Hey everyone! I'm putting together my first PC and I've decided to go with a watercooling solution for my CPU cooler due to space limitations with my RAM. Here's what I have so far:
- **Mainboard:** MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
- **GPU:** Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (4.7/5.2GHz)
- **PSU:** CORSAIR RM1000x (2024)
- **RAM:** G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000 MHz
I'm trying to decide between the Arctic Liquid Freezer 3 Pro and the NZXT Kraken Elite 360. I'm leaning towards the Arctic since I don't really need the screen on the Kraken and it's more budget-friendly. However, I've heard the Arctic is a bit tricky to install, which makes me nervous since I'm a complete beginner. What do you all think? Also, could you recommend a good full tower case that would accommodate all my components?
4 Answers
Thanks for the detailed suggestions! The Lian Li and especially the Antec look amazing *_* But they are mid-towers. Would you recommend going with a mid-tower for my build, or should I still consider a full tower?
Really, any 360mm AIO will fit your needs. If you're concerned about fitting the thicker Arctic cooler, keep in mind that not all case manufacturers list the thickness of AIOs supported. Brands like NZXT, Phanteks, and Antec usually provide those specs. Here are a few great cases:
- **Phanteks NV7** – It has a nice 'forehead' above the motherboard tray to accommodate thick rads.
- **Antec Flux Pro** – Offers 70mm clearance for 360mm AIOs on top.
- **NZXT H9 Flow (new version)** – Provides 80mm clearance for 360mm AIOs.
Most Full Towers should do the job, designed for multiple radiators, but some Mid Towers can also support them, just be cautious about how thick the rads are and their mounting points. You can sometimes find that info in the images of the case specifications. For example, the **Lian Li Lancool 217** has 85mm clearance for a 360mm AIO on top.
Any 360mm AIO would work well with that CPU since it generally operates under 100W for most gaming tasks. You could also go for a smaller option if space is tight. When it comes to cases, aesthetics play a big role in most people’s choices, so pick something you like!
I got the Corsair Nautilus mainly because it’s all black and I’m not into RGB lighting at all!
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