BIG WALL OF TEXT INCOMING (school has me in a essay writing mood, TL;DR at the end)
Some images of the completed build. That cable coming out of the back is the temporary power button solution I came up with while I wait for the actual power button to be shipped. I just ripped a reset button from a fractal design case I don't use anymore. Works perfectly fine!
EDIT: I made some changes to be able to use the case in 3 slot mode. This is what the completely finished build looks like.
So here are most of my thoughts and findings:
Cooling.
I have an EVGA 2080 Super XC Gaming, and a Ryzen 5 3600. The GPU is downvolted to 925mV, and the CPU has a vcore offest of -100 in the BIOS (usually sits around 1.25V)
For the Ghost, I ran a Kraken X52 with a custom fan curve. For the T1, I used a Corsair H60 (2018) with a similar fan curve to the kraken. Both had Noctua NF-A12x25 on them. In the T1, I used the second fan as a typical case exhaust. This fan usually stayed around 50%, with it going to 60% when the CPU is reaches 80c. The T1 was flipped, so it was exhausting out the top of the case.
I ran three tests for 10 minutes each. The ambient temp was 22c. The first test was a loop of Cinebench R20. The second was a loop of Heaven 4.0 at high, 1440p. The third test was a loop of Cinebench R20 while Heaven 4.0 is running as well.
1st test, cinebench only, 10 minute loop
Ghost S1 - CPU 78c
FormD T1 - CPU 76c
2nd test, Heaven 4.0, High, DX11, 10 minute loop
Ghost S1 - GPU 77c
FormD T1 - GPU 76c
3rd test, Cinebench R20 + Heaven 4.0
Ghost S1 - CPU 82c, GPU 74c
FormD T1 - CPU 83c, GPU 76c
I think it is also worth noting that the VRMs got drop in temperatures as well, from 67c to 57c.
Building - The good
The build quality of this thing is insane. The mesh side panels have very, VERY little flex to them and weigh more than most of the CNC panels. As for the CNC panels, there were some slight anodizing problems but they were just on the inside of things (like where the struts are secured) so it wasn't a problem. The case is very sturdy, and looks great, no complaints here. The mesh panels work great as a dust filter it seems, because it's already collecting hair from my 3 dogs.
The build process was easy enough, I followed a mix of both of the manuals and OptimumTech's video. I think having solid renders instead of the outline of the parts would help visualize the parts better, and telling us what screws go where would also help, but most of the time only one type of screw would work. Telling us where to route the power cable extension would also help. I ended up installing the cooling (fans and radiator) before anything else, and I think this was a good choice, as it was kinda hard to move any of that stuff once everything else is in there. Bending the PCIe Riser to fit into the motherboard was a bit nerve racking, but I eventually got it.
Lighting in the case only really shows through when you look at it from a 45 degree angle or less, and looks best when looking dead on. Otherwise, I couldn't notice the slight lighting I had in my case or the parts in it. Maybe with more lighting in it it would show a lot more, but personally I don't like RGB or lights in my case (I modded my H60 to black out most of the blinding white light)
Edit: I did have some time to cut into one of the brackets of the case to be able to make it fit in 3 slot mode. The reason I had to cut it was because to make the 24 pin fit properly in 3 slot mode, I had to flip the PSU. When doing this, the bracket that attaches the PSU to the case pushes the AIO tubes into the fan (can't have that). See what I mean here. This is what the completely finished build looks like.
Building - The slightly bad
2.5" drive support really depends on the type of SATA power cables you have. If you have right angle ones, then you should have no problems. But for me, the EVGA 650 GM comes with straight SATA power cables. This is a problem because the SATA power connector runs into the frame of the case, causing it to bend. This is worrisome, because if it bends too much it can break the connector off of the SSD. See picture here.
As pointed out in an earlier post by someone else (too lazy to find it now) the PSU bracket runs into the frame of the power switch on the EVGA GM power supplies. I was able to get it to sit flush with some force, and it seems fine to me. Removing half a millimeter would alleviate this problem on the part of the bracket that interferes with it should fix this problem.
Another problem with the EVGA 650 GM is that the 24 pin cable is super bulky and not at all flexible. This means that without custom cables, the 24 pin would not fit in the case in 3 slot mode. I was able to get it to fit in 2 slot mode though. To make it fit in 3 slot mode, changing out the 25mm thick fan for a 15mm one should alleviate this problem. See album here. Flipping the PSU didn't help in my experience either, because it forced the AIO tubes into the fan. See my posts covering this here and here. EDIT: I was able to make it fit in 3 slot mode without pushing the tubes into the fan by cutting a piece of the PSU bracket, seen here.
There is a cutout on the front of the case that allows space for radiators to fit properly. This is mandatory for mounting a fan to the radiator, but the H60 is just ever so slightly too wide that it doesn't fit in the cutout. I was able to sand down the sides of the radiator and make it fit perfectly. See pictures here.
Both of the securing bracket for the GPU (2 slot and 3 slot) have their holes misaligned once you get the GPU installed. See picture here. I was able to force the screws in eventually.
Overall thoughts
This will be replacing my Ghost S1 with the large tophat because the looks, thermals, and overall flexibility of the case is amazing. The only real problems I had was because of my PSU choice and using stock cables.
Going for an all air cooled build in this case will be the easiest. I'd say next easiest is a 120mm aio, and depending on the cables you have, is easier in 2 slot mode than 3 slot mode. After that, it's a 24 AIO or custom loop. And after that, its doing a custom loop with 2 fucking titans in the thing (seriously @fabio you are insane)
If there are any questions after this wall of text, feel free to ask me (or anyone else with one?)
