Case for 120.2 w/c, single loop

[jesh462]

I'm upgrading from a matx case to something larger to fit a full atx motherboard. When the holidays come around, I'd like to treat myself to a custom water cooling loop. It will, at most, cool the cpu and a single video card. I may leave the GPU out of it entirely. As such, a 120.2 will do just fine for the system.
My problem now is finding options for cases that will fit one of these without hacking it to pieces.
So far, I have my eye on the Corsair 650d. The main negative I see here is the price, although I can live with the ~160usd shipped. I would prefer a medium atx case, and I don't like level 10/haf/whatever styling.
I prefer clean looks with an edge, like the 650d or the Bitfenix Shinobi.
Suggestions, anyone? =)



Already ruled out in favor of the 650d:

CM: CM690 Std/adv, Centurion 590, 600t, Haf anything, Storm anything
Silverstone: Raven 2/3, TJ10
Corsair: 4/5/600, 800d
NZXT: Phantom/410, Gamma
Antec: 1200, DF, Lanboy
Fractal Design: Arc Midi
Rosewill: Thor

 

[BrightCandle]

What CPU and graphics are you intending to cool? 120.2 of thick rad will cool about 260 Watts of dissipated heat, so if its anything above a mid range GPU you may find its not enough cooling to cope. For a CPU only loop however it'll be pretty good (presuming it is actually a thick rad not a thin one).

Case wise I don't pay attention to anything but the full on water cooling cases. Can't help you find a mainstream one.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

With a custom water loop you really are going to want a more full size case. Space gets really tight in there.

BrightCandle speaks wisdom. I'd recommend a 3x120mm rad for a CPU + GPU setup, unless your hardware is more midrange.

 

[WoodButcher]

LIAN LI Lancool First Knight Series PC-K57W Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case.

Shell shocker deal today at Newegg caght my eye, a 120x 2 should fit upfront and a 120x 1 inside back?
40 bux shipped 1:00 - 4:00 pm pacific time today. At that price I don't feel guilty hacking them up but as the front looks to fit 2, 140 mm fans a double 120 rad should be easy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112323

 

[jesh462]

The CPU will be whatever AMD comes out with later this year. That's why I was ambiguous about it, I don't really know how much heat the chip will put out or if a GPU will do ok on the loop or not. I don't have a problem with a CPU only loop. I also only have 1 hard drive and no optical drive, so I figure I can fit quite a bit in all those extra bays.

 

[BrightCandle]

Its likely the AMD chip will be 125W TDP, and presumably when overclocked it'll be more like 200W usage at peak.

A 680 GTX will pull 180W or more like 240W when overclocked moderately so in total if you want both you need about 440W of cooling. The very basic rule is a thin radiator with 1000 rpm fans will cool about 90W per 120mm fan and a thick one will cool more like 130W.

 

[jesh462]

I've been doing more research and am now also considering the Xigmatech Midgard II, and the Corsair Carbide 500r. I'm not sure if I like the aesthetics of the Carbide yet, but I'm thinking about it. What do you guys think, between the the cases? The 650D isn't able to do a push pull config (depends on MB) and neither is the Carbide, though it can fit two 120.2s. I'm not sure if the Midgard II can or not.

EDIT
Recently found the Anidees AI6. Very nice looking case.. the cons seem to be that the paint suffers from scratches somewhat easily, and there is not much room for a radiator up top. If using the case, it might be necessary to use a slim radiator.