Can you leave the top HDD cage in when using a longer gpu (such as the GTX570)
Because I saw a build where he did (whilst using a 6850), and wondered if that was luck, or a slightly off case.
It looks great, but I think they've missed a trick. They could have put a front slot for a slimline optical drive at the very bottom of the case, thereby accommodating a 240mm rad and a bluray/dvd drive.
Originally Posted by GeorgeStorm Can you leave the top HDD cage in when using a longer gpu (such as the GTX570)
Because I saw a build where he did (whilst using a 6850), and wondered if that was luck, or a slightly off case.
It purely depends how long the PCB and any shroud on the graphics card are. The PCB will need to be less than 180mm else it will foul the top 3.5in cage. However, as we found with the Zotac GTX 660 Ti, even though its shroud is longer than this, because it's raised away from the drive cages by the depth of the graphics card, it actually clears the front of the top 3.5in drive cage. However, as we said in the review, it does then overlap it, so you'd need to remove the graphics card in order to get the top 3.5in cage in and out...
Originally Posted by Spreadie It looks great, but I think they've missed a trick. They could have put a front slot for a slimline optical drive at the very bottom of the case, thereby accommodating a 240mm rad and a bluray/dvd drive.
If it was vertical, then yes I dare say this will be a popular mod (horizontal would probably mean redesigning the hard disk cages) although the only optical drive I've used in the last 2 years is the blu-ray reader on my HTPC. My main rig hasn't had one for about three years!
Originally Posted by Combatus It purely depends how long the PCB and any shroud on the graphics card are. The PCB will need to be less than 180mm else it will foul the top 3.5in cage. However, as we found with the Zotac GTX 660 Ti, even though its shroud is longer than this, because it's raised away from the drive cages by the depth of the graphics card, it actually clears the front of the top 3.5in drive cage. However, as we said in the review, it does then overlap it, so you'd need to remove the graphics card in order to get the top 3.5in cage in and out...
Realised I hadn't looked at the image properly.
Pity because if it could be done then I'd probably go for it :(
Originally Posted by Hustler Don't think I could live with only 2 internal hard drive bays with a decent GPU installed.
You could in theory mount your SSD with some Velcro, meaning you've have two 3.5in bays (3 drives in total). But seeing as the most SATA ports mini-ITX boards have at the moment is four, this is all you'd be able to use anyway if you have an optical drive too.
Originally Posted by Combatus You could in theory mount your SSD with some Velcro, meaning you've have two 3.5in bays (3 drives in total). But seeing as the most SATA ports mini-ITX boards have at the moment is four, this is all you'd be able to use anyway if you have an optical drive too.
That's why I though about a horizontal bay at the bottom. Velcro FTW!
Was thinking a vertical drive might either clash with a GPU cooler (if you're only liquid cooling the CPU) and or restrict access to the HDD cage.
I've removed all the HDD cages and the ODD bay and have my H100 in the front. Have screwed two SSD drives to the PSU cage where the HDD bay used to be and could stick one in the floor and 2 more on the side panel if I ever need to expand my storage. (so not a problem for me)
Been thinking about modding the front panel by reversing it so the ODD drive bay is at the bottom, then I could accommodate my H100 in the roof and get a BitFenix Recon fan controller which I have been drooling over.
This, in conjunction with the CPC article using the same case, are sorely tempting me to ditch the irrelevant parts of my current build and create a mini watercooled monster.
Originally Posted by GeorgeStorm Can you leave the top HDD cage in when using a longer gpu (such as the GTX570)
Because I saw a build where he did (whilst using a 6850), and wondered if that was luck, or a slightly off case.
I moved by dual 120mm 60mm radiator watercooling loop into a bitfenix prodigy a few weeks ago. needed some modding for pump mounts, case feet and cutting down the drive bay to fit a drive controller and the radiator behind it, but its so much smaller than my old Akasa Omega and just as quiet (used all the same fans after all).
Originally Posted by Combatus You could in theory mount your SSD with some Velcro, meaning you've have two 3.5in bays (3 drives in total). But seeing as the most SATA ports mini-ITX boards have at the moment is four, this is all you'd be able to use anyway if you have an optical drive too.
My biggest issue with my Prodigy (the Cerberus computer bellow) ? It is sliding way too much on my desk. My Prodigy is doing "Do you want to press the power button on me ? Oh, sorry, i will move away instead" :D
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ReplyNice Review.
Hi fakeN, yep they both just unscrew.
You just unscrew them. Leaves a gap where the panels fitted, but its not too noticeable if you just remove the case feet.
Because I saw a build where he did (whilst using a 6850), and wondered if that was luck, or a slightly off case.
It purely depends how long the PCB and any shroud on the graphics card are. The PCB will need to be less than 180mm else it will foul the top 3.5in cage. However, as we found with the Zotac GTX 660 Ti, even though its shroud is longer than this, because it's raised away from the drive cages by the depth of the graphics card, it actually clears the front of the top 3.5in drive cage. However, as we said in the review, it does then overlap it, so you'd need to remove the graphics card in order to get the top 3.5in cage in and out...
Realised I hadn't looked at the image properly.
Pity because if it could be done then I'd probably go for it :(
You could in theory mount your SSD with some Velcro, meaning you've have two 3.5in bays (3 drives in total). But seeing as the most SATA ports mini-ITX boards have at the moment is four, this is all you'd be able to use anyway if you have an optical drive too.
That's why I though about a horizontal bay at the bottom. Velcro FTW!
Was thinking a vertical drive might either clash with a GPU cooler (if you're only liquid cooling the CPU) and or restrict access to the HDD cage.
I've removed all the HDD cages and the ODD bay and have my H100 in the front. Have screwed two SSD drives to the PSU cage where the HDD bay used to be and could stick one in the floor and 2 more on the side panel if I ever need to expand my storage. (so not a problem for me)
Been thinking about modding the front panel by reversing it so the ODD drive bay is at the bottom, then I could accommodate my H100 in the roof and get a BitFenix Recon fan controller which I have been drooling over.
Nope, top cage must be removed for longer cards.
This and the Intel P8Z77-I = win
Velcro ? Are you guys nuts ? There is place for two 2.5" drives on the side panel (that mesh on the side panel: http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2012/09/bitfenix-prodigy-review/7-1280x1024.jpg ), plus you can mount another on the PSU cage (not sure if they are accessible if you have the HDD bays still there). Plus one on the bottom of the case.
http://files.bitfenix.com/qig/Prodigy_QIG.rar
Page 7 - 3 additional 2.5" drives.
Page 8 - 2 additional 2.5" drives.
Without using any of the 3.5" positions.
My biggest issue with my Prodigy (the Cerberus computer bellow) ? It is sliding way too much on my desk. My Prodigy is doing "Do you want to press the power button on me ? Oh, sorry, i will move away instead" :D
Depth 34cm. Substract a standard 3cm radiator from it, that is 31cm. Substract a standard fan size from it, that is 31-2.5=28.5cm.
GTX690 is 28cm. So you got 0,5cm space left :D. That is if you will use a front mounted radiator. If not, then without issues, as your pump will probably fit fine bellow the card (see the pic of my Prodigy) :
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/323089_10151087055011827_1657284200_o.jpg
That looks pretty nifty! ;)
Got any more pics of the rig?
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151087043161827.451295.171179716826&type=1 (not my work, i am only the customer who paid for it).
Does that front faceplate cause much airflow restriction for the radiator?
A good choice. Looks awesome!
Something like this?
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