Looking for a good case for my first water cooling build

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Joseph Downing

Honorable
Dec 27, 2013
14
0
10,510
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for some advice and pointers on a build that I am planning to put together for somewhere around $2,000. This is my first water cooling build, so please let me know what I'm going wrong/right. I have put together a few air cooled builds before this. I would like to build a custom water cooling loop, and over clock both the CPU and GPUs
I've put together a list of parts, but I'm stumped on one thing, the case! Could anybody point out some good cases for a first time water cooler like myself? I would like to have a relatively small case, probably a mid tower. I don't want a super tower sitting next to my desk to dwarf everything next to it.
If there is a more appropriate way/place to get a "seal of approval" for my build let me know.
So without further rambling here are the parts I put together: (I apologize in advance for any unorthodox formatting, if there is anything I can to to make it better let me know!)
Q - quantity

CPU: Intel i5 4690k
MOBO: MSI Z97S Krait edition
GPU: GTX 970 (Q: 2)
HDD: WD black 1TB 7200RPM
SSD: Samsung 850 Evo 250Gb (Q: 2)
PSU: Corsair RM1000
RAM: Hyper X 4x4GB (16GB total)
Case:?
Pump: EK D5 or other D5 variant
Radiator: EK EX360
Reservoir: EK-RES X3 250
Fans: SP120 (Q:3-6?)
GPU Blocks: GTX 970 FC ACX (Q: 2)
CPU Block: EK Supremacy EVO
Fittings: compression black 3/8 (fill port for drain?) (Q: 11)
Tubing: Clear flexible tubing 3/8
Coolant: distiller water + green dye (desired color: opaque neon green )

Please let me know if anything looks severely wrong. This is my first time making a custom loop and I would greatly appreciate any pointers and advice I can get. Thank's for contributing!
 
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kwa-e

kwa-e

Admirable
Mar 1, 2015
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Looks good. (Although I'd get the Z97X-UD3H, But that's just my personal preference.)

As for the case, How about the Fractal Define R4 or the Enthoo Luxe?

The Air 540 is also an interesting one if you dislike tall things on your desk, Although it may be a little bit too width bulky for your desk.
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
Jan 12, 2007
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Are you looking at having all your radiators internally mounted? Have you determined your total loop TDP in order to determine how many/what size rads you'll need? This will be a primary factor in case and radiator decision making.

The watercooling sticky covers loop TDP and cooling potential of radiators.
 
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J

Joseph Downing

Honorable
Dec 27, 2013
14
0
10,510


Yes, I would prefer internally mounted rads. I found that my loop's TDP would be around 500-550 depending on what overclocking numbers I threw in there. I might be looking into another rad or changing out the EK EX360 as I realized this thing is super thick and might result in some compatibility issues. Should I stick with one big rad or go with two smaller ones?
 
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J

Joseph Downing

Honorable
Dec 27, 2013
14
0
10,510


Yeah... call me shallow but I really like the look of this board and thought I could match the colors of the other parts. XP

I will definitely be looking at the Enthoo Luxe..... If only the Enthoo EVOLV ATX was available, that looks like a killer case, too bad it would break my budget.
 
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rubix_1011

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
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Jan 12, 2007
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It shouldn't matter as long as you have accounted for the total loop TDP and cooling potential of the loop.
 
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