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Which case should I try?

  • Cooler Master 120 Advanced $50

    Votes: 6 37.5%
  • Cubitek Mini Cube $80

    Votes: 3 18.8%
  • Cubitek ICE Cube $125

    Votes: 2 12.5%
  • Fractal NODE $85

    Votes: 5 31.3%

Which ITX for build with external WC

1K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  dihartnell 
#1 ·
Earlier this year I tried to make a WC'd ITX based on a 2500k * Asus board. Long and short of it is I messed up the case I was working on and had to scrap the project. I now have some funds & time again (and better tools!), so I'm looking at trying again. I'm curious what others think.

Needs:
hold a 7950 card & full sized power supply
enough metal to punch WC tube holes or have pass through grommits

Ideas:
CM120 Advanced - pro's: cheap! fair cooling
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3102
Cubitek Mini Cube - pro's: smallest case (current fav) but lowest airflow
http://www.cubitek.com/products/mini-series/mini-cube
Cubitek ICE Mini - - pro's: easy(ish) to run water (but don't like where the power supply sits)
http://www.cubitek.com/products/ice-series/mini-ice
Fractal Node ITX

I really want something that looks different than others.
 
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#2 ·
#3 ·
Thanks for the idea. My WC loop is running a pair of 360's w/ push-pull in an external stand. So I'm a little beyond an H60 . . .
biggrin.gif


I like the FT03 mini, but the fact that it requires SFX power really limits it IMO (if you plan on over clocking CPU & GPU).
I had a FT03 (matx) and the sides didn't stay on. One of the poorest executions of a Silverstone case I've seen (I've had about 5 Silverstones, I think).

Still, thanks for the ideas.

Just curious, why the CM 120 Adv?
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by beldecca View Post

Thanks for the idea. My WC loop is running a pair of 360's w/ push-pull in an external stand. So I'm a little beyond an H60 . . .
biggrin.gif


I like the FT03 mini, but the fact that it requires SFX power really limits it IMO (if you plan on over clocking CPU & GPU).
I had a FT03 (matx) and the sides didn't stay on. One of the poorest executions of a Silverstone case I've seen (I've had about 5 Silverstones, I think).

Still, thanks for the ideas.

Just curious, why the CM 120 Adv?
No worries. I like the CM case because even with Water cooling CPU and/or GPU you still need decent aircooling to cool the rest of the system IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback on the FT03. Im was planning an HTPC/Light Gaming, mITX build in that case myself. I was thinking would look pretty good in the living room (sort of like a speaker) so will have to watch out for that panel issue. I have a 7850OC that I was thinking of using for it.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black5Lion View Post

why not get a caselabs s3 abd get their addon thing with rads that you put under the case externally?
I'm going to guess that you're talking about the Merlin. It's a nice case and I'm a fan of Caselabs work. The only real problem I have is the Merlin (SM5) costs $350+ vs the Cubitek $70. Since I already have a rad solution (the S3 pedestal would require buying different rads - doesn't support 360, only 240 or 280)

Also, just eh Merlin by itself is 509mm x 284mm x 467mm
compare that to the Mini Cube: 200mmx320mm x 300mm
The two are just very, very different. (and a car payment different in price!)
Thanks for the idea.

I think one reason I'm leaning towards the Mini Cube is it has some version of cable management (I can only imagine the mess of cables in the Mini ICE) & a real neat way of storing drives. I don't care about loosing the optical. I have an ext Blu-ray that I've used w/ my ultrabook for a year. Almost everything I buy software is downloaded anyways.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dihartnell View Post

No worries. I like the CM case because even with Water cooling CPU and/or GPU you still need decent aircooling to cool the rest of the system IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback on the FT03. Im was planning an HTPC/Light Gaming, mITX build in that case myself. I was thinking would look pretty good in the living room (sort of like a speaker) so will have to watch out for that panel issue. I have a 7850OC that I was thinking of using for it.
Maybe I got a bad one, but it seems that the side panels fell off with the slightest touch. Also it seamed that vibrations caused them to rattle a little bit. Now, that was about 3 years ago I had mine, so maybe they are better now. I think for HTPC the Fractal Node is on of the best ITX cases (or do you have matx?).
 
#8 ·
Yeah you get the odd bad one from any manufacturer. I haven't bought anything yet but planning to us mitx mobo in the larger matx ft03 case. I have a spare Silverstone 550w psu and will use short cable kit.
 
#11 ·
I'm really surprised that the CM 120 is getting the most love now. I thought the Cubitek with their alum would grab more attention. (now, 4 vs 2 votes isn't huge, but i'm still surprised). Thanks for thoughts so far.
 
#14 ·
I saw the Silverstone SG10 in a video today Similar to SG09 only more attractive with a bit more use of Aluminum on the front. Not a bad layout and looks ok and has decent cooling. Will fit a MATX mobo. 23L of space inside so not absolutely huge but not small either..
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by dihartnell View Post

I saw the Silverstone SG10 in a video today Similar to SG09 only more attractive with a bit more use of Aluminum on the front. Not a bad layout and looks ok and has decent cooling. Will fit a MATX mobo. 23L of space inside so not absolutely huge but not small either..
Yeh, that is one that I've thought about as well. I have a phobya 200mm rad so I've thought about mounting it to the top 180 fan - that that would likely end up looking very franken-puter-ish. (technical term). Thoughts?

I do agree that the SG10 looks much better than the SG09. Price isn't too bad on it either. Thanks.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by beldecca View Post

Yeh, that is one that I've thought about as well. I have a phobya 200mm rad so I've thought about mounting it to the top 180 fan - that that would likely end up looking very franken-puter-ish. (technical term). Thoughts?

I do agree that the SG10 looks much better than the SG09. Price isn't too bad on it either. Thanks.
Rad on the outside did you mean?? That would be a bit Franken-puterish. I dontn think you could fit one internally because it would intefere with the mobo. I was thinking a thicker 120mm/140mm Rad on the rear exhaust.
 
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