Best case for GPU and CPU water cooling.

SebastianHELP

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I'm looking for a case that is good for watercooling and also looks nice. I'm going to water cool my CPU and GPU with either (1x240, 1x360) or (2x240) radiators. The price doesn't matter that much but please don't list a case labs $600 case. Thank you!
 
Solution
I'd suggest the Entoo Luxe which will do just fine with a All-in-One solution like the Swiftech H240 X2 and a GTX 1070

http://www.swiftech.com/h240x2.aspx

H240-X2-COLOR-PICS.jpg


However, 2 days ago it was $129 on newegg, now it's $50 more. it seems to have gone out of production

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/CvLypg/phanteks-case-phes614lwt

if ya want sumthin real perty, the Luxe tempered is gorgeous

You can put the Swiftech (2 x 140) on top and add a 2nd 2 x 120 radiator on the front if ya like.

If wanna go all out ... a 420 rad on top, 240 rad in front , D5 pump and tube reservoirs would rock

Next choice would be one of the Evolv cases

Aluminum / Tempered Glass $189...
I'd suggest the Entoo Luxe which will do just fine with a All-in-One solution like the Swiftech H240 X2 and a GTX 1070

http://www.swiftech.com/h240x2.aspx

H240-X2-COLOR-PICS.jpg


However, 2 days ago it was $129 on newegg, now it's $50 more. it seems to have gone out of production

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/CvLypg/phanteks-case-phes614lwt

if ya want sumthin real perty, the Luxe tempered is gorgeous

You can put the Swiftech (2 x 140) on top and add a 2nd 2 x 120 radiator on the front if ya like.

If wanna go all out ... a 420 rad on top, 240 rad in front , D5 pump and tube reservoirs would rock

Next choice would be one of the Evolv cases

Aluminum / Tempered Glass $189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854040

Best case on the market
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdRlHMkZS8Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLJfP0XyaE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1o5HHmM2Ug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHjs9xet6DQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1o5HHmM2Ug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS0nafce6NI

Also comes in a cheaper version w/o the tempered glass. It was given the "best case of 2105 award". It fits

Top - 3 x 120 (360) or 2 x 140 (280)
Front - 3 x 120 (360) or 2 x 140 (280)
Rear - 1 x 120 (120) or 1 x 140 (140)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQfRDSGlNqI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy9GZlxCHjY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLJfP0XyaE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhyS8d7b3LI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYr1xBVAsYw


 
Solution

CAlbertson

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Jan 3, 2013
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"I'm looking for a case that is good for watercooling and also looks nice."

You want "looks nice"? This is the best looking one I've ever seen, the case was water tight and they flooded it like an aquarium and circulated the cooling liquid to that large chiller in the background. Some owners placed plastic toy fish inside for decoration.

Seriously it would be cool if someone were to place modern computing hardware inside a transparent flooded chassis again. There is no reason not to do it.

CRAY-2_IMG_8915-8913-8912a.jpg
 

Mikel_4

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Oct 15, 2016
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I prefer tempered glass not because in in trend but to the fact is easier to clean, scratch resist, clearness durability, all better than acrylic.

  • ■ Be Quiet Dark Base Pro 900, all 420 mm up to 90 mm thick in push-pull @ front + slim 30 mm thick in push-pull 420 mm @ top + 140 mm @ rear at once. Internal fan @ bottom 140
    ■ Raijintek Asterion Classic, push only < 60 mm thick @ front + 140 mm thick @ rear + up to 90 mm thick in push-pull @ top.
    ■ Lian li PC O9 , push only < 60 mm thick @ front (side facing) + [strike]140 mm thick @ rear[/strike] + up to 90 mm thick in push-pull @ top.
    ■ Lian li PC O8 , push only < 60 mm thick @ front (front facing) + [strike]140 mm thick @ rear[/strike] + up to 90 mm thick in push-pull @ top.
Those three support 270 mm reservoir or 250 mm reservoir with pump+top


