Budget Cases supporting the H110 AIO

[Z15CAM]

This is my 2nd Post on this issue as the original thread went nowhere.

Has anyone installed a Corsair H110 280mm AIO Radiator into a Fractal R4 or similar designed case other then Corsair with 2x's 120/140 fan mounts on the TOP or in the Front. From what I've read most accept the NZXT X60 280 Rad with the 15cm Spacing but not the H110 with the 20cm spacing.

I don't mind doing a some mods if I can Keep both the Fans and Radiator under the Hood and clear of the MB for under $75.

Cheaper solutions I'm looking at are the NZXT’s Source 210 Elite and BitFenix Shinobi (which really appeals to me).

If I have to spend more then I will bite the bullet and save for a Corsair Carbide 500R which is designed for the H110 for between $110 to $120 CDA.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

This isn't an exact answer to your question, but I went from a H110 to the Swiftech H220 with Noctua NF F12 fans, its a better unit IMHO.

 

[Z15CAM]

I would have preferred the Swiftech H220; however, I picked up the H110 for $110 from NCIX as an introduction promotion sale of the product. The Swifteck costs over $160 in Canada by the time you add Tax and Shipping.

I will not be getting into GPU water cooling so I have no need to expand the loop. If you read reviews you will note the H110 actually betters the H220 by a degree or 2 and is just as quiet plus it has a 5 year warranty.

My goal is to run an i7 2700K at 4.8+Ghz 24/7.

I see on uTube where a Geek modded a Corsair 400r for the H110 but had to place the fans externally on top of the case. I can do that with about any Case - I would prefer a internal enclosure Modification with the 280mm Rad either on Top or in the Front of a case costing under $75.

The NZXT X60 and Corsair H110 are really Antec KÜHLER Pumps with a massive 280mm Alu-Rad and 140mm Fans compared to the Swiftech 260mm Brass Rad with 120mm Fans and massive 6w Pump and yes it has the option to expand the loop - Which I don't need.

Thanks anyways ;o)

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I would have preferred the Swiftech H220; however, I picked up the H110 for $110 from NCIX as an introduction promotion sale of the product. The Swifteck costs over $160 in Canada by the time you add Tax and Shipping.

I will not be getting into GPU water cooling so I have no need to expand the loop. If you read reviews you will note the H110 actually betters the H220 by a degree or 2 and is just as quiet plus it has a 5 year warranty.

My goal is to run an i7 2700K at 4.8+Ghz 24/7.

I see on uTube where a Geek modded a Corsair 400r for the H110 but had to place the fans externally on top of the case. I can do that with about any Case - I would prefer a internal enclosure Modification with the 280mm Rad either on Top or in the Front of a case costing under $75.

The NZXT X60 and Corsair H110 are really Antec KÜHLER Pumps with a massive 280mm Alu-Rad and 140mm Fans compared to the Swiftech 260mm Brass Rad with 120mm Fans and massive 6w Pump and yes it has the option to expand the loop - Which I don't need.

Thanks anyways ;o)

Not that it matters, but I found the H220 with NF F12 fans does give me better temps than my H110 did. This was based off the same thing Linus found when he recently redid the testing.

 

[TY-1]

A good "budget" case that will fit the H110 is the Fractal Arc Midi R2. The Arc Midi R2 has been designed to handle larger rads and the H110 will fit nicely mounted either at the top or front of the case. It is currently on sale at Newegg for $99.99 and with the promo code listed on the page you can get an additional $30 off dropping the price down to $69.99 which is an excellent deal. The Arc Midi R2 has many great features and potential configurations that are usually found only in higher priced cases.

 

[Z15CAM]

Wow I'm impressed with that Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 case review.

Hardwaresecrets say the R2 supports rads up to 240mm long where the H110 is a 280mm rad that is actually 301x140x30 / LxWxH with 20mm fan spacing - I Wonder?

Man I wish I had your pricing - Prices Canada for the R2 are: NCIX CA delivered $129 and NewEgg CA $142 - I can get a Carbide 500R for $125 shipped from DirectCanada. On the other hand I can get a Bitfenix Shinobi delivered from Direct Canada for $69. I know there is no comparison in quality between the Shinobi and either the R2 or 500R - The Price reflects this; but, it appears that the Shinobi can handle the H110 on top but not the front.

The only case within the above price ranges that advertizes H110 compatibility without modifications is the Carbide 500R which, in my opinion, at $125 is a sturdier case then Fractal. The 500R is an older case but has all the modern features.

PS:
Well it seems some uTube Reviews say the R2 has support for 2x280mm Rads (Top & Front - NICE) but only for the 15mm fan spacing such as the NZXT X60 (I believe the X60 rad is around 296mm long compared to the H100's 301mm length - If that matters). I suppose it would not take much of a mod to adapt to the 20mm spacing for the H110. I like the Top Rad offset clearance of the R2 for the MB but not fussy about Top Controller location. Very NICE INDEED.

