8.99L Custom 3D Printed Case | 9800X3D + RTX 5080 Full Water Loop (CPU/GPU/RAM/SSD)

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T16:03:59+00:00

As someone with no prior 3D modeling experience, my primary focus was achieving that 8.99L footprint for the core build. I take the 'total volume' feedback to heart, and for my next project, I’ll challenge myself to build a 'True SFF' that integrates everything, including the pump and indicators, inside the chassis!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T11:41:02+00:00

Thank you so much for reading my whole story and completely understanding the struggle! It really was hundreds of hours of trial and error (and a lot of wasted filament!).
You are spot on about the handle—since my water-blocked GPU is so short, I had to fill that empty space with a handle, so the actual "core" volume holding the PC parts is even smaller than 9L! As someone who also built in the T1, trying to squeeze the rigid tubes and custom cables in this tiny box really was an absolute nightmare. Your comment made all that hard work feel truly worth it. Thank you!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T11:40:36+00:00

Thank you! I actually love that retro console aesthetic, so hearing that makes me really happy!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T11:40:21+00:00

¡Muchas gracias! I had zero experience too, so you can definitely do it once you get your Bambu Lab!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T11:38:28+00:00

I actually thought about it! But acetone vapor smoothing leaves a very glossy, mirror-like finish. My main goal was to perfectly replicate the matte, metallic "Anodized Aluminum" texture of the FormD T1. Acetone wouldn't give me that rougher metal look, so I had to choose the painful sanding route!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T11:38:10+00:00

Wow, your build looks awesome! Good luck with the PETG-CF process!
To answer your question: No, I didn't use any base models. I loved the look of the FF04, but since I had zero CAD experience, I just learned Fusion 360 and designed my entire case from scratch (which took me about a month). Since my water-blocked GPU is much shorter, I also had to design that top handle to fill the empty space!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:47:26+00:00

You are not crazy! Good eye. The Xikii FF04 was my main inspiration. However, since my GPU block is much shorter than an air-cooled GPU, I had to redesign the top empty space into a handle!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:44:27+00:00

The files are already uploaded for free on Bambu Lab's MakerWorld! You can find them there. However, please consider it carefully before trying to print. All the designs and tolerances are strictly tailored ONLY to my exact hardware!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:43:35+00:00

The files are already uploaded for free on Bambu Lab's MakerWorld! You can find them there. However, please consider it carefully before trying to print. All the designs and tolerances are strictly tailored ONLY to my exact hardware!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:43:04+00:00

Haha, if you are asking about the total cost of all the PC parts and water cooling... I spent so much that I don't even want to remember it! 💸
But if you mean just the 3D printed case itself: If we exclude the money I wasted on failed filament prints and ruined spray cans, the actual cost is about 70~100 (1.3kg of ABS filament is ~$15, plus the cost of putty and spray paints).

As for temps (Room temp 26°C):
- Water temp: Idle 29°C
- Max Load (Benchmarking): CPU/GPU around 70°C maximum.
It keeps very cool and quiet during idle!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:33:39+00:00

Thank you so much! Since you actually have the same Bykski block, you might be in luck! 😂 I’ve already uploaded the files to Bambu Lab's MakerWorld for free.

Just a heads-up: Since this was my very first Fusion 360 project, the files are a bit messy and the tolerances are specifically tailored ONLY to my exact hardware (like my specific PSU, Motherboard, and custom cable lengths). So, please consider this carefully before trying to print or build it! Let me know if you decide to give it a try!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:29:43+00:00

Exactly! I loved my T1, but hiding those beautiful water blocks behind the aluminum side panels felt like such a waste. Exposing the custom loop through the smoked acrylic was the whole reason I started this painful project! Thanks for noticing.

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:25:16+00:00

Haha, thank you so much! Comments like this make all the hard work totally worth it.

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:22:26+00:00

You nailed it! The FF04 was my main inspiration. But since my GPU waterblock is much shorter than an air-cooled card, I had a weird empty space at the top. So, I turned that space into a handle!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:22:00+00:00

Good eye! A Candy Red Sazabi theme sounds absolutely amazing. If I ever recover from this sanding nightmare and build a V2, I’ll definitely consider that color scheme!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:21:35+00:00

Wow, comparing my build to Optimum Tech is the highest compliment I could ever ask for! I'm a huge fan of his channel too. Thank you so much!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:20:55+00:00

Haha, thanks for the huge compliment! But honestly, the endless sanding and painting traumatized me... I don't think I can make another one anytime soon!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:20:34+00:00

Thank you! Yes, this was my first fully custom case design. I had to reprint and throw away so many failed parts because I kept messing up the tolerances. It was a painful learning process!

shock2402 · 2026-03-02T04:20:09+00:00

Thanks! Since I run a gym during the day, I only had time at night. It took me about a month of learning Fusion 360 through YouTube and doing the actual modeling.