8 expansion slots for quad graphic card

  • ■http://www.thinkcomputers.org/phanteks-enthoo-luxe-tempered-glass-edition-case-review/3/
    ■www.techspot.com/review/1203-bequiet-dark-base-pro-900
    ■http://www.xtremerigs.net/2015/11/17/in-win-909-atx-case-review/2/
    ■http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2016/02/16/in-win-805-review/2
    ■http://www.tomshardware.com/news/lian-li-pc-09-tempered-glass-case,31783.html
    ■www.overclockers.com/lian-li-pc-o8-case-review
    ■http://www.tomshardware.de/rajintek-asterion-classic-midi-tower-glasturen-caseking,news-257176.html
    ■http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Super_Tower_/The_Tower/C_00002974/The_Tower_900/design.htm
    ■http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Full_Tower_/Core/C_00002998/Core_X71_Tempered_Glass_Edition/design.htm
    some benchtest
    Raijintek Paean
    Thermaltake Core p5
7 expansion slots for triple or dual graphic card

  • ■http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Mid_Tower_/Core/C_00002997/Core_X31_Tempered_Glass_Edition/design.htm/
    ■http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Mid_Tower_/Suppressor/C_00002999/Suppressor_F31_Tempered_Glass_Edition/design.htm/
    ■http://www.eteknix.com/aerocool-p7c1-project-7-tempered-glass-mid-tower-chassis-review/4/
    ■http://www.overclockers.com/anidees-ai-crystal-case-review/

    somewhat identical to
    ■https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Rosewill/Cullinan/3.html
    ■http://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/leo-waldock/nzxt-s340-elite-case-review/
    ■http://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/leo-waldock/phanteks-evolv-atx-tempered-glass-edition-review/
    ■http://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/leo-waldock/phanteks-enthoo-pro-m-glass-case-review/
    ■http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2014/01/23/in-win-904-review/2

    this one is drawer PC case
    ■http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2016/10/13/nanoxia-project-s-review/2

    finally corsair's
    ■http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2016/11/21/corsair-crystal-series-570x-rgb-review/1
    ■http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2016/11/21/corsair-crystal-series-460x-rgb-review/1
    ■http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2016/10/20/bitfenix-aurora-review/1
    ■http://www.ocaholic.co.uk/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=3951 (Lian li PC V33)
    ■www.eteknix.com/lian-li-pc-x510-wx-mid-tower-chassis-review
    Bitfenix Shogun
    Cooler Master Maker T5

    another testbench
    Thermaltake Core P3
 
The best "normal" case for custom liquid loop with up to 360+240 rads is Fractal Design Define S.
If you are adventurous, you can do 2x240 in Define Nano S like I did.
For AiO style cooling, the above + Define C
AiO solution id recommend EK Predator 360 QDC + Pre filled blow = ~ 370$ (would prefer to do custom loop for that price)
 
Yes, I just don't **get** the pricing on the Predator line ... I like the design cause can add both fans in push / pull, but it's a lot more expensive than the Swiftech and the Swiftech gets much better numbers. My favorite combo when user doesn't want a custom loop is a non CLC type AIO w/ 2 x 140 Copper rads ... (same performance as a 360 w/ less noise) and a MSI Seahawk EK X 10xx series card equipped with full cover water block.

Swiftech H240-X2 = $149.95 (2 x 140mm) / EK Predator = $296.09 / $209.95
Swiftech H320-X2 = $164.95 (3 x 120mm) / EK Predator = $426.01 / $239.99


Prices direct from Swiftech and EK from Amazon / Performance PCs

The Define S is a fine case tho, it's performance is a bit lacking compared to later designs

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7200/fractal-design-define-window-mid-tower-chassis-review/index7.html
Performance / Quality of Design & Build / Features / Bundle and packaging / Value
91% / 94% / 99% / 96% / 99%

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6574/phanteks-enthoo-luxe-full-tower-chassis-review/index8.html
Performance / Quality of Design & Build / Features / Bundle and packaging / Value
100% / 99% / 100% / 98% / 100%

The Enthoo Evolv (Case of the Year from Computex) and, especially the Evolv Tempered Glass are a step up from the Luxe

I would certainly agree that the Define S is one of the best ATX cases under $100 .... but given the "price doesn't matter much" in OPs post, and the "looks nice" part makes my immediately think of the Evolv Tempered Glass best matches the stated goals.






