Case/Cooling recommendations? NOW WITH POLL

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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
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Sometime this summer, I'm probably going to be doing a crossfire or SLI build with the Conroe core chip when it comes out sometime this summer. What would you guys recommend in terms of cases and cooling?

I really haven't been on top of either lately, but I think I'd like to do some sort of water cooling, at least for the CPU - I've never done water cooling before, but I'd like to try it out.

Silent is a plus, but the chief criterion by which to judge everything is actual ability to cool.
 
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Pyrokinetic

Senior member
Dec 4, 2005
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A couple of questions first:

Are you interested in a full-tower or a mid-tower case?
Are you looking for all aluminum construction or is a steel frame ok?
Third, what is your budget (I know its a 2k build, but how much of that toward a case)?

The brands I would recommend are Lian-Li, Cooler Master, and Silverstone. I personally have a Cooler Master Stacker 810 (air-cooled) and it is a case made for great airflow. For water-cooling, I would go for the original Stacker:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119039

Danger Den also makes a radiator shroud that mounts to the bottom of this case:
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=211&cat=13&page=1

The 810 does away with the upper PSU mount of the original Stacker and installs a second 120mm exhaust fan. The 810 is actually the "server" version of the Stacker, as it can mount quad-processor motherboards E-ATX 12" x 13". For comparison to the original, here is the link to the 810:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119093
 
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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
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Either a full tower or a mid tower case would be fine, but I like big cases. However, any case that's likely to be recommended to me is probably going to be large... so either way.

As for budget... I can't be certain yet, because I don't know how much the rest of the machine is going to cost... but I'm open to suggestions in almost any price range.
 
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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
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Originally posted by: Operandi
Lian Li V1100
Click to expand...

Looks good, but I'm skeptical about actual performance, especially with the inverted motherboard design.

Just checked out a lot of other reviews, they all say good things.

Anyone else have suggestions?
 
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Pyrokinetic

Senior member
Dec 4, 2005
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That Lian-Li is a really nice case. Lian-Li just updated their cases, check out the new PC-S80, which is the newest "silent" Lian-Li. While it is classified as a mid-tower, it is bigger than most. Might be worth a look, especially if you use an external liquid-cooling setup like the Zalman RESERATOR 1 Plus.

Just depends on what you want and what you like. Happy shopping.
 
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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
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The PC-S80 looks VERY nice - I'm going to have a hard time deciding between the two... or something else entirely.

I still don't know what I'm doing in terms of cooling; water cooling looks nice, but with an expensive case such as this, it might not be worth it for my budget... I'm still open to suggestions in that department.
 
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Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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Lian li is hard to beat, but the antec P180 is worth a look too. It's a bit cheaper and will give just as good cooling performance, the major difference is that the P180 is designed to run cool and quiet while the lian li cases generally are designed to run cool and look stunning.
 
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Pyrokinetic

Senior member
Dec 4, 2005
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I personally decided against water-cooling because some of the larger heatpipe heatsinks can actually come very close to the performance of water-cooling setups. I have a Thermalright XP-120 which now has a 120mm Yate Loon fan mounted on it. As I am writing this, I am currently at 32C. Under load, I have never seen my temps go past 51C (using the Sandra Lite burn-in wizard). Water setups might improve that by 2-3C, but for the cost and time involved, I do not think it is worth it. Just my opinion, but you might want to talk to some people with water setups though.
 
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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
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Hmm. Between the PC-S80 and the PC-V2100B Plus, what do you guys think?

Either should have room to fit the components, so that shouldn't be a problem... but which seems like it would offer optimal cooling and aural qualities?
 
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pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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I have 3 LL cases and have found them to be well ventilated, which aids in cooling and after installing 120mm top vents, have improved case temperatures. My PC-60s had top 80mm originally until I enlarged them to 120mm with my trusty RotoZip.
 
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Pyrokinetic

Senior member
Dec 4, 2005
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Originally posted by: ruffilb
Either should have room to fit the components, so that shouldn't be a problem... but which seems like it would offer optimal cooling and aural qualities?
Click to expand...

I think the PC-S80 would be better in the aural department, what with the inner side panels and the innovative s-pattern intakes. Seems well-thought out. The V2100 is a "mod" of sorts to a regular case. The PC-S80 was engineered from the get-go to be a "quiet" solution. The only drawback is that the main air intakes are on the sides, so putting it right up flush next to a desk may not be the best idea. Also, a window is pretty much out of the question with this case.
A review of the PC-S80 by AMD Review:
http://www.amdreview.com/reviews.php?rev=pcs80&page=1

Just a thought though if you are still interested in water-cooling...Koolance makes a watercooled custom case based on the PC-V1100, the PC3-734BK:
http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php/cPath/28_43/products_id/200

or the more powerful (and louder) PC4-1024BK:
http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php/cPath/28_43/products_id/271

spendy, but very nice.
 
aigomorla

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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Originally posted by: Pyrokinetic
Originally posted by: ruffilb
Either should have room to fit the components, so that shouldn't be a problem... but which seems like it would offer optimal cooling and aural qualities?
Click to expand...

I think the PC-S80 would be better in the aural department, what with the inner side panels and the innovative s-pattern intakes. Seems well-thought out. The V2100 is a "mod" of sorts to a regular case. The PC-S80 was engineered from the get-go to be a "quiet" solution. The only drawback is that the main air intakes are on the sides, so putting it right up flush next to a desk may not be the best idea. Also, a window is pretty much out of the question with this case.
A review of the PC-S80 by AMD Review:
http://www.amdreview.com/reviews.php?rev=pcs80&page=1

Just a thought though if you are still interested in water-cooling...Koolance makes a watercooled custom case based on the PC-V1100, the PC3-734BK:
http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php/cPath/28_43/products_id/200

or the more powerful (and louder) PC4-1024BK:
http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php/cPath/28_43/products_id/271

spendy, but very nice.
Click to expand...

that koolance watercooling kit is utter and complete trash from what many people have stated. The pump is located inside the resivour and can dump heat more then if it was outside in a loop. The kit is however dual pump staged, but the tubing isnt so great. If your going with a koolance kit, id get the 1000W version. I hear the parts are also much better on it.

BTW if your looking for a large case, with near endless budget, the silverstone TJ-07 is hands down the best case in its class. If you want a big mean case, the TAI - CHI maybe a good solution as well.

Also i would like you to note my watercooling idles at 24C and Load is at 27C. I dont think a heatpipe will get anywhere near my temps. This is all with ambient temps of 73F according to my digital therm on my clock.
 
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Pyrokinetic

Senior member
Dec 4, 2005
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I posted a reply to aigomorla regarding water-cooling, but I felt it was hijacking this thread, so I posted it as a new topic entitled "What are the benefits of water-cooling?"
 
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