[WORKLOG] Merlin SM8

Hi All,

I am currently buying a Merlin SM8 case, since i am new to watercooling and these forums i need to ask a few quetions.

1. would a 480mm 64mm thick Radiator with AP-15's on it cool a 2011 CPU o/c'ed and a 780 gtx ?

2. is the merlin a good buy ? i know its expensive but put that aside do others on here own them / thought's ?

3. does res size help alot with watercooling or does it just delay the heatup / equilibrium time ?

4. If i wanted to go 2 x gtx 780's and a cpu on the same loop would one D5 do this ? i would need more than the 480mm rad too ?

Thank you for any help - all comments appreciated

 

I've just completed and about to rebuild again (upgrading to haswell platform and ac reservoir and acrylic tubing)on a sm8 case, and it was awesome, plenty of room to hide cables, very flexible drive bays, mounting plates, motherboard layouts, easy to install rads and everything was accessible, it was great to assemble!

yeah it is expensive, but it would last you a lifetime! great investment!


http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=1084190

 

Yeah im really looking forward to getting it, i have been considering build a 2011 rig for a while now and i just finished a watercooled haswell with a 240mm rad and ek waterblock setup on it. I have it o/ced to 4.6ghz at 1.3v and it seems to love it so im quite happy that it runs so cool and preforms as good.

Im just not sure about the 2011 socket - i dont know how far off the new motherboards are for the 2011 socket. I dont wanna buy a X79 board and have the new ones come out soon after kinda thing, so im hanging off until the new IVY-E comes along then i will build my caselabs case up it will be a slow build but im considering doing a build log and review of everything i buy.

 

Hey Levelian!

just my thoughts.

1. As you will see numerous times on these (and other such forums) the general rule-of-thumb for rads, is 120x2 for the first component and 1x120 for each component after that. This will vary according to rad thickness, fin density etc, but generally the more rads, the quieter you can run the system for a given desired temp. So yes, 1x480 (=120x4) is enough.

2. No eye deer, but it's huge, so cant go wrong

3. See this thread. TL;DR - just delays heating of coolant (and cooling of coolant).

4. If you got another 780, the 480 still follows the above rule-of-thumb, but I would get another rad (240mm at least for "MOAR RAD") but from what I have read, D5 will handle those restrictions no fuss, but I am no pro on that.

And remember, we like pics

 

1. Yes
2. Probably
3. No
4. Yes

 

A D5 will hold up strong for about 4 water blocks (RADs don't cause much strain). I don't like dual pumps, I prefer dual loops. So if you were to have more than 4 blocks, I would recommend adding a second loop to the build.

 

spot on pretty much

 

Well my case is on board with fedex so i should see it next week, hurry up next week oh my gawd.

 

I have a white Merlin SM8 and Its the best case I have owned

I also own a TH10 and a SM5 - looking to buy a M8 in September

 

Well my SM8 Arrived all in very good condition as far as i can see at the moment have not had alot of time to inspect it as im at work. Pictures inc soon

 

Time for pictures

Click to view full size!
Front Case button

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Front of the Case

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Front Of Case / Cover Removed

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Back Of Case / Case Open

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Rear Of Case / Motherboard Tray

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Full Back Of Case

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Inside Of Case / PSU Bracket

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Inside Of Case / Front Fan Mounts

Click to view full size!

 

Well ordeded some more stuff from case labs for my pc, will start a build log soon as i get my first 2 rads and the pump.

 

Nice, absolute beast of a case.

As for your question about rads: you could get away with a single 480 but why limit yourself when you have a case that can fit so much more? I'd be adding at least another 360 in if I were you.

As for the pump(s), if you like the idea of a bay res, you could go for this which includes two D5 pumps. I run this and it's pretty good for a loop with multiple blocks and rads.

 

Yeah i gave it some thought and decided that 2 rads are better then 1 , so im putting a 480 in the top and a 360 in the front. Only going 1 D5 tho i was going to go front res but im buying the new EK and res pump top combo then getting a custom billet aluminium holder / mount designed for the bottom - i'm also thinking about getting some custom slide fan filters done aswell. Im on the hunt for the perfect filter foam atm

I know an exceptional machinist so this should turn out wicked

 

If only you'd ordered later we could've combined our orders and split the shipping. How much did it cost to get it over here, factoring in import duty (if applicable)?

 

No Import duty for Caselabs cases into Australia and no GST if you case order before shipping is sub $1000.
Looking at my shipping costs on my invoices
My S3 cost only $132 to ship to Maryborough QLD but it is the smallest case they offer as a bonus it came fully assembled because shipping was the same.
My STH10 their largest single body case cost me $280 to ship to same address.
My new M8 the smallest double wide case they sell is costing me $279 to ship to the same address.
Only issue you run into is orders are processed with paypal and they rate the Aussie dollar at around 87 us cents about atm so expect a slug with that.

I just ordered a new M8 for my media center and the Paypal AU to US currency conversion added another 150 Aussie dollars to the total price.

But think of it as a single one off cost because this case will last you for years.

This will be my third Caselabs case and I am already thinking about another

 

I'm just wondering if the SM8 will come to >$570AUD or not as that's how much I can get the LD PC-V7 over here for and will likely go with the latter if its cheaper.

 

This was mine:

SM5 - Merlin SM5 Case 1 $349.95 $349.95
Case Color - Black Matte 1 $0.00 $0.00
MB Door Style - Ventilated 1 $0.00 $0.00
Cable Side Door - Ventilated 1 $0.00 $0.00
Top Cover - Std Ventilated 1 $0.00 $0.00
Top Chassis Mount - Drop-in Style with 120.3 Mount 1 $19.95 $19.95
Bottom Chassis Mount - 120.3 Radiator Mount 1 $0.00 $0.00
I/O Panel - None 1 $0.00 $0.00
Flex-Bay Covers - Solid 1 $0.00 $0.00
PCI Backplate - Hex Mesh 1 $0.00 $0.00
Shipping Format - Fully Assembled 1 $0.00 $0.00
ACCESSORIES: 1 $0.00 $0.00
MAC-180 - Switch Plate - No I/O (Double Wide Magnum and Merlin cases), White Matte 1 $6.95 $6.95
Subtotal $376.85
Shipping/handling $214.25
Total $591.10 USD

 

Price it up your case on CaseLabs site and then send them an email and they will get back to you with the shippings costs.

I do stress there is a vast difference in build quality and design over LD or MM cases and a CL case.

The extra cost is quality and getting a case setup how you want it and not some premade plan.

 

Order #3559 Contained the Following Items:
Item Details Price
1 x Caster Kit
$12.95
1 x Merlin SM8-X Case
(Case Color: White Matte, Orientation: Standard, Cable Side Door: Ventilated)
$449.95

Subtotal: $462.90
Shipping: $274.25
Grand Total: $737.15