New case for GPU Upgrade

[vikdean]

Hi all,

I'd like to ask for advise on a new case or even if I need a new one at all.

 

My current setup:
- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA (ATX)
- Intel i9-9900K (Mobo factory settings, no OC other then that) + Noctua NH-D15
- NZXT Source 530 (ATX full tower) with 5x Noctua fans
- Gainward GTX 1080 Ti Phoenix GS
- EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2
- 1 HDD, 2xM.2 SSD

 

Plan:
- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA (ATX)
- Intel i9-9900K + Noctua NH-D15
- RX 6900 XT / RTX 3080 / RTX 3080 Ti / RTX 4080
- Seasonic 1000W PSU
- 1 HDD, 2xM.2 SSD

 

I'm perfectly happy with the temps of my current setup (CPU max ~70C; GPU ~68C), but my case only has 2x140mm Front Fans, so I have a feeling that I've kind of reached its cooling capacity with the hardware I have and not sure how it would cope with a more powerful GPU (or CPU down the line).

 

When it comes to a PC case, I only care about performance, I don't care how it looks at all; if it has any RGB, I'll turn it off day 1, or not even connect it if possible.

 

I've been looking at the Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh, but its end-of-sale; the other one was the Fractal Torrent, but its too expensive for me (250$+).
The Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW looked OK, price is OK, but not sure if its big enough. Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW maybe? 

I really like Noctua fans, so the best scenario would be if the new case doesn't come with any fans and its priced accordingly, so I could fill it with Noctua fans and not waste any money on the subpar ones they normally come with.

[Poinkachu]

48 minutes ago, vikdean said:

Hi all,

I'd like to ask for advise on a new case or even if I need a new one at all.

 

My current setup:
- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA (ATX)
- Intel i9-9900K (Mobo factory settings, no OC other then that) + Noctua NH-D15
- NZXT Source 530 (ATX full tower) with 5x Noctua fans
- Gainward GTX 1080 Ti Phoenix GS
- EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2
- 1 HDD, 2xM.2 SSD

 

Plan:
- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA (ATX)
- Intel i9-9900K + Noctua NH-D15
- RX 6900 XT / RTX 3080 / RTX 3080 Ti / RTX 4080
- Seasonic 1000W PSU
- 1 HDD, 2xM.2 SSD

 

I'm perfectly happy with the temps of my current setup (CPU max ~70C; GPU ~68C), but my case only has 2x140mm Front Fans, so I have a feeling that I've kind of reached its cooling capacity with the hardware I have and not sure how it would cope with a more powerful GPU (or CPU down the line).

 

When it comes to a PC case, I only care about performance, I don't care how it looks at all; if it has any RGB, I'll turn it off day 1, or not even connect it if possible.

 

I've been looking at the Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh, but its end-of-sale; the other one was the Fractal Torrent, but its too expensive for me (250$+).
The Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW looked OK, price is OK, but not sure if its big enough. Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW maybe? 

I really like Noctua fans, so the best scenario would be if the new case doesn't come with any fans and its priced accordingly, so I could fill it with Noctua fans and not waste any money on the subpar ones they normally come with.

Just gonna point out since you have 2x140mm fans, that 4000D's front fan holes is kinda 120mm specific.

Not sure what you actually meant by "not sure if it's big enough"
Will your parts fit in it? pretty sure it will yep.

In terms of cooling performance, Lancool II Mesh is superior than 4000D & 5000D.
And yes the thermal result for all three cases are included in the 5000D video above.
Stock wise (only using fans the cases came with) & Standarized (using noctua fans)

If you don't know the channel & unsure about the review.
It is probably the most brutal channel when it comes to PC case review.

The cases shouldd come with atleast 1 120mm fan.
Check the video above to know how much for sure.
Or the cases respective website.

[Bombastinator]

31 minutes ago, vikdean said:

Hi all,

I'd like to ask for advise on a new case or even if I need a new one at all.