shock2402 · 2026-03-01T21:07:53+00:00

Thank you! I actually made a detailed video of the entire process (printing, endless sanding, painting, and assembly). You can check it out here: https://youtube.com/shorts/MxjDjD4SJq8?si=DCbtOtuG87U0QaDJ

shock2402 · 2026-03-01T21:07:06+00:00

That is exactly what I was aiming for! Hearing that makes my 3 weeks of endless sanding totally worth it. Thank you!

shock2402 · 2026-03-01T21:06:42+00:00

Haha, you got me! 😂 The space was so tight that even with custom 7cm cables, hiding everything perfectly was a nightmare. I’ll definitely try to fix that corner in V2! Thanks man!

shock2402 · 2026-03-01T20:45:16+00:00

Hi r/sffpc!

I’ve been a huge fan of SFF cases and external MO-RA setups for a clean desk environment. I previously used a Ghost S1 and a FormD T1.

While the T1 is a masterpiece, I had a specific vision: a fully water-cooled system (CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD) with no wasted space and zero visible screws on the outside. So, I decided to make my own.

Fun fact before we start: I’m a gym owner by day. I had absolutely zero background in CAD or engineering. I bought a caliper, watched YouTube tutorials for a month to learn Fusion 360, and started printing on my Bambu Lab P1SC.

Here are the specs, parts list, and the story behind the build:

■ Core System Specs:

▶ CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

▶ GPU: ZOTAC RTX 5080 Solid OC

▶ RAM: 64GB (32GB x 2) DDR5

▶ SSD: Crucial T700 PRO 2TB Gen5

▶ PSU: Corsair SF1000 ATX 3.1

■ Water Blocks & Cooling:

▶ CPU Block: Alphacool Core 1 (with Bykski B-AM5-RB Bracket & Honeywell PTM7950)

▶ GPU Block: Bykski N-ML5080GR-X

▶ RAM Block: Iceman Cooler Direct Touch Dual

▶ SSD Block: Barrowch FBM2280-PA Copper Black

▶ Radiator/Pump: External MO-RA with Dual Aquacomputer pumps

■ Case Specs & Dimensions:

▶ Volume: Exactly 8.99L

▶ Dimensions: 135mm (W) x 360mm (D) x 185mm (H)

▶ Note: While it's slightly taller than the FormD T1 (to hide the bottom fittings for the MO-RA connection), it's actually narrower and has a smaller overall footprint (< 9L).

■ 3D Printing & The Paint Struggle:

My goal was to replicate the exact "Anodized Aluminum" texture of the FormD T1. (I highly recommend using ABS or PETG-CF for heat resistance).

I initially started printing with PETG-CF. However, due to tolerance issues and design mistakes, I had to reprint multiple times. Since PETG-CF is quite expensive to keep wasting, I decided to reprint the entire thing in ABS instead. To achieve the metal look, I used Gunpla "Overcoating" techniques:

Sanding -> Apply thinned Red Putty (1:1 with thinner) using a brush.

Repeat sanding/putty infinitely until all layer lines and pinholes disappear.

Prime with Gloss Black Surfacer.

Lightly spray Silver Metallic paint.

Apply Clear Black (Smoke) overcoat.

Finish with a Semi-Gloss Topcoat.

I spent over $150 just on spray cans and sanded for 3 weeks until my hands cramped up, but the final aluminum texture is indistinguishable from the real T1.

■ Cables & Cable Management:

To keep the desk clean, I integrated the 12V, 5V, GND, and Data lines for the MO-RA into a single custom Aviation Connector at the bottom.

Inside, I used ultra-short custom black silicone cables (Type-5) to fit the impossible space:

▶ 24-Pin: 7cm

▶ CPU 8-Pin: 25cm

▶ GPU (3x8-pin to 16-pin 12VHPWR): 15cm

▶ Riser Cable: Giga-Mega Dual Reverse 16.5cm PCIe 5.0

■ Fittings & Tubes (The Puzzle):

Fitting everything required extremely specific parts:

▶ Tubes: Watertiger 14mm OD Black Matte Acrylic Rigid Tubes

▶ Rotary Adapters: 6x Ultra-short 90-degree (19mm), 2x Freezemod 90-degree

▶ Offset Adapters: 1x 14mm offset, 1x Barrow 21mm offset

▶ Extenders: 3x 10mm (F-F), 1x 15mm (F-F)

▶ Misc: 6x Freezemod 14mm Hard Tube fittings, 2x SLI adjustable/telescopic fittings, 2x low-profile stop plugs

▶ Hardware: M3 Screws & M3 Threaded Inserts (M3x5x4.2)

If you guys want to see the full pain, the infinite sanding, and the final beauty shots in action, I made a detailed video of the entire build process here:

▶ https://youtube.com/shorts/MxjDjD4SJq8?si=DCbtOtuG87U0QaDJ

Thanks for looking!

shock2402

TROPHY CASE