New Watercooled Gaming Machine

[Aerendur]

Hi there,

I'm planning a new machine for gaming, video editing, as well as running as server for dlna/itunes etc. A basic all in one purpose beast.

Since it will be in the living room I'm aiming for a clean looking case that is very quiet. So far I've been running with a htpc model (silverstone M14). If at all possible I would love to keep the htpc style, but I have serious doubts that with all the requirements the pc will have that is going to be easy, or even possible.

Especially fitting the radiator(s) will not easily fit a case like that. Even if it had enough holes (through modding) to prevent airflow through them.

Atm I'm looking at:
1. case, undecided (see above).
2. Mainboard: Asus Maximus V Gene
3. CPU: Intel 3770k
4. Memory: 16gb kit, most likely G-Skill Ripjaws/Ares
5. Cooling: D5 RX360 XSPC kit + GTX670 block (considering getting separate parts so I can improve fans, but unsure about the benefits/issues on other parts)
6. Videocard: GTX670

So the main advice I'm looking for is which case would suit my preferences and specs.

And which water cooling would be best to add to such a setup. For example, would two 'smaller' rads be worse than a single 360? If this could give the same results a htpc might still be possible. Are radiators outside the case easy/affordable and non intrusive in the living room?

Will creating a set out of other items be much better in cooling or price vs the set? Since it seems i'll still buy different fans at least!

Cheers for any advice! Hope I can make up my mind with some input from this forum!

 

[Josh Weston]

Be sure to get a EVGA 670 FTW, as it has a 680 PCB. Unless you like the thought of the tiny 670 PCB.
As for fans, check out the Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition.
Have you thought about a Bitfenix Prodigy build? Very nice case, very watercooling friendly.

 

[ruairi.C]

I don't know too much about mATX cases etc but the Bitfenix Raider (mid tower) fits two 360mm rads. It's a solid choice for a feature rich compact case.

 

[NRG!]

I don't know too much about mATX cases etc but the Bitfenix Raider (mid tower) fits two 360mm rads. It's a solid choice for a feature rich compact case.

Are you sure? Sounds like you're describing the shinobi-XL full tower (rad-wise).

 

[ruairi.C]

Are you sure? Sounds like you're describing the shinobi-XL full tower (rad-wise).

yep I'm unsure, I'd need to check to thickness of rads but they look big enough to me.

http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=34733&page=7

look at posts #65 and #67

 

[NRG!]

hmm.. Well that's a serious modding job. Need to drill out the opticals/bottom hdd cage and dremel along the top of the case at least. :/

 

[CPMFW]

as josh already said get a evga 670 ftw!

 

[Aerendur]

Thanks for the tips so far. Will look for the EVGA. Will that require a 680 cooling block?

The case I'm still unsure about. The first route I'd wish to explore is the HTPC one. Can a HTPC be watercooled enough if it is a full flex gaming machine and it cannot be too noisy?

Would it be possible to have several smaller radiators instead of the one big one? Since this would fit better in such a case. This could both go for a HTPC or a normal clean looking case. Or does this give a lot less cooling compared to the 360 rads?

Cases I like the looks for so far are:
1. Silverstone LC20 (silver). Since this looks nearly the same as the current one.
2. Fractal R4 For a non HTPC style look I quite like.

But these are just for a general feel towards the looks. If cooling would be an issue combined with quietness, then I'll try and look for a bigger case that looks as minimalistic/non flashy as possible with the right cooling options!

 

[jamesriley94]

Cooling will be an issue in both of those cases

 

[Aerendur]

Cooling will be an issue in both of those cases

Cheers, that is what I was afraid of. Is there any 'bigger' case with better cooling options that still has the looks kinda similar to these?

Most water cooling enabled cases look like a big box of flashy lights with lots of cheap plastic. Which is something I hope to avoid!

On the water cooling part, can you compare radiators simply by size? So would a set of 240 + 120 rads work out to be the same amount of cooling vs a 360 one? Since most cases don't seem to support the 360 rads very well!

 

[Josh Weston]

Thought about a Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower?

 

[Aerendur]

The Fractal Arc Midi is indeed quite nice. Does it support up to 360 rads in the top? Would a RX360 rad fit in there? Or would that hit the memory banks easily?

Also, would the cooling work with a RX240 top and another RX120 at the back? Or does the extra tubing and possibly higher resistance in the two radiators lose you some cooling?

If that works, there might be more decent cases to have a look at. I don't mind some extra cost. I prefer a nice looking quiet system over saving myself some money or fitting it all together easily!

 

[Aerendur]

Looking around on the web I think I've found my case. The Silverstone TJ-07. Apparently quite a favourite case when it comes to water cooling. I like the Silver looking one, sadly that one does not come with the usb3 yet...

My questions now would be all about water cooling this beast.

For the time being it will cool:
1. i7
2. GTX670 or 680

For this apparently a XSPC RX360 kit would be more than enough. But this case has a lot more room, so I could consider going further right now or at least be ready for upgrades.

At one point I will surely add another videocard. So I should make sure that both the pump and radiator(s) are ready for this upgrade.

Would it be wise to gather the parts for the kit and swap the rad out for a 480? If this fits in a push/pull setup? Or would starting with the 360 now and adding another 240 when the new card joins the loop be a better route?

And are other brands / combinations more potent / more quiet or simply cheaper for the same result?

Also, thanks for all the input, made me put my wish list in order of importance, so I can come to decisions at last.