 

My current setup:
- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA (ATX)
- Intel i9-9900K (Mobo factory settings, no OC other then that) + Noctua NH-D15
- NZXT Source 530 (ATX full tower) with 5x Noctua fans
- Gainward GTX 1080 Ti Phoenix GS
- EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2
- 1 HDD, 2xM.2 SSD

 

Plan:
- Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA (ATX)
- Intel i9-9900K + Noctua NH-D15
- RX 6900 XT / RTX 3080 / RTX 3080 Ti / RTX 4080
- Seasonic 1000W PSU
- 1 HDD, 2xM.2 SSD

 

I'm perfectly happy with the temps of my current setup (CPU max ~70C; GPU ~68C), but my case only has 2x140mm Front Fans, so I have a feeling that I've kind of reached its cooling capacity with the hardware I have and not sure how it would cope with a more powerful GPU (or CPU down the line).

 

When it comes to a PC case, I only care about performance, I don't care how it looks at all; if it has any RGB, I'll turn it off day 1, or not even connect it if possible.

 

I've been looking at the Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh, but its end-of-sale; the other one was the Fractal Torrent, but its too expensive for me (250$+).
The Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW looked OK, price is OK, but not sure if its big enough. Corsair 5000D AIRFLOW maybe? 

I really like Noctua fans, so the best scenario would be if the new case doesn't come with any fans and its priced accordingly, so I could fill it with Noctua fans and not waste any money on the subpar ones they normally come with.

I read “full tower” and with a case that big it’s sort of inexcusable if there isn’t room.

[vikdean]

1 hour ago, Poinkachu said:

Just gonna point out since you have 2x140mm fans, that 4000D's front fan holes is kinda 120mm specific.

Not sure what you actually meant by "not sure if it's big enough"
Will your parts fit in it? pretty sure it will yep.

In terms of cooling performance, Lancool II Mesh is superior than 4000D & 5000D.
And yes the thermal result for all three cases are included in the 5000D video above.
Stock wise (only using fans the cases came with) & Standarized (using noctua fans)

If you don't know the channel & unsure about the review.
It is probably the most brutal channel when it comes to PC case review.

The cases shouldd come with atleast 1 120mm fan.
Check the video above to know how much for sure.
Or the cases respective website.

Yeah, I know and watched all of those videos. By not big enough I meant that there was a video recently about a case that had these fixed 90 degree cable positions and even with an ATX board it presented problems. Also, GPU length is a concern.

 

Btw, Lian Li cases seem quite rare in Hungary - where I'm from, so that's why I couldn't find it earlier, but still could be an option:
Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh Performance - 115$

Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh C - 130$
Lian Li LANCOOL 215 - 100$

[vikdean]

1 hour ago, Bombastinator said:

I read “full tower” and with a case that big it’s sort of inexcusable if there isn’t room.

Not sure what you mean, or which case, but the 4000D is a Mid-Tower case.

Never said I have any room issue with the Source 530; the cooling capacity is the issue there, because its old and it has 2x5.25" bays, instead of space for 3x140mm or 120mm fans.

[Poinkachu]

4 hours ago, vikdean said:

Yeah, I know and watched all of those videos. By not big enough I meant that there was a video recently about a case that had these fixed 90 degree cable positions and even with an ATX board it presented problems. Also, GPU length is a concern.

 

Btw, Lian Li cases seem quite rare in Hungary - where I'm from, so that's why I couldn't find it earlier, but still could be an option:
Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh Performance - 115$

Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh C - 130$
Lian Li LANCOOL 215 - 100$

Well. Just get whichever easier to get, IMHO there isn't that big of a diff in their perf.
A 2nd hand one is a good option too. Since you'll be changing the fans with a Noctua anyway, maybe you can get reduced price by not including the fan.

If a case can fit a Rog Strix, or even more a Suprim X card. Safe to say pretty much any card will fit.
They're 31.85cm & 33.6cm respectively.
But yea you can always just check your future card length & the case GPU clearance.

I'm using an old CM 690 III , so I kinda get ya.

I'm cheap and don't really like glass, so I just DIY mounted a 120mm fan at the 5.25" bays. Then use 2x 140mm for the 2 standard mounting.

[Bombastinator]

5 hours ago, vikdean said:

Yeah, I know and watched all of those videos. By not big enough I meant that there was a video recently about a case that had these fixed 90 degree cable positions and even with an ATX board it presented problems. Also, GPU length is a concern.

