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mATX or mITX case custom loop

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I'm carrying over a 2.5" SSD from my R4, so M.2 isn't really important to me.

 

My question now is about pump/res options in the 804. I have a dual bay XSPC pump/res combo now, so Id need to downsize.

 

Is there a difference between D5, Laing and DDC pumps? can I get away with a small combo unit, like the EK XRES 140, and just velcroing it, or should I get a seperate bigger res, and try and hide the small pump somewhere?

 

Also, how would I go about setting up a drain port/would it be necessary in this case? Should I just use a quick disconnect at the lowest point?

Thanks

 

Res size doesn't matter Adding a big res is just like a buffer in case you get a leak you'll have more time to notice before you go dry, Also for looks.  All adding more water to your loop will do it make it take slightly more time before your coolant reaches its max temp (you'd need like a swimming pool for it to make a difference), so something like the EK xres 140 is fine.

 

Yes a quick D/C at the lowest point would be fine, your going to want a drain and fill port somewhere on you loop, otherwise its not gunna be fun when you need to replace your coolant.  Also you could get a multiport top for the ek xres and remove one of the plugs to fill/drain your loop, you'd just need to turn your case to that the port was at the lowest point.

 

Edit: Something to be mindful about though is all those D5 Res combo kits are brand specific, you can't use EK tops on Bitspower Tubes ect ect, you have to use EK with EK, Bitspower with Bitspower.  Fittings are fine though they are all G1/4 Threads (as long as they are advertised as G1/4 anyways).

Posted

Which would be a better fit for a gaming PC? Both CPU and GPU are waterblocked, so I would want something that could accommodate at least 2 rads.

 

Looking to go as small as possible. I've seen the parvum 2.0 and the arc midi 2, but I dont know if there a good fit for watercooling.

 

I'm coming from a Define R4.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

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Which would be a better fit for a gaming PC? Both CPU and GPU are waterblocked, so I would want something that could accommodate at least 2 rads.

 

Looking to go as small as possible. I've seen the parvum 2.0 and the arc midi 2, but I dont know if there a good fit for watercooling.

 

I'm coming from a Define R4.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

Biggest problem you'll run into with small form factor cases, is having enough room to fit water cooling in the case.  Your probably better off going matx, I have a Arc Mini R2 and it has plent of room for water cooling,

Case - NZXT H6 Flow : Mobo - ASRock X670E PG Lightning : PSU - Deepcool PX1000G : CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D w/Arctic Freezer III 360  : Memory - G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32gb 6000mhz CL30 : GPU - MSI Expert 4080 Super : Storage - Verbatim Vi7000G 4tb NVME SSD  : Displays - Gigabyte 32" M32QC Curved 165hz & 27" M27Q Pro 165hz 1440p

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I spotted Build 9 from Singularity Computers on Youtube last night. Basically a heavily modded m-itx build in a Bitfenix Prodigy case and he managed to cleanly fit 2x 240mm rads in there. The guy's OCD and attention to detail are amazing, and it's got me seriously tempted to build a completely superfluous m-itx rig now!

duc sequere aut de via decede

CPU: i7 6800K | Mobo: MSI X99 Gaming Pro Carbon | GPU: SLI EVGA 980 Ti Hydro Copper | PSU: EVGA 1000P2 | Memory: 64 DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum | Storage: Samsung 950 Pro 512GB M.2 & Samsung 850 Evo 1TB| Case: Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 | Display: Predator X34 & Dell U2715H | Cooling: Custom Loop

Custom hard line watercooled Fractal Node 202 ITX build log

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M-ITX usually is too small for Rads. I would go for the Fractal Design Node 804 for M-ATX watercooling.

Main Gaming PC (new): HP Omen 30L || i9 10850K || RTX 3070 || 512GB WD Blue NVME || 2TB HDD, 4TB HDD, 8TB HDD ||  750W P2 ||  16GB HyperX Black DDR4

Main Gaming PC (old, still own) : Intel Core i7 7700K @5.0Ghz || GPU: GTX 1080 Seahawk EK X || Motherboard: Maximus VIII Impact || Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S || RAM : 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 

Cooling: EK XRES D5 100mm || Alphacool ST30 280mm w/ Vardars || Alphacool ST30 240mm w/ Vardars || Swiftech 3/8 x 1/2'' Lok-Seal Compressions || Swiftech EVGA Hydrocopper Block || Primochill Advanced LRT Orange || Distilled Water

