Update 3: The case is basically finished now, just waiting on a few more minor parts to show up! Here is the first photo from my real camera (Samsung NX3000).
Here is how it looks with the Hue+ with a NZXT RGB LED strip running along the radiator edges.
Screen capture of NZXT’s CAM software. This software controls the Kraken X62 280mm AIO cooler, Hue+, and the Grid+ V2 all in one software package! Note I believe the fan RPM max is a summation of all the fan RPMs.
Update 2:
I have made significant progress today without damaging anything, so I am stopping there. Real pictures come tomorrow.
Well, after upgrading the NVIDIA GTX 1070 Armor OC cooling system from a 120mm radiator to a 280mm one, talking about AIO water coolers (+ Kraken G12 bracket). I could no longer fit my cooling setup properly in a Corsair 650D case. So I started to look around for mid to full size towers that could house dual 280mm AIO radiators + pump water cooler (AIO = All In One = No Maintenance). You would be surprised how hard it is to find a case below $250 that can do this, but I found a handful. I decided to go with the very unique, almost HiFi rack style lines, Corsair 740 Air.
There is no question, it’s a big case!
This case uses a unique dual chambered design to set up two separate parts, the power supply and HDs from the GPU + CPU + Motherboard + RAM (main source). It’s a unique case for sure! I am breaking down the desktop now! Will post pictures of the new case and set up when I finish the assembly (assuming no problems, should be 2 hours, give or take. Here is a shot of this case from NewEgg.
I was using a Thermaltake Water2.0 Pro that is 6 years old, the pump started to click, which is the first sign of mechanical problems. So I looked around for what was on sale, got lucky and the NZXT X62 280mm radiator was cheaper than the 240mm at the time, even close to the 120mm!! Since I must use the CAM software to control the pump and fans, I went full bore on the NZXT side. Hue+ lighting, Digital NZXT 6 channel 30W fan controller, White LED strip, RGB LED Strip. You can set all of the LEDs individually, literally. You can tie your fan speeds directly to specific hardware temps, so the whole system is pretty slick at this point. I am sure at some point, it wasn’t as good as it now is reading some older reviews. I am on W10 x64 Pro.
Here it is very easy to spot dual chambered design. The PSU hole is separated from the same side as the motherboard.
Update: Whew! I forgot how much cleaning would be needed, even though I clean out my case monthly from dust. Actually removing the hardware shows all the dirt!! Cleaning is slow, but when I finish they look almost new again!
Here is the secondary chamber of the Air 740 which houses the power supply and the hard drive bays (all are customizable in location)
That NZXT “Kraken X62” pump looks really odd when it’s turned off. Almost like black glass or smoked glass.
Here is how it looks with the pump on
I expect to finish assembly tonight, after I added in cleaning most of the PC!!
Here is one of the photos I took showing the original configuration I tried with the front radiator. If you compare to the photo below, you’ll see the radiator is moved up to allow room for the 2nd 280mm radiator.
Getting closer! Need to route power and data cables still. Here we have both 280mm radiators mounted and the motherboard is also mounted, along with the PCIe cards.
Final Update 4/18/18: Today the 6 channel 30W digital fan controller from NZXT comes and this is the final piece of the puzzle for my build. This will complete the CAM hardware upgrades (pump/fans, Hue+ RGB LEDs, headless fan controller), all of which only require a single piece of software, NZXT’s CAM application. (Note: still playing around with LED placement)
Essentially this is the final product! I tried running the LED strip along the top of the case and around. I am planning to get another set of the RGB strips so I can complete the circle.
Note: Anyone looking to use either the NZXT Hue+ or the NZXT Grid+ V3 should buy their own USB to motherboard USB header. NZXT included below subpar cables and almost everyone loses their device after the PC has been on for so long. You can run a normal micro-USB cable to a normal USB port, but it’s not as clean as using a motherboard header. Aside from this issue with the USB cables, the devices themselves have done an excellent job!!
