Mid-sized case for external water cooling

[Scoob]

Hi all,

I'm digging myself obviously, but wondered if anyone would like to make a case recommendation for my new build.

What I need is a medium sized mid-tower case, capable of housing a standard ATX Motherboard (such as the ASUS Maximus VIII Range) but have twin grommets to allow 3/4" pipes running to my external Water Cooling solution.

Basically, the case will be holding the following items:

ATX motherboard
Twin Water Cooled GPU's (Likely 1080's)
Water Cooled 6700K
M.2 on motherboard (so no additional space taken in affect)
2x SSD's - so 2.5" mounts a must, I don't want to use adaptors in a 3.5" bay
Room for 180mm PSU - I have a Corsair 860i.

I'll not be usual optical bays, nor will I have any 3.5" spinners fitted, just the M.2 and twin SSD's - the option to add an additional pair of SSD's would be a bonus.

To be clear, this case will not be housing any radiators, reservoirs or pumps, that's all fitted to my external assembly. So, just the usual PC components, but with water blocks fitted.

I'd still use a couple of 120/140mm fans - ideally 2 in, 1 out to maintain positive pressure - allowing motherboard components, ram etc. to get some air flow.

I've done a couple of builds in the excellent Fractal Core 2300 Case, Link to Scan, which offers surprisingly good air flow, excellent SSD mounting options etc. but lacks the external ports for Water Cooling. I could modify one potentially, making my own holes above the rear mounted 120mm fan so that's an option, but I'm still looking at what else it out there. Many of the cases I've liked don't appear to have options for external water cooling solutions though.

Anyway, any case recommendations welcome.

Cheers,

Scoob.

 

[Doomslayer]

Fractal Design Define S

 

[Wraith]

Fractal Design Define S

I second this notion.

 

[NeverBackDown]

While the Define S is a very solid watercooling case, it doesn't have any external grommets unfortunately. Then again very few do these days.

I know the Corsair 450D, 550D(if you can find it) and H440 have them. That's all I could find so far

 

[Doomslayer]

While the Define S is a very solid watercooling case, it doesn't have any external grommets unfortunately. Then again very few do these days.

I know the Corsair 450D, 550D(if you can find it) and H440 have them. That's all I could find so far

TBH the 450D & 550D look dated now IMO

 

[Scoob]

Thanks for the replies.

The Define S is indeed a lovely case, exactly the styling I like, but it does lack the external WC options that'd make it an easy build sadly. I agree that few cases seem to have the option these days...my ancient Antec 900 has the gromets, and I got that before I knew what they were for lol.

Corsair 450D / 550D might be an option, I prefer the former style-wise - added to the list, thanks.

Note: my now rather old CoolerMaster 690II Lite, which houses my current build, might end up being the one for my new build too. I can just take the existing hardware and migrate to a Fractal Core 2300 and air cool it, just buying a decent 750w PSU for the build. I'd then retain the Corsair 860i in the current case, and build the new hardware into that. So, I have options if I cannot find a case that does it for me.

Anyway, keep the suggestions coming, I really would prefer to do the new build in a fresh case.

Cheers,

Scoob.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Fractal would be wasted if youre running external options IMHO

 

[Scoob]

Fractal would be wasted if youre running external options IMHO

I'm inclined to agree. Cases offering decent internal water cooling options for multi-GPU systems are becoming more commonplace now. Which is great of course. However, I'm still planning to use the vast overkill that is my external solution - built at a time when having one case that supported all my needs was near impossible.

I'd not really be happy buying a case where I'm not utilising its key features, such as the ability to mount rads etc. So, a more modest case so I can do a neat build, keeping everything clean and tidy. But, as we've discovered, fewer mid-tower cases appear to come with the once common cut outs for external water cooling.

I suspect I'll end up sticking with my old CoolerMaster 690II Lite, my current build is quite neat, but the case is missing the dedicated, and tidy 2.5" SSD mounts that are the norm now. 3.5" Spinners and optical drives are largely obsolete for me now, I have other "server" PC's that fill my storages needs, plus I can burn a CD/DVD on a laptop if need be.

I might pull apart my older build in the Core 2300 case later, and see how practical drilling the needed holes for WC hoses might be...I do really like the neat builds possible with this particular budget Fractal case.

Cheers,

Scoob.

 

[tinytomlogan]

If it was me Id go with something as small as possible - its really not hard to drill some holes and buy some grommets yourself.

You may want to think about using a pilot hole to start with then using a step drill. Grommets are easily found on ebay (thats where I used to buy mine)

 

[Scoob]

If it was me Id go with something as small as possible - its really not hard to drill some holes and buy some grommets yourself.

You may want to think about using a pilot hole to start with then using a step drill. Grommets are easily found on ebay (thats where I used to buy mine)

I agree, hence my thinking about modifying a Core 2300 Case. It's on the smaller side for a mid-tower, but does allow for very neat builds, easy mounting of SSD's and good air-flow over the motherboard while remaining near silent.

Thanks for the tips, I do actually have the appropriate tools available to me, I even have some spare rubber grommets somewhere.

To add, I'm not ruling out getting a new case for this build entirely, just weighing up my options. There are cases I have experience with (the 2300) but of course there are many I don't, hence this post.

Cheers,

Scoob.

 

[tinytomlogan]

BitFenix do that very narrow all alu thing, tall but super small footprint

 

[Scoob]

Cheers. Looking through the BitFenix case line-up now...even their "Nova" budget case (<£30) appears to offer the external WC cut outs...which is promising.

Scoob.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Id honestly stop looking for cases with cut outs, there are plenty of ways to add your own

 

[Scoob]

Id honestly stop looking for cases with cut outs, there are plenty of ways to add your own

Yeah, you're right. Reckon I'll find something I like and works well for the rest of the build, then drill holes & fit grommets as needed. I still plan to examine my other build in the Core 2300 and visualise where to drill.

Scoob.

 

[SPS]

Yeah, you're right. Reckon I'll find something I like and works well for the rest of the build, then drill holes & fit grommets as needed. I still plan to examine my other build in the Core 2300 and visualise where to drill.

Scoob.

We believe in you Scoob

 

[Scoob]

We believe in you Scoob

Lol, thanks