Case Recommendation

[LeetyMcLeet]

Can anyone recommend a case that can handle a custom water loop (single reservoir) and at least 3 x 3.5" HDD's?

So far, everything I've found seems to sacrifice HDD compartments to accommodate pumps and res', which isn't ideal for me.

Thanks in advance.

[AETAaAS]

What is your water cooling setup (rads, pumps, etc)? And what is your budget? A lot of full towers are able to accommodate water cooling and three drives, things like the Corsair 750D/900D/1000D, TT Core X31/X71, bequiet Dark Base towers, etc.

[LeetyMcLeet]

Nice one. I'll certainly have a look at those.

I haven't actually ordered anything yet as this'll be a Ryzen 3 system, so haven't decided on rad sizes, etc yet.

Case wise, budgeting for (but not limited to) around £200.

[AETAaAS]

I'm kinda curious; what you are building? The Ryzen 3 series doesn't need serious cooling unless its other parts which need it? Also, 200 pounds on a case for Ryzen 3 system sounds a little unbalanced.

[LeetyMcLeet]

I always water cool low end systems

What I should have typed was 3rd gen, specifically the upcoming 3900X or maybe even a 3950X.

[MrJim]

I'm kinda curious; what you are building? The Ryzen 3 series doesn't need serious cooling unless its other parts which need it? Also, 200 pounds on a case for Ryzen 3 system sounds a little unbalanced.

It'll depend on which processor you're trying to cool; overclocking a 16 core 3950X Ryzen 3 will require some pretty hefty water-cooling, I suspect. I wouldn't think £200 for a Ryzen 3 system case would be too over the top. If you're pay £600 plus for a 3950X CPU, say £300 for a X570 motherboard etc, the £200 for case is not out of the question...

[AETAaAS]

It'll depend on which processor you're trying to cool; overclocking a 16 core 3950X Ryzen 3 will require some pretty hefty water-cooling, I suspect. I wouldn't think £200 for a Ryzen 3 system case would be too over the top. If you're pay £600 plus for a 3950X CPU, say £300 for a X570 motherboard etc, the £200 for case is not out of the question...

I thought Leety was going to watercool the quad core Ryzen 3s, like the 1300X or the 2200G. That had me scratching my head.

He's clarified he meant 3rd Gen so yes, water cooling is on the cards, moreso for the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9s. And yea, budgeting also changes. I'm also thinking of getting a 3900X but will wait till the reviews come out.

edit: While browing around the Meshify S2 looks like it might suit your needs. It comes in budget and takes 3x3.5 drives in the back alongside a further two 2.5s. The Thermaltakes I mentioned above also have rear mounted 3.5s.

[LeetyMcLeet]

Thanks, will have a look

[Ttaskmaster]

Both my Corsair 500R and my current Phanteks Enthoo Luxe can hold 6 3.5" drives and still fit decent rads up top. I just chose to remove them and fit an additional rad to the front.
The trick for me was to use an EKWB pump-res combo and mount it to a spot of my choosing. Some minor modding may be required, but usually just means drilling a couple holes.

With the Luxe, I didtched teh 3.5" drives and went with 2.5" HDDs salvaged from portable USB drives. Each one was 4TB, so not exactly small. Works a charm, as they fit in the SSD sleds up the sides and out the way!

[LeetyMcLeet]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, but I'm going for a Define S2 blackout with TG, which is what I was looking at before this thread, but assumed (based on the manual) that the 3.5" bays couldn't be used with a res on the other side, but apparently they can.

Cheers guys

[jimborae]

Both my Corsair 500R and my current Phanteks Enthoo Luxe can hold 6 3.5" drives and still fit decent rads up top. I just chose to remove them and fit an additional rad to the front.
The trick for me was to use an EKWB pump-res combo and mount it to a spot of my choosing. Some minor modding may be required, but usually just means drilling a couple holes.

With the Luxe, I didtched teh 3.5" drives and went with 2.5" HDDs salvaged from portable USB drives. Each one was 4TB, so not exactly small. Works a charm, as they fit in the SSD sleds up the sides and out the way!

Dont suppose you have any piccies of how you've done your loop in the Enthoo do you. I have the same case and will be shortly rejigging my loop when I do my Ryzen build so looking for some ideas.

[Ttaskmaster]

Dont suppose you have any piccies of how you've done your loop in the Enthoo do you. I have the same case and will be shortly rejigging my loop when I do my Ryzen build so looking for some ideas.

Not immediately to hand...

However, I have a 240mm at the front with the ports uppermost, and a 360mm up top with ports toward the front.
Pump-res bolted to the back panel below and forward of the GPU, loop order going running Pump->CPU->GPU->240mm->360mm->Res.

[jimborae]

Your pump placement is similar to mine currently, but I have a 240mm up top and a 120 at the rear (which make the the exhaust pretty poor). Loop order Pump, 240mm, CPU, 120mm, GPU, Res.

[cptwhite_uk]

Have you looked at the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv? I''ve been doing a LOT of research into my new PC build. I'm building into an ITX version of this design, but if I were looking at an ATX option this would be high on my list. £100 at Scan for the anodised black aluminium version, full aluminium construction, support for 8x 3.5" bays, and designed with water cooling in mind. Read the buyer reviews on the Scan website, seems ideal for you.

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/phan...hoCapYQAvD_BwE

LTT review:

[jimborae]

For the money it's hard to argue against Phanteks cases my only gripes are that they are a bit flimsy in some areas, leading to annoying case vibration noise when watercooling. And also the build quality was a bit dodgy on my Luxe case, requiring me to re-tap a number of screw holes.

[Ttaskmaster]

For the money it's hard to argue against Phanteks cases my only gripes are that they are a bit flimsy in some areas, leading to annoying case vibration noise when watercooling. And also the build quality was a bit dodgy on my Luxe case, requiring me to re-tap a number of screw holes.

Really?
Mine is the most solid, well-built case I've ever had. It's even better than my mate's Primo.