Log Advice on Case for SFF 4k Gaming?

[Magus90]

Hello,

I am building my 2nd SFF ever. I am trying to build something that will have solid thermals and be pretty quiet when running 4k games.

I have a 12600k/240 corsair AIO and 4070 super, with the intention to upgrade to a 5080 soon. Both are around 40c and 61c respectively in 4k games in my current View 270 case.

I was looking at the following cases

Mechanic Master C28
Jonsbo Z20

I was wondering how noise and thermals would be in this case with the components I mentioned above? It doesn't seem you can fit fans on the bottom with thicker GPUs which has me concerned for airflow. With no bottom fans that leaves just the 2 AIO exhausts on top and the back fan as either an intake or exhaust and that's it......

 

[Dawelio]

Hello,

Top case is a 4 slot one, which means that with even an 3 slot GPU, you might be able to fit in standard fans underneath it. The Jonsbo is a no go, unless you have a 2 slot card. Not sure which specific GPU model due to no specification given.

I feel like you're simply overthinking this... the GPU already has it's own fans, which will cause some kind of airflow inside the case and then the AIO fans in the top will just simply exhaust everything at the top. An rear fan won't really contribute that much.

When it comes to fans, airflow etc, it's not rocket science in the sense that most seem to overthink it. Bottom fans can help with thermals for the GPU, but it won't be 10C difference for example, or even 5C at most. Hence it's not substantial difference if you go without.

One thing to keep in mind though as well is that the more fans there is, the more potential noise. Specially when placing under the GPU, they could cause more harm than good. In other words, could cause turbulence in relation to the GPUs own fans. A good example of this is watching Gamers Nexus of their interview with Noctua's engineer, where they explain and show why they have made the 2 fans on the NH-D15 G2 spin at different speeds, to essentially lower noise.

All in all, I get the feeling you're overthinking it all... your components aren't very power hungry components to begin with, hence adds more to the point.

Good luck

 

[Magus90]

Hello,

Top case is a 4 slot one, which means that with even an 3 slot GPU, you might be able to fit in standard fans underneath it. The Jonsbo is a no go, unless you have a 2 slot card. Not sure which specific GPU model due to no specification given.

I feel like you're simply overthinking this... the GPU already has it's own fans, which will cause some kind of airflow inside the case and then the AIO fans in the top will just simply exhaust everything at the top. An rear fan won't really contribute that much.

When it comes to fans, airflow etc, it's not rocket science in the sense that most seem to overthink it. Bottom fans can help with thermals for the GPU, but it won't be 10C difference for example, or even 5C at most. Hence it's not substantial difference if you go without.

One thing to keep in mind though as well is that the more fans there is, the more potential noise. Specially when placing under the GPU, they could cause more harm than good. In other words, could cause turbulence in relation to the GPUs own fans. A good example of this is watching Gamers Nexus of their interview with Noctua's engineer, where they explain and show why they have made the 2 fans on the NH-D15 G2 spin at different speeds, to essentially lower noise.

All in all, I get the feeling you're overthinking it all... your components aren't very power hungry components to begin with, hence adds more to the point.

Good luck

Thank you for the detailed response. I 100% agree there is a layer of overthinking going on here lol I guess I just would hate to assemble this thing and have it be hot and noisy, coming from a case that is silent and cool. To give an idea of why I am moving the build at all, I am disabled with nerve damage in my back, so bending isn't great for me. I needed something small I could put on a shelf/desk so I can easily plug things in when needed.

But to add to what you said, I believe the Z20 is also a 4 slot as well. I think it's the same dimensions as the C28 for the most part. But In either case, I probably won't be able to fit fans anyway, and even if I could they would be slim fans and like 5mm at most from the GPU.

So just the GPU fans alone and the AIO exhaust up top should be enough to keep things cool without having to blast fan curves up?

 

[Dawelio]

No worries, thank you for the appreciation

Sorry to hear about your medical condition, understand the urge for something more portable. In this regard, have you thought of SFF? As in an ITX build?

Thinking those cases are rather large overall and an ITX based system might be smaller, easier to carry etc for your needs.

12600K is an 125W and the 4070S is 220W, so that's 345W in total. Not that much to cool overall... if anything, your 240 AIO is more or less overkill for that CPU.

Everything in life is highly subjective, especially when it comes to sounds etc. Hence keeping it "cool" and "quiet" is highly relative here. Keeping an CPU cool is basically any coolers job, as long as it's not thermal throttling, it's being cooled. How much noise one can acceptable to do that job, is different as well.

Again, not sure what GPU model you have, but most 4070S cooler would most likely be adequate for the job. Due to being the lastest generation of cards and not having an older style cooler which could be a bit underwhelming at times.

Overall, once again, I can't say for certain, but I think it's a bit overthinking here and it will be just fine for your needs... Unless you hammer your system with an full system load, that literally pulls 350W, which I highly doubt, it will most likely be fine. As in the end, it will pull about 250-300W, which isn't a whole lot of heat overall to dissipate.

 

[Magus90]

No worries, thank you for the appreciation

Sorry to hear about your medical condition, understand the urge for something more portable. In this regard, have you thought of SFF? As in an ITX build?