 

Btw, Lian Li cases seem quite rare in Hungary - where I'm from, so that's why I couldn't find it earlier, but still could be an option:
Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh Performance - 115$

Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh C - 130$
Lian Li LANCOOL 215 - 100$

The mesh C around $15 more expensive than the mesh performance. What is the difference? More included fans? Different included fans?

[vikdean]

1 hour ago, Bombastinator said:

The mesh C around $15 more expensive than the mesh performance. What is the difference? More included fans? Different included fans?

It has a 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port in the front I/O. Seems to be exactly the same regardless.

[thrasher_565]

if you want to max air flow best you can do is probly 6 front intake or a case with front and bottem intake like the lian li lan cool 2 or the corsair cases that can take front fans and side fans thow bottem intake is best for gpu cooling.

 

besides that you might need to do wc as 40xx gpus seem to use even more wats... and air is reaching its limits of hitting that 75c rang... the 3090/8o need a heat sink on the back plate to cool the vram something they might fix with the 40xx gpus

 

a case like the phanteck Enthoo Pro 2 offer alot of options at an ok price (use to be cheaper...) imo

[Bombastinator]

5 minutes ago, thrasher_565 said:

if you want to max air flow best you can do is probly 6 front intake or a case with front and bottem intake like the lian li lan cool 2 or the corsair cases that can take front fans and side fans thow bottem intake is best for gpu cooling.

 

besides that you might need to do wc as 40xx gpus seem to use even more wats... and air is reaching its limits of hitting that 75c rang... the 3090/8o need a heat sink on the back plate to cool the vram something they might fix with the 40xx gpus

 

a case like the phanteck Enthoo Pro 2 offer alot of options at an ok price (use to be cheaper...) imo

What I’ve been waiting for is some company to go “if quintuple width is used the card is square.  Why don’t we just throw a fan on each end and do a tunnel cooler?”  This seems to be a standard move for PC parts:  copy a years old apple product

[thrasher_565]

17 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

What I’ve been waiting for is some company to go “if quintuple width is used the card is square.  Why don’t we just throw a fan on each end and do a tunnel cooler?”  This seems to be a standard move for PC parts:  copy a years old apple product

well i mean you can put a cpu cooler on a gpu... ya the stock gpu cooler is reaching its limits at 4 slots... ya you can go longer.... that and a thick fan like 25mm or even 30mm could be another option like we be doing for years... with pcie extensions we can mount the gpu els where...

 

thermlright uses to think out side the box when it came to heat sinks

 

Edited July 11, 2022 by thrasher_565

[vikdean]

Yeahhh, these are pushing GPU sag to the next level for sure. I've always favored the trusty, and reliable air cooling, but I'd go AIO instead of these... eventhough those versions cost like 10-20% more.

[thrasher_565]

11 minutes ago, vikdean said:

Yeahhh, these are pushing GPU sag to the next level for sure. I've always favored the trusty, and reliable air cooling, but I'd go AIO instead of these... eventhough those versions cost like 10-20% more.

they do make gpu aios but with a cpu aio and gpu aio your pushing in to custom wc pricing witch will be better in the long run. imo can last 10 years or longer, expandable, quieter, lower temps, even if it cost a bit more i think its worth it imo. even thow aio problem are problem rare i hear it way more offen then i do custom cooling leaks or pump fails..

 

Edited July 11, 2022 by thrasher_565

[vikdean]

I was thinking about it for my next CPU - especially seeing the 12900K stock temps on anything really - however I'm quite uncomfortable doing even a GPU-repaste. Doing this to a fairly new card would also void your warranty for sure.

Honestly the best would be if you just could buy the PCB, a "naked card" if you will, then mount whatever cooling solution you want on there. (Noctua fans with a 3D printed custom shroud even.)

[Bombastinator]

2 hours ago, vikdean said:

Yeahhh, these are pushing GPU sag to the next level for sure. I've always favored the trusty, and reliable air cooling, but I'd go AIO instead of these... eventhough those versions cost like 10-20% more.

