best airflow for the smallest (14l) modded mATX case
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 12:27 pm
I was planning to move my parts to RAIJINTEK STYX mATX case (see this thread viewtopic.php?f=15&t=69588)
and Luca (thanks again!) suggested me Silverstone SST-ST30SF V1.0 300W PSU - small SFX psu that stays fanless under 55'C
This PSU is perfect for my needs (low power requirements). But instead of buying that PSU and STYX case I started thinking about reusing my really small mATX case that I've had lying around.
Its a generic case that is sold under many brands
https://www.silentiumpc.com/en/silentiu ... q30-black/
It has rather unfortunate design with full-size PSU overhanging CPU cooler that has to be really low profile. But I was using it with pico psu so it wasn't a problem.
The case is exceptionally small - only 14 liters! Smaller than Raijintek STYX!
And for mATX case!
---
Anyway... this is my hardware list and usage scenario:
MOBO: GIGABYTE Z97M-D3H (microATX)
CPU: i5-4690K with Thermalright MACHO 120mm (rev A.)
RAM: 4x 8GB
VIDEO: ZOTAC GTX 750 passive
2x 256GB SSD
1x 3,5" in Scythe Quiet Drive enclosure
------
USAGE SCENARIO:
I'm a graphics designer and my workflow and type of work means that:
- most of the time: pretty light use of CPU @25% with short spikes @50-100% on all 4 cores
- occasionally CPU @100% on all 4 cores - when encoding a movie or something like this (and I don't mind increased fan noise in that rare cases)
- most of the time GPU is ideling with occasional activity spikes with Photoshop functions that supports GPU acceleration (very rarely, PS is all about CPU)
- I'm occasionally taking the computer to other locations (in a car) - that's why I want it to be fairly compact
- no gaming
- it's a hackintosh (macOS on a pc computer)
- I can control the speed of up to 3 fans (via software) and relate the speed of each fan to the CPU or SYSTEM or GPU temp
- it's running 24/7 because it syncs my work folder to Dropbox (and it takes a while with huge files)
- filtered intake would be a plus (because of 24/7) but I can live without it or with negative pressure scenario
------
POWER CONSUMPTION:
currently system (with 120W pico PSU) is using:
when idle: 35W in total
with CPU in stress (GPU in idle): 100W
____________________________________________________
What I'm planning:
- make opening at the bottom of the case for 120mm (or 140mm) intake fan
- intake fan will be blowing towards fanless GTX 750 video card
- psu will be placed like on the attached drawing (should be fanless most of the time)
- CPU will be cooled with big tower heatsink
- fan on CPU cooler will be in PUSH position - 120mm (currently runs on 650rpm all the time)
- opening on the back of the case will be enlarged
- I'll make a shroud from CPU cooler to the opening to prevent hot air from bouncing back into the case
- 3,5" HDD in Scythe Quiet Drive enclosure will be placed near the CPU fan leaving the gap about 3cm (over 2") between the fan and , if I move PSU closer to the video card it shouldn't block PSU exhaust
_____________________________________________________
What do you think?
Maybe I should ditch the shroud and add 3rd fan as an case exhaust fan? Maybe with the shroud hot air will build up near the back and top of the case?
Maybe I should use only case fan (no CPU fan) this will keep the case well ventilated and CPU cooler is so close to the fan (and so oversized) that it shouldn't be a problem to cool it with case fan only.
and Luca (thanks again!) suggested me Silverstone SST-ST30SF V1.0 300W PSU - small SFX psu that stays fanless under 55'C
This PSU is perfect for my needs (low power requirements). But instead of buying that PSU and STYX case I started thinking about reusing my really small mATX case that I've had lying around.
Its a generic case that is sold under many brands
https://www.silentiumpc.com/en/silentiu ... q30-black/
It has rather unfortunate design with full-size PSU overhanging CPU cooler that has to be really low profile. But I was using it with pico psu so it wasn't a problem.
The case is exceptionally small - only 14 liters! Smaller than Raijintek STYX!
And for mATX case!
---
Anyway... this is my hardware list and usage scenario:
MOBO: GIGABYTE Z97M-D3H (microATX)
CPU: i5-4690K with Thermalright MACHO 120mm (rev A.)
RAM: 4x 8GB
VIDEO: ZOTAC GTX 750 passive
2x 256GB SSD
1x 3,5" in Scythe Quiet Drive enclosure
------
USAGE SCENARIO:
I'm a graphics designer and my workflow and type of work means that:
- most of the time: pretty light use of CPU @25% with short spikes @50-100% on all 4 cores
- occasionally CPU @100% on all 4 cores - when encoding a movie or something like this (and I don't mind increased fan noise in that rare cases)
- most of the time GPU is ideling with occasional activity spikes with Photoshop functions that supports GPU acceleration (very rarely, PS is all about CPU)
- I'm occasionally taking the computer to other locations (in a car) - that's why I want it to be fairly compact
- no gaming
- it's a hackintosh (macOS on a pc computer)
- I can control the speed of up to 3 fans (via software) and relate the speed of each fan to the CPU or SYSTEM or GPU temp
- it's running 24/7 because it syncs my work folder to Dropbox (and it takes a while with huge files)
- filtered intake would be a plus (because of 24/7) but I can live without it or with negative pressure scenario
------
POWER CONSUMPTION:
currently system (with 120W pico PSU) is using:
when idle: 35W in total
with CPU in stress (GPU in idle): 100W
____________________________________________________
What I'm planning:
- make opening at the bottom of the case for 120mm (or 140mm) intake fan
- intake fan will be blowing towards fanless GTX 750 video card
- psu will be placed like on the attached drawing (should be fanless most of the time)
- CPU will be cooled with big tower heatsink
- fan on CPU cooler will be in PUSH position - 120mm (currently runs on 650rpm all the time)
- opening on the back of the case will be enlarged
- I'll make a shroud from CPU cooler to the opening to prevent hot air from bouncing back into the case
- 3,5" HDD in Scythe Quiet Drive enclosure will be placed near the CPU fan leaving the gap about 3cm (over 2") between the fan and , if I move PSU closer to the video card it shouldn't block PSU exhaust
_____________________________________________________
What do you think?
Maybe I should ditch the shroud and add 3rd fan as an case exhaust fan? Maybe with the shroud hot air will build up near the back and top of the case?
Maybe I should use only case fan (no CPU fan) this will keep the case well ventilated and CPU cooler is so close to the fan (and so oversized) that it shouldn't be a problem to cool it with case fan only.