<14L air-cooled 3950x

[dLife_dt]

I need to cool a 3950x to run simulations at 4-4.1ghz for days to weeks, and would like to use a minimal-sized case and air cooling (Fuma 2).

Note that this is primarily a CPU rig, with gaming a distant 2nd (rx580-ish), so heat is mostly CPU+PSU. 
Budget ~$1500, USA.

 

My current (terrible?) idea is to use the metalfish s5 case but (using spacers) add a ~2cm gap between the side panel and case to fit the cooling fan. Noise isn't an issue, but don't know if the gap will hurt the heat flow?

Greatly appreciate thoughts on improving this sketch (additional fans placement). NR200P case is the alternative.

Thanks!!
 

 

 

[SupaKomputa]

Noctua D15 is a side blowing heatsink so it wont be a problem, if you can fit it there.

Don't expect cooling performance with those small case, worst screnario is you open the side panel if you're doing high load.

[dLife_dt]

Actually am thinking of using the slightly smaller 10L Metalfish S4 with PSU flipped and down adjacent to GPU (drawing air through front panel* and power cord out bottom of case). This then allows 2x120mm intake fans at top-right corner of case* to help with long all-core loads (coupled with Fuma 2 and, perhaps, 2x90mm exhaust fans adjacent to I/O).

*-this involves adding holes for front intakes; not big on aesthetics

 

Something I need an opinion on: how common were used <240mm rx580-level GPUs on ebay (etc) before the current crypto climate?

I'd like to eventually get a ~$100 mid-range GPU but I'm not sure if <240mm card lengths are rare on the used/budget market.