This is kinda why I like 5 slots.  You just put a dummy pcie connector on the other end.  No sag.

[Bombastinator]

2 hours ago, thrasher_565 said:

they do make gpu aios but with a cpu aio and gpu aio your pushing in to custom wc pricing witch will be better in the long run. imo can last 10 years or longer, expandable, quieter, lower temps, even if it cost a bit more i think its worth it imo. even thow aio problem are problem rare i hear it way more offen then i do custom cooling leaks or pump fails..

 

My issue with AIO is despite claims of silence not one I’ve ever bought has not had a non removable air bubble in the pump head and as a result has been absurdly loud.  Like louder than almost any air cooler ever.  Custom loop doesn’t have this problem, but AIOs in practice seem to.  That and of course if part of it does fail your machine may be toast.  I consider AIOs to be worse than air, and as a result there are only a few reasons to use one.  If they were actually quiet as advertised instead of the opposite (apparently it’s been known to happen) there’s only the toast and price problem.  
 

AIOs are all a particular kind of (non) custom loop called a closed loop, but even with a custom closed loop there are ways to get rid of air bubbles.  With an AIO there isn’t.  Custom loop is great if you can afford it and do the maintainance.  AIO has not lived up to its claims for me though.

Edited July 11, 2022 by Bombastinator

[Bombastinator]

1 hour ago, vikdean said:

I was thinking about it for my next CPU - especially seeing the 12900K stock temps on anything really - however I'm quite uncomfortable doing even a GPU-repaste. Doing this to a fairly new card would also void your warranty for sure.

Honestly the best would be if you just could buy the PCB, a "naked card" if you will, then mount whatever cooling solution you want on there. (Noctua fans with a 3D printed custom shroud even.)

That’s a pretty screwy warranty then.  I could maybe see it on an OEM prebuilt, but basically nothing else.

[thrasher_565]

1 hour ago, Bombastinator said:

My issue with AIO is despite claims of silence not one I’ve ever bought has not had a non removable air bubble in the pump head and as a result has been absurdly loud.  Like louder than almost any air cooler ever.  Custom loop doesn’t have this problem, but AIOs in practice seem to.  That and of course if part of it does fail your machine may be toast.  I consider AIOs to be worse than air, and as a result there are only a few reasons to use one.  If they were actually quiet as advertised instead of the opposite (apparently it’s been known to happen) there’s only the toast and price problem.  
 

AIOs are all a particular kind of (non) custom loop called a closed loop, but even with a custom closed loop there are ways to get rid of air bubbles.  With an AIO there isn’t.  Custom loop is great if you can afford it and do the maintainance.  AIO has not lived up to its claims for me though.

the pic i linked was a upgrade able aio i guess you call it thow i dont think its all copper so its mix metal i do beleave so you have to by a premix for it but could be wrong, thow there probably is an aio that is all cooper too just cost more.

 

but if you look at a custom loop cost over 10+ years its almost cheaper.  guess depends on cost if you can afford it, no how to put it together, do the maintenance.

 

a good quality aio should be quiet... and aios are only there to last like 4 years or so.

 

i still have parts from my first custom wc x58 build thow i sold some of it but everything still worked.

 

if you want to make a custom loop more reliable imo dont use clear blocks, use soft tube, use completion fittings, distill water plus premix, use no diys, use a d5 pump.

 

people like aios because its bolt on thow a gpu aio would be more involved thow... they do sell aio on gpus already too thow they seem to have a small rad on them...

[thrasher_565]

3 hours ago, vikdean said:

I was thinking about it for my next CPU - especially seeing the 12900K stock temps on anything really - however I'm quite uncomfortable doing even a GPU-repaste. Doing this to a fairly new card would also void your warranty for sure.

Honestly the best would be if you just could buy the PCB, a "naked card" if you will, then mount whatever cooling solution you want on there. (Noctua fans with a 3D printed custom shroud even.)

ya they dont sell bare pcbs as far as i no passably with a bind gpu maybe but you pay a premium for thows and i guess it would be hard to warranty them as you would need a way to varafiy it works i guess. not only that they make moeny selling you a gpu heat sink.. some cases that only difference from gpu to gpu..