Folding@Home Rig: 2x X5690s @4.6Ghz || GPUs: 2x Radeon HD 7990 || Motherboard: EVGA SR-2 || Case: Corsair 900D || RAM: 48GB Corsair Dominator GT 2000Mhz CL9

Ethereum Mining Rig: Pentium G4400 || Gigabyte Z170X-UD5 TH || 2x GTX 1060s (Samsung & Hynix) 1x GTX 1070 (Micron), 2x RX480s BIOS modded (Samsung), 1x R9 290X 8GB, 1x GTX 1660 Super = ~ 195 Mh/s

Peripherals: 3x U2412M (5760x1200), 1x U3011 (2560x1600) || Logitech G710 (Cherry Blues) || Logitech G600 || Brainwavz HM5 with @Gofspar Mod 

Laptop: Dell XPS 15 || "Infinity Edge" 4K IPS Screen || i7 7700HQ || GTX 1050 || 16GB 2400Mhz RAM 

 

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Do you want a window or just as small as possible?

No window is fine. Theres no budget, but I probably wouldn't spend more than $250.

 

 

M-ITX usually is too small for Rads. I would go for the Fractal Design Node 804 for M-ATX watercooling.

 

I'm liking the look of the node 804. Nice and compact, and can fit a couple 240 rads.

 

Also consider a Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX. That case is made for watercooling an mITX board.

It looks nice and easy to work with, but im leaning towards the node.

 

Any recommendations for mATX motherboards?

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No window is fine. Theres no budget, but I probably wouldn't spend more than $250.

 

 

 

I'm liking the look of the node 804. Nice and compact, and can fit a couple 240 rads.

 

It looks nice and easy to work with, but im leaning towards the node.

 

Any recommendations for mATX motherboards?

 

I've got a Asus Maximus Gene VI its nice, I'm sure the VII Z97 version is nice as well.  Its got good on board sound, doesn't come with wireless, It comes with this Combo thing that you can add a wireless card/m.2 ssd to though.  It's on Asus's higher end though you could find a cheaper alternative that would work good.

Case - NZXT H6 Flow : Mobo - ASRock X670E PG Lightning : PSU - Deepcool PX1000G : CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D w/Arctic Freezer III 360  : Memory - G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32gb 6000mhz CL30 : GPU - MSI Expert 4080 Super : Storage - Verbatim Vi7000G 4tb NVME SSD  : Displays - Gigabyte 32" M32QC Curved 165hz & 27" M27Q Pro 165hz 1440p

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What platform are you looking at?
On X99, I would say Gigabyte Gaming 5 GA-X99M

On Z97, Asus ROG M7Gene

 

 

If you plan on watercooling mosfet and chipset, BP has one full cover for the m7gene
on matx x99, there's currently no one offering anything on matx that I know.

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Good motherboard for MATX on Z97 are plenty, but I recommend the Asrock Z97 OC Formula

Not nearly as many on X99, but Asrock's X99M Killer is a good option.

Main Gaming PC (new): HP Omen 30L || i9 10850K || RTX 3070 || 512GB WD Blue NVME || 2TB HDD, 4TB HDD, 8TB HDD ||  750W P2 ||  16GB HyperX Black DDR4

Main Gaming PC (old, still own) : Intel Core i7 7700K @5.0Ghz || GPU: GTX 1080 Seahawk EK X || Motherboard: Maximus VIII Impact || Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S || RAM : 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 

Cooling: EK XRES D5 100mm || Alphacool ST30 280mm w/ Vardars || Alphacool ST30 240mm w/ Vardars || Swiftech 3/8 x 1/2'' Lok-Seal Compressions || Swiftech EVGA Hydrocopper Block || Primochill Advanced LRT Orange || Distilled Water

Folding@Home Rig: 2x X5690s @4.6Ghz || GPUs: 2x Radeon HD 7990 || Motherboard: EVGA SR-2 || Case: Corsair 900D || RAM: 48GB Corsair Dominator GT 2000Mhz CL9

Ethereum Mining Rig: Pentium G4400 || Gigabyte Z170X-UD5 TH || 2x GTX 1060s (Samsung & Hynix) 1x GTX 1070 (Micron), 2x RX480s BIOS modded (Samsung), 1x R9 290X 8GB, 1x GTX 1660 Super = ~ 195 Mh/s

Peripherals: 3x U2412M (5760x1200), 1x U3011 (2560x1600) || Logitech G710 (Cherry Blues) || Logitech G600 || Brainwavz HM5 with @Gofspar Mod 

Laptop: Dell XPS 15 || "Infinity Edge" 4K IPS Screen || i7 7700HQ || GTX 1050 || 16GB 2400Mhz RAM 

 

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I've got a 4690k, which i believe is z97

 

The Asus maximus looks good, but expensive compared to other boards.