 
The Enthoo Evolv is a great case.
It's just:
1. Way too big
2. the front intake is barely OK.
3. it was not designed for custom liquid
4. the top tray for rads/fans is taking too much space and useless in case of rigid tubing
The list goes on.
the Define S/C isn't perfect either.
But for the price, offers much more IMHO
 
As I said, I certainly do agree that the define S is a great case, but more accurately put ... It's great case ... for one that costs only $79. That's not a knock on the Define S..... but you certainly can't go toe to toe on features and performance with a well designed PC component that costs 2.5 times as much.

It could easily be argued that the 1060 is better than the 1080 ... for the price. By that yardstick, the 1060 is 54% better than the 1080.

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1060_Gaming_X_3_GB/28.html

But if budget is not a limitation, then no one is going to be buying the 1060 over the 1080. Same here. So in responding specifically to the OPs post, w/ budget is not an issue, while looks is. So I am not trying to pick the "best case for the money", but the best case that addresses the OPs stated concerns. I recommend the Define S to users doing $1000 builds .... the Evolv Tempered is on higher price niche. So if OP stated that he had a < $100 budget, then the Define S, Enthoo Pro M would be on my list. But with no limit other than "not $600", I'd cross off both because neither stands out in any way in the "looks" department.

The Define S certainly doesn't hold candle to the Evolv Tempered in the looks department. I haven't seen any reviewers talking about it being placed in an art gallery for example ... every review is adoration

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/49624/tempered-glass-phanteks-enthoo-evolv-atx-belongs-art-gallery/index.html

As for the other comments:

1.a I saw no reference to size limitations in the OP's post. Again, "Looks good" was stated as a specific requirement and as above nothing about the two sub-$100 cases mentioned above distinguishes themselves in the looks department. That's certainly not true of the Evolv Tempered where looks is usually the 1st comment in every review.

1.b How do you define way to big ? The fact of the matter is they are both standard mid tower ATX cases . And it's just 2.9% bigger.

Define S: 18.31" x 9.17" x 20.94" = 2.03 CF
Enthoo Evolv: 19.50" x 9.25" x 20.10" = 2.09 CF

The Luxe is a bit taller as it gives you that extra attic space to get the 2nd set of fans out of the case interior. Better for water cooling as it allows push / pull

2. The front intake is just fine ... I have seen reviewers note this apparently based upon intuition . They look at the opening around the outside and say "oh that's small" and look at 4" x 10" grille and say that's a whopping 40 sq.in. w/o accounting for the fact that a grille has only a relatively small % of open area due to all the metal between grille openings. Fog machine testing on the Evolv worked out just fine. In addition, anyone who knows anything about water cooling will have the fans blowing in on top providing well more than enough intake air.

3. It was most definitely designed for liquid cooling; it's Phanteks whole "raison d'être". Read or listen to any review. The Luxe scored a 100% in performance in the above referenced review while the Define S managed 91% and the Evolv is a later / improved design.

Best case of the Year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQfRDSGlNqI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKUkj23GgFE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLJfP0XyaE
Phanteks takes their award winning EVOLV to the ATX form factor, and tweaks it for incredible water cooling capabilities!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYr1xBVAsYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjS_HCexXsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy9GZlxCHjY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy9GZlxCHjY

Bill Owen, case modder extraordinaire raves about the case ine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnvpFZ64hI

Luke (guy who does all Linu' work) uses it for his personal rig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdRlHMkZS8Y

