Water Cooled case recommendation?

mattyc123 · 8 May 2017 at 09:49

Hi all,

I currently have a evolv atx (not tg) with 2x 360 rads in it. I have to run with the side panel open to keep things cool, I have modified the front and top to try and get a bit more air through but still get temps much higher than I would like.

I am thinking of getting a new case, the ones I am currently looking at are,

Enthoo Primo, i like the compatibility with rads and cooling, but I am not sure if the airflow is good enough i want to see my pump and I don't really like the window layout.
Thermaltake core X71, I like the the window and general style but I don't think it will fit my E-ATX motherboard and the motherboard tray looks a bit messy. Also I am not sure about the quality of thermaltake products.

be quiet dark base 900 pro, I like the look and styling and the the side panel I think the quality is good, I am unsure of the air flow it looks like it could be restricted and not sure I can fit all the rads in. I don't like the lack of basement and the messy motherboard tray.

I would like to fit an additional 240 rad on top of my 2x 360 rad setup I want it quite and cool so would go with more rads so I can keep the fan speed down. I would also like a tg side panel and a basement. I will fit a perspex panel to clean up the motherboard tray.

Budget is around £200 so caselabs is out.

Any advice would be great thanks again.

My setup is

Z170x gaming g1 E-ATX (270mm long so not full E-ATX)
i7 6700k
2x R9 290x
2x Samsung 840 eco sad
1x WD black 1tb
Custom loop with tube Res, d5 pump 1x 360 1x 120 1x 240 (120 and 240 stacked to make a 360)rads cooling GPU and CPU

Glanza · 8 May 2017 at 10:39

Enthoo Primo is one of the best tower cases for cooling you can get, I had one in the past and it took a 480mm, 360mm Monsta and a 240mm rad with ease and still had room for two pumps and a SLI setup.

The bequiet 900 is very restrictive on airflow, one of the reps on here changed their case to one and his temps went up by nearly 10c with the door closed on the front.

Razor Time · 8 May 2017 at 10:49

Another vote for a Primo.

mattyc123 · 8 May 2017 at 12:07

Thanks for your response, I think I would quite like a tg side panel what are the in-win cases like?

Glanza · 9 May 2017 at 08:54

Good cases in their own right but not as friendly or heavy on the WC support as the Primo.

mattyc123 · 10 May 2017 at 09:27

I think that 2x 360's is enough and it is just the terrible air flow in the evolv that is causing the problem. Ultimately I would like the primo with a glass side panel.

I do like the look of the Corsair Crystal 570X and the Lian-Li PC-O11

RSR · 10 May 2017 at 23:03

mattyc123 said:
I think that 2x 360's is enough and it is just the terrible air flow in the evolv that is causing the problem. Ultimately I would like the primo with a glass side panel.

I do like the look of the Corsair Crystal 570X and the Lian-Li PC-O11

That's the same problem I have the Evolv as most of the time I have to run it with the top and side off, if the Primo has a TG side panel and the drive bays removed it would be perfect. Its one of the cases I short listed to replaced mine, the others where a Hexgear G80 and Caselabs SM8. However, I've gone with the SM8 as it looks to cover everything I want.

mattyc123 · 11 May 2017 at 14:52

The biggest issue I have is the cost of the caselabs cases, they are defiantly the best however the price is a bit crazy. also the availability in the UK is a problem. it would be nice if there was a uk equivalent.

Aberfala · 11 May 2017 at 15:44

mattyc123 said:
I think that 2x 360's is enough and it is just the terrible air flow in the evolv that is causing the problem. Ultimately I would like the primo with a glass side panel.

I do like the look of the Corsair Crystal 570X and the Lian-Li PC-O11

I recently moved my system from a Corsair 780T to a Lian-Li PC-O11 and it's great. I only have a 360 and a 240 in mine but could easily fit another 360 in the front if I wanted plus all the cables and watercooling bits like the res and dual D5 pump fit out of sight in the right hand section.

mattyc123 · 11 May 2017 at 17:00

Hi Aberfala,

How do you find the airflow and cooling on the case, it is ticking most of the boxes, I can make parts to mount some of the components if required.

Do you have any pictures of your build?

Aberfala · 11 May 2017 at 17:15

I find the airflow fine, I have the bottom rad push/pull intake as well as the front which draws air in from the right side compartment and the top rad is push exhaust so overall it's positive pressure so dust build up is OK so far (It's only been a few weeks)

Apologies for the picture, lot of reflection from the side panel but it gives you an idea at least.

RSR · 11 May 2017 at 17:45

mattyc123 said:
The biggest issue I have is the cost of the caselabs cases, they are defiantly the best however the price is a bit crazy. also the availability in the UK is a problem. it would be nice if there was a uk equivalent.

Yea, I know what you mean. As I've had to order parts of the case directly from Caselabs and the case itself from their EU distributor, so I’ll be starting a build thread / updated thread with it all shortly.

mattyc123 · 13 May 2017 at 19:47

Aberfala said:
I find the airflow fine, I have the bottom rad push/pull intake as well as the front which draws air in from the right side compartment and the top rad is push exhaust so overall it's positive pressure so dust build up is OK so far (It's only been a few weeks)

Apologies for the picture, lot of reflection from the side panel but it gives you an idea at least.

That is a great looking build, i like the monochrome. I am still not sure about the case to be honest, i like the look of the Enthoo Evolv ATX that I have now but it just cant keep my components cool enough.

I do like the look of the PC-O11 however I am still not sure it can flow enough air for my system. it seems significantly better than the Evolv but I think i would be running with it at maximum capacity.

I just wish it had most of the cooling compatibility of the Primo and kept some of its looks.

mattyc123 · 15 May 2017 at 07:54

Aberfala said:
I find the airflow fine, I have the bottom rad push/pull intake as well as the front which draws air in from the right side compartment and the top rad is push exhaust so overall it's positive pressure so dust build up is OK so far (It's only been a few weeks)

Apologies for the picture, lot of reflection from the side panel but it gives you an idea at least.

Hi Aberfala,

What GPU are you using, I have seen some comments about the height restrictions in this chassis?

I am planning to upgrade to Vega when it makes an appearance but I would like to not be even more restricted from chassis size.

I think I am going to be getting the rog version for the extra rad support.

Aberfala · 15 May 2017 at 08:13

mattyc123 said:
Hi Aberfala,

What GPU are you using, I have seen some comments about the height restrictions in this chassis?

I am planning to upgrade to Vega when it makes an appearance but I would like to not be even more restricted from chassis size.

I think I am going to be getting the rog version for the extra rad support.

1080 FE, at a quick look I'd say there's about 10mm between the connector block on the GPU and the glass.

mattyc123 · 15 May 2017 at 08:41

I would have thought that if the Vega cards use hbm then they probably won't be that tall. Seems like all non reference boards are taller so might be a struggle to get them in.