Node 804 Owners

nathanjayrussel · 17 Aug 2015 at 17:34

I'm planning a x99 MATX build using the EVGA Micro 2, a 5930k and dual 980Ti's. Ideally it will be watercooled by a single loop in a parallel set-up using two 240mm radiators.

The problem is, the clearance for the GPU's in the 804 is very limited (Seriously fractal? Another 30-40mm in length would have gone a long way). From the measurements on the Fractal website, you simply can't fit a 240mm radiator with fans (even with a slim rad and fans), however I am determined to make it work.

Can someone with a 804 please measure for me the distance between their card (and what length their card is of course) and the front of the inside of the case. I want to know exactly how much space I've got to play with to see if I can work around it, or easily mod the case to make it fit somehow.

Thanks, Nathan.

Bart_Hunt · 17 Aug 2015 at 19:20

2 240 rads for 2 980Ti's and 5930k is a bit low mate.
I would try to add at least 1 120 somewhere, and do a push pull in front.
If you run out of space, change the case. Either that or having heat issues later.

nathanjayrussel · 17 Aug 2015 at 20:50

I know it's cutting it fine, but the suggestion is 1 x 120mm rad per component, so this more than covers the minimum. If I'm struggling to fit in a single push or pull rad at the front I certainly won't be able to do a push/pull. My heart is sort of set on the 804, but I know the most likely I will have to face the reality and go for a larger one.

At the moment I've got a 900D, which is just too big.

nathanjayrussel · 18 Aug 2015 at 10:58

Bump.

Bart_Hunt · 18 Aug 2015 at 11:30

Where did you see the 1 x 120mm?
It's been a 240 rad per high end component since I can remember.
And for this kind of PC configuration, you really don't want to go for less.
You may have to change for a bigger mATX case or smaller midi-tower case, like this one:
Fractal Design Define S
Currently on pre-order. Looks like you could fit fans and rad around 40mm thickness and still have plenty of room for GPUs.

2 360s would be enough for your setup too.

nathanjayrussel · 18 Aug 2015 at 13:24

Components are beginning to be more thermally efficient, there are multiple graphics cards with AIO watercooling using a single 120mm radiator. I'm aware that it is pushing the limits, temperatures will not be amazingly low but it will be enough.

Bart_Hunt · 18 Aug 2015 at 15:59

As you wish.
At least use some high SP fans, EK-Vardars or Noctua NF-F12's.

nathanjayrussel · 19 Aug 2015 at 13:28

Ideally I wanted to be using Corsair SP120's (the high performance versions) with 3.1 mm/H20 with a decent 30mm thick radiator. The more I look in to this case the less and less likely it is that I will be able to use it.

Bummer.

nathanjayrussel · 26 Aug 2015 at 00:54

Well, I have found a way around it. It pains me to say it, but switching out the 980Ti's to R9 Fury's looks like the best option if I want the sort of build I have my heart set on. It's not actually that bad. I've always been in the green corner but after looking at as many reviews and comparisons, the Fury is actually a pretty beastly card in a very small size.

Not only is it smaller (only 195mm leaving me with 125mm for radiator and fans), but it also runs cooler. EK do full cover waterblocks and backplates, so it looks to be the perfect replacement. Yes, I loose about 7% in terms of power, but when you've got two of these little beasts it won't make much of a notable difference.

kaku · 26 Aug 2015 at 13:17

The FC FuryX blocks also look fantastic!

I think with increasing the thickness of the rads you will be okay.

rtho782 · 26 Aug 2015 at 16:03

I have a Node 804 at home with my fileserver in it if you still need measurements, will look when I get home tonight.

nathanjayrussel · 26 Aug 2015 at 22:28

kaku said:
The FC FuryX blocks also look fantastic!

I think with increasing the thickness of the rads you will be okay.

They do indeed, I would prefer it to be all black, but I don't mind the little bit of metal. Besides, the backplate is what you will see and that is all black

rtho782 said:
I have a Node 804 at home with my fileserver in it if you still need measurements, will look when I get home tonight.

