Time to upgrade case to equip watercooling for i7-930 & ASUS Rampage III Extreme

[Shootingblanks]

Hello and just wanted to say hello to everyone considering this is my first post on this forum.

Time to upgrade from AMD Athlon 64 X2 has been long overdue.

Here is my current AMD System:

CoolerMaster Stacker STC-TO1

AMD Athlon 64 4400+ X2@2.530MHz

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe

2 x 1GB Corsair XMS 3500LL Pro DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit @ (1:1) 2-3-2-6

EVGA 7800GTX KO Edition

2 x 36.7GB WD Raptors(Raid 0)

Hitachi 160GB 7200RPM SATA 7K250 Hard Drive

SB Audigy 2 ZS|OCZ Powerstream 520W

Vantec 305 Nexus Fan Controller

Alphacool Laing DDC Pump

Swiftech Storm

DD Maze 4

Black Ice XtremeII equiped w/ DD Stacker Shroud w/2 Sanyo Denki San Ace

LG 246WP

Windows XP Pro w/SP2

Once I am able to post pics I will post some of this old build. It was ahead of its time and I take perfection in my work. It is a bad habit, but if your not going to do it right, do not do it.

This will be my fourth watercooled pc and need case suggestions to house new build. Plan on running multiple gpu, at least 2, and overclocking the i7-930 at least 4Ghz, if not more.

I plan on having a dual loop system with having a large radiator equipped on top of the new case. The larger the better, at least that is what she tells me I only use Tygon 1/2 R-3603 tubing.

Plan on re-using my Black Ice XtremeII and Laing DDC Pump over until more funds are available to update.

The two cases that I am considering are the Corsair Obsidian Series 800D and the Cooler Master ATCS 840.

The con to the Corsair Obsidian Series 800D is it appears to be restrictive in tube placement and the rear fan needs flipped to better pull cool air into case since the fan in front of psu is to small. With having to replace fans to the case that just adds more cost. This case has great wire management and nice SATA connection cables.

A con for the CM ATCS 840 is the case is not powder coated black inside and the side panel does not have a window. However, I do not see this as a disadvantage due to my buddy works in a large powder coating plant and he can powder coat it for me for free. A pro to this board is the removable tray, which reminds me of my Kingwin K-424 case that I had watercooled.

I could attempt to cut a whole in side panel and by a more durable material like lexan and probably put a window in myself or just buy another panel with window for $40.

Would love to get a Silverstone TJ07 or Mountain Mods, but those cases are out of my price range.

My overall objective is longevity in a case and ability to watercool.

Between the Corsair Obsidian 800D and the CM ATCS 840, which would you opt for and why?

Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AMDFTW]

this seems to be a ever lasting argument between them to cases lol

they are both good for watercooling but the corsair is probly a smigin better

 

[siravarice]

Having used the TJ07 (which without a window is cheaper than the 800D) and the ATCS 840, the 840 beats it in every department apart from looks. Although you can just shove huge rads down the bottom of the TJ07 really easily.

 

[Runebeard]

Unless you really need the mammoth 800D's space I'd say the CM 840 is awesome. Aluminium, plenty of fresh air coming in, lighter (and cheaper) by a fair whack and an added bonus of removable motherboard tray which makes everything a little easier.

I've got a mate who has an 800D and he stopped taking his PC to uni due to the sheer massive weight when everything is installed. I've had to convince him to go watercooling as well, as the poor air intake just doesn't cut it for his air system. Don't get me wrong though, the 800D isn't exactly a bad case, you could probably kick it without denting it it's so strong and there really is masses of room inside and when cable management is good, it looks practically empty leaving loads of room for your watercooling.

But overall, I'd personally prefer to own a CM 840.

 

[Shootingblanks]

Thanks for the insight.

Looks like I am leaning to the CM 840. Length wise and width it is larger and it is only a tad smaller in height than the Corsair.

THe CM is a $100 cheaper than the Corsair.

What is the biggest rad that will fit on n top part of the CM 840?

 

[siravarice]

I've heard you can fit a 480 in it but I don't believe you can. You can fit a 360 in the top, 240 on the HDD cage and two 120's in the bottom and back.

 

[AMDFTW]

some people have moddes the case to fit 3 tripple rads 1 on the roof and 2 on the right side panel on some stand off's its a good idea as you wouldent see the other 2 rads

 

[tinytomlogan]

some people have moddes the case to fit 3 tripple rads 1 on the roof and 2 on the right side panel on some stand off's its a good idea as you wouldent see the other 2 rads

If you mean on the outside thats not a mod, thats a bodge. Man I hate rads on the outside of a case.

 

[siravarice]

If you mean on the outside thats not a mod, thats a bodge. Man I hate rads on the outside of a case.

Yeah, might as well just gut one of those outside cooler jobs instead and hide it somewhere.

 

[Runebeard]

Any rads on the outside of the case just look horrible. Unless it's deliberately part of the mod and has been incorporated into the overall theme, no way josé.

 

[siravarice]

no way josé.

Who's José? XD

 

[AMDFTW]

so how is it not a mod if the case has been modified to fit extra rads if your cas was against the wall you wouldent see the rads.

 

[Runebeard]

Unless it's deliberately part of the mod and has been incorporated into the overall theme, no way josé.

I wouldn't class simply cutting up bits just to be able to stick a rad on the outside a true mod. As TTL says, it's more of a bodge to get extra cooling. But I suppose it's personal preference, I'm just a bit of a tidiness freak.

Oh and SA, he's your friendly neigbourhood gringo that's who! xD

 

[siravarice]

Ohhhhh that's who I keep seeing rummaging through my rubbish XD