPZa7

Inside of case (excuse mess)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UakBdrixrfAj2YSv6

Random monster cooler shot

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8egi7hoMfefNWti39


A 5th option could be to Heath Robinson the GPU cooler on the top, open up two of the "windows" and screw through holes which aren't meant to be screwed through (but would be secure). This may be least pain. Not sure about additional dust in case or whether it'd be a problem.

 

[Danny75]

Look at 9:13.

HD cage shifted towards PSU, rad (in his case longer) attached to front. Could you attach the Hawk's rad to the front/bottom, then find a way for the case fan to go above it with zip-ties or something? If you can position the rad in a way that has the ends sticking out on the sides rather than up and down, you may even be able to screw in the case fan above it in the usual fashion.

 

[GeordieStew]

Look at 9:13.

HD cage shifted towards PSU, rad (in his case longer) attached to front. Could you attach the Hawk's rad to the front/bottom, then find a way for the case fan to go above it with zip-ties or something? If you can position the rad in a way that has the ends sticking out on the sides rather than up and down, you may even be able to screw in the case fan above it in the usual fashion.

I'm just not sure that the GPU cooler pipes are long enough to go at the front of the case. My HD cage is empty anyway, so it can come out really.

 

[GeordieStew]

I've taken the cage out, moved the case fan down. It MAY just fit in the position of the case fan. It'll be tight but I'll try.

 

[Danny75]

Nice. And then if you succeed, you can move that case fan to the top of the case where you intended to place the rad originally, and it'll feed the Noctua cool air.

 

[GeordieStew]

All sorted. What a pain!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Danny75]

No worries. Glad you sorted it.