Phanteks Evolv X - Dual System Advice

[CaptRagnarok]

Hi everybody!

 

I'd love to get some input on my idea of setting up a dual system in the Evolv X case.

The idea came up as a love child of my kinda tiny apartment and work space and the fact that my woman wants a PC of her own. If this is possible, I would get a nice longer desk, put the case in between and have 2 nice work/gaming stations for the both of us.

 

I've seen some comments and videos (Hardware Kanucks) on how to do it, but mostly the feedback has been negative, as the temps are not so good if air cooling.

Still, I need to put my mind to ease so I can know to either scrap this project or modify and do it, and as I'm a bit paranoid/stubborn, I will either go with dual air cooled CPUs or give up, I don't intend to use water cooling. If I scrap it, I will just use 2 cases for the 2 PCs (one of them still being Mini ITX size since I need to save space).

 

The ATX build will be a beast I plan on finally upgrading to and will be my Gaming/Work/Editing PC. It will be overclocked at one point.

I intended the Mini ITX build to be my GF's using parts from my old PC (and buying the smaller MOBO). I don't intend to overclock this one. She will use it for work as well, and probably a little gaming, but on the level of Sims 4 or some other similar stuff. If she wants to game newer titles, she can always use mine. Because of this, I hope to get less heat generated by the ITX.

 

Let me list the specs so it'll be easier to visualise.

 

CASE: Phanteks Evolv X

POWER SUPPLY: Phanteks Revolt X (1200 W) - for both of the systems (If I scrap the project, the ATX PSU will be the Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold, and I dunno which one for the Mini ITX sys)

 

ATX SYTEM (also, please comment on this build, I'm a novice builder and really would like to know if I combined everything well/if there are better alternatives)

- Intel Core i7-9700K

- be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

- Gigabyte z390 AORUS MASTER ATX

- G.Skill Trident Z RGB 2x8 GB 3200

- MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Gaming Trio

- Storage (I'll be using 2 older SSDs and 2 WD HDDs (WD Black and Green)

- Dell AW3418DW 34.1 (3440x1440) 120 Hz

 

MINI ITX SYSTEM

- Intel i5-6600K 3.5 GHz Quad Core

- MSI GeForce GT 970 4GB (mounted vertically)

- G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8 GB DDR3 2133 (hopefully, I am still searching for a Mini ITX DDR3 compatible MOBO. If I can't find it, I'll have to get a DDR4 one and get new RAM.)

 

 

So...the questions...

1.Seeing the specs, do you guys think I could pull this off and it to work reasonably well?

  - I'm worried if the Mini ITX temps could influence the ATX system and if the Mini ITX system can be cooled well enough for it to work normally under normal load.

  - Also, since I'm mounting the ATX sys' 2080 vertically in a normal fashion, and vertically mounting the 970 in front of it, can it negatively infuence the 2080, and will it be able to stay cool enough itself?

 

2. If I can pull it off, would the stock CPU cooler be ok for the i5? If not, which fan should I get? I'm also worried about clearance because it seems very tight.

I'll list all the hardware

 

3. Please comment everything that comes to mind about my ATX build as well. I really want to know if I chose good components that work well together.

 

4. Ask me more questions if you need more info.

 

Thanks a bunch!

[Jurrunio]

Cooling issue of the Evolv series in general comes from the restrictive front panel of the case, so there's not a lot you can do to solve it without liquid or taking the front off. 

 

17 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

Because of this, I hope to get less heat generated by the ITX.

Undervolting is your friend

 

17 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

POWER SUPPLY: Phanteks Revolt X (1200 W) - for both of the systems (If I scrap the project, the ATX PSU will be the Corsair RMx 750W 80+ Gold, and I dunno which one for the Mini ITX sys)

Overkill with 1200w, you can power 2x 3900X or 2x 9900k + 2x 2080Ti with that, let alone when the second system draws much less than that (currently 300w max, as CPU runs stock). 1000W is good enough here with room to spare.

 

21 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

- Intel Core i7-9700K

Ryzen 7 3700x is basically a nerfed down 9900k in performance and cost less in most markets than the 9700k (boards cost more tho), so consider both.

 

22 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

Gigabyte z390 AORUS MASTER ATX

can go cheaper here, say the Aorus Pro (Wifi if you want that) or MSI Carbon (AC if you want Wifi).

 

23 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

- MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Gaming Trio

Does no one care about the asymmetrical fan layout (left fan is smaller than the other two)?

 

25 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

am still searching for a Mini ITX DDR3 compatible MOBO

Since you wont overclock the i5,

 

https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B150M-ITXD3/index.asp

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/H110I-PLUS-D3/

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/H170I-PLUS-D3/

 

finding them in the used market is the biggest problem, I dont think you can find them for good prices brand new.

 

27 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

- Also, since I'm mounting the ATX sys' 2080 vertically in a normal fashion, and vertically mounting the 970 in front of it, can it negatively infuence the 2080, and will it be able to stay cool enough itself?

