NZXT H440 Need a $200 Solution

needadopebuild

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Mar 6, 2014
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This is my first build and Im looking for a liquid cooling solution. Ive decided fan based cooling is not the route for me for a number of reasons. This is the build and everything has been purchased. Im painfully eager to get it going.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Dopesacc/saved/43XV
Omit the optical drive. I had a change of heart!

What isn't listed but is purchased and arriving shortly is the new NZXT H440 case. I think its extremely sexy and I know with the proper steps it will suffice for my needs. As far as I can tell the case is definitely prioritizing liquid cooling. It has ample room for rads but is missing 5.25" bays, ruling out some common reservoir/pump solutions (as far as I know). Also, it looks like push is my only option for the fan configuration on the top rad.

I will most likely not be going beyond a small over clock for at least a couple months but would like to reserve the capability to change my mind - as much as possible within my limits.

Ive been eyeballing the Kraken x60 but its been sold out for a bit and Ive had time to question my options. I am not at all afraid of custom loops but am afraid of expenses. Im not opposed to kits but I keep finding kits that would require 5.25" bays.

Questions Im hoping to get answered (either directly or through suggestions):
Is push my only option for the top rad? Or can I somehow finagle a pull configuration?
Should I go with an AIO for now and dive in in the future? Or skip right to the big guns?
Is a kit a better option? If so please recommend a kit that will work inside this case/be compatible with the build.
If I should skip the baby steps, what are some recommendations that will work inside this case and be compatible once again. I seem to like the rigid tubes a lot more than the flexible tubing (is this justified? Would this option severely complicate things/price? ^_^ haha)
If I need to go beyond $200 for a bangforthebuck sorta thing, how much am I looking at? Ive seen people claim 250 was sufficient but they were all experienced (granting precision and knowledge).

Im afraid with a Rad in the front end of the case I will be suffocating everything unless I have a dual rad (top and bottom/back) configuration. I don't see how I could get a good air flow through the options that would leave me. Also, I don't think any AIO would reach the cpu from the front rad position.

Using this case, what are your overall recommendations for airflow/liquid cooling? Keep front intake and back/top rad exhaust? Swap it around to the front?

Im a newbie but I do my homework and Im a pretty capable guy. Looking for some feedback mostly because this case has me a little confused for NOW. In the future, preferably this summer after graduating and having a job, Ill be going custom loop without a doubt. At that point I think the case will handle its own.

Thank you for reading this wall 😀 and for your input in advance!!


 


There will definitely be room for the radiator. Where would I mount the 170 reservoir with the psi shroud? Is this something that will last me?
 


From the pictures it looks like if you move a couple HDD trays it should fit there 170mm is roughly 6.7 in It will last you through several builds should be able to cool a CPU and a single midrange GPU before you need another radiator. I had an older one of their kits with some mods for about 4 yrs before I sold it.
 
I gave up hours upon hours of research say the Kraken is good to go in terms of performance. Im trying to keep costs down but i appreciate the advice. Sorry I didn't choose you as best answer I just ordered the kraken so it felt natural D: thank you for the help - your advice was probably better.
 


Haha its all good. The Kraken might not be as good as custom but as Blackbird said it is one of the best AIO coolers out there little cheaper too. You will like it.