Node 304 or Hadron Hydro?

[ljcool_17]

I've been looking for a case for an ITX build. Initially looked at the Hadron Air because I thought it looked sleeked and a lot smaller than the Prodigy. But then realized it relied on negative air-flow to cool things. So I moved on and saw a video of the Node 304. My first impression was it looked similar to my SIlverstone SG05 but a lot or spacious and doesn't have an optical drive bay. Have my heart set on it until I saw on EVGA's website about the Hadron Hydro. It's a bit taller than the Hadron Air to accomodate the 240 radiator on top. The watercooling parts are sold seperately though but it comes with everything necessary from a radiator to tubes, fittings, res/pump combo, even tools to assemble everything. EVGA has even partnered up with cyberpowerpc where you can order a pre-assembled Mini-ITX machine with the parts of your choice. Unfortunately they don't carry all the parts I wanted such as a ROG Max. VI Impact. So I thought I'd assemble it myself and save me some to spend on something else.

 

My question is though which one would you prefer? I listed some pros of each

 

Node 304:

Active air cooling with support of AIO CPU liquid cooling

Air filters

Support for six 3.5 or 2.5 drives

Support for PSUs up to 160mm length

 

Hadron Hydro

Full watercooling support (works best when using Hadron Hydro watercooling kit)

Support of watercooled graphics cards (preferably EVGA Hydro series cards but not classified editions)

Support for slot loading optical drive

Bundled 500W 80Gold PSU

 

 

Pretty sure there are more to say about these cases and I'd like to ask opinions about it. I like both cases and would definitely need help deciding.

[Freaky_spider]

whats so bad about negative air flow?

 

wel the NODE 304 is quite a bit larger than a hadron, so is seize really the most important? if it is go with the hadron because of the custom PSU that's in it

[Thecrazyswede]

Caselabs S3

 

best of both worlds.

[TheSLSAMG]

whats so bad about negative air flow?

Dust.

[Freaky_spider]

Dust.

you will get dust in your system anyway, dustfilters are the only REAL way to not get dust in your system...

[ljcool_17]

I'm thinking more of the Hadron Hydro than the Air and it is a bit taller than the Air to accomodate the 240mm rad ontop. I don't have much info on the hydro as it's still new and the only place anyone can buy it from at the moment is on EVGA's website and on cyberpowerpc but they're selling pre-built machines with the parts chosen from their list. Can the Node 304 fit an AX860i though?

[chunkybean]

you might have problems with modular psu on node 304,

node 304 also has negative cooling (unless you put the fan at the back on intake)

because those two 80mm in the front doesn really help to cool the system, its been tested by a friend,

i would personally pick the hadron for the looks,

but the node doesnt look bad either, its just that im tired of a black box case concept

thatis if you dont mind having a case with proprietary psu, but its a good psu anyway, fsp 500w gold, plenty enought for an itx

[ljcool_17]

you might have problems with modular psu on node 304,

node 304 also has negative cooling (unless you put the fan at the back on intake)

because those two 80mm in the front doesn really help to cool the system, its been tested by a friend,

i would personally pick the hadron for the looks,

but the node doesnt look bad either, its just that im tired of a black box case concept

thatis if you dont mind having a case with proprietary psu, but its a good psu anyway, fsp 500w gold, plenty enought for an itx

Thanks! I've asked around and you're right, modular PSU's don't really work well with the Node and those two front fans are practically useless. I have a question about the Hadron Hydro though if anyone knows, using the radiator included in the Hydro Watercooling kit, is it possible to have it in a push-pull config or is it just push or pull?

[Sernyhough]

I'd get 304, Hadron Air is too expensive for what you are getting.

[ljcool_17]

I'd get 304, Hadron Air is too expensive for what you are getting.

I agree on you. I was just on a hunt for a PSU that will fit without interfering the Graphics card and I think I found the one. Seasonic G Series 550W or 650W. Here are the parts I want for the Node 304:

 

i7 4770K

Maximus VI Impact

G.Skill TridentX 16GB 2400

Samsung 840 EVO 500GB

Seagate 1TB SSHD

Corsair h80i

EVGA GTX 780 SC

 

Bought the 4770K and TridentX over the weekend on Newegg coz they were having a discount

[BYOGamingPC]

I bought my Fractal Design Node 304 from Newegg when it was $44 after rebate. You can get one for about $90 anywhere now.

 

I highly recommend the Node 304. It has great airflow, plenty of customization, AND AIR FILTERS!

[ljcool_17]

I bought my Fractal Design Node 304 from Newegg when it was $44 after rebate. You can get one for about $90 anywhere now.

 

I highly recommend the Node 304. It has great airflow, plenty of customization, AND AIR FILTERS!

Can you recommend a replacement for the front 92mm fans or are they good enough?

[BYOGamingPC]

Can you recommend a replacement for the front 92mm fans or are they good enough?

The Noctua (NF-A9x14) are high quality fans but I personally just stuck with the Fractal ones.

[ljcool_17]

@ljcool_17 im fairly certain noctua makes 92/80mm fans, and the colour doesn't matter because you won't see them

Also I've seen gpu/psu clearance is pretty tight on the node, so I'd suggest the Silverstone st60f-ps for the psu. 140mm deep, fully modular, silver certified and 600w which may or may not be enough for your planned system

 

Thanks but I'll probaly stick with Seasonic G Series because I found a great deal on them and also have checked it's modular connection and it does clear the bottom of the GPU.

 

The Noctua (NF-A9x14) are high quality fans but I personally just stuck with the Fractal ones.

 

Think I will pick up a pair of those in case the Fractal's don't satisfy me. Thanks!

[BYOGamingPC]

Thanks but I'll probaly stick with Seasonic G Series because I found a great deal on them and also have checked it's modular connection and it does clear the bottom of the GPU.

 

 

Think I will pick up a pair of those in case the Fractal's don't satisfy me. Thanks!

Good call on both. I actually have a Seasonic G series 360 for my Node 304. My build is a server/NAS which is why I've got a 360.

[ljcool_17]

Mine's gonna be an all-rounder unit for work, gaming, entertainment. Maybe doing a little OCing on it.

[chunkybean]

with front fans or without, it wont make any difference,