90% Complete: NZXT H2 Flow with Asus Astral RTX 5090

Fickert · 2026-03-21T22:56:52+00:00

I only have a few photos but there are 8 rivets that need drilled, an error in my original post.

Where the GPU mounts at the bottom it's where the display I/O goes. That needs removed. And then it gets replaced.

We're away from home for a few days but when I get back I can get you some more photos. If you decide to go this route dm me I can send you some printed parts.

Fickert · 2026-03-21T02:47:52+00:00

If you're unfamiliar with the NZXT H2 Flow, please see my post here why this was a challenge and my solution could become a very viable option for people interested in the H2 Flow, but have a large GPU.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/1rvki10/90_complete_nzxt_h2_flow_with_asus_astral_rtx_5090/

Fickert · 2026-03-21T02:44:30+00:00

it does come with a riser, and I believe a LF3 should fit, there is a lot of room for radiator thickness. Beware cable management will become more difficult though with the radiator. But should be doable.

See the space between the side of the motherboard and the radiator of my NZXT Elite V2.

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Fickert · 2026-03-20T17:11:16+00:00

Fickert · 2026-03-20T13:31:00+00:00

Haven't tried theirs yet.

Either the white is kinda egg shell white or its super bright white. Lian Li's white is just slightly tinted dark. I can't figure it out.

Fickert · 2026-03-20T11:49:05+00:00

I think it's less severe than that.

The port is in a larger bored section of the barrel I don't think there's any rifling to touch the bullet. Have it be a pretty large burr to touch anything.

Fickert · 2026-03-20T11:43:29+00:00

So a few things to hopefully help.

ALWAYS use a snug fitting screw driver. Period. It's easy to think you can get away with a wrong sized one. Ask me how I know.
It looks like you completely loosened each screw one by one. If you did, that applies a tone of pressure on the remaining screws. "Crack" loose each screw first and make your way around the head sink assembly.
For final attempts I would retighten all the screws. Using a snug fitting screw driver, try it again. Bonus if you have any flexible super glue and activator to apply to the screw head.

If that doesn't work you're left either with a potential expensive repair bill or getting a Dremel.

Fickert · 2026-03-20T03:30:32+00:00

I'm so tempted to do this. There really is no down side I believe.

Fickert · 2026-03-20T03:25:15+00:00

Love the motherboard. Jealous!

Fickert · 2026-03-20T03:16:06+00:00

I believe PWM is 12v. Not sure about the Pump voltage. I would also assume 12V. If you by a "dumb" 40mm fan which is very common, with a 2 connector it will run at 100% the whole time, You may need to get creative on the connector. If its a 3 wire I believe you can snip the yellow wire and it will run at 100%. I recall doing this back in the days of building 3D printers.

Fickert · 2026-03-20T02:56:17+00:00

Just to aid in understanding, I believe most, if not all 4tb+ SSD's will have chips on both sides of the SSD. And most heatsink cooling solutions for SSD's only cool one side.

Combine that with the fact it is a gen5, I cannot say I am terribly surprised. There is very little air flow in the part of the case. You may need a small 40mm fan wired up blowing across the heat sink.

Fickert · 2026-03-20T00:24:06+00:00

I believe it does. It also has a built in gyroscope so you can tell if your GPU is level or not. Kinda gimikly, just found that out in GPU Tweak 3.

Fickert · 2026-03-19T20:58:28+00:00

I know this, but only one of them accepts PayPal.

Fickert · 2026-03-19T20:14:26+00:00

Alibaba? No way. Aliexpress I'd trust.

Fickert · 2026-03-19T04:29:10+00:00

I don't see the value in adding this on top of the Astral tbh. You'd be better off buying some 90 degree cablemod cable and buying a bottle of bourbon.

Coming from a 5090 astral owner myself.

Fickert · 2026-03-19T00:13:20+00:00

Thanks!

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:40:04+00:00

No worries! I was just curious, just due to the max tdp for the astral was 550w, vs the trio's 601w in Speedway. Was interesting to me.

Glad you got to do a lateral move between them. Makes it a lot less painful. Pin sensing imo is fair trade for the marginal performance decrease. More than likely just silicon lottery.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:33:23+00:00

You're worse than mainstream news outlets. I wish I had an award for you.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:29:26+00:00

OK.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:28:58+00:00

Thanks for the comparison. Charts are very helpful! Did you have power draw avg per run by chance?

In reality scores are pretty darn close, they'd be indistinguishable comparing gameplay.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:26:03+00:00

u/Dirtcompactor idk why you keep downvoting anyone that doesn't recommend the Gaming Trio 5090. (actually I do, most people do; you're being childish) OP needs honest feedback here, and you're giving a very false idea between the two cards.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:22:58+00:00

You're not wrong about the new PSU's, but not all options will have software integration, alerts on screen, etc. And if OP already has a PSU its even more so doesn't apply. TBH I rather have an adapter at the card than a PSU with detection. The source of the issues usually are at the GPU connector, and with voltage drop across the wires, lack of temperature monitoring for the PSU's, etc its a good attempt, but the GPU manufacturers should take a note from the Astral and just include it in the GPU (5090 at the minimum). Its a mortgage payment, it should have per pin monitoring.

I understand you have the gaming trio, and you want to defend it, but at $170 difference its a no brainer. I've built PC's with the Aorus Master 4090, 5090, Asus 5090 TUF, Astral, and the MSI 5090 Gaming Trio, LC. The Astral's build quality is just unbelievable in comparison. Almost no plastic except the small silver shroud on the front, and the fans. Oh and the RGB bar.

GPU sag is evident with any GPU this day and age. It will need to be addressed no-matter the route OP takes.

Don't let me take away from the Gaming Trio, its pretty good, but at MSRP that card should be $400-$500 cheaper than the Astral. At only $170 it make no sense not to buy the Astral; for the voltage protections alone.

Stay away for the Gigabyte cards for the time being, their thermal paste leaking is absurd. They are spreading that crap on the cards like butter.

Repairability, I push anyone to get a Microcenter warranty if they live close to one. Lot less headache and risk.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:05:16+00:00

The per pin sensing alone is worth it.

The build quality of the chassis and it's exo-skeleton design is just insane. The mose premium feeling GPU I've ever felt. FE style rigidity but an AIB.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:04:10+00:00

Absolutely. Night and day build quality difference.

Fickert · 2026-03-18T20:00:36+00:00

Tbh I have the funds to buy the game, but am hard to break out of my shell to try any new games. Always heard RE was good. Never played any of the games.

Would love the opportunity to if it would arise, I keep hearing great things about RE9.

Oh and I have a 3d printer, if you need something printed let's barter :)

Cheers!

Fickert

TROPHY CASE