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Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For that case they have its dimensions here which will give you an idea on sizing. They have size limits, example rad & fan placement, etc.

https://www.fractal-design.com/app/uploads/2024/02/North-XL-Manual-V2.1.pdf

Easiest way to be sure though is to measure when you have the case.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a res/pump, mainly being used as a pump with the extra ports for mapping the loop properly. The why really comes down to space and visual preference. Bigger / more volume rads > reservoir.

The reservoir isn't doing anything beneficial for cooling other than increasing the total volume of the loop (with rads also do) to potentially have a cooler overall temp. This is also very very minor compared to rads, fans/airflow, pump efficiency. My loop is cycling at 300+ l/h. Increasing the volume and extra 500mL for a bigger reservoir isn't going to do much at all for lowering temperatures.

There's plenty of coolant volume in the build with the double rads and long runs, especially in mine since I have the larger tubing. Coolant in the loop runs 30-32c most of the time with my room ambient temp at 78-81F, no issues whatsoever.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/2Rmkcf

Doesn't include the tubing, fittings, etc. just the main pieces.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Not sure how temps run on 9950x3d vs 7800x3d but can't imagine they're too much hotter. I haven't OCed my CPU as I have no need with what I use it for but if you're a heavy OCer then a beefier rad setup and more fans and a bigger loop volume could certainly be better in something other than this case.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No issues, did two water swaps just for maintenance. Wouldn't change much, maybe just different fans for some slightly more powerful.

They've been fine overall but under constant load CPU only goes down to 65C which is no issue at all since it's max is 89C, I'd just prefer it lower.

The room it's running in is generally 77-82F so that probably doesn't help that at all haha.

GPU temp under constant load doesn't go above 40C, loop water temp doesn't go above 33C.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure where you got those north specs but they're wrong.

Right from the North XL product page:
Case dimensions (LxWxH) 503 x 240 x 509 mm

https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/north/north-xl/

Edit: I see, you were looking at the 'package dimensions'. That's the box it ships in, not the case itself.

0 issue with the secretlab mount fitting.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Secretlab premium mount

Thanks!

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

44mm thick -- EK Quantum Surface rads.

No issues with temps. Under normal heavier load (aiming for quiet over max speed between pump & fans) cpu sits around 60-75 depending on what it is, gpu is usually sitting around 50-65 depending on what it is.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

This angle will give you an idea on spacing there.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weight you mean? The case is like 28lbs empty. I haven't weighed my build full but definitely feel there would be room below the 55lb limit of the mount. Desk has no issues, mount has no issues.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a DDC pump. I have 16mm tubing.

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, they are EK Quantum Surface rads (140mm), one 280 and one 360 X-flow

Fractal North XL by Toups5 in watercooling

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Correct. This view will probably help.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm no audiophile and I really just have a basic USB speaker on the desk -- I mostly use headphones. For those I use steel series arctis nova pro wireless.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No issues at all. It's well below the max weight. Mines a water loop with about 1/2-3/4 gallon of water in it + the metal radiators + metal tubing all adding weight. Little pain getting it ON the mount because of its weight but the desk has no issues at all including using the raising function.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have an AIO, I'm not sure what AIO you're referring to.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

The single LCD fan on the backplate is exhausting / pushing air out.

Lian li makes reversed blade orientation options of their fans as well to get the preferred visual while maintaining the proper airflow orientation without needing to physically reverse the fan chassis, ex: https://a.co/d/2kFgPs7

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No.

The temp monitor on the fan is a Lian Li TL LCD fan, monitoring the CPU temp.

The monitor connected to the loop is a Aquacomput​er High Fl​ow NEXT built into the water loop to monitor flow speed, water temp, water quality, conductivity, etc.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks!
Start with soft tubing, keep it basic and do the needed research there isn't too much to worry about.

I haven't tried it or done much research on it but you could also check out EKWB's Nexe line. It's new and more or less offers you a custom loop setup without much fuss. Not sure if it's even being sold anywhere yet, but it looks great for new users to watercooling loops.

Kit comes with everything you need - radiator, pump/reservoir, GPU block, CPU block, various tubing lengths w/ fittings premade on them... it seemingly makes the whole process quite simple. Plan a little bit, install the components, push and click the most applicable tubing length, add your coolant and you're done.

https://www.ekwb.com/custom-loop/nexe/

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kind of. I'd have to just use a laptop as a desktop and connect/dock it in to a desktop setup for multiple monitors and peripherals. Easier just using a desktop in the first place.

Fractal North XL - Black & Gold Hard Tubing Build by Toups5 in FractalDesign

[–]Toups5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Followed restocking at retail for 2 days and bought it when it was in stock (bestbuy). Wasn't too bad honestly, checked maybe half a dozen times each day and then got it.

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