New 4970k/980ti build help

YouSeemConfused · June 27, 2015

Hey guys,

I'm going to be building my first watercooled pc which i'm building with the intention of overclocking and using for 4k by adding in a second 980ti in the future. I've worked out the majority of what i want but i cannot decide which case to buy and which watercooling kit to get (I estimate i've probably got about £400 ish left in my budget)

CPU: i7 4970k

Mobo: ASUS Z97 Maximus VII

RAM: HyperX 16 GB 1866 MHz DDR3

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti Hydro Copper

PSU: EVGA 850W SuperNOVA Gold

I'm set on one of the XSPC kits, i looked at the EX360 but all of the model names/numbers confused me quite quickly and i don't want to end up buying a kit that wont provide enough cooling power for the oc'd cpu and 2 980TIs

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=962&catid=1532&sortby=nameAsc&catid=1532&mfrid=427

Overall i'm going for a black/red aesthetic case wise, something like the NZXT H440 or the NZXT Noctis 450 but i don't mind if the case is just black like the fractal design cases, i just want something that won't be too cramped on the inside and has a nicely sized window for viewing.

Thanks for reading and any help is greatly appreciated

Dzzope · June 27, 2015

Fractal Define S is good.. but it really depends on what you like style wise.

Phantecs do good cases along with Corsair and NZXT to name a few.

blueballs · June 27, 2015

phantecs enthoo primo

YouSeemConfused · June 27, 2015

Thanks for the case advice, any ideas on which watercooling kit i should choose?

CostcoSamples · June 28, 2015

Phanteks just announced their Evolv ATX case. It is super sexy! Hardware Canucks did a fantastic review:

https://youtu.be/fQfRDSGlNqI

The Phanteks Enthoo line are very good as well, and very highly rated among reviewers and consumers. H440 is also a very good case, but airflow is less than you might want for such a powerful system. The H440 has restricted intake at the front which makes a big difference. If you do decide to go for the H440, make sure you get very good fans.

As for water cooling kits, I really dont know. Just make sure you get one that fits your case! For example, a kit that uses one or two 5.25" bays for the reservoir will not fit in the H440.

Also, if you are having potentially 2x 980 ti cards on the loop, I think a 360 mm x 25 mm thick rad much too small. Maybe something thicker like a 360 x 50 mm thick, or if you can fit look at dual 240s, dual 280s, 240 + 360, or a single thick 480. Full water cooling on a dual 980 ti system will need a lot of radiator.