Help in planning a CM 690 build

[Nurf]

At the moment I have my first water cooling rig and all my builds have been "slap everything in, hide some cables, done." Now I've been planning an upgrade. White has started to look nice in my eyes but I dont want all white, so what better case than the CM 690 ii advanced black & white edition.
I've avoided mods on cases mainly because I don't want to risk it going horribly wrong, but Tom's videos have brainwashed me into thinking "Go for it!" I like simple looks so usually I haven't really like leds, but I thought some white ones would be nice that I can turn off from the top button. In the past I haven't really liked windows but after seeing so many "lovely, lovely window" videos, the idea has grown on me, so I thought I'd try to make a side panel window with black rubber frames. Here are some thoughts I've been having:
1) A slight dark tin on the window. Thinking it would fit nicely with the white on the side, but worried if it will make the lit up inside look worse.
2) Motherboard is Maximus V gene so a possibilty to add some red (eg red ram), but dont know how well more red will work with the black and white look. Is it worth considering? (Yes I've seen Tom's snow drift and know it works with all white atleast)
3) I have clear tubing and liquid (don't like the idea of dye) with silver barbs and do like the simple look of it, but could go with red tubing if there isn't a chance of it looking out of place with the black & white.

This build is in a planning phase untill I get enough extra cash to blow on what ever I want :tongue: Ofcourse nothing can be certain until I actually try it, but I can't really afford a "this looks like crap, let change everything" so I'm using this time to try and figure out as much as possible, all the while trying to find any inspiration I can.

Not looking for quick answers, but more ideas and thoughts about my plan.
Hope I posted this in the right area.

 

[airdeano]

sounds like a plan..
but installing a mATX board in a ATX case leaves alot of "unanswered space" above
the PSU.. i'd think a mATX case like fractal design arc mini would be a better fit (pun)
for the AMVG or is this a case you already have?

airdeano

 

[Nurf]

Dont have the case yet.
I don't see the matx as a problem because I'm thinking of a window that ends at the bottom of the motherboard.

I have a arc midi, but here are the problems I have with it:
1)Don't like the look of the cpu area with the rad coming so much over the motherboard and a thinner rad is a problem because I have 240+120 rads cooling a 2600k + HD6970. With the 690 having 2x240, one can be thin.

2) The 5.25 bays. I have a D5 and I'm not very good at getting the pump and res located sothat I like the look yet keep it easy to use. so I thought a 2 bay res would be better (xspc) and I love my GT ap-15s but a fan controller is a must (thinking of bitfenix recon; no more nobs in the front).

3)With the 690 I can get my bottom rad sothat the barbs are on the psu side so loop goes 5.25 bays->cpu->gpu->lower rad->upper rad->bays. I can't come up with a clean looking loop in the arc that could match what I have in mind.

A solution for the loop in an arc would fix problems 2 and 3. If you have something in mind fellow arc owner, I'm happy to hear it, as long as it has the D5 and remains a cpu+gpu loop.

Really need a solid vision for a build in the arc or a big flaw in the 690 to forget the 690 and stick with the arc.

BTW Please don't ban me for this question, but can anyone tell me how thick of a rad can be fit in the top of the 690 (I need mm accuracy)? In Tom's review he says the Koolance rad is 40mm, writes 45mm. Going for xspc EX, but would really like an AX (40mm) if it fits. It can't go over the motherboard at all (hits cpu power cable). In snow drift there is a gap, but is it 5mm? I'm getting the EX unless I get the exact clearence numbers.

(yes 2600k on a maximus V, got the board from RMAing a gene IV)

 

[airdeano]

i own both the midi and CM690 and tbh, the midi has more upper headroom
than the CM690, by almost 10mm. the arc can hold a 240/280 in the front. so
you can move the thicker rad to the front and a thinner in the roof. use a D5
top/res from XSPC, mount recon is optibay.. done.

use alphacools ST30 or XT45 240, undervolt the GT-15 fans to 7volt.. done
you only need one set of pans, you do not need push/pull on low fpi radiators.

no need for a controller. the alphas use a low fin per inch count so high fan
speed fans are not necessary. undervolting to 7volt should bring your fav fans
down to 1100rpm. but a quirk on GT-15 fans.. they seem to "tick" when under
volted. i'd try yours first before venture. why fan controller, buy the right fan first.
i used the swiftech helix 120 and they undervolt marvelously @ 7volt with no "tick".

heres a members dual monsta roof midi:
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=40467

airdeano

 

[tinytomlogan]

Seano if you are going to post pictures please post ones where it looks nice, lol.

That shot is faffing terrible!

 

[Nurf]

Because of you, airdeano, I'm now probably going to spend the next 24 hours looking at my arc and going through all the possibilities. After that a month of planning a rebuild and another month trying to figure out if the rebuild will be better than my 690 plan :lol:
But don't worry, even if I do go for the 690, the arc will be kept close, just in case.

Why a controller? To control the fan speeds to my liking. Don't change them too often, but I guess it's just the feel of power and to know I can do anything I want to those little fans.

I've read about the GT's ticking, but have yet to notice it myself. If/when I do, I'll be looking at some lower rpm fans.

Nice to hear your helpful input too Tom :lol: