Hi. I am in the process of deciding what parts I want for my computer build, but I am struggling with finding an appropriate case and cooler. This case will be transported from college to home every weekend or every other weekend. The trip will take about 50 minutes each way, and I am really not interested in removing the video card and cooler since I would have to remove it twice and replace it twice every weekend plus reapply thermal paste etc. I was going to put the computer in the case box with some padding, and I was wondering if that would be enough to keep it safe during transport if using either a large air cooler or an AIO cooler as well as tempered glass?
In terms of the cases, I feel like a mid-tower ATX case without 5 ¼ in drive bays would work. I looked at micro ATX cases, but they don’t really seem to be much smaller—just a small height difference. So, I did some research and came across two cases that I like. They are the NZXT S340 Elite and the Fractal Define C TG.
The NZXT S340 Elite is appealing because the I/O allows for four controllers to be plugged into the front for split-screen multiplayer, and it has an HDMI pass-through for VR. I do not have a VR headset yet, but it is a possibility in the future. There is also room in the front of the case for a radiator, but I have heard mixed things about using a radiator in the front. Also, I like the look of this case. What I don’t like about the case is that the matte black paint scratches easily, the 3.5 in bay is metal-on-metal (I might stick with just my SSD though. Not sure yet.), there is only one place for a fan at the top of the case, and there is no dust filter at the top (Though I have heard that there is a company out there that sells custom dust filters). Furthermore, it is hard to find an air cooler that will fit in this case because it is not wide enough.
The Fractal Define C TG is appealing because it is one of the smallest in its class, it has a dust filter on top and room for two fans up there, and it has a tool-less design from what I’ve read. My video card won’t fit if I put a radiator in the front, and I probably won’t be able to fit one in the top, but I’m not sure. I am also concerned that the two top fans could create negative air pressure since there would be more exhaust fans than intake fans, but maybe air pressure depends on the rpm as well. I haven’t done enough research on air pressure to really know yet. This case also doesn’t look quite as good as the NZXT S340 Elite, but it doesn’t look bad either. Furthermore, I don’t want to carry a USB hub home with me every weekend, and I could plug the four controllers into the back of my case, but it isn’t ideal.
So far I have an ASUS ROG STRIX 1080 TI OC (298 mm length), a 1 TB SSD, and an 8700k. I am wondering if an AIO or air cooler would be better for my situation, as well as which case to get. One thing that concerns me about AIO coolers is that I have heard that they are noisier than air coolers. I don't need dead silence, but my HP prebuilt is annoyingly loud, especially the HDD on it. Also, I have heard that the pumps can fail after a few years.
NZXT S340 Elite:
GPU Clearance with Radiator: 334mm
GPU Clearance without Radiator: 364mm
CPU Cooler: 161mm
Define C TG:
CPU cooler height limit: 172mm
Graphics card length limit: Max 315mm with front fan mounted (Won’t fit my video card with a radiator)
PSU length limit: 175mm
I could use a different case than these if needed. These are just two cases that I came across that appealed to me. So if you have any other suggestions for cases let me know.
Any thoughts on a case/cooler? Also, sorry for the long post, and thank you in advance. Also, I know that Noctua is good, but I don't like the color scheme. It isn't a deal breaker, but it comes close. :/
Edit: Forgot to mention that I would like to use Trident Z RGB RAM if possible if it fits. If not that is alright though. I might need different RAM if I go with an air cooler.
In terms of the cases, I feel like a mid-tower ATX case without 5 ¼ in drive bays would work. I looked at micro ATX cases, but they don’t really seem to be much smaller—just a small height difference. So, I did some research and came across two cases that I like. They are the NZXT S340 Elite and the Fractal Define C TG.
The NZXT S340 Elite is appealing because the I/O allows for four controllers to be plugged into the front for split-screen multiplayer, and it has an HDMI pass-through for VR. I do not have a VR headset yet, but it is a possibility in the future. There is also room in the front of the case for a radiator, but I have heard mixed things about using a radiator in the front. Also, I like the look of this case. What I don’t like about the case is that the matte black paint scratches easily, the 3.5 in bay is metal-on-metal (I might stick with just my SSD though. Not sure yet.), there is only one place for a fan at the top of the case, and there is no dust filter at the top (Though I have heard that there is a company out there that sells custom dust filters). Furthermore, it is hard to find an air cooler that will fit in this case because it is not wide enough.
The Fractal Define C TG is appealing because it is one of the smallest in its class, it has a dust filter on top and room for two fans up there, and it has a tool-less design from what I’ve read. My video card won’t fit if I put a radiator in the front, and I probably won’t be able to fit one in the top, but I’m not sure. I am also concerned that the two top fans could create negative air pressure since there would be more exhaust fans than intake fans, but maybe air pressure depends on the rpm as well. I haven’t done enough research on air pressure to really know yet. This case also doesn’t look quite as good as the NZXT S340 Elite, but it doesn’t look bad either. Furthermore, I don’t want to carry a USB hub home with me every weekend, and I could plug the four controllers into the back of my case, but it isn’t ideal.
So far I have an ASUS ROG STRIX 1080 TI OC (298 mm length), a 1 TB SSD, and an 8700k. I am wondering if an AIO or air cooler would be better for my situation, as well as which case to get. One thing that concerns me about AIO coolers is that I have heard that they are noisier than air coolers. I don't need dead silence, but my HP prebuilt is annoyingly loud, especially the HDD on it. Also, I have heard that the pumps can fail after a few years.
NZXT S340 Elite:
GPU Clearance with Radiator: 334mm
GPU Clearance without Radiator: 364mm
CPU Cooler: 161mm
Define C TG:
CPU cooler height limit: 172mm
Graphics card length limit: Max 315mm with front fan mounted (Won’t fit my video card with a radiator)
PSU length limit: 175mm
I could use a different case than these if needed. These are just two cases that I came across that appealed to me. So if you have any other suggestions for cases let me know.
Any thoughts on a case/cooler? Also, sorry for the long post, and thank you in advance. Also, I know that Noctua is good, but I don't like the color scheme. It isn't a deal breaker, but it comes close. :/
Edit: Forgot to mention that I would like to use Trident Z RGB RAM if possible if it fits. If not that is alright though. I might need different RAM if I go with an air cooler.