Help me decide on new build

hmmblah

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Staff member
***Update 15-March-2015

Going ITX.

Please see this post (also quoted below)
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showpost.php?p=830984&postcount=28

This is what I have so far:
MSI GTX 980
Caselabs Mercury S3
Corsair H105

I'm probably going to order the rest this week. Here's what I'm thinking:

Motherboard: Asus Maximus VII Impact
CPU: Intel i7 4790k
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2x8) DDR3 2400
SSD: Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
PSU: Corsair HXi 750W Power Supply

How does that list look? Any other suggestions?

I am going to make custom sleeved cables so I have the least amount of cabling needed. What's a good sleeve to look at, also what toolkit?



******

So I really have the itch to build new. My current rig is starting to feel it's age, especially since I upgraded to a 1440p monitor.

Current specs:
i7 930 @ 4GHz
6GB RAM
256GB SSD
GTX680
H105 AIO

I ripped out my custom watercooling in the Fall as the water needed to be changed and I really didn't have the time to bother with it. I'd like to do that again some day, but for now I'll stick with the AIO. The only thing I plan on reusing is the H105 and maybe my Scythe GT fans. I'll also keep my accessories (mouse/kb & monitor).

Planned spec:
i7 4790k
16GB RAM
Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
EVGA GTX980
Corsair Power Supply

Now here's where I'm torn. For some reason I really want to do a mITX build. Most of the attractive cases though won't fit the H105. I also don't want heat to be a concern and the rig needs to be quiet. The only thing I'm really hesitant on is not being able to go SLI, but I probably won't do that in the short term anyway.

At the other side of the spectrum is a white Corsair 600T. I've always loved this case and I would be able to buy an additional card later for SLI if I wished. But it's big and will still leave me that itch for mITX.

Can anyone recommend a decent mITX case that will fit an H105? I did find one cube, but it was kinda big and fit bigger boards as well. If I go mITX I want to go small(ish).

Should I just scrap the mITX idea and go with a traditional build?

Thanks for looking! :cool:
 
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Only caase I can think of that will fit a H105 is the bitfenix prodigy (front) however that could lead to length issues with the GPU?
If you want something compact you can always go mATX and opt for a case like corsair 350D.
 
The Corsair 250D fits a 240mm AIO, albeit only a H100i.
250D_Close_up_hydro_series_install.png


Parvum are also releasing an ITX case at one point and Phanteks have announced an ITX version of their Enthoo Evolve case, which will almost certainly have 240 Rad support.
 
Parvum are also releasing an ITX case at one point...

It's really close now but I believe they are taking forward the X1.0 as their main ITX case which is like mine, the larger one like MOD04 was just a short run and there was the even larger still ITX case with the IO in the bottom like Parvum Warfare. There are a few of each of them around the internets, talk to Parvum nicely if one really tickles you.

Although it still puts you in a cooling catch 22 situation, well it doesn't really because you would just get a H100i GTX. But the 380T seems like the perfect combination of a 600T and an mITX case and it's also available in the same sexy white with black interior and details.

Loads of nice options out there in the SFF segment.

JR
 
I think I might have found the case.

Caselabs Mercury S3

It looks like it would allow me to use the H105 and has an add-on for the bottom if I did ever decide to put a decent watercooling setup in there. It's also not too big. It looks like everyone is out of stock on the 600T right now and there is just something I don't like about the 380T.

For the S3 I'm thinking white inside and out. White shows a lot less dust. Not sure on the rest of the build, but it looks like it takes a month to get the case in after you order anyway so that should give me some time to sort out the rest.

Before I hit the order button, does anyone have an experience with this case or any other suggestions? All in with shipping, it looks to be about $300 for the case.
 
I've never heard anyone complain about an S3. I know a few guys who have done builds in them, and they all love em. It is a tight space to work in though, as with any ITX setup. The great thing about the S3 is if you decide to revisit a custom loop down the road, you can add a pedestal to it and do a really nice loop. Of course, it won't be so small at the point. :)

Take that with a grain of salt though, as I am a Case Labs fan (love my M8 cube). I also have a small ITX rig in a Bitfenix Prodigy, but I wouldn't recommend that one. Yes it's a ton cheaper, but it's just too painfully small to work with, and the HDD drive options suck.
 
I think I might have found the case.

Caselabs Mercury S3

It looks like it would allow me to use the H105 and has an add-on for the bottom if I did ever decide to put a decent watercooling setup in there. It's also not too big. It looks like everyone is out of stock on the 600T right now and there is just something I don't like about the 380T.

For the S3 I'm thinking white inside and out. White shows a lot less dust. Not sure on the rest of the build, but it looks like it takes a month to get the case in after you order anyway so that should give me some time to sort out the rest.

Before I hit the order button, does anyone have an experience with this case or any other suggestions? All in with shipping, it looks to be about $300 for the case.

hell yeah the caselabs, one day i'll be able to buy one :P

are you doing a build log?
 
Yep. Nothing to post right now, but when the case comes in I'll start a build log and get some pics up.
 
awesome! i look forward to it :)

are you going to do a full watercooling loop?

Not initially no. Going to stick with the H105. I had a good 2 year run with watercooling my current system, but really just want to keep it as maintenance free as possible.
 
You got the Mecury S3 right?

Yeah, the waiting is already killing me. Now to decide on board and video card.

I'm going for a GTX980 and will likely stick with EVGA. This card will be folding when I'm not gaming so I'd like it to be quiet. The 680 I have now is unnoticeable.

I think I like the looks of the reference card the best:

14-487-067-TS


But this version is $60 cheaper and has higher clocks:

14-487-079-TS


The only thing putting me off about the SC version is the noise complaints. Being that it will be running at 100% usage most of the time that is a concern.
 
They reference can get loud. It's just tuned out of the box for a slow fan speed. It's designed to run at 80C and the fan keeps it from going higher. So the more workload the higher the fan will need to kick in. Honestly i would go for reference. Simple,looks good, waterblocks!, and probably the quietest
 
Son of a...

Well this sucks:

Unfortunately there may be a delay associated with the processing time of your order. We have had a large increase in orders in a short period of time which has extended the current lead times. We will have your order shipped as close to the original scheduled shipping date as possible.



I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your continued patience.



Best Regards,



KC

CaseLabs Customer Service Representative

The 30 business days of the "25-30 business days" is up today. Hopefully I don't have to wait another 30.
 
I am so heart broken I can not buy a case labs case. It is the only thing I could fit my ideas in :/ They said the only way I could get a caselabs case is to come and pick it up from LA or something ... I am in the UK
 
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