Looking for a PC Case & Cooler (5600X)

bazingaa on 07/11/2021 - 13:46
Last edited 08/11/2021 - 00:38

I am looking to upgrade my PC case for better airflow and cooling. Is there any cheap (cheaper the better) recommendations ?
Looking for ebay (plus also) links to use afterpay code as well.

Requirements for case :
* one 5.25" slot
* at least support M-ATX (Full ATX case is fine as 2nd 16x slot is at the edge of the borad, may be I can use PCIe divider later)
* RGB not required (ok if it has)

Requirements for cooler: currently use wraith stealth
* Ryzen 5600X - it takes 75W only with PBO, runs around 93 degrees
* I tried 4.5 GHz all core overclocking -> 95W, went to 102 degrees and I immediately stopped

Currently I found :

Cases:

Coolers: (does they come with thermal compound as well? if not looking for a link to thermal compound as well)

Thanks in advance

Edit :

Thanks all for the valuable information. I ended up buying below considering my requirements.

I found this detailed review on budget coolers : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhZTMR8mT-A

Computing

closed Comments

  • cille745 on 07/11/2021 - 14:10
    +1

    Completely depends on what GPU you're running. If you're only running something small, once of Fractal's cases are perfect for those uses, but if you have a large GPU that is 250W+ the case can't get enough airflow to clear out that heat.

    If you're running a high power GPU you'd want a high airflow option like the Lian Li Lancool 2 Mesh or the 215.

    For a CPU cooler I'd recommend the Arctic Freezer 240mm that was $109 a few days ago, but if $59 is all you want to spend the 212 is a good option. If you want to spend more on something that'll last, I'd recommend the Noctua NH-D15 as Noctua will send you a mounting kit for free if you want to keep it. Several users have kept their D14's now for 10+ years

    • bazingaa on 07/11/2021 - 14:28

      thanks for the info, I was looking for some Lian Li cases, but my selection is limited mostly by 5.25 bay requirement,. Most new cases don't have a 5.25 slots anymore. GPU would be 170W

  • smashman42 on 07/11/2021 - 15:58
    +1

    Have you considered an external 5.25" bay?

    I used this Vantec NST-536S3-BK NexStar DX USB 3.0 External Enclosure for SATA Blu-Ray/CD/DVD Drive All Black unit plus a CM TD500 mesh (I had an RX580 at the time, lucked out and won a RX6800XT from a comp on here)

    I went through the find a case with a 5.25" internal bay, but they were all compromised in some way IMO (either old AF design crappy cooling and cable management, or insane pricing if the case itself was decent)

    • bazingaa on 07/11/2021 - 16:01

      Thanks for the idea, I was thinking about the same, I am not sure how will USB 3.0 effect suddent disconnection or buffer underrun when Bluray buring, a blank disc costs a lot :/

      • smashman42 on 07/11/2021 - 16:09
        +1

        I use mine primarily for ripping all the DVDs and BDs I buy (like store/display the discs in their cases and use the rip to actually play to not risk disc damage).

        I got one of the drives that support ripping 4K BDs, so honestly I can't comment on the reliability when writing. In my use case I haven't been able to tell the difference between the drive when it was internal vs when it was external

        I had it sitting on the PSU shroud with commander strips holding it in place for a while, and had to take off the TG panel to insert/remove discs which was a pain and obviously not asthetically pleasing, but worked fine.

        Before that I'd cheaped out on a compromise case (Cooler Master N200) and wouldn't recommend it or the similar (albeit larger so should suck less) cases you listed above, unless you stick with low core count Ryzen and a low power/heat GPU then they could be ok. Even the humble though hot RX580 needed its fans screaming, even with every fan slot in the N200 populated (including the GPU side intake) and the filters removed to make it pure mesh, it was still 10c hotter than the CM TD500 mesh. Real airflow cases just totally shit on these early ones

  • Richardc on 07/11/2021 - 16:38

    With this much put in to upgrade the cooling, I would just upgrade the CPU, as the resale value is much better than the case and cooler.

    • bazingaa on 07/11/2021 - 16:50

      I just got 5600x, upgraded from i5-2400. Currently I am using the old mini tower case from Acer office PC:)

  • Tarus on 07/11/2021 - 18:43
    +1

    I am against using any 120mm liquid cooler. You can get any 240mm (make sure to check the review)
    I have used the 212 series. The fan can be very loud at load speed but overall any air cooler that is not stock is much better than it

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Cooler-Master-MasterLiquid-ML240L-…

    P/s there is a very good price AIO for one of the best liquid AIO cooler in the market right now.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/661016 ($109 from ~169 normal price)

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