4. The top tray has been raved about in every review. I don't see folks complaining about a problem with taking up too much space other than mentioning that it blocks view of the MoBo. I would have liked if it was a bit taller and allowing installation of fans in the attic. I'm not seeing how rigid tubing is any different from flex tubing unless you are talking about AIOs. Let me see... would I rather install my rad by ....

a) Standing up holding the rad with one hand and trying to place / hold the screw in position and hold the screwdriver in the other at the same time ... or

b) Sitting comfortably at my work bench and letting "gravity" hold the radiator in place, left hand holding the screw and right hand the screwdriver

5. And while the Define S includes some well known Phanteks features such as SSD slide mounts and reservoir / pump mounts, it's not done as well as in the Evolv it is missing many features

Tempered Glass
Built in Fan Control
Built in LED system
E-ATX support
Rigid 1/8th inch thick aluminum panel construction
5 more 3.5" bays
1 more SSD mounting option
PSU Shroud
Radiator Offset to clear MoBo Heat Sinks
Large behind MoBo area w/ loop ties
Best fans on market

So yes, if we had talking budget limitations being a factor and not much emphasis on better than average aesthetics, I agree the Define S offers a great deal for the money. However, with budget a non-issue, and aesthetics being a central decision factor, I just don't think it is responsive to the OPs stated goals.




 
Define S has the fan controller, radiator mounts offset. C also has the shroud.
as i said, IT'S TOO BIG. who cares about E-ATX or 200 drives. This days, mini ITX can hold everything but not much needed multi gpu.
Regarding the fans ... nothing beats Noctua.
So yeah, more expensive materials. I have modified side panel of my Define Nano with tempered glass. looks awesome, powerful and quite.
2x240 rads + D5 + i7 + GTX 1070 in mini ITX - that's what wins.
 

Mikel_4

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Oct 15, 2016
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  • ■ Very subjective "nothing beats noctua"
    I'd say noctua has supreme blade material, this will make it motor spins blade faster (because its lightweight and rigor) with efficient power consumption and still produce high static air pressure at certain RPM speed. The fact is not all user likes beige brown black gray scheme, some user prefer LED, some such myself prefer Corsair ML life span. "Nothing beats noctua" in what? fan market share, company annual profit, ....?
    ■ Very "useful" ....who cares about EATX or 200 drive.... statement, I'm not making this even more useless for SebastianHelp.
    ■ The fact that SebastianHelp hasn't reveal his currently in use motherboard + GPU(s) + PSU(s) or future buy, again, as eternal champion level, we expect more profound plus versatile comment.
 
Dear Mikel, I'm not here to meet other's expectations. Merely to help some lost souls.
"nothing beats noctua" - means performance vs noise. You can accept or deny the fresh vomit colors, but it's pure performance rating. BTW there is an industrial PPC series that are actually black.
yes - who cares about additional drive mounts. There is a fraction of 1 percent of users with more than 2 drives.
and the comet you are talking about has nothing to do with OPs question, just a pointless argument with Jack.
 


We get it ... you like it better, you don't care about better materials, better fit and finish and more features, you don't care that it has features you won't use.... you don't care that reviewers called it the Best Case of 2015.

You don't care that its scores higher numbers in all the linked reviews ... you don't care that reviewers have deemed it worthy of inclusion and an art gallery....and you don't care that the OP specifically expressed an interest in something that "looks good"

He / she did not say he's looking for something that 'looks like just about everything else". All you have pointed out is what the Nano doesn't provide and the subjective conclusion that somehow not having something just because you won't use it somehow makes it better.

I get that, "best" is not necessarily "best for everybody" . But the reasons you have put forth are simply not supportable.

1. Having features that you don't need is not a negative. You bought a case, apparently the fans weren't good enough so you replaced them or at least think the case would be better with Noctuas. You didn't like the look of the case so you modded it adding tempered glass ...the fact that you felt you needed to take these steps indicates that the case, as delivered, just wasn't quite good enough by your own terms.

2. Please explain how 2.03 CF is perfectly OK and 2.09 C "way too big".

"McDonald's Quarter Pounder is great at 0.250 pounds but the other guy's hamburgers at 0.257 pounds is "just way too big".

