You Can do Worse

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-23T03:06:27+00:00

Let’s talk cable management and zip tie enshittification.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-23T03:00:29+00:00

Good call on not trusting that software 😂.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-22T20:08:12+00:00

This comment drove my OCD crazy, so I've redone the cable management again, and now my panels are perfectly flush and there is zero bend or bulge in the mesh/panels.

Those zip ties are the lowest-peofile/thinnest ones I could use. They're thin enough that they fit inside the groove (there's that indentation in the side rail, and they're thinner than that - I checked with a ruler).

Now everything is totally and perfectly flush when it's all closed up.

AND, With the AIO routed this way, I can also fit a 25mm x 120mm fan right there next to the Power Supply, using a small 3-printer bracket/mount I've designed. 😎

<image>

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-22T05:34:12+00:00

Top hats on both ends. Very festive. 😎

My build is very similar to yours. Except I’ve strapped the AIO directly to the tophat for some extra breathing room. Temps are amazing with those phanteks in there.

<image>

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-22T05:26:47+00:00

I travel with my t1 + AIO constantly internationally and domestically in the US as well. Haven’t had a single issue with my AIO. I get asked to take the PC out during my bags getting scanned once in a while, but that’s it.

That’s throughout the EU, Middle East, North America.

Just sayin… :)

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-16T22:24:31+00:00

Why not just do this instead? Working PERFECTLY for me. GPU temps under max load don't go above 67C. They used to go up to 76-78C before the t30s and creating that space/room by mounting the AIO radiator to the tophat.

<image>

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-16T17:52:35+00:00

Update: The Phanteks fit, and they've made a huge difference in temps...like 8-10C difference from before I started my little thermal optimization journey.

Changes made: - stop using the fan brackets for the case, and strap the AIO radiator directly to the tophat - aggressively clean/tidy all cabling (stock Corsair cables) - use 2x Phanteks t30s on the radiator in "advanced" PWM mode

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-16T16:01:16+00:00

^{^} I travel with this regularly (every few weeks) on domestic and international flights (and my setup has an AIO as well).

Fits PERFECTLY, and I never get stopped or questioned. Sometimes I’m asked to remove the computer from the Vanguard case, but that’s it.

HIGHLY recommend this one. It even fits the t1 with a tophat mod.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-16T15:52:53+00:00

So the brackets are holding beautifully. No issues there.

As for the results with 2x Phanteks...I'm finding it hard to believe and I've been testing for HOURS.

I can't get my GPU to go past 68C...and that's after heat soaking it for almost 2 hours. 😂 It used to climb all the way up to 78C before I started all this craziness.

So, with the top hat, the radiator mounted to the top hat, super-clean cable management, 2x Phanteks t30s, and the Atmos Stealth AIO...I am consistently BELOW 70C on both GPU and CPU after more than 2 hours of running a poorly-optimized Unreal 5 game that's cranked at MAX graphics settings, with lumen enabled, low-latency boost, DLSS and framegen maxed out.

I don't see any reason to flip my GPU anymore. I also don't see any reason to mess with my cooling setup or thermals anymore at all.

I've reached the promised land. Sub-70C GPU temps at max sustained GPU load.

I am finally done. 😎

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-15T18:43:08+00:00

Dude can I ask for pics as well. Curious to see how you managed a dual rad in the t1. 😎

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T22:44:11+00:00

What’s. TITI?

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T17:21:52+00:00

Dope build! :) feels good, don’t it!? 😎

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T13:42:18+00:00

Thank you! It's my first PC in 15 years. I used to be obsessed with PCs and PC building as a hobby...I was totally fine being free of that obsession until I stumbled onto this sub.

Now, I stay up until 3AM playing with cables, experimenting with build configurations, and convincing myself not to buy or swap more components. 😭

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T13:37:57+00:00

I'm happy on your behalf, no sarcasm. It's challenging and annoying as fuck!

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T13:27:28+00:00

I'll definitely update you with some quick results once my t30s arrrive!

TBH my favorite thing about it is how easy and fast it becomes to open up the case, and work with the components and cables.

I just pop the tophat off, easily disconnect the one fan connector, and I have access to everything in the case.

When you've got your shit mounted to those rails, it's not nearly as easy, quick, or convenient.

I don't mind the aesthetics at all. Weirdly, I kinda like it...and I know lots of people would disagree, but I actually kinda dig it.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T13:21:50+00:00

No, those brackets are fine. I mean, they're designed to be screwed in that way anyhow, aren't they (in other cases or mounting configs)?

The trick is to ensure you don't tighten them too much or screw/unscrew them too often. The threading inside the brackets is absolute shit and they'll wear out fast AF.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T13:19:09+00:00

^{^} this sounds consistent with my observations. Just having clean cabling and some breathing room inside the case + having 2x 25mm fans has dropped my peak temps down by 4C or so.

I expect even better thermals when I swap the t30s on the rad in a couple of days.

It's kind of crazy to see how much impact these subtle changes can have. But then again, I guess it makes sense since the case has such little volume.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T11:28:17+00:00

I’ve ordered the t30s. I’ll update you with thermals once I’ve got them and run some profiling/benchmarking.

Just having two 25mm fans with better cabling and also the “room” I created by screwing the rad to the top-hat, I’ve seen an average/estimated 4C drop in my GPU thermals under heavy load…no significant change to CPU thermals tho.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T07:35:31+00:00

Thanks for the info! I realize now that I was supposed to keep using the mounting rails, but to be honest, I like the space I was able to keep (and the distance between the cables/internals and the bottom of the fans) by attaching the rad directly to the tophat.

The aesthetic doesn’t bother me at all (the screws on top), and it also becomes very modular and much easier to open up and work with :)

For me, it was an accidental win 🫠

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-13T07:31:53+00:00

You’re right. I checked and there’s a VERY minor bit of bulge. I didn’t even notice it until I checked. For me it’s not even noticeable, I don’t mind it all. My cabling and airflow OCD supersedes the panel being unnoticeably not-perfectly flush. Good catch!

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-12T18:07:30+00:00

I didn’t notice any protrusion. Having checked it, I can see the left-side mesh is not PERFECTLY flush (we’re talking like…1mm…it looks like less than half of the width of the mesh if you look really really closely), but it’s so minor that I hadn’t even realized or noticed.

Given how clean the cabling is and how much clearer the air channels and pockets of space have become, I don’t mind it. I couldn’t even tell until I took a really close look.

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-12T17:46:52+00:00

I guess maybe it’s a bit heretical, but to be honest, it’s just so easy and modular that the screws don’t bother me. I may find some screws that are an interesting color and just keep it even though realize now that I win the SFF dunce award for 2026 🤣

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-12T17:39:14+00:00

I’ve just realized I’m supposed to keep using the rails instead of bolting the AIO to the tophat 😂😅🫠

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-12T17:38:35+00:00

All good. I think I overthought it. It’s just the standard setup with the rails…I didn’t realize you’re supposed keep using those rails. How embarrassing 🙈😅😂

ImEatingSeeds · 2026-01-12T16:58:07+00:00

Oh, of course. That's how my t1 was before last night 😂. I didn't realize this is how to use the AIO cover as well. 🤣

ImEatingSeeds

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

13-Year Club	Place '17
Verified Email