Fractal Define R5 Radiator Support?

[106Nilsson]

Hey Community! I am going to build a new system in a Define R5 case. My main goals is performance and silence under load. So far I've decided on the following:

CPU: Intel i7-6700K
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VIII Hero
GPU: GTX 1080
PSU: EVGA 750W G2 Supernova
Case: Fractal Design Define R5

I've been considering both Aircooled solutions, Custom Loop and AIO. At the moment I've have kinda landed at an "AIO" cooling solution with the EKWB Predator 360 QDC variant and adding a GTX 1080 EKWB Waterblock to the AIO loop. This should be one of the easiest and quietest solutions for me.

My question is the following: Would an EK Predator 360 fit in the front of the R5 case? And could I still use the 3.5" bays in the lower middle position? Between the Radiator/fans and the PSU? Planing to use 2x 3.5" drives along with an M.2 SSD (already got the HDDs, 2x 2TB, in the current PC.

Or, would an Define S be better with its vertical HDDs on the backside of the MB tray? What about vibrations?

Suggestions?

*EK Predator 360 Dimensions: 415 x 133 x 68mm (L x W x H)

 

[Ryan_78]

the site says it can support max 420 on top and 360 in front. it will run fine just watch the thickness.
its limited to 55mm thick fan+rad

 

[106Nilsson]

the site says it can support max 420 on top and 360 in front. it will run fine just watch the thickness.
its limited to 55mm thick fan+rad

Thank you! The EK Predator is 68mm thick with fan+rad. Would this work? And could the HDD Drive cage still be used in middle? Cheers!

 

[Ryan_78]

yes, only if you mount it on the top. the top will support radiators without removing the hard drive cages. the front installation requires removal of the HDD cages. therefore you have to install on top.

 

[106Nilsson]

yes, only if you mount it on the top. the top will support radiators without removing the hard drive cages. the front installation requires removal of the HDD cages. therefore you have to install on top.

Thanks again Not to diminish your answer in any way, just trying to make sure that we are on the same page. The Fractal R5 has the option to mount the HDD drive bay in a middle position, between the PSU and the original Front Drive Bay position. My question is if the 68 mm thick Predator (rad + fans) would fit with the HDDs in this specific position?

 

[Ryan_78]

okay so you want to mount it where I circled in red. I see your point. you can install the drive bays next to the original areas on the bottom on the side of the original ones right? so since you wont be using the original areas, you have the option to mount it on the front, but you have to remove the original drive bays, which you will be placing in the middle. the green and silver represent the areas needed for a front rad. the red for top. but 68mm will fit I believe. the thickness for 360mm rads is not limited as says the fractal design site link

if you were to move the HDD bays rad would be no problem. if you were to remount them somewhere else not circled

 

[106Nilsson]

okay so you want to mount it where I circled in red. I see your point. you can install the drive bays next to the original areas on the bottom on the side of the original ones right? so since you wont be using the original areas, you have the option to mount it on the front, but you have to remove the original drive bays, which you will be placing in the middle. the green and silver represent the areas needed for a front rad. the red for top. but 68mm will fit I believe. the thickness for 360mm rads is not limited as says the fractal design site link

if you were to move the HDD bays rad would be no problem. if you were to remount them somewhere else not circled

Yeah, if I were to remove all Drive Cages except for one and place it in the above config, would that work? and would there be any restrictions on PSU lenght? (shorter than standard about 180mm?)

 

[Ryan_78]

Doing so will limit it to about 165-170mm s like adding another rad 120-140mm on the bottom.

 

[106Nilsson]

Thank you!