That would be wonderful Rtho, I would prefer to have 980 Ti's in all honesty but the Fury X is a very decent card, so it isn't too much of a loss if I can't.

nathanjayrussel · 26 Aug 2015 at 23:12

So, here is the rough build components so far:
Case: Node 804
Motherboard: EVGA X99 Micro 2
CPU: i7-5930K
RAM: Corsair Dominator 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000Mhz or Kingston Predator 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 3000MHz
GPU: 2 x Fury X (Cheapest at the time)
PSU: Corsair AX1200i 80 Plus Platinum
PSU Cables: CableMod C-Series AXi, HXi & RM Cable Kit (White)
Opitcal Drive: LG GS40N Slim
Pump/Res: EK Water Blocks EK-D5 Vario X-Res 100
Radiators: 2 x EK-CoolStream PE 240mm
Fans: Corsair SP120 & AF120 Performance Series (White Rings)
GPU Blocks: EK-FC R9 Fury X (Acetal & Nickel) & EK-FC R9 Fury X Backplate (Black)
CPU Block: EK Water Blocks EK-Cupremacy EVO (Acetal & Nickle)
Fittings: 14 x Monsoon 19/13mm Compression Fittings (White) & 6 x Monsoon 19/13mm 90 degree (White)
Tubing: 2m PrimoChill PrimoFlex Advanced Tubing 19/13mm (White)
Coolant: Mayhems Ice Dragon Nano Fluid 1L
Lighting: 2 x BitFenix Alchemy Premium Modding LED Strip 30cm (White)
Aditional Cables: BitFenix Alchemy SATA 6GB/s braided cable 30cm (White)

SSDs: 2 x 512GB 850 Pro (Already Owned)
HD: 1 x 2TB Western Digital Caviar Black (Already Owned)
Fan Hub: NZXT Grid Fan Hub (Already Owned)

I will be running the CPU/GPU's in a parallel loop (The D5 is more than enough to make a small parallel loop like this work. I've got a parallel set-up in my 900D with 2 x 980's + CPU and it works perfectly). Running the tubing at the bottom of the case underneath from the lower GPU and through to the right division in to the pump/reservoir. It then goes from the reservoir to the 240mm rad in the right division, then to the left, then back to the GPU's. The only tubing you will physically be able to see will be running between the two cards and to the CPU.

As you can probably tell, the theme is going to be Black and White, stepping away from my current Black & Red themed build. The concept was roughly inspired by a build I found featured by Ocaholic using a GTX 980 and a 4790K:

I've simply taken it to an extreme and added a lot more horsepower under the hood with a change of case (Node 804 instead of Air 240)

rtho782 · 27 Aug 2015 at 21:03

Measuring back to fan mounts at the front through the slots, like this dodgy picture taken in my cellar while holding the tape measure:

http://imgur.com/6rT90NF

It's 320mm from the rear slot to the fan mounts at the front of the case.

That is, if you measure from the backplate of the GPU, not including the depth of the actual VGA/DVI ports, across the GPU, and take that from 320mm, that's how much room you have for fans and radiator.

NoobCannon · 27 Aug 2015 at 22:01

Fyi I'm running 2 980tis at 1500/2005 [1.274mv] and a 3770k @ 4.7 with 1 x 360mm 1 x 240mm and 2 x 120mm and I'm still struggling with heat. both my 980ti's hit 60'c in 4k gaming

id seriously think about more rad if I were you unless you plan to run stock

nathanjayrussel · 28 Aug 2015 at 02:24

rtho782 said:
Measuring back to fan mounts at the front through the slots, like this dodgy picture taken in my cellar while holding the tape measure:

http://imgur.com/6rT90NF

It's 320mm from the rear slot to the fan mounts at the front of the case.

That is, if you measure from the backplate of the GPU, not including the depth of the actual VGA/DVI ports, across the GPU, and take that from 320mm, that's how much room you have for fans and radiator.

Thanks Rtho, it seems that Fractal really were being precise when they said 320mm. Looks like it will be Fury's from here.