Thinking those cases are rather large overall and an ITX based system might be smaller, easier to carry etc for your needs.

12600K is an 125W and the 4070S is 220W, so that's 345W in total. Not that much to cool overall... if anything, your 240 AIO is more or less overkill for that CPU.

Everything in life is highly subjective, especially when it comes to sounds etc. Hence keeping it "cool" and "quiet" is highly relative here. Keeping an CPU cool is basically any coolers job, as long as it's not thermal throttling, it's being cooled. How much noise one can acceptable to do that job, is different as well.

Again, not sure what GPU model you have, but most 4070S cooler would most likely be adequate for the job. Due to being the lastest generation of cards and not having an older style cooler which could be a bit underwhelming at times.

Overall, once again, I can't say for certain, but I think it's a bit overthinking here and it will be just fine for your needs... Unless you hammer your system with an full system load, that literally pulls 350W, which I highly doubt, it will most likely be fine. As in the end, it will pull about 250-300W, which isn't a whole lot of heat overall to dissipate.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

I've thought about 15L or smaller, but most cases require a riser and I was hoping to avoid using one if possible. I had looked into the fractal Terra and the Dan A4 h20. I figured the smaller I went the hotter and noisier things would get, so I tried to find a compromise in the 20l range like the Nr200. The CPU I am not worried about, just the GPU. Especially when I upgrade to a 5080.

I have a 4070 super TUF btw. It's huge and cools well in my current setup. It's very thick at 63mm though and it doesn't even fit in some of these ITX cases. I don't think it fits in the Terra or A4 H20 IIRC when I was researching. (these cards are getting ridiculous in size lol)

 

[Dawelio]

Then the smallest, which is the most premium and hence most expensive, is the NCASE M2. It's about 15L and can have 3 different layouts, all without the need of an riser and is ITX. Smaller than the NR200.

Your current 4070 Super TUF is 3.15 slot thick, which is overkill for it's 220W TDP. Hence even without any extra fans, the cooler itself will be more than enough to keep it tamed. As mentioned, the cooler is overkill since it's used on higher end models that pull way more power and hence more heat to dissipate.
I now understand what you mean, most ITX are 3 slot and since yours is 3.15 slot, it's unfortunately too large. Personally don't understand why ASUS went with such a massive cooler for the 4070S, just way too much in all seriousness.

No, you are correct, it doesn't fit in those cases. 3 slot max essentially. Thinking even the NR200 might be very tight. I have an 3 slot 4080S FE in my NR200P and it's tight.

 

[Magus90]

Then the smallest, which is the most premium and hence most expensive, is the NCASE M2. It's about 15L and can have 3 different layouts, all without the need of an riser and is ITX. Smaller than the NR200.

Your current 4070 Super TUF is 3.15 slot thick, which is overkill for it's 220W TDP. Hence even without any extra fans, the cooler itself will be more than enough to keep it tamed. As mentioned, the cooler is overkill since it's used on higher end models that pull way more power and hence more heat to dissipate.
I now understand what you mean, most ITX are 3 slot and since yours is 3.15 slot, it's unfortunately too large. Personally don't understand why ASUS went with such a massive cooler for the 4070S, just way too much in all seriousness.

No, you are correct, it doesn't fit in those cases. 3 slot max essentially. Thinking even the NR200 might be very tight. I have an 3 slot 4080S FE in my NR200P and it's tight.

Yeah the M2 is nice, I've been eyeballing it. Looks very versatile and well made. Expensive but worth it from what I gather.

I HATE the size of this GPU. It wasn't an issue in my current build, and I got it thinking the giant heatsink would be useful. It's proving to be a big PITA when going SFF unfortunately which I hadn't planned for. It's honestly part of my incentive to upgrade to a 5080 Prime or 5080 FE, because they are both like 50mm max and I can fit them in more cases. That's IF I can get one at launch :/ Which is unlikely thanks to scalpers. I live 5 minutes from a Micro Center but there is no way with my disability I can camp out for hours. Which means praying I get one online from Nvidia or Best Buy. (Wife is gonna help try and secure one by taking a site)

I imagine with this GPU I have now, if I were to undervolt it, I would get even better temps and noise. So I should be able to tame the 4070 super if I need to. And If I end up with a 5080 FE or Prime, it should be even thinner and have more room for potential bottom fans if the stock FE cooler isn't enough.

I might see if I can just attempt a build in this Mechanic Master C28 I have sitting here, and thermal test it. If it all checks out, I am totally happy with the size, shape, and look of it. It's close to the same size as the M2. And I got an open box for $115 so it wasn't pricey. I've never heard of the brand Mechanic Master though, wasn't sure if was a cheap POS from china or something, or something actually well made. In hand it seems pretty well made.

I think I just need to experiment and see.

 

[MarcParis]

For 15L case with enough space for 4 slot GPU and pretty good CPU cooling I advice you SFFTIME N-ATX (v2) but paired with a mini ITX motherboard.

You can check my trial there.

Basically you have top notch GPU cooling and CPU cooling is rather good (130W-140W TDP CPU)...you are reaching silent (at idle) and very very quiet while gaming.