Small and quiet case + cooling for my Haswell i7
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 7:27 pm
Hi. Am new to computer building but the pursuit of something different and better is my driving force.
I was recently given a 4790 i7 CPU from a friend as the starting point for a computer to replace my aging (and failing) Dell XPS17 laptop. I never liked that thing.
I searched for a LGA1150 motherboard which is understandably rare these days. I came across this motherboard being sold new which I subsequently purchased.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Q87T/specifications/
It happens to be a thin mini ITX which begs to be used in a small form factor case. Obvious problem is cooling. I also want it to be quiet. I got so sick of hearing that stupid fan howling in my Dell at the slightest hint of load.
I would like some advice on cases and cooling solutions. As small as possible. I am struggling to find anything reasonably small which would have adequate cooling for a 84w TDP CPU, let alone be quiet. I realise that there will be a tradeoff.
Little enclosures which allow limited fan heights of < 30mm rule out Noctua and most other quiet fans and are generally only rated to 65W CPUs even with fans.
Can anyone suggest a good small case +/- some active cooling thar would suit my setup?
The best I have come up with so far is the Streacom FC8 Alpha. Completely fanless and they claim can cope with up to 95W TDP. Is it a little expensive but I would be saving on cost of a fan. I must say that I am sceptical that a case without any fan would not reduce the longevity of the motherboard and I would like this to last.
If I can't find anything better then I will buy it.
Thanks!
I was recently given a 4790 i7 CPU from a friend as the starting point for a computer to replace my aging (and failing) Dell XPS17 laptop. I never liked that thing.
I searched for a LGA1150 motherboard which is understandably rare these days. I came across this motherboard being sold new which I subsequently purchased.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Q87T/specifications/
It happens to be a thin mini ITX which begs to be used in a small form factor case. Obvious problem is cooling. I also want it to be quiet. I got so sick of hearing that stupid fan howling in my Dell at the slightest hint of load.
I would like some advice on cases and cooling solutions. As small as possible. I am struggling to find anything reasonably small which would have adequate cooling for a 84w TDP CPU, let alone be quiet. I realise that there will be a tradeoff.
Little enclosures which allow limited fan heights of < 30mm rule out Noctua and most other quiet fans and are generally only rated to 65W CPUs even with fans.
Can anyone suggest a good small case +/- some active cooling thar would suit my setup?
The best I have come up with so far is the Streacom FC8 Alpha. Completely fanless and they claim can cope with up to 95W TDP. Is it a little expensive but I would be saving on cost of a fan. I must say that I am sceptical that a case without any fan would not reduce the longevity of the motherboard and I would like this to last.
If I can't find anything better then I will buy it.
Thanks!