 

What do you think of the ASRock H97M anniversary motherboard?

You need a z97 or z87 chipset in order to overclock. If you go with an H series you will be fine but you will not be able to use the overclocking features that you paid extra for on your processor.

Frank(enstein): 760T

Necro's core P5 build

 

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I've got a 4690k, which i believe is z97

 

The Asus maximus looks good, but expensive compared to other boards.

 

What do you think of the ASRock H97M anniversary motherboard?

4690k is on z97, sry I didnt read your post carefully.

4690k is unlocked, but needed a z97 board.  If you put a K series cpu from intel on H97(locked), you can't overclock it.

It will definitely work though, if that's what you prefer.

The reason I pick a high-end motherboard is because it basically comes with all the features that you mostly need, plus a on the market FCB.

The downside of this board could be lacking DVI output.

The H97 you pick seems to be a good budget choice

The downside of it is lacking M.2 socket.

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The downside of it is lacking M.2 socket.

 

I'm carrying over a 2.5" SSD from my R4, so M.2 isn't really important to me.

 

My question now is about pump/res options in the 804. I have a dual bay XSPC pump/res combo now, so Id need to downsize.

 

Is there a difference between D5, Laing and DDC pumps? can I get away with a small combo unit, like the EK XRES 140, and just velcroing it, or should I get a seperate bigger res, and try and hide the small pump somewhere?

 

Also, how would I go about setting up a drain port/would it be necessary in this case? Should I just use a quick disconnect at the lowest point?

Thanks

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I'm carrying over a 2.5" SSD from my R4, so M.2 isn't really important to me.

 

My question now is about pump/res options in the 804. I have a dual bay XSPC pump/res combo now, so Id need to downsize.

 

Is there a difference between D5, Laing and DDC pumps? can I get away with a small combo unit, like the EK XRES 140, and just velcroing it, or should I get a seperate bigger res, and try and hide the small pump somewhere?

 

Also, how would I go about setting up a drain port/would it be necessary in this case? Should I just use a quick disconnect at the lowest point?

Thanks

 

Res size doesn't matter Adding a big res is just like a buffer in case you get a leak you'll have more time to notice before you go dry, Also for looks.  All adding more water to your loop will do it make it take slightly more time before your coolant reaches its max temp (you'd need like a swimming pool for it to make a difference), so something like the EK xres 140 is fine.

 

Yes a quick D/C at the lowest point would be fine, your going to want a drain and fill port somewhere on you loop, otherwise its not gunna be fun when you need to replace your coolant.  Also you could get a multiport top for the ek xres and remove one of the plugs to fill/drain your loop, you'd just need to turn your case to that the port was at the lowest point.

 

Edit: Something to be mindful about though is all those D5 Res combo kits are brand specific, you can't use EK tops on Bitspower Tubes ect ect, you have to use EK with EK, Bitspower with Bitspower.  Fittings are fine though they are all G1/4 Threads (as long as they are advertised as G1/4 anyways).

Case - NZXT H6 Flow : Mobo - ASRock X670E PG Lightning : PSU - Deepcool PX1000G : CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D w/Arctic Freezer III 360  : Memory - G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32gb 6000mhz CL30 : GPU - MSI Expert 4080 Super : Storage - Verbatim Vi7000G 4tb NVME SSD  : Displays - Gigabyte 32" M32QC Curved 165hz & 27" M27Q Pro 165hz 1440p

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The ek140: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=29628

It has 2 outlet ports, so would I be able to just leave 1 plugged up, and use it as a drain port, or would I need a compression fitting, which I have a spare, with some tubing and a qdc?

 

Edit: Nevermind, I re-read the post. Thanks for the info

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No window is fine. Theres no budget, but I probably wouldn't spend more than $250.

 

 

 

I'm liking the look of the node 804. Nice and compact, and can fit a couple 240 rads.

