[Hanshin]

Hello,

I recently build my new rig in a Bitfenix Colossus case.
But I got airflow issues with my two GTX580 TFII cards in SLI (~10°C of difference with the side panel open), and a messy cable management (the powercache on the cables of my psu won't go through the holes of the motherboard tray).

So I decided to change the case of my rig, and that's why I wanted to hear some suggestions.

I'm not planning of going on watercooling and the size is not a problem.
My budget is 300/400$. My motherboard is an Asus Rampage III Extreme, my PSU is an Antec Quattro 1200w OC and my CPU cooler is a H50.

I first thought of the Silverstone Raven 02, but it seems to not perform very well with this kind of VGA cooler.
The Temjin TJ10 Nvidia edition seems to be a good option if I put the middle fan in exhaust configuration, but I don't have a real experience in airflow as it is my first build so I don't really know what to choose...

PS: sorry for my poor english.

 

[ZixacunX]

I know this sounds generic but the HAF-x should do the job or the advanced edition that just came out. The big side fan blowing directly on the cards should help the temps alot.

 

[Launcherstrike]

Haf x

 

[Hanshin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZixacunX;13117875
I know this sounds generic but the HAF-x should do the job or the advanced edition that just came out. The big side fan blowing directly on the cards should help the temps alot.

By reading a lot of similar threads, it seems the HAF-X performs well with GPUs.
But with this VGA cooler, I wonder if the results are as good.

As the heat seems to be rejected in the case instead of the PCI slots side, I thought an exhaust side fan would be a good option... Maybe someone with the same cards have a successful configuration?

Anyway, thanks for your suggestion (Launcherstrike as well).

 

[Lostcase]

Haf x hands down..

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[Launcherstrike]

I would still recommend the HAF case since there is a optional spot to put a 120mm fan (pic included #5 fan) which would push the air the video cards produce towards the back. There is a top fan which will help with cooling since hot air rises.

I have two GTX460 in sli in my lancool case and on load, their difference is about 12 degrees celcius. They have the twin frozer cooler as well.

 

[ZixacunX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanshin;13117966
By reading a lot of similar threads, it seems the HAF-X performs well with GPUs.
But with this VGA cooler, I wonder if the results are as good.

As the heat seems to be rejected in the case instead of the PCI slots side, I thought an exhaust side fan would be a good option... Maybe someone with the same cards have a successful configuration?

Anyway, thanks for your suggestion (Launcherstrike as well).

The graphics cards will def have better results when having a fan blowing on them than sucking from them. If anything your cpu is gonna get maybe +1 or 2C which also really shouldnt be the problem because the HAF x is really just a nice case.

 

[Robilar]

I had a HAF-X for quite awhile and agree. For gpu airflow, it is unmatched.

 

[Hanshin]

Thanks for your replies.

Can someone tell me the size of the holes for the cable management?
Or does someone had experience with an Antec Quattro 1200w OC with the Haf-X?

The powercache on the cables have been my main problem on the Bitfenix Colossus as the holes are too small...

 

[Launcherstrike]

Those things are about the same size as a 6 pin connector right? If so (from images online), it should be able to fit with the back panel on and through the cable management holes.

You could get more answers or get someone that actually owns a HAF-X on their official page to measure how much space is on the back.

Their club page:
http://www.overclock.net/computer-cases/392179-official-cooler-master-haf-x-932-a.html

 

[GTR Mclaren]

you can get the HAF 932 or a Sniper and they will offer almost the same performance of the X

 

[windfire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanshin;13117966
But with this VGA cooler, I wonder if the results are as good.

As the heat seems to be rejected in the case instead of the PCI slots side, I thought an exhaust side fan would be a good option... Maybe someone with the same cards have a successful configuration?

You are correct to note that the cooling design of your MSI GTX580 Twin Frozr II is a bi-directional design. It dumps half of its heat into the case via the card's front. The front VGA duct of the HAF-X will not help but will make worse the situation as it forces hot exhausted air back into the cards. For the same reason, front lower case fan should not intake air with high velocity.

IMHO, you need to make 2 provisions:-
1) a clear and distinct escape path for that internally dumped hot exhausted air, making sure these air do not go through the rad of the H50. (Solution suggested: a 'top exhaust' approach)

2) an extra supply of fresh ambient air to the 2 cards (especially the top card), particularly having more air getting into the gap between the 2 cards. (Solution: strong side panel 120mm fans)

Let me demonstrate these 2 using HAF 932 (which I am familiar with) as an example: (See pic below)
--H50 installed with its rad-fan at top rear position

--two 120mm fans installed at other top 2 positions

--main case intake fans are four 120mm fans at side panel. They supply ample fresh air (blue arrows in pic) to both cards and to the upper portion of case to go through H50 rad-fan (These 4 fans should be speed adjustable to achieve noise-performance balance at will)

--cards' front hot exhausted air will be sucked upward by the 2 top front fans

--case front lower 230mm fan spin slow and will cool (front blue arrows in pic) the HDDs. The warm air will follow the upward draft to the top

--install a slow spinning fan at case rear top for exhaust. Its function is to prevent any warm air (exhausted out of the case by the 2 cards and the PSU) to be 'drafted' into the case through the opening. It should not spin fast, or else it will compete for air with the 3 top fans.

