F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Overclocking Selection of case and radiator for hard/rigid tubed custom water cooling system - Project Drogon

Selection of case and radiator for hard/rigid tubed custom water cooling system - Project Drogon

Selection of case and radiator for hard/rigid tubed custom water cooling system - Project Drogon

S
SnafuW
Junior Member
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41
04-22-2016, 11:49 AM
#1
Hi All,

I haven't built a custom loop water cooled system before. I'm planning a hard tubed CPU and GPU setup and seeking input on cases and radiators.

Current PC specs (Australian pccasegear.com):
- Intel Core i5 6600K
- MSI Z170A-Gaming M7 Motherboard
- MSI GTX 980Ti Gaming 6G
- G.Skill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C15Q-16GRR 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 Red
- Corsair HX1000i 80 Plus Platinum 1000W PSU
- Cablemod red/black cable kit
- WD Black 4TB HDD
- OCZ 80gB SSD
- Crucial 250GB SSD

The main decision I'm facing is between two cases:
1. NZXT Noctis 450 Mid Tower Gaming Case Black
[Link](https://www.pccasegear.com/products/31807)
- Issue: window and HDD cage make it hard to fit a drive bay with a pump.
- Pros: lots of room for radiators, looks good with RGB on the CPU block.

2. NZXT S340 Mid Tower Case Black/Red
[Link](https://www.pccasegear.com/products/30344)
- Pros: ample space, nice presentation, but only supports 1x120 in front and 1x120 in back.
- Cons: might not be enough for dual 120s with a 6600K and 980Ti.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated!
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S
SnafuW
04-22-2016, 11:49 AM #1

Hi All,

I haven't built a custom loop water cooled system before. I'm planning a hard tubed CPU and GPU setup and seeking input on cases and radiators.

Current PC specs (Australian pccasegear.com):
- Intel Core i5 6600K
- MSI Z170A-Gaming M7 Motherboard
- MSI GTX 980Ti Gaming 6G
- G.Skill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C15Q-16GRR 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 Red
- Corsair HX1000i 80 Plus Platinum 1000W PSU
- Cablemod red/black cable kit
- WD Black 4TB HDD
- OCZ 80gB SSD
- Crucial 250GB SSD

The main decision I'm facing is between two cases:
1. NZXT Noctis 450 Mid Tower Gaming Case Black
[Link](https://www.pccasegear.com/products/31807)
- Issue: window and HDD cage make it hard to fit a drive bay with a pump.
- Pros: lots of room for radiators, looks good with RGB on the CPU block.

2. NZXT S340 Mid Tower Case Black/Red
[Link](https://www.pccasegear.com/products/30344)
- Pros: ample space, nice presentation, but only supports 1x120 in front and 1x120 in back.
- Cons: might not be enough for dual 120s with a 6600K and 980Ti.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated!

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M
mikeinsaw
Member
Find
162
04-22-2016, 01:27 PM
#2
Have you checked the WC sticky threads? Are there any ideas for an overhaul, which might influence the amount of radiators and fans required? Should we focus only on WC components? Also, have you decided on either of the two cases?
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M
mikeinsaw
04-22-2016, 01:27 PM #2

Have you checked the WC sticky threads? Are there any ideas for an overhaul, which might influence the amount of radiators and fans required? Should we focus only on WC components? Also, have you decided on either of the two cases?

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S
Saromine
Member
Find
67
04-30-2016, 12:16 AM
#3
Sorry for the delayed response, the purchase has been completed. I chose the NZXT Noctis 450 Mid. It really stands out, even though some find it unappealing (others say it looks bad). I consulted someone who owns this case and motherboard about the gap between the graphics card and the PSU shroud, and it seems there should be enough space to fit my RAM sticks there. Unfortunately, I might not be able to install my SSDs in that area. 😞

Here’s what arrived with the package. The 980ti is already here since I bought it a few weeks back, though it remains on the list. Build logs are being posted in another thread.

All components except the 980ti backplate were purchased from pccasegear.com.

