BitFenix Ronin Review

 

Cooling Options 

With 170mm of clearance there should be no problem fitting all but the most gargantuan of CPU tower heat sinks into the Ronin.  Certainly our NZXT Havik 120 which we use as a basis for comparison fits in just fine. 

    

 

The abilty to house large conventional heatsinks isn’t the end of the story though.  Regulars to OC3D will know that it’s long been a desire of ours to see native water cooling support for mid towers, pointing out that the problems of interference at the top of the case can easily be overcome by means of off-setting the radiator further out into the case.  It seems Case manufacturers have been listening, certainly BitFenix have as the Ronin has native water-cooling support for 240mm rads in the roof. 

       

 

To better help demonstrate the clearances and limitations  we’re using the XSPC RS240.  This rad measures 121x35x277mm (WxHxD).  If you’re using tall RAM then the max depth of rad you’re realistically going to get away with is 50mm, failing that, a rad of no greater than 25mm can be used with fans mounted in push pull conguration. 

         

 

If you’re using low profile or some of the smaller more conventional RAM and providing it doesn’t project more than 40mm form the motherboard tray or 34mm from the surface of the Motherboard then the world is pretty much your Oyster, and push pull set ups are certainly on the cards

    

 

BitFenix also provide holes in the roof for 140mm fans.  Like the 240mm fittings the screws have a 15mm spacing so theoretically a 280 Rad no thicker than 40mm could be placed in the roof.  We say theoretically as there are likely to be end tank clearance issues with the rear of the 5.25″ bays as shown with the RS240 in the image below left.  Also bear in mind that the deeper your rad, the more you’re going to obscure the rear exhaust fan, and again, a 280 rad may in fact foul this fan position.