 

[JCPUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by windfire;13119642
You are correct to note that the cooling design of your MSI GTX580 Twin Frozr II is a bi-directional design. It dumps half of its heat into the case via the card's front. The front VGA duct of the HAF-X will not help but will make worse the situation as it forces hot exhausted air back into the cards. For the same reason, front lower case fan should not intake air with high velocity.

IMHO, you need to make 2 provisions:-
1) a clear and distinct escape path for that internally dumped hot exhausted air, making sure these air do not go through the rad of the H50. (Solution suggested: a 'top exhaust' approach)

2) an extra supply of fresh ambient air to the 2 cards (especially the top card), particularly having more air getting into the gap between the 2 cards. (Solution: strong side panel 120mm fans)

Let me demonstrate these 2 using HAF 932 (which I am familiar with) as an example: (See pic below)
--H50 installed with its rad-fan at top rear position

--two 120mm fans installed at other top 2 positions

--main case intake fans are four 120mm fans at side panel. They supply ample fresh air (blue arrows in pic) to both cards and to the upper portion of case to go through H50 rad-fan (These 4 fans should be speed adjustable to achieve noise-performance balance at will)

--cards' front hot exhausted air will be sucked upward by the 2 top front fans

--case front lower 230mm fan spin slow and will cool (front blue arrows in pic) the HDDs. The warm air will follow the upward draft to the top

--install a slow spinning fan at case rear top for exhaust. Its function is to prevent any warm air (exhausted out of the case by the 2 cards and the PSU) to be 'drafted' into the case through the opening. It should not spin fast, or else it will compete for air with the 3 top fans.

Awesome suggestion!! I am not the OP, but I have a Antec 1200 and I am going to install two 6970 Twin Frozr IIIs. So basically, I was going to have the same issue as the OP.

I was worried about my intake fans pushing hot air back into my GPUs... now based on your suggestion I will reduce my intake flow and use a more powerful side fan. +REP

 

[Hanshin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by windfire;13119642
You are correct to note that the cooling design of your MSI GTX580 Twin Frozr II is a bi-directional design. It dumps half of its heat into the case via the card's front. The front VGA duct of the HAF-X will not help but will make worse the situation as it forces hot exhausted air back into the cards. For the same reason, front lower case fan should not intake air with high velocity.

IMHO, you need to make 2 provisions:-
1) a clear and distinct escape path for that internally dumped hot exhausted air, making sure these air do not go through the rad of the H50. (Solution suggested: a 'top exhaust' approach)

2) an extra supply of fresh ambient air to the 2 cards (especially the top card), particularly having more air getting into the gap between the 2 cards. (Solution: strong side panel 120mm fans)

Let me demonstrate these 2 using HAF 932 (which I am familiar with) as an example: (See pic below)
--H50 installed with its rad-fan at top rear position

--two 120mm fans installed at other top 2 positions

--main case intake fans are four 120mm fans at side panel. They supply ample fresh air (blue arrows in pic) to both cards and to the upper portion of case to go through H50 rad-fan (These 4 fans should be speed adjustable to achieve noise-performance balance at will)

--cards' front hot exhausted air will be sucked upward by the 2 top front fans

--case front lower 230mm fan spin slow and will cool (front blue arrows in pic) the HDDs. The warm air will follow the upward draft to the top

--install a slow spinning fan at case rear top for exhaust. Its function is to prevent any warm air (exhausted out of the case by the 2 cards and the PSU) to be 'drafted' into the case through the opening. It should not spin fast, or else it will compete for air with the 3 top fans.

Thank you for your explanation!

This case seems to provide a lot of cooling solutions, it's a very interesting option.

Do you have a recommandation for the fans?

I found the case on Amazon.co.jp only for 230~$, as the stores in Osaka don't seem to sell it.

 

[Hanshin]

Just a little update to say a big thanks to Windfire.

I updated my rig to the suggested configuration.

I now have a HAF932 with 4 CM's R4 Silent fans on the side panel, my H50 in push/pull on top with 2 San Ace 120, and 2 others R4 on top too.

My CPU is now 25/26°C idle and 52°C on load with Prime 95, and my two GTX580 are now 28/30°C idle on don't go over 60°C on games like Crysis 2 or Dragon Age 2 on load (with full settings @ 1080p) after few hours.

Thank you!

 

[windfire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanshin Just a little update to say a big thanks to Windfire. I updated my rig to the suggested configuration. I now have a HAF932 with 4 CM's R4 Silent fans on the side panel, my H50 in push/pull on top with 2 San Ace 120, and 2 others R4 on top too. My CPU is now 25/26°C idle and 52°C on load with Prime 95, and my two GTX580 are now 28/30°C idle on don't go over 60°C on games like Crysis 2 or Dragon Age 2 on load (with full settings @ 1080p) after few hours. Thank you!

Good to hear it is performing!

Post a few pictures as I am sure many of us would love to see your rig.

And I will probably refer people to come here to look at your rig as it can be a 'Textbook' solution for those with internal exhausting cards.