It appears to me the Corsair H110 Rad has specific 20mm spacing for their own casings and fans where something like 2 Noctua NH-P14 FLX fans may fit the Rad but not other cases (Correct me if I'm wrong). A thin fan mount relocation plate bolted to the rad or Drill the Casing would be a rather simple Fix but at $40 a pop, them Noctua's will defeat my purpose.

Tom at OverClock3D.net (UK) TimeToLiveHOP(Customs) has a great review on uTube RE: The Fractal Design Arc Midi R2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVqFb2eKN_4
Eat your heart out Linus ;o)

I can't see why you could not fit a Corsair H110 into either the Top or the Front of the R2 case - Specifically the Top with minor Mods. Guess you have me leaning toward the R2 - TimeToLiveSavings or I will opt for the $70 Shinobi for 1/2 the price ;o)

I'm running 16G's of 4X4G's of Low Profile Samsung MV-3V4G3D-US Green @ 1866Mhz 9-9-9-24-1T @ 1.2v on an Asus P8Z68V-Pro Gen3 with an i7 2700K at any Speed / an old EVGA e-GeForce GTX 280 / XFX 850W Pro Black Edition (Into Video Encoding) - Win7 x64 Ultimate SP1.

Love that RAM

Here's a descent Bitfinex Shinobi Water build that positions a RX240 (124x63x280mm) rad in the front at the expense of the HDD Brackets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5nHV8YrDv8 . He does appear to have room at the bottom to mount 3 HHD's between the PSU and Rad if he wants. I sure a 280 AIO will fit there as well. Is there is enough room in the Shinobi Top to mount a H110 280x140x30 rad close as possible to the front side case for fans to clear the mainboard or do I mount the 280 rad in normal position and simply mount the fans on top and cut holes in the top Filter - Hum?

I'm sure you will have a Kick from this Guy RE: The 40 Fan Corsair H100 Video from OverClock3D - If you have or not seen it :http://www.overclock3d.net/articles/cases_cooling/ultimate_h100_cooling_mod/1

 

[irse]

I'm doing a new build with the H220 and Arc Midi R2. It barely fits. I have barely enough space to fit an optical drive with it's cables in the top slot because the H220 is very close to the end of the drive. I don't think a longer radiator will fit.

 

[Z15CAM]

I'm not too concerned about fouling the Top Optical Drive bay or locating the H110 forward. I could always use the remaining Bay space for a 4 Rheostat Fan Controller. The H110 + 140 Fan is 2" Deep = the Depth of one Optic Bay. The R2 only has 2 Optic Bays leaving one for a DVD or BRRW Burner if required.

What concerns me is the Width of a H110 located on the Top Panel. Is there clearance between the 140mm wide Rad with Fan to the Main Board?

I was considering the H220 but as I only intend to cool the CPU the cheaper H110 priced at $110 compared to the $149 H220 was an easy decision for me. If I where to cool other peripherals such as GPU's, Ram...etc I would build a 2 loop System using something like a XSPC reservoir, D5 Laing Pump and say a XSPC RX240 Radiator rather then buying a H220 - This is where the Fractal ARC Midi R2 would shine - but that's just me.

I love the ARC R2. It has about unlimited Water options; however, it cost over twice the price of a $60 Shinobe. It's just a matter of expanding the 15mm fan spacing to 20mm for the Corsair 280mm Rad and as I say I'm not concerned about fouling the Top Optic Bay. It's the MB clearance I'm wondering about without having to mount the Fans on top on the Top Panel; however, I think the Shinobe would look great with a H110 in Push Pull and dual 140 Fans on top.

To me even though how trick the R2 is, the Shinobe can do the same Job for less then 1/2 the price in regards to a Single Loop AIO Water Cooling System designed specifically for cooling the CPU and it looks just as good as the R2.

 

[dragantoe]

nzxt source 210 can support a 280mm radiator such as the kraken x60

also, I have it and can vouch for how good the quality is

if you want something cooler looking but around that price the nzxt tempest 410 is also great

 

[Z15CAM]

The Shinobe is approx 1/4" wider with a tad more head room above the MB making the possibility of mounting both the Rad & Fan within the casing (clearing the MB) but doesn't mean you can mount the fans externally on Top with a Minor Mod to the Bezel like either the Source 210 or Tempest.

The lay out on all 3 MB's are very similar but that Tempest is kinda Ugly - lol

The 210 is priced similarly to the Shinobe at $70 delivered. The Tempest is $113 delivered. For $12 more I think I would go for the Corsair 500R or possibly the Fractal ARC Midi R2 which is about the ultimate water solution but an over kill for a single loop AIO system.

Just keep in mind that you must Mod the 140mm mount holes for the H110 from 15mm spacing to 20mm.

