Help me design a top notch air cooled system

[shazza]

Okay, gang. I've read many many posts, and done quite a bit of research, but I'm still undecided on building an air cooled rig (not the air part, just what to use).

First, I need to pick a case.

Options I'm looking at:

Lian Li PC-A70B
Silverstone TJ10
Coolermaster Cosmos

for a mid-tower option, the

Lian Li PC-B25B


Will be running a 780i motherboard with 2 video cards in SLI. Planning on using Thermalright Heat Sinks unless there's something better out there.

Am also considering going with a Mountain Mods case with a Horizontal motherboard mount, but would like to explore other options first.

Thanks for any advice.

[Fujimitsu]

I'd stick with a mid-tower for air cooling, ulness u really need the space. MountainMods with no watercooling would be a pretty big waste.

Just curious, is this replacing your WC rig? or a secondary?

[shazza]

This is a second rig ... each one will be at a different house. The advantage to the MM case would be the Horizontal MB, and the option to convert to WC. Haven't ruled out the H2g0 version. Doesn't look like a bad case for air cooling.

But, want to explore the more traditional cases first.

[joecop120]

The coolermaster cosmos is pretty slick for air cooling. I would pop in scythe FDB fans and control them with a Zalman MFC-1.

[64dragon]

i say either the lian li or the silverstone

[Fenom]

I'd take the Silverstone TJ09, because imo the Pc-A70 is too big and I dont like the door from the TJ10.
In the midtower section is the Antec 900 just King, although it isn't as nice as the Lian Li midtowers

The 900 and TJ09 are pair on cooling (900 has a bit lower case temp, TJ09 has 5 degree lower GPU temp, pair on CPU)

For aircooling I wouldn't take the Cosmos because it has very bad harddrive cooling

[shazza]

Thanks guys.

I'm leaning to the Silverstone TJ-10. I like the A70B, but it is really too tall for my desk setup. As is the Cosmos - I'd have to put it on the floor, which I don't like. I actually like the door on the TJ-10, I can always leave it open when I'm using it if it's a pain.