 

It looks nice and easy to work with, but im leaning towards the node.

 

Any recommendations for mATX motherboards?

here's Asus line up, basically a budget option (not bad at all tho) a ROG option and a TUF option. The UEFI BIOS is fantastic, the fan control is fantastic and you can overclock all you want.

System

  • CPU
    I7-4790K @ 4,7GHz
  • Motherboard
    Asus MAXIMUS Formula VI
  • RAM
    Kingston HyperX FURY 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1866MHz
  • GPU
    MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X
  • Case
    Cooler Master Cosmos SE
  • Storage
    Samsung 840 EVO 500GB+WD Green 3TB
  • PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 850G2 80PLUS Gold Certified
  • Display(s)
    ASUS PB277Q 27" WQHD 2560x1440 75Hz 1ms
  • Cooling
    Corsair H105 with AP121s and Phanteks fans
  • Keyboard
    Logitech G610 Orion
  • Mouse
    E-3lue E-Blue Mazer II 2500 DPI Blue LED 2.4GHz Wireless Optical Gaming Mouse
  • Sound
    Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
  • Operating System
    Windows 10
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here's Asus line up, basically a budget option (not bad at all tho) a ROG option and a TUF option. The UEFI BIOS is fantastic, the fan control is fantastic and you can overclock all you want.

 

I've decided on the Asrock board. Its got what I need for half the price

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I've decided on the Asrock board. Its got what I need for half the price

I think im an ASUS fanboy when it comes to mobos, im sorry.......

System

  • CPU
    I7-4790K @ 4,7GHz
  • Motherboard
    Asus MAXIMUS Formula VI
  • RAM
    Kingston HyperX FURY 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1866MHz
  • GPU
    MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X
  • Case
    Cooler Master Cosmos SE
  • Storage
    Samsung 840 EVO 500GB+WD Green 3TB
  • PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 850G2 80PLUS Gold Certified
  • Display(s)
    ASUS PB277Q 27" WQHD 2560x1440 75Hz 1ms
  • Cooling
    Corsair H105 with AP121s and Phanteks fans
  • Keyboard
    Logitech G610 Orion
  • Mouse
    E-3lue E-Blue Mazer II 2500 DPI Blue LED 2.4GHz Wireless Optical Gaming Mouse
  • Sound
    Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
  • Operating System
    Windows 10
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I think im an ASUS fanboy when it comes to mobos, im sorry.......

You don't need to apologise, man. You like 1 brand over another.

 

 

You could try the EVGA Z97 Stinger. I love that motherboard. Only complaint is that the pcie slot doesn't have a lock, so the GPU could theoretically slide out. I think Jayztwocents did a Parvum Veer 1.0 build with the EVGA Z97 Stinger. 

The sniper, at EATX, might be a bit big for the node :)

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You don't need to apologise, man. You like 1 brand over another.

 

 

The sniper, at EATX, might be a bit big for the node :)

 

Stinger not sniper, its a itx board.

Case - NZXT H6 Flow : Mobo - ASRock X670E PG Lightning : PSU - Deepcool PX1000G : CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D w/Arctic Freezer III 360  : Memory - G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32gb 6000mhz CL30 : GPU - MSI Expert 4080 Super : Storage - Verbatim Vi7000G 4tb NVME SSD  : Displays - Gigabyte 32" M32QC Curved 165hz & 27" M27Q Pro 165hz 1440p

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my bad, but I'm going to go with the MSI Z97M-G43

Well, has a clear aesthetic and it's a solid board, and surprisingly cheap!

System

  • CPU
    I7-4790K @ 4,7GHz
  • Motherboard
    Asus MAXIMUS Formula VI
  • RAM
    Kingston HyperX FURY 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1866MHz
  • GPU
    MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X
  • Case
    Cooler Master Cosmos SE
  • Storage
    Samsung 840 EVO 500GB+WD Green 3TB
  • PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 850G2 80PLUS Gold Certified
  • Display(s)
    ASUS PB277Q 27" WQHD 2560x1440 75Hz 1ms
  • Cooling
    Corsair H105 with AP121s and Phanteks fans
  • Keyboard
    Logitech G610 Orion
  • Mouse
    E-3lue E-Blue Mazer II 2500 DPI Blue LED 2.4GHz Wireless Optical Gaming Mouse
  • Sound
    Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
  • Operating System
    Windows 10
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