"As I said to the salesman at the store, I was looking for a 50" TV .... 51.5" is way to big .... I just wouldn't be able to stand sitting 7.0' away from the TV; with the 50" I only have to sit 6.8' back".

"Well the job offer is great and all, the benefits are great and the extra salary will be nice, but right now I only have a 20.3 mile drive to work, doing 20.9 miles is simply way too much commuting distance."

Do these sound like logical arguments ?

Regarding the fans ... nothing beats Noctua

"nothing beats noctua" - means performance vs noise. You can accept or deny the fresh vomit colors, but it's pure performance rating.

Well if that's the case, the argument is lost .... Maybe we aren't using the same definition for "beat". As far as CPU cooling goes ... does having a CPU at 53C "beat" on that's at 50C ? Does one that has a better performance / noise ratio "beat" the one with the lower ?

a) I wasn't aware that the Nano was now delivering cases with Noctua fans. Topic is about case choices, not things you can buy afterwards. A case isn't "better" because you need to replace then fans with Noctuas

b) Explain this one to us;

Option 1: Four (4) industry leading 1200 rpm 140 mm fans, that can not be replaced by anything better (see below)
Option 2: One (1) 120 mm 1200 rpm fan + One (1) 1000 rpm 140mm fan; both of which you think should be replaced with Noctuas

How exactly is Option 2 better than 1 ?

Is getting half the amount of fans the reason ?
Is getting two different sizes and rpms the reason ?
Is the fact that having to replace them with Noctuas which will be perhaps almost as good as the Phanteks the reason ?

c) Noctua "lost the title" when Phanteks came on the scene but the Nocs still deserve respect for making quality products for so many years. But the aesthetics were always fugly and certainly do not "match" the case. That, and expense, are the reasons case manufacturers don't use them.

d) Noctua does make 2000 - 3000 rpm industrial fans, but you just said that performance / noise is what it's all about ... what place does a 2-3k fan have in a silent build ?

e) If nothing beats Noctua, then can you please explain why it is that, if you buy a Noctua cooler, and replace the Noctua fans with Phanteks fans on Noctua's own cooler, despite the fact that the Noctua's are spinning a whopping 25% faster, CPU temps drop by 2.9C ? I'm not quite able to understand just how a CPU temp of 50C with the Phanteks at 1200 rpm doesn't "beat" .... no "crush" 52.9C with the Noctuas at 1500 rpm. And looking at "apples and apples" , with both fans at the same rpm, I'm not quite able to understand how it is that 50C doesn't "beat" 56.3C ?
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenteks_f140/3.htm

f) If nothing beats Noctua, care to explain their No. 2 finish behind the Phanteks at silentpcreview ?
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html

So while "nothing beats noctua" - means performance vs noise was a true statement "back in the day", as soon as Phanteks came on the scene, this ceased to be true.

has nothing to do with OPs question, just a pointless argument with Jack

The reason it is a pointless argument is solely because a) the stated criteria in the OPs post are being ignored and b) your reasoning for your objections are not supportable. I don't have an issue with you preferring the Nano but your needs are not everyone needs. The part I take issue with is trying to turn your subjective preferences and present them as indisputable facts.

Address the following in reference to the OPs post:

a) "I'm looking for a case that is good for watercooling and also looks nice."

I can understand anyone not liking any particular case design, that is a subjective thing. But when the OP makes a point to mention aesthetics as an important issue, it's pretty much a given that they aren't looking for any "run of the mill" aesthetic that looks like just about everything else. The Evolv Tempered has dozens of reviews which spend a fair amount of time commenting on the superior aesthetics of the case. That certainly can not be said of the Define S.

b) "I'm going to water cool my CPU and GPU with either (1x240, 1x360) or (2x240) radiators."

Do not both cases meet that criteria ?

c) "The price doesn't matter that much but please don't list a case labs $600 case."

