My current case is a Fractal Design Define 7 Compact with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and a recently installed RTX 3080 Ti. My previous GTX 1070 ran my games comfortably, but I upgraded mainly to speed up Lightroom's AI Denoise and masking features. Since installing the 3080 Ti, internal temperatures have increased significantly, and my Fusion-io SX300 PCIe NVMe drive is overheating. It already has a heatsink, but it is a data-center drive that needs active airflow. My motherboard's M.2 drives are fine because they have integrated heatsinks.
The 3080 Ti is thick enough that I had to move the PCIe drive to the lowest slot, leaving no room beneath it for a fan. I need at least 28 mm of clearance between the bottom PCIe slot and the PSU shroud so I can install a 25 mm-thick, high-static-pressure fan aimed directly at the drive.
I'm considering the Asus ProArt PA602 and Cooler Master HAF 500. I prefer the ProArt's appearance, but some owners say its included fans are mediocre and should be replaced with Noctua fans, bringing the total cost to around $300. The HAF 500 is less appealing aesthetically, but it offers excellent airflow and would cost roughly $200–$215. Which would be the better choice for this setup, or are there other cases I should consider?
2 Answers
A larger version of the Define 7 could be worth considering if you like Fractal’s styling. The Define 7 XL should fit the system easily and may provide enough room for bottom-mounted fans, allowing air to be pushed directly toward the PCIe drive. Still, if you’re replacing the case anyway, the HAF is probably the safer choice when maximum airflow is the priority.
Between those two, I’d lean toward the HAF 500. Its airflow-focused layout should be a better fit for a thick RTX 3080 Ti and a PCIe storage card that specifically needs active cooling. You may also want to check whether your motherboard supports heatsinks or better cooling for any drives installed on an expansion card.
That’s what makes the HAF tempting, although I’m a little concerned because it’s still a relatively new case and there isn’t much long-term feedback. One early review also complained that it used more cheap plastic than expected for a premium case.
The Define 7 XL is definitely an option since it would solve the space issue, but I’m also tempted to try something different rather than buying another case from the same lineup.