Corsair 240 case with large graphics card and AIO - Another "will it fit" / best layout question?

[Psychobob]

Greetings.
 
Currently building a specification for my next build and it's my first mATX build.  This introduces a new factor for me on making sure parts fit, ATX builds tend to be a lot easier as I have much more space, but mATX looks appealing to me as well as this case.
 
I really like the Corsair 240 and wanted to know if anyone knows if the following would fit:-

• Corsair H100i with one set of fans (in other words, not a push-pull configuration) as the front intake.
• Gigabyte GTX970 WindForce 3 OC 4GB graphics card

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My understanding is that this will just about fit (52mm for H100i and 300mm for the graphics card totalling 352mm), but I had some doubts and wondered if anyone had tried this before or could confirm exactly how much space you have internally along the case depth (from the front intake to the rear of the chassis where the graphics card mounts to the case)?

 

Corsair's website says maximum GPU is 290mm but it isn't clear from where to where they're measuring.  A reviewer said 30cm would fit, hence my confusion.  So I figured I would put this out there and see if an actual owner knows the answer.
 
I would like to get the GTX 970 and my understanding of the corsair 240 case is that the graphics card width has to effectively stay the same size as the mounting bracket at the back or the case panel won't be able to close (once power cables have been connected to the graphics card).  So that takes the ASUS & MSI out of the running if I go for this case.  EVGA would fit but seems to have some bad reviews so I started looking at the Gigabyte.  If you know of any other manufacturers you can vouch for that may fit this case, by all means let me know
 
If anyone could provide me the max size the case supports (card width excluding the PCI express power connectors) that would be greatly appreciated.  Hopefully someone may have even tried the above config and let me know how they got on.

 

Alternate layout suggestion

If it is impossible to have the H100i act as intake at the front, is the only alternative have it as an intake on the side of the case (above where the CPU is situated)?

Then I would have normal fans at the front as intakes (standard fans should hopefully fit with the Gigabyte card?), and the exhaust would have to be near the graphics card on the opposite side to the H100i (as there looks to be a clearance problem getting a fan in here with a mATX, it would either a slim profile fan or I use a mITX board).

 

That should leave me with positive pressure still.  There would potentially be less flexibility (as it's mITX) but I plan to only use this as a gaming machine so only one PCI-e is needed.

 

Any comments on the alternative layout idea if the preferred mATX route won't work.?

 

Thanks, appreciate any input on this.

[MourningSouls]

WF3 970 is 310mm long, not 300mm. With a H100 you have 300mm +/- 5mm.

 

So I'm going to say no.

[Psychobob]

WF3 970 is 310mm long, not 300mm. With a H100 you have 300mm +/- 5mm.

 

So I'm going to say no.

 

Dang, really liked this case.  

 

May have to re-consider the case and go for a bigger one or find an alternative case (though none of the other mATX cases fit the bill).  

 

Any thoughts on the alternative layout idea I just added (amendment after you posted so you probably wouldn't have seen it)?

[MourningSouls]

Dang, really liked this case.  

 

May have to re-consider the case and go for a bigger one or find an alternative case (though none of the other mATX cases fit the bill).  

 

Any thoughts on the alternative layout idea I just added (amendment after you posted so you probably wouldn't have seen it)?

The wording has me confused, though that is a fairly common occurrence.

 

If you mean moving the H100 to the top, assuming standard orientation, then it flat out won't fit. You could buy a single 120mm based radiator and run that without issue. Both in the front, and if you were to use ITX, the top.

 

Or you could always go with a different 970.

[Psychobob]

 

The wording has me confused, though that is a fairly common occurrence.

 

If you mean moving the H100 to the top, assuming standard orientation, then it flat out won't fit. You could buy a single 120mm based radiator and run that without issue. Both in the front, and if you were to use ITX, the top.

 

Or you could always go with a different 970.

 

 

I probably didn't explain myself very well.  Easier to explain with pictures (which is what I should have done in the first place).  The other GTX 970 cards lengths appear to be ok, but all seem to be too wide so the case panel won't shut if used (ASUS and MSI).  EVGA will fit in both length and width, but has some bad reviews as mentioned which is why I started looking at the Gigabyte.

 

My hope was to fit things in like this (layout 1), but it looks like that won't be possible with these lengths of cards.  I say "Potential intake" because I'm still debating mATX and mITX. 

 

The alternative layout I was trying to describe is like this (layout 2).

 

 

The suggestion of using a 120mm radiator isn't something I considered for some reason.  Must have had tunnel vision!

So with a mITX board, the layout should hopefully looks something like this.  Is that what you were thinking or do you see any obvious problems here?

 

Appreciate the input.

[MourningSouls]

I probably didn't explain myself very well.  Easier to explain with pictures (which is what I should have done in the first place).  The other GTX 970 cards lengths appear to be ok, but all seem to be too wide so the case panel won't shut if used (ASUS and MSI).  EVGA will fit in both length and width, but has some bad reviews as mentioned which is why I started looking at the Gigabyte.

 

My hope was to fit things in like this (layout 1), but it looks like that won't be possible with these lengths of cards.  I say "Potential intake" because I'm still debating mATX and mITX. 

 

The alternative layout I was trying to describe is like this (layout 2).

 

 

The suggestion of using a 120mm radiator isn't something I considered for some reason.  Must have had tunnel vision!

So with a mITX board, the layout should hopefully looks something like this.  Is that what you were thinking or do you see any obvious problems here?

 

Appreciate the input.

http://i.imgur.com/JceSTwx.png

[Psychobob]

http://i.imgur.com/JceSTwx.png

Thanks, much appreciated.

[Fgtfv567]

can you put the H100i on the top? that would let you get a long GPU

[MourningSouls]

can you put the H100i on the top? that would let you get a long GPU

No clearance, can't even use thicker than standard fans.

[Fgtfv567]

No clearance, can't even use thicker than standard fans.

Welp he needs a shorter GPU then