I feel like, more and more, leaning towards traditional, classic layout. Specifically for liquid cooling, this seems to be the better option.
Why? If I could easily convert one of the sandwich-layout cases I own to classic orientation layout, I would instantly be able to easily install a 280 mm radiator. The sad fact: There are next to none. At least none that are still in production and easily available. And lets not get started about mATX, thats even worse.
But if found, nothing hinders you from going vertical tower with a regular horizontally oriented case. I did the conversion with the SAMA IM / Intertech Pocket IM-I already, and the only disadvantage is: When you put the back I/O on top, you get this cable cluster / tree. When oriented downwards, you need some kind of taller feet or a seperate bottom extender.
So I might go for the Meshroom D, with all components present, and then switch it to vertical tower layout.
After more thinking, I'm currently not really sure what to do.
There are several paths and options to choose from ..
... Intermediate options for the Mesh-mATX build:
a) get 240 AIO, finish test build.
b) get smaller (in height) GPU, finish test build (<= 45 mm)
which both lead to finishing the Mesh-mATX.
But I'm already thinking ahead, because I really want to build with a 280 rad / AIO.
Options for this include:
a) get a 12 - 14L mATX case, something 30 x 40 x 10ish, use the same components, including the Silent Loop 2 280
b) downsize even further and build in the S400 with slight mod to allow for the AIO to sit on top
c) like b, but get the Sligher S610 instead, for radiator side-mount.
Option c) is, because I'm almost certain the C4 v2 is gonna take much longer, the FF1 is also more or less "whenever its ready", Meshroom D is basically the same size, NCase M1Evo too, and anything else available is bigger (and may still require modifications, eg. 280 mm rad in the Jonsbo V10).
Option a) would allow me to keep all components. b) + c) require replacing the mainboard. Eventually, the AMD GPU is going to be replaced with a 4070 (probably the MSI RTX 4070 non-super, as its size and weight is pretty decent).
cu, w0lf.