PC Hardware:
- NZXT Noctis 450 Mid Tower Gaming Case Black
- MSI Z170A-Gaming M7 Motherboard (includes black & red kinzu steel series mouse)
- MSI GTX 980Ti Gaming 6G
- G.Skill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C15Q-16GRR 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 Red
- Intel Core i5 6600K
- Corsair HX1000i 80 Plus Platinum 1000W Power Supply
- Corsair Gaming K70 Black Cherry Red Mechanical Keyboard
- NZXT Sleeved LED Cable 200cm Red
- CableMod C-Series AXi, HXi & RM Basic Cable Kit (black/red)
- CableMod SATA3 Cable Red
- MSI Red Dragon GTX980Ti backplate from v1tech.com (possibly black carbon fibre vinyl for non-mesh parts)
- MSI Dragon in red Vinyl for the non-window side
- Watercooling accessories:
- EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC980 GTX Ti TF5 Acetal Nickel
- EK-XRES 140 DDC 3.2 PWM Elite Pump/Reservoir Combo
- EK Supremacy EVO CPU Waterblock Red Edition
- EK CoolStream XE 240 Double Radiator
- 16-EK HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 Elox Black
- Bitspower Flow Indicator Matte Black (just for looks)
- Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black Dual Rotary 45 Degree 1/2 Fitting (for fill port)
- Furious Vardar Fan F5 120mm 3000RPM Black
- Mayhem Pastel Red 1000ml
- Tubing/Tools:
- Masterkleer Tubing PVC UV Reactive Orange 1/2ID 3/4OD 1m (for filling res)
- 6-EK HD PETG Tube 12/16mm 500mm
- Alphacool SiliconTube Insert for 1/2in Tubing 30cm
- Alphacool HardTube Heat Gun Pro 2000W

Let me know if you need anything adjusted.
Reply
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S
Saromine
04-30-2016, 12:16 AM #3

Sorry for the delayed response, the purchase has been completed. I chose the NZXT Noctis 450 Mid. It really stands out, even though some find it unappealing (others say it looks bad). I consulted someone who owns this case and motherboard about the gap between the graphics card and the PSU shroud, and it seems there should be enough space to fit my RAM sticks there. Unfortunately, I might not be able to install my SSDs in that area. 😞

Here’s what arrived with the package. The 980ti is already here since I bought it a few weeks back, though it remains on the list. Build logs are being posted in another thread.

All components except the 980ti backplate were purchased from pccasegear.com.

PC Hardware:
- NZXT Noctis 450 Mid Tower Gaming Case Black
- MSI Z170A-Gaming M7 Motherboard (includes black & red kinzu steel series mouse)
- MSI GTX 980Ti Gaming 6G
- G.Skill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C15Q-16GRR 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 Red
- Intel Core i5 6600K
- Corsair HX1000i 80 Plus Platinum 1000W Power Supply
- Corsair Gaming K70 Black Cherry Red Mechanical Keyboard
- NZXT Sleeved LED Cable 200cm Red
- CableMod C-Series AXi, HXi & RM Basic Cable Kit (black/red)
- CableMod SATA3 Cable Red
- MSI Red Dragon GTX980Ti backplate from v1tech.com (possibly black carbon fibre vinyl for non-mesh parts)
- MSI Dragon in red Vinyl for the non-window side
- Watercooling accessories:
- EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC980 GTX Ti TF5 Acetal Nickel
- EK-XRES 140 DDC 3.2 PWM Elite Pump/Reservoir Combo
- EK Supremacy EVO CPU Waterblock Red Edition
- EK CoolStream XE 240 Double Radiator
- 16-EK HDC Fitting 16mm G1/4 Elox Black
- Bitspower Flow Indicator Matte Black (just for looks)
- Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black Dual Rotary 45 Degree 1/2 Fitting (for fill port)
- Furious Vardar Fan F5 120mm 3000RPM Black
- Mayhem Pastel Red 1000ml
- Tubing/Tools:
- Masterkleer Tubing PVC UV Reactive Orange 1/2ID 3/4OD 1m (for filling res)
- 6-EK HD PETG Tube 12/16mm 500mm
- Alphacool SiliconTube Insert for 1/2in Tubing 30cm
- Alphacool HardTube Heat Gun Pro 2000W

Let me know if you need anything adjusted.

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M
maxipatata
Junior Member
Find
3
04-30-2016, 02:15 AM
#4
Excited about this project
Share a link to the new discussion if possible.
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M
maxipatata
04-30-2016, 02:15 AM #4

Excited about this project
Share a link to the new discussion if possible.

Reply
Reply