NoobCannon said:
Fyi I'm running 2 980tis at 1500/2005 [1.274mv] and a 3770k @ 4.7 with 1 x 360mm 1 x 240mm and 2 x 120mm and I'm still struggling with heat. both my 980ti's hit 60'c in 4k gaming

id seriously think about more rad if I were you unless you plan to run stock

I'm aware that 2 x 240mm radiators is not "the best". The whole point of this build is pushing a small factored case to the limits. I've currently got a 900D with 2 x 480mm rads cooling a 3930k OC'ed to 5.2Ghz and 2 x 980's. I hit maybe 34 on my CPU (load) and 28/26 on my 980's (load).

The Fury X hits 65 degrees on load with a single 120mm radiator. The 5930k @ 4.5Ghz hits 50 degrees on load with a Corsair H60 (a single 120mm radiator). So the way I see it is that instead of 120mm radiator per component I am giving them 1.3 x 120mm radiator each. Not only that but a 40mm thick radiator with powerful fans with a high static pressure.

I'm expecting to be getting around the 55 degree mark the the GPU's and maybe 45 degrees on the CPU with the system fully loaded, maybe a little more.

Anyway, if it goes tit's up I will just buy a different case and add another radiator haha.

rtho782 · 28 Aug 2015 at 08:48

2x240 will be fine. I have two 980s on EVGA Hybrid coolers, so 2x120, and they run 60-65c in games which is plenty cool. 60c in gaming is nothing for a GPU, and won't be holding your clocks back at all.

Those temps are overclocked to 1400mhz core, on the thinnest 120mm radiators I've ever seen.

Oh, and the 295X2? That has a single 120mm for basically the head of two 980tis.

Could you get a thinner 240mm rad in, or lower profile fans?

Edit: This would fit with standard 25mm fans https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-023-MA&groupid=962&catid=1523&subcat=1525

nathanjayrussel · 28 Aug 2015 at 13:08

rtho782 said:
2x240 will be fine. I have two 980s on EVGA Hybrid coolers, so 2x120, and they run 60-65c in games which is plenty cool. 60c in gaming is nothing for a GPU, and won't be holding your clocks back at all.

Those temps are overclocked to 1400mhz core, on the thinnest 120mm radiators I've ever seen.

Oh, and the 295X2? That has a single 120mm for basically the head of two 980tis.

Could you get a thinner 240mm rad in, or lower profile fans?

Edit: This would fit with standard 25mm fans https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-023-MA&groupid=962&catid=1523&subcat=1525

I did see the Magicool G2 Slim, but it came to 52mm. The 980Ti's are 282mm so that brings you up to 334mm, 14mm over the limit :-/

rtho782 · 30 Aug 2015 at 11:33

nathanjayrussel said:
I did see the Magicool G2 Slim, but it came to 52mm. The 980Ti's are 282mm so that brings you up to 334mm, 14mm over the limit :-/

Are you sure?

My 980s are 268mm, just measured, they are reference models with EVGA Hybrid coolers, and I know the hybrid cooler fits the Titan X as well.

I wonder if 282mm includes the DVI port and the L shaped part of the rear bracket.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2015/05/31/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti-review/1

This says 267mm.

nathanjayrussel · 1 Sep 2015 at 02:25

rtho782 said:
Are you sure?

My 980s are 268mm, just measured, they are reference models with EVGA Hybrid coolers, and I know the hybrid cooler fits the Titan X as well.

I wonder if 282mm includes the DVI port and the L shaped part of the rear bracket.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2015/05/31/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti-review/1

This says 267mm.

Hmmm, that is a good point. All sources I have found on Overclockers say the card is 282mm, but like you said that might include the DVI port and bracket etc. You are correct though, I could potentially fit a 980Ti with the Magicool G2 Slim and say, SP120's, and I would have 1mm to spare.

I think I have actually warmed to he idea of the Fury X. It is a step between the 980 and the 980Ti, it runs pretty cool in comparison, and it is much shorter. Some people on here did raise some concerns with the amount of radiators for so many high end components. With the Fury I could potentially fit a nice thick 50/60mm radiator and push/pull with some high static pressure fans.

I was thinking about it, and the while the SP120's are great, there are better fans out there. I think what I will do is use some more powerful fans on the front where you don't see them (such as the Noctua NF-F12), and then use SP120's on the other side of the radiator for looks. The 0.84mm H20 of extra pressure won't make a huge difference, but I will be milking every single degree possible for this build.