Component size issues. What are my options?
Posted by dubyakay@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 9 comments
I started putting a build together for the past year, gradually upgrading certain components. I'll just list the component relevant to this issue:
* GPU: Sapphire RX9700XT
* MOBO: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI
* Case: Fractal North Mesh
* AIO: Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 Pro
I already had hard time fitting the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 Pro inside the Fractal North Mesh. Apparently compared to the TG version, the mesh has space for 360 AIOs only on the front. I have mounted the radiator on the inside, tube down, and the fans as intake on the outside. The problem however is that compared to other AIOs, which have a radiator thickness of \~25mm, the LF 360 Pro is actually 37mm thick, so a good cm bigger. This causes the issue of the GPU not fitting into the case between the back panel and the radiator.
Pictures:
General view of the GPU inside the case:
Close-up of radiator side on the GPU:
The front of the case which shows how the AIO fit:
So what are my options here?
* I could return the 360 for a 240 and mount it on top, although space seems to be fairly tight there as well, with the CPU power cables and the heatsinks on the mobo.
* Could also return the Arctic 360 for a different brand, like DeepCool (available in Canada), which is much slimmer
* Deshroud the GPU? How does that even work? How do I get the fans mounted on it again? I've seen some talk of buying some fairly cheap kit to make it work, but nothing specific. Looking at the shroud in the second image though, there'd be space to spare between the card and the radiator.
* Squeeze it in? I noticed that the case and the radiator can bend a little. However the shroud would definitely be touching the radiator.
* Buy a bigger case? I can't return the Fractal North Mesh, so I'd have to sell it on marketplace. I'd rather not, but...
Maybe I'm missing something and I've been building it wrong.
CryptographerTop5864@reddit
had the same issue, ended up returning a cooler once bc it didn't clear my mATX board — downsizing the cooler worked fine tbh
dubyakay@reddit (OP)
Which cooler did you go with? I assume you swapped from Arctic to something else?
TheKitler@reddit
Had the same issue with that exact case and AIO. I ended up swapping to the North XL.
dubyakay@reddit (OP)
The mesh or the tempered glass variant?
TheKitler@reddit
The client wanted mesh. From the website, they're the same dimensions though.
dubyakay@reddit (OP)
At least for the internals, they are not quite the same. For the regular size case the TG has space for a 360 radiator on top, whereas the mesh only has that space on the front.
I didn't dive into the XL variant's differences. But either way, thank you for confirming!
TheKitler@reddit
I was referring to the XL variants. They're the same with regards to radiators.
Plenty-Industries@reddit
either downsize the AIO to one thats thinner, or get a 240 or 280mm AIO, ditch the AIO altogether and go with a dual-tower air cooler.... or replace the case and keep the AIO.
Yellowtoblerone@reddit
Get a bigger case. I've been building for a long time and won't ever do mid size bc hands. Full tower and be happy. You already got a cooler and GPU. No need to fuck around