Should I buy the Fractal Pop Air

[Galaxy2007]

I recently purchased a used rx 5700 xt to replace the rx 580 I bought 3 years ago, but this new card is a triple fan one that isn't going to fit in my current case (antec 300). The fractal pop air still has optical drive bays while being under $100, but I've heard some complaints about the airflow. Alternatively I could modify the Antec 300 by cutting out a piece of its hard drive bay (not intended to be removable and is riveted in) and the card would fit.

[johnno23]

If the drive bay is connect by rivets simply use a small drill and pop out the rivets once the head is loose.

if that is not an option the pop air is an ok case. Air flow is often solved by using good fans.

For example if it accepts 140mm do not use 120mm. slower speed same airflow slightly higher speed more airflow and still relatively quiet.

The market is full of excellent quality fans now but choose function over shiny lights and led rings etc.

Anyways the case you have and five minutes with a drill and the problem is solved. Only downside is dismantling of the PC but buying a new case you would still have to do that.

[Naijin]

17 minutes ago, random person from ohio said:

I recently purchased a used rx 5700 xt to replace the rx 580 I bought 3 years ago, but this new card is a triple fan one that isn't going to fit in my current case (antec 300). The fractal pop air still has optical drive bays while being under $100, but I've heard some complaints about the airflow. Alternatively I could modify the Antec 300 by cutting out a piece of its hard drive bay (not intended to be removable and is riveted in) and the card would fit.

The Pop Air is fine, it's got 2 120mm front fans and 1 120mm rear fan included. Those are Aspect 12 RGB fans, they go up to 1200rpm and stay relatively quiet. By using an optical drive in the bottom, you will limit room for power supply cables though.

 

Isn't it a solution to get a decent airflow case and get an external optical drive? Most people rarely use it, but if you do use it often, integrated in the case is still better.

[SorryBella]

5 minutes ago, random person from ohio said:

but I've heard some complaints about the airflow

It is a bit bad for the GPU but not so bad to warrant an avoid. Id say the same with @Naijin, i might do the same at some point.

[IkeaGnome]

7 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

It is a bit bad for the GPU but not so bad to warrant an avoid. Id say the same with @Naijin, i might do the same at some point.

It’s actually not that bad for GPU airflow. I’m on mobile so it’ll be difficult for me to look back through uploaded pictures, but I know I’ve got a screen cap of hwinfo and my 4090 under full load at about 380W not going above 80c. That is in the XL, but that was before the water block showed up so that was air going through the rad cooling a 13900k first. 

[GuiltySpark_]

40 minutes ago, random person from ohio said:

but I've heard some complaints about the airflow.

Solid cases with a full mesh front. I can assure you its fine.