 

[Z15CAM]

What a deal you Americans have on the Fractal ARC R2 right now.

NCIX.com USA Fractal Design Arc MIDI R2 $64.99 Free Ground Shipping, Promotional Weekly Special, ENDS: 05/29/2013. That $20 cheaper then the Shinobi at NCIX USA.

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=78227&vpn=Arc%20Midi%20R2&manufacture=Fractal%20Design&promoid=1281


NCIX CDA has the R2 listed at $69.99 (same price as the Shinobi with out window) + tax and shipping = $106.33 Ending: 05/29/2013.

DirectCanada has the Shinobi with no window listed at $60.65 delivered for $69.56.

Get Em while their HOT ;o)

Remember the Shinobi requires some verily extensive modification to install the H110 where as you can easily install the H110 in the front and possible the top of the R2 just by drilling the 20mm fan spacing.

I still haven`t made my mind up but it`s going to be either the Shinobi at $69.56 or the R2 at $106.33 - Will have to make my mind up before midnight May 29th.

 

[Z15CAM]

Well I bit the Bullet and ordered the Fractal ARC Midi R2 from NCIX.CA on Sale for $69.99 which is $40.00 off regular price of $109.99. They appear regular between $114 to $128 elsewhere.

On sale NCIX.CA for $69.99
Ship & Handling: $24.11
HST Tax: $12.51
Shipping Ins: $2.10

TOTAL: $108.71

Americans have today to buy the Fractal ARC Midi R2 for $64.99 with FREE SHIPPING from NCIX US.

I can't believe how we Canadians get RIPPED off.

I can buy a Black Bitfenix Shinobi without Window delivered for $70 from DirectCanada. I had better LOVE this ARC R2 or it's going Back ;o)

 

[Z15CAM]

Huh! I got the Fractal ARC R2 with in 24 Hrs after ordering from NCIX CA. Actually PayPal had not processed the withdrawal from my account when I received it - FAST Man.

The ARC is a beautiful piece of engineering. I did have to mod to mount the H110 in the Top of the Case but it was very easy. I used a Dremel and cut a 1" wide and 2" deep out of the end of the Optic bay and had to drill 2 holes in the top of the casing. The 2" depth will allow for either Push Pull or the installation of a 280x60x140 rad if I ever go that way. The H110 will mount into the front with a little mod for the 20mm Fan Spacing but I wanted to keep that space free if I ever decided to get back into GPU cooling and run a separate loop.

Even with the 140mm Rad width I ended up with loads of space above the MB and sufficient clearance to run a DVDRW in the top optic bay - Looks great ;o)

Glad I paid the $35 more for the ARC R2 on sale over the Shinobi as the Shinobi would have required extensive modification to mount the H110 in either the Top or the Front.

I highly recommend Fractal's ARC Midi R2. One thing I did notice is that it does not come with a Case Speaker to signal booting or bios re-configuration. I confiscated one from an old box I had laying around.

For your info I'm running an i7 2700K (Presently with a minor OC @ 4.5G's @ 1.3v. Approx 28C Idle and 62C under Full Load with the H110 running Prime95 - I'm very pleased with the H110 and Fractal ARC R2) , ASUS P8Z68Pro Gen3 with 16G's of Samsung MV-3V4G3D-US_DDR3 (running at 1866Mhz, 1.28v, 9-9-9-24 1T - love that Ram), XFX 850W Pro Full Modular PSU, an old EVGA e-GeForce GTX 280, Hauppauge WinTV 1250, optional D-Link DFE-538TX 10/100 Network Adapter, ASUS SRW-24B3ST Optical Drive and 2 WD5001AALS_HDD.

I'm looking forward at running 2 X's 128G SSD's in Raid-0 with perhaps a 5G OC. Im not much into Gaming but do a lot of Video Encoding.

 

[Z15CAM]

Now running a stable 4.7G's in OffSetMode with a -0.005v offset - Idles at .99v and ramps to 1.38v running Prime for hours at approx 68 to 73C. I booted 4.8 and 5G's with an Auto OffSet but the Voltage ramps to over 1.5 volts. At 4.8 G's and 1.5v under Pime95 the temp can climb to near 80C's.

Not too shabby with a 24/7 4.7G's stable OC where the voltage rarely goes over 1.34v under load and the temp never breaks 65C.

I'm very pleased with the Fractal ARC R2 and the H110 combination ;o)

I guess this concludes my thread.

SHIT! I BSOD after 5 hours of Prime95. Changed the multiplier to 46 and running the same Offset Voltage of -0.005v - Max voltage is 1.38 and Temp is about the same.

I want to stay below 1.4v for a 24/7 OC.

Prime has passed 10 hours now at 4.6G's, 1.38v @ 67 C.

I'm not giving up on that 4.7G OC under 1.4v yet - I plan to play with the PLL voltage and perhaps add some voltage to the DRAM but I need a solid base to start with ;o)