The 970 will cook in the first place since its fans will be right up against the piece of tempered glass. It's also creating a blanket for the 2080, so not good there either.

 

28 minutes ago, CaptRagnarok said:

2. If I can pull it off, would the stock CPU cooler be ok for the i5? If not, which fan should I get? I'm also worried about clearance because it seems very tight.

I'll list all the hardware

it should be, if not stock it will be fine with an undervolt. If you dont have the stock cooler on hand already (neither CPUs come with one in the box), get something like the Noctua NH-L9i for compatibility.

[CaptRagnarok]

Great advice, thanks!

 

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Cooling issue of the Evolv series in general comes from the restrictive front panel of the case, so there's not a lot you can do to solve it without liquid or taking the front off. 

I was hoping they fixed it a bit in this one, but I guess the panel will always be in the way. Any chance that better front intake fans would help a bit?

 

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Overkill with 1200w, you can power 2x 3900X or 2x 9900k + 2x 2080Ti with that, let alone when the second system draws much less than that (currently 300w max, as CPU runs stock). 1000W is good enough here with room to spare.

Great, even better then.

 

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1 hour ago, CaptRagnarok said:

Gigabyte z390 AORUS MASTER ATX

can go cheaper here, say the Aorus Pro (Wifi if you want that) or MSI Carbon (AC if you want Wifi).

Great to know, will do. Probably will chose the Pro then. What are the main differences between the Master and Pro versions?

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Does no one care about the asymmetrical fan layout (left fan is smaller than the other two)?

For some reason, it doesn't. I am very picky about stuff, and these things tend to bother me, so I don't know, I guess it looks nice anyway. I've seen that it performs very similar to other manufacturers' cards, but it seemed a bit quieter than the other ones so I chose it. Is there a better choice?

 

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finding them in the used market is the biggest problem, I dont think you can find them for good prices brand new.

That has been the biggest problem. I can't still find even new ones. I live in Croatia (Eastern Europe), and we rarely get everything we need, tech-wise. I'm now looking into international delivery from Germany, France or somewhere where the shipping will not outweigh the price of buying a new DDR4 MOBO and RAM.

 

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The 970 will cook in the first place since its fans will be right up against the piece of tempered glass. It's also creating a blanket for the 2080, so not good there either.

This is what I've most been afraid of, impeding with the main ATX system. Looking over the case specs, I don't know how otherwise to place it. I don't think it can fit horizontally and not be in the way for the ATX MOBO.

 

EDIT: I just went over a video, how about if I turn the 970 fans towards the 2080?
I've seen it like that, it looks like the fans of the 970 would coincide with the airflow of the 2080 fans and possibly the 2080 would then dissipate all the hot air? I've inserted a picture of how it was done.

 

 

 

This makes me think I should just get another Mini ITX case and find a cosy spot for it somewhere, probably would be much simpler.

 

I'd love to experiment, but am not in the position of buying stuff to see if it would work, as I'll barely scrape money for this (for me at least) enormous upgrade so I'll need to get everything foolproof on paper first.

 

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it should be, if not stock it will be fine with an undervolt. If you dont have the stock cooler on hand already (neither CPUs come with one in the box), get something like the Noctua NH-L9i for compatibility.

I got the i5 with some stock cooler back in the day. Maybe there was a bundle sold then, have no idea.

If I go through with this, it's good to know that it'll fit.

 

 

 

As an alternative idea, is there an other Mid size case available that offers dual systems? It seems to me the idea is kinda fresh and not very widespread (at least for Mid sized cases).

Also, as a backup, any good Mini ITX cases come to mind?

 

[brob]

From my reading of the User Manual only one gpu can be mounted vertically. In a dual system the mini-ITX gpu has to be mounted vertically using a riser cable.

 

The problem is further complicated by the desire not to use aio or custom liquid cooling. See 

at 3:11 is a reasonably good picture of the two motherboards. As you can see the mini-ITX cpu cooler has to be low profile.

 

If you have the room, you might consider the significantly bigger Obsidian 1000D. It houses the mini-ITX motherboard on the psu shroud. This permits a taller cpu cooler, depending on the expansion cards plugged into the main motherboard.

 

Another option would be stackable cases. Thermaltake has a number of models. 

[CaptRagnarok]

Yes, it seems it does, the mini-ITX one.

What I'm wondering is if the cooling would be better if I place it with fans away from glass, like in the picture.

 

I am still mulling over the use of an aio, but even if the chance of leaking is very small, I'm not sure I am willing to currently risk it.

 

The Obsidian looks great, but unfortunately I'll be moving the case from the floor to the desk, due to some renovating and it would be too long.

 

I'll check Thermaltake's cases, might be useful.

 

Or maybe I'll shelf the idea for another time, we shall see.

 

Thanks for the input!