Open case, I need advice please

[Daniel Manole Cinco]

Hi guys,

I already bought this case: http://www.aerocool.us/strikex/strikex_air.html (Aerocool X Strike air)
I also have a MSI X99A Godlike Gaming with a i7 5820k, and a GTX 980 that I want to fit in.
Tomorrow I need to order the ram memory and cooling. I cannot find any clear answers regarding on what type of water cool for CPU that can fit inside this case.
I am opting from: Corsair H110i GT, NZXT Kraken X61 or Swiftech H240-X. Do you guys think that any of those coolers would fit? Or be able to "make" it fit?

Thank you!

 

[atheus]

I have the older version of that case:

I'm pretty sure that the case you're looking at isn't really viable for closed-loop systems. The water cooling option for that is basically external systems that run the pipes through those grommets behind the motherboard tray.

 

[Gam3r01]

To my knowledge that test bench only has a 200mm mount on the top, and 120mm in the HDD cage. So no, you wont be mounting any AIO in there.

The real question is, why are you getting a test bench?

 

[Eximo]

Hmm, an interesting conundrum. They don't actually list CPU cooler height or water cooling radiator compatibility that I can see. But all of their little example builds are water cooled but all I see are the ends of the radiators. So it appears you can mount them in that rack to the side.

All in ones present a bit of a problem, this case isn't in a traditional arrangement, so the hoses might not be long enough, or would need to be re-routed (ie disassembled) to be made to work.

I would purchase your CPU with an air cooler for now and do further research on a custom cooling loop.

 

[Daniel Manole Cinco]

I already got all the items, I`m only missing the cooler now. So the case is also done deal. I bought it because its only 6.3 kg on its own, and can be transported easily, and I move a lot. I don`t mind drilling it, just to fit the radiator of the CLC, but i was hoping would fit somewhere inside. Never had any closed loops before.

 

[Gam3r01]

That case is not meant to be moved, just so you know. Components are pretty exposed, but Im assuming you dont want to return it at this point.

You could attempt to mount it to the lid through modification, I cant vouch for how well it would hold the weight however.
This system is not made for CLCs, theres really nowhere else you could mount it and have the tubing reach. You would have to go custom like their setups (which are very poorly done mind you, the radiators are sandwiched in the cage with no airflow).

 

[Eximo]

If you used the empty expansion card area and fed the CPU block through there before installing everything else, maybe. Not worth the risk though, just pick up an air cooler and it will get you nearly the same performance.

 

[Daniel Manole Cinco]

@ Eximo.
Corsair H110i GT, NZXT Kraken X61 or Swiftech H240-X. Which one has the longest hoses? Swiftech H240-X I guess its out of question because it needs to be mounted on top, AFIK. Im getting really worried🙁

@Gam3r01 What if i could just keep it outside of the case (the rad i mean)

 

[Gam3r01]

It wouldnt be very portable then. But you could (just dont let anything hit it).

 

[Daniel Manole Cinco]

@Eximo
Air cooling made my life a hell in the past, I had to exchange rams, i lost one pcie. I know Godlike MSI is big but im using 128 ram on it, and probably all my pcie in the future🙁. I have no idea of custom loops.

@Gam3r01
I move maybe 2 times a year, I dont mind to disassemble the things. SO the radiator from the closed loop can work even if its on the outside?

 

[Eximo]

I do actually own the Swiftech H-240X, but I used it for it's ability to become a custom loop. The hoses were the normal length, just enough to stretch diagonally across a standard ATX motherboard or so.

I've also had an H80i and assume the Hxxxi series will all have relatively similar lengths. They are all quite short.

the problem comes down to orientation, if you mount the radiator, you might not have the hoses coming out in the right direction.

You can buy one of those new rapid disconnect all-in-ones and potentially extend, and more importantly temporarily disconnect, the hoses. Though not sure that one below would work...At that point I always lean back towards custom.

https://www.ekwb.com/news/ek-releases-ek-xlc-predator-240-with-quick-disconnect/

 

[Daniel Manole Cinco]

Thanks alot guys. Maybe somebody that has this case will reply, and let me know. i noticed that the cpu is towards the back of the case, so maybe can pull the hoses out thru those holes and keep the radiator in the back.
I have to order today, so which one of these I should take my chances with? (Corsair H110i GT, NZXT Kraken X61 or Swiftech H240-X)

@Eximo, that rapid disconnect is not available in my country🙁

 

[Eximo]

You can certainly just make a stand out of a coat hanger for the radiator if you wanted and have it sit next to the PC.

Not sure what you mean by some of the rest of that. Simply select low profile memory if you have such concerns, or get an air cooler that doesn't interfere with memory. I'm a fan of the Thermaltake NiC series.

Custom loops are pretty straight forward. CPU Block, Pump, Reservoir, Radiator, back to CPU, or add more radiators and GPU blocks as needed. All in ones just have everything integrated (and not much of a reservoir). There are plenty of kits out there that come with everything you need. Just check out EK, XSPC, etc.

H-240X has a 'real' pump, a re-fillable reservoir attached to a radiator, and comes with a CPU block. Just add GPU block(s) and more radiators and some hose, and you have a custom loop. They do limit the orientation options a little with that setup, but I believe there are three supported orientations.