When the OP states that "price doesn't matter" it hardly screams out "Find me a a $54 case".

Now for the discussion you added that is not responsive to the original post

d) The OP does not include any stated criteria for the case being below a certain size, size is obviously not a important criteria to him / her and that is who we are trying to help. There are no stated width, depth or height limitations and lacking that, the size discussion is essentially irrelevant within accepted norms. The only instance where size matters would be 1) when talking outside normal expected ranges where it would needed to be said that Super ATX is OK, 2) where Mini ITX portability was desired or necessary for say LAN parties or dorm room or 3) case had to fit under desk or in cabinet.

None of these have been put forth and the emphasis on good looks would eliminate 3) from consideration

e) If "size does matter", I still am unable to grasp just how a 2.03 CF case is just perfect and a 2.09 CF mid tower case is way too big. You gonna turn down that job cause your commuting distance jumps from 20.3 miles to 20.9 ?

f) Your response to one case having more and better fans was to argue that Noctua fans ... fans that do not come with case you prefer .... are better. Exactly how is this relevant ? He could replace the fans in either case could he not ?

g) Putting four (4) 140mm Nocs in the Nano would certainly improve things ... but putting four (4) 140mm Nocs in the Evolv, simply put, would not. When one hits 50C and one hits 56.3C, you just can't argue that 56.3 is better.
 
Jack, seriously - while it's fun to have an argument with you, it's way too many letters ;)
Again, you suggested something and I suggested another.
Both our suggestions are meeting the OP's requirements. It's up to OP to choose which one he prefers based on the look/price and whatever else.
there is no argument that both Evolv and Define S are great looking.
I could suggest Be Quite! PRO 900 which is well designed, beautiful, using quality materials, very easy to work with and costs JUST 250$. I honestly like the orange. If it was just smaller :)
but I just mentioned the most convenient case for the custom loop builders that is: good build quality, looks good and reasonably priced.
Again, I'm not trying to "beat" your suggestion, just give the OP another option in a different price range.

P.S.
I changed the window on nano, because i (accidentally) cracked the original. and while Fractal support was nice and sent me replacement side panel for free (as non of their spare parts shops does not ship to my country), i took the liberty to modify the original broken.
Same goes to fans - I had them. and in my setup, there is no place for 140mm fan. i have 2x240 rads = 4x120fans. I prefer them identical. the included with the case fans are actually not bad. they are kinda decent. so they will end up being used somewhere.
 

Mikel_4

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Oct 15, 2016
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Dear n0ns3ns3

  • ■ Could you provide actual test result (better yet using your own equipment) Noctua against any fan for performance VS noise.
    http://noctua.at/en/products/fan/industrial don't you see brown corner?
    ■ Link to the survey of " 1% of users with more than 2 drives"
    ■ I didn't reply anything about "comet"

 

Mikel_4

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Oct 15, 2016
712
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[listnum]
■ I'm wasn't asking your willingness, the question was Noctua to any fan in performance VS noise,
■ I'm not aware if your IPPC noctua comes in black corner, is just all new boxed IPPC I've seen in internet is brown corner, in fact I've sold one unit which is brown corner.
■ The question wasn't about your common sense, but is OK lets do "wondering common sensing whatever"
[/listnum]
  • ■ Define "normal" user! I can only classify PC user to = gamer, professional, overclocker, aesthetic user, and reviewer.■ We have internal HDD and external HDD,
    ■ Not labeled myself as former enthusiast user, but back in the day where RAID 0 was consider to be the only cheap option for faster R/W makes me believe that plenty in use active builds are more than one HDD,
    ■ In this forum only, most members (you refer as lost souls) who asked for new build comments included one SSD and one big terrabyte mechanical HDD,
    ■ Web server, data center, you know the rest...

    Seriously, while its been a pleasure arguing your comment, (which is time consuming) your recommendation only base on assumption of certain size (ATX with 360X240 rads) regardless if SebastianHelp may or may not already has the loop.

    ■ Still don't get the "comet" talk