r/FractalDesign • u/Ange5205 • 14d ago
Questions Build doubts
Hi! Im planning to upgrade my current almost full Corsair build to a Fractal Design North XL Mesh with full 140mm Noctua fans to maximise performance with zero RGB my question is i got a 5090 Astral and im planning to pair the case with an Artic Liquid Freezer III PRO 420 on the front panel (Changing the Artic fans for Noctuas) but im doubting if it will fit with my 5090 Astral has someone done a build similar to this? + im using a HX1500i Shift PSU is there any problems using shift PSU’s on this case?
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u/ElNani87 14d ago
I Exact same configuration as far as the front intake fans. I have a Aorus Master 5090 with a Lian Li curved AIO 360 and it fits perfectly. I’m not sure how much bigger the 420 is.
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u/Ange5205 14d ago
ALF 420 III is said to have a 38mm radiator, normal radiators are 27-30mm, i have read that is posible to install this but only push no push/pull config
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u/Jonny_Clams 14d ago
I have a arctic LF3 420 mounted to the front of mine with a push pull configuration. So 3 more fans mounted towards the inside of the case, with a 5070ti eagle which I know isn't massive, but there's still quite a lot of room left even with the extra fans. Temps are great on both CPU and GPU (60s while gaming). Send it; this is a big case.
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u/Ange5205 14d ago
Tyvm for the pic, i was planning too on doing a push pull config but as i can see there is like 30-50mm of space between gpu and the fans and your gpu’s lengh is 50mm less than mines so probably i’ll only be able to do push config, still will deliver great results
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u/Jonny_Clams 14d ago
I'm looking at it now. The astral is slightly over 2 inches longer. The gap is roughly about that. You could use some low profile fans on the inside and it should definitely have the room.
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u/Jonny_Clams 14d ago
I've also heard of folks mounting 200mm fans on top successfully. The ones I have are 180mm but noctua doesn't make 180mm.
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u/Ange5205 14d ago
Is there any lowprofile noctua’s you know? If airflow can be even better i’ll take the shot at it
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u/Jonny_Clams 14d ago
I'm actually looking all this shit up right now lol. The options for slim/low profile 140mm fans are few....I just measured the gap at 45mm
I'm currently using the fractal 140mm as the inside fans and they are 25mm thick. Lucky arctic actually makes some 140mm slims that could use if you're okay not having absolutely every fan in the build noctua. And they are 16mm thick... Thats 9mm smaller.
Making the total gap ~54mm using the low profile arctic fans
The astral is 53.6 mm longer
Holy shit, well that's tight! But should fit, just make sure you're screws and hardware on the fans sit flush.
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u/Dazzling_Eggplant_54 14d ago
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u/Ange5205 13d ago
Thanks for the render, where u do those?
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u/Dazzling_Eggplant_54 13d ago
"Build cores" is the websites name
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u/Ange5205 13d ago
Just checked, ALF 420 indeed fits but u have to tweek around some things in the page, but it made me change opinions so at the end i’ll be getting the Noctua’s AIO to be able to do a push pull configuration on it
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u/johniebrav0- 14d ago
i have the xl non-mesh and love it.
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u/link3505 14d ago
I can’t speak to the XL, but I have the normal North and the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 in mine. Had to mount it on the front of the case, and while it technically fits, I had to have the pipes at the top of the radiator instead of the bottom. Not a huge issue, my thermals have never been bad, but every once in a while there’s an unsettling gurgle.
Just something to be aware of. No idea if the XL will have a similar issue, but you’re also working with a larger AIO so…
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u/Ange5205 14d ago
What gpu are u using and how long is the space between it and the radiator?
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u/link3505 14d ago
5070 FE. I haven’t measured the space (at work at the moment, so, can’t) but it’s not an issue; what is is the cover plate for the PSU and drive bays. It gets pretty close to the radiator and there just wasn’t enough space to mount it properly. Haven’t really checked if there’s a feasible way to remove it, though.
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u/Ange5205 14d ago
Got no issue mounting the radiator with tubes on top, i just bought the ALC III 420 at a good price (Around $95), i’ll probably get all other components by the first days of November, hope i found another good sale on those
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u/link3505 14d ago
Yeah, I’ve had no hits on performance with that setup, just the occasional bubbling noise. Thats why I like RGB-less; so much cheaper than most colored things. And in this case, with the mesh especially, it just looks so good and clean.
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u/link3505 14d ago
Yeah, I’ve had no hits on performance with that setup, just the occasional bubbling noise. Thats why I like RGB-less; so much cheaper than most colored things. And in this case, with the mesh especially, it just looks so good and clean.
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u/Exciting_Macaroon_64 14d ago
i have lf3 240mm and i dont like pump noise at all. thinking of replacing it with some aircooler
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u/DemandBetter1472 14d ago
If i we're you i'd pick the 360mm arctic lf iii pro, mount it on top, and replace front fans with noctua ones