Question Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280/360 and NZXT H Series compatibility ?

[baldyistaken]

Hello,

This is my first time posting thread and building a computer and i need some help with choosing right component. This computer will be for gaming. I've decided on almost all the pieces. But I'm very confused about the AIO and case. The AIO I have in mind is Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 and the case is NZXT H7 Flow RGB. I want to mount AIO on top. Even though H7 Flow RGB supports radiators up to 360mm, according to my research, it is not compatible with H7 Flow RGB for top mounting due to its ALF 280 thickness. It is said that it is interfering with the motherboard. The questions I want to ask you are:

1- Is NZXT H9 Flow compatible with ALF280 for top mounting?
2- Is NZXT H7 Flow RGB compatible with ALF360 for top mounting?
3- What are the differences between AIO top mounting and front mounting?
4- Can you recommend a case model similar to H7 Flow RGB that is compatible with ALF280?

Other parts of the computer are as follows:

CPU= Ryzen7 7800X3D
GPU= Galax 4070Ti Ex Gamer
MBD= Asus Rog Strix X670E-A Gaming Wi-Fi
RAM= GSKILL 32GB (2x16GB) Flare X5 6000MHz CL30 DDR5 AMD EXPO
SSD = Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB
PSU= FSP Hydro GT PRO 850W

Thanks in advance for the answers.

 

[MEMOFLEX]

Hi bud

From looking it seems that the H9 has enough clearance for a fan and radiator including the oversized Rad on and Arctic freezer ii.

The H7 I think may be a bit tight and the Fans for the Rad may fowl the motherboard connectors at the top.

I have personally always front mounted my radiators as I prefer to draw colder, external air through the chassis. If top mounted then you sometimes sacrifice some temps as you are drawing internal case air through the Rad. This is in a conventional front to back airflow situation.

In regards to alternate cases then the H9 looks like NZXTs version of a Lian Li 011D so that case is always an alternative. There are multiple models of the 011D ranging in size amd colour so options are available should you need them.

The H7 looks like a fairly generic white case. Corsair do cases like the 4000D which are similar in terms of spec.

Hope that helps bud

 

[baldyistaken]

I've been researching for a few hours and now I'm thinking of mounting the AIO on the front. According to a user comment, mounting the AIO at the front and positioning the fans facing outward reduces the GPU temperature by 5-6 degrees. What he means is that it will be AIO intake and its fans will face outward, not inside the case. Do you have any thoughts about this idea?

By the way, my uncertainty about the case and AIO is almost over because I will mount the AIO on the front. Thus, my problem due to thickness will be solved.

 

[bill001g]

If you want a cheaper case you can mount the liquid freezer on the top of a lianli 216 case and it will clear the motherboard. The case is huge.

 

[baldyistaken]

If you want a cheaper case you can mount the liquid freezer on the top of a lianli 216 case and it will clear the motherboard. The case is huge.

I have ZERO idea about Lian-Li brand. Is the material quality better than NZXT or Corsair? And is there really enough space on the top panel for the arctic liquid freezer ii 280?

 

[bill001g]

You can see reviews from last year when it came out. Gamers Nexus likes it.
Not sure about a 280 since it is wide. The 216 allows the motherboard to be mounted in 2 ways which gives extra down clearance. It to a point depends on if there is a very tall shield on the heatsinks. A 360 or 240 fits because the are only 120mm rather than 140mm wide. I built 2 machines last year for other people last christmas using the case. It is a great case for $99.

 

[thestryker]

Lian-li has been around in the case business longer than those other two companies have existed period. Materially they're always at the top of the game when it comes to cases.

Lancool 216 is definitely a good case and has maximum thickness of 60mm for 280 and 77mm for 360.

The O11 EVO is pretty much the best case on the market when it comes to cooling with an AIO. You can side mount the radiator have intake fans on the front (optional mesh panel) and bottom with exhaust at the top/back which means GPU and CPU both get clean air. I've been happy with my 5000D Airflow, but if this had come out 2 weeks earlier than it did I'd have gotten it instead.

 

[baldyistaken]

Thank you all for your replies. I decided on the following components.

CPU = AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AIO = Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280
MBD = Asus ROG STRIX B650E-E GAMING WIFI
RAM = GSKILL 32GB (2x16GB) Flare X5 6000MHz CL30 DDR5 AMD EXPO
GPU = Galax RTX4070 TI EX Gamer
SSD = KIOXIA EXCERIA PRO 1TB
Case = Lian Li LANCOOL III
PSU = Thermaltake 850W Toughpower GF3 GEN 5 80+ Gold

I would be happy to hear comments, suggestions for changes or criticism about the componets.