Some images of the completed build. That cable coming out of the back is the temporary power button solution I came up with while I wait for the actual power button to be shipped. I just ripped a reset button from a fractal design case I don't use anymore. Works perfectly fine!
EDIT: I made some changes to be able to use the case in 3 slot mode. This is what the completely finished build looks like.
So here are most of my thoughts and findings:
Cooling.
I have an EVGA 2080 Super XC Gaming, and a Ryzen 5 3600. The GPU is downvolted to 925mV, and the CPU has a vcore offest of -100 in the BIOS (usually sits around 1.25V)
For the Ghost, I ran a Kraken X52 with a custom fan curve. For the T1, I used a Corsair H60 (2018) with a similar fan curve to the kraken. Both had Noctua NF-A12x25 on them. In the T1, I used the second fan as a typical case exhaust. This fan usually stayed around 50%, with it going to 60% when the CPU is reaches 80c. The T1 was flipped, so it was exhausting out the top of the case.
I ran three tests for 10 minutes each. The ambient temp was 22c. The first test was a loop of Cinebench R20. The second was a loop of Heaven 4.0 at high, 1440p. The third test was a loop of Cinebench R20 while Heaven 4.0 is running as well.
1st test, cinebench only, 10 minute loop
Ghost S1 - CPU 78c
FormD T1 - CPU 76c
2nd test, Heaven 4.0, High, DX11, 10 minute loop
Ghost S1 - GPU 77c
FormD T1 - GPU 76c
3rd test, Cinebench R20 + Heaven 4.0
Ghost S1 - CPU 82c, GPU 74c
FormD T1 - CPU 83c, GPU 76c
I think it is also worth noting that the VRMs got drop in temperatures as well, from 67c to 57c.
Building - The good
The build quality of this thing is insane. The mesh side panels have very, VERY little flex to them and weigh more than most of the CNC panels. As for the CNC panels, there were some slight anodizing problems but they were just on the inside of things (like where the struts are secured) so it wasn't a problem. The case is very sturdy, and looks great, no complaints here. The mesh panels work great as a dust filter it seems, because it's already collecting hair from my 3 dogs.
The build process was easy enough, I followed a mix of both of the manuals and OptimumTech's video. I think having solid renders instead of the outline of the parts would help visualize the parts better, and telling us what screws go where would also help, but most of the time only one type of screw would work. Telling us where to route the power cable extension would also help. I ended up installing the cooling (fans and radiator) before anything else, and I think this was a good choice, as it was kinda hard to move any of that stuff once everything else is in there. Bending the PCIe Riser to fit into the motherboard was a bit nerve racking, but I eventually got it.
Lighting in the case only really shows through when you look at it from a 45 degree angle or less, and looks best when looking dead on. Otherwise, I couldn't notice the slight lighting I had in my case or the parts in it. Maybe with more lighting in it it would show a lot more, but personally I don't like RGB or lights in my case (I modded my H60 to black out most of the blinding white light)
Edit: I did have some time to cut into one of the brackets of the case to be able to make it fit in 3 slot mode. The reason I had to cut it was because to make the 24 pin fit properly in 3 slot mode, I had to flip the PSU. When doing this, the bracket that attaches the PSU to the case pushes the AIO tubes into the fan (can't have that). See what I mean here. This is what the completely finished build looks like.
Building - The slightly bad
2.5" drive support really depends on the type of SATA power cables you have. If you have right angle ones, then you should have no problems. But for me, the EVGA 650 GM comes with straight SATA power cables. This is a problem because the SATA power connector runs into the frame of the case, causing it to bend. This is worrisome, because if it bends too much it can break the connector off of the SSD. See picture here.
As pointed out in an earlier post by someone else (too lazy to find it now) the PSU bracket runs into the frame of the power switch on the EVGA GM power supplies. I was able to get it to sit flush with some force, and it seems fine to me. Removing half a millimeter would alleviate this problem on the part of the bracket that interferes with it should fix this problem.
Another problem with the EVGA 650 GM is that the 24 pin cable is super bulky and not at all flexible. This means that without custom cables, the 24 pin would not fit in the case in 3 slot mode. I was able to get it to fit in 2 slot mode though. To make it fit in 3 slot mode, changing out the 25mm thick fan for a 15mm one should alleviate this problem. See album here. Flipping the PSU didn't help in my experience either, because it forced the AIO tubes into the fan. See my posts covering this here and here. EDIT: I was able to make it fit in 3 slot mode without pushing the tubes into the fan by cutting a piece of the PSU bracket, seen here.
There is a cutout on the front of the case that allows space for radiators to fit properly. This is mandatory for mounting a fan to the radiator, but the H60 is just ever so slightly too wide that it doesn't fit in the cutout. I was able to sand down the sides of the radiator and make it fit perfectly. See pictures here.
Both of the securing bracket for the GPU (2 slot and 3 slot) have their holes misaligned once you get the GPU installed. See picture here. I was able to force the screws in eventually.
Overall thoughts
This will be replacing my Ghost S1 with the large tophat because the looks, thermals, and overall flexibility of the case is amazing. The only real problems I had was because of my PSU choice and using stock cables.
Going for an all air cooled build in this case will be the easiest. I'd say next easiest is a 120mm aio, and depending on the cables you have, is easier in 2 slot mode than 3 slot mode. After that, it's a 24 AIO or custom loop. And after that, its doing a custom loop with 2 fucking titans in the thing (seriously @fabio you are insane)
If there are any questions after this wall of text, feel free to ask me (or anyone else with one?)
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