Which case to choose? NZXT H440 or Fractal Define S ATX

[Surfie]

Hi all!

I'm thinking of switching cases for dsv now , as i am not 100% happy with the internal layout of the Phantom 550 (it is ridiculous on my desk. So big!).

The trouble is , i want all of the performance, in a smaller (and better looking) case.

I have narrowed it down to two options. The fractal define s and the nzxt h440.

What is going in?
Asus rampage iv formula
32gb RAM
Custom water loop
Gtx 680 (water cooled)
Xspc photon170 with pump.
2 x 60mm thick rads (push only). 240mm and 360mm.
4 hdds (3xssd, 1 mechanical)

I am leaning towards the fractal, but am not sure that everything will fit. Also the nzxt extra features (power supply shroud and lighting) are attractive to me, but it is also a bigger case.

Anyone who has a similar setup able to confirm that all will fit ok? Otherwise, so you have an opinion? Which do you prefer, and why?

 

[Doomslayer]

For me the choice would be easy dude, Fractal Define S

I was trying to make my mind up too a few months ago, I ended up getting the Define S

 

[Surfie]

For me the choice would be easy dude, Fractal Define S

I was trying to make my mind up too a few months ago, I ended up getting the Define S

No regrets then? Did everything fit easily enough for you?

 

[Agost]

What's your budget? What are the maximum dimensions you'd like to stay under?

AFAIK 60mm rads don't fit on the top of the H440

 

[Permafrost]

i would say nether as you using 60mm rads.

given that both cases are around £70 to £90 i'm guessing your budget is max about £100

am i right?

EDIT: just noticed you're using a Xspc photon170 with pump you not going to have much room for your gpu.

 

[AlienALX]

i would say nether as you using 60mm rads.

given that both cases are around £70 to £90 i'm guessing your budget is max about £100

am i right?

AUSD = 50% of £. So anything you say in pounds is automatically doubled.

 

[Permafrost]

AUSD = 50% of £. So anything you say in pounds is automatically doubled.

thanks mate, i have no idea on the exchange rates and stuff also if stuff costs more or less out there so i just went via GBP

 

[Surfie]

Budget is not a factor for me for this item . I just liked the look of both .

 

[Permafrost]

Budget is not a factor for me for this item . I just liked the look of both .

just out of curiosity, what did you like about them cases?

I would go for a Phanteks Enthoo Primo myself if i had the need for a big case and wanted to go overkill on watercooling

I had an EK XTX (63mm think) 360 and 240 rads in a switch 810 and just got the loop to fit in a Corsair 700D

have a look at the Corsair 780T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G27mu4FemmU

 

[AlienALX]

Can't you put it on the floor?

 

[Wraith]

Define S! Its a roomy beast and would swallow the hardware you have in mind, if you require a PSU shroud you can easily modify one. Click my signature and take a look through my define mod thread.

 

[Surfie]

Define S! Its a roomy beast and would swallow the hardware you have in mind, if you require a PSU shroud you can easily modify one. Click my signature and take a look through my define mod thread.

Erm. No sig showing for me? I'll search for it though. You're sure about all the hardware fitting?

Re: what i like about these cases, no optical bays, the ability to have the 360mm rad at the front are probably the main ones. And the fact that they are smaller than the current case. Especially the define s.

Re: putting the case on the floor: i can do this, but would prefer not to, due to baby learning to walk (and being a curious little thing).

Sounds like the define S is winning, but now i am confused, as some people are stating that the gpu wouldn't fit with the res/pump i am using, and others are saying it will. Does anyone have to hand, or can we get, an exact reading of how much room is in the front from the edge of the grommet to the internal front edge? I can see on my case that the gpu isn't too much longer than the motherboard... maybe 10mm or so.

 

[Wraith]

I can get you definitive numbers tomorrow when I get home, here's my thread anyway http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=73311

 

[Doomslayer]

No regrets then? Did everything fit easily enough for you?

To begin with i wanted to change from my 750D to a different case so i was looking at the NZXT H440 or Fractal Define S so i ended up going with the Define S the reason for me is why i didn't go with the H440 to me the H440 was just to much plastic and i like the look more of the Define S.

To answer your question everything fits in but i'm only using an AIO at the moment but i'm going to be changing it.

If you want to see what a custom water cool system looks like in a Define S go to YouTube and look for Awesomesauce Network look for a video called Hotline.

Sounds like the define S is winning, but now i am confused, as some people are stating that the gpu wouldn't fit with the res/pump i am using, and others are saying it will. Does anyone have to hand, or can we get, an exact reading of how much room is in the front from the edge of the grommet to the internal front edge? I can see on my case that the gpu isn't too much longer than the motherboard... maybe 10mm or so.

I own 2 GPU's, 1. with double fans & 2. with triple fans, The MSI GTX970 fits fine but with the R9 390 i have the triple fans the one from Sapphire the MSI fits fine doesn't cover the grommet as much but the Sapphire one while being a bit longer it will cover the full grommet.

 

[Surfie]

If you want to see what a custom water cool system looks like in a Define S go to YouTube and look for Awesomesauce Network look for a video called Hotline.

Ok, so that is a very similarly loaded system to mine, however looking at the video, I have a sneaking suspicion that his radiators are thinner than mine - and it looks like his build only *just* fits as it is.

I will need to research this further I think - I really need those measurements from the grommet to the inside front of the chassis, so I can determine whether everything that I have will fit.

The 240 in the roof is not a concern, as it is an offset mount, and I don't mind the rad fouling the look of the CPU mount ever so slightly. It is that 360 in the front, taking up 85mm of space (single bank of fans) and then the Photon 170 combo being mounted in behind it (a further 90mm) that really worries me.

If it is not going to fit, then I have a hard decision to make: search for another case that meets my needs, or sacrifice the res/pump combo that I have to make it all fit nicely.

Wraith; I checked out your build log to date. I *love* what you have done with the PSU cover. I will definitely look into doing something similar (if I get the Define S). Do you happen to have the measurements you used to make that cover? If not, i'll just have to do my own measurements.

Edit: I can't believe I said CPU cover. What drugs was I on? Of course, I changed it to PSU.

Edit 2: Ok, i've done some math on this - and I believe that it should be achievable - JUST. Fractal states that the max length of a GPU is 450mm. This means the total internal length, is that length. Subtract 85 from that (Rad + fans), then a further 274 (ATX length + 30mm grommet/GPU overhang) leaves us with a meagre: 91mm of space for the res/pump mount. Looking up the res dimensions on XSPC's site, states that it is 88mm. This would give us a 3mm buffer (not much, but it means that it would fit - in theory).