 

there also under volting that can be done as well as ocing to get temps down and noise. 

Edited July 12, 2022 by thrasher_565

[TexasBulldog74]

Love the Lancool 2 Mesh... The whole thing is so well thought out incredibly engineered IMO.   

 

My only negative about it is that you can't fit a 360mm Radiator on top.  its a 240 on top or a 360 up front.  

 

 

[DD08]

Hi Vik
Have you considered the O11 Air Mini?
I reckon your system would fit well, and be able to utilize the Noctua fans, on whatever AIO you would fit.

Still think you should reconsider the Fractal Torrent. It's a really nice case.

/DD 

[Bombastinator]

22 hours ago, thrasher_565 said:

the pic i linked was a upgrade able aio i guess you call it thow i dont think its all copper so its mix metal i do beleave so you have to by a premix for it but could be wrong, thow there probably is an aio that is all cooper too just cost more.

 

but if you look at a custom loop cost over 10+ years its almost cheaper.  guess depends on cost if you can afford it, no how to put it together, do the maintenance.

 

a good quality aio should be quiet... and aios are only there to last like 4 years or so.

 

i still have parts from my first custom wc x58 build thow i sold some of it but everything still worked.

 

if you want to make a custom loop more reliable imo dont use clear blocks, use soft tube, use completion fittings, distill water plus premix, use no diys, use a d5 pump.

 

people like aios because its bolt on thow a gpu aio would be more involved thow... they do sell aio on gpus already too thow they seem to have a small rad on them...

All the ones I bought were also “good quality” though.  I knew it was a potential problem so I bought only the best.  That connection point is interesting though.  If it can be used to bleed the system, and if the recipie for making more of the coolant is known, it could be used to get rid of air bubbles.  An AIO with really no air bubbles in it could be a very interesting thing.  The problem is I’ve never seen one.  The ones I bought cost 3 or 4 times what equivalent air coolers did.  They didn’t work as well though. I still think there is a place for AIOs. They are capable of handling higher total heat loads than air coolers, because the main weight is screwed to the case not the motherboard they are more resistant to movement, and they can have a very small cross-section on a motherboard so frequently for small cases they are the only viable choice.  But if your system isn’t truly exceptionally powerful for its size, or it has to be transported, you probably don’t need one and will pay more for less using one.

Edited July 12, 2022 by Bombastinator

[thrasher_565]

24 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

All the ones I bought were also “good quality” though.  I knew it was a potential problem so I bought only the best.  The things cost 3 or 4 times what equivalent air coolers did.  They didn’t work as well though. I still think there is a place for AIOs. They are capable of handling higher total heat loads than air coolers, because the main weight is screwed to the case not the motherboard they are more resistant to movement, and they can have a very small cross-section on a motherboard so frequently for small cases they are the only viable choice.  But if your system isn’t truly exceptionally powerful for its size, or it has to be transported, you probably don’t need one and will pay more for less using one.

ya i only had 2 aio one was a 120mm one when they kinda first came out witch i didnt use much are pay any attion to the other was a coolermaster 120mm only because i wanted the argb/rgb controller and had to buy the aio with it. i did read up on it and people did have problems with it that i knew but i put it in a system and re sold it so not much use on my side ether.  (didn't make much moeny sadly... ) that also when i found out of asrock and argb mb headers and software sucks...

 

everything has its pro and cons i guess

 

 

Edited July 12, 2022 by thrasher_565

[fonzz1e]

On 7/13/2022 at 5:57 AM, DD08 said:

considered the O11 Air Mini

only downside is can't fit 360 aio

[vikdean]

On 7/12/2022 at 11:57 PM, DD08 said:

Hi Vik
Have you considered the O11 Air Mini?
I reckon your system would fit well, and be able to utilize the Noctua fans, on whatever AIO you would fit.

Still think you should reconsider the Fractal Torrent. It's a really nice case.

/DD 

I saw a review about that case, I cant 100% remember now what, but it had a showstopper for me. Maybe it couldn't fit full size PSUs? Or ATX motherboards? Not sure...

 

***Edit: I've checked the product page; it wasnt these, but something else.