I'm trying to migrate my home server computer into a smaller case (not SFF), and I have realized that while my SSI-EEB board is listed as compatible, that's a very loose claim.
I had to take a dremel to the removable HDD cage in order to keep it from interfering with one of my two CPU coolers. Then, there wasn't enough clearance between my (overkill) EVGA Supernova 1300 G2 and my HDDs that were mounted in the drive cage, I couldn't fit them and the cable headers (both the SATA Power and the modular cable connectors)...
It's been a headache assembling the system, but I eventually made it work with that case mod and a smaller power supply.
As one might expect, forcing a bunch of hardware to fit in a case--having to go so far as cut things and shrink the power supply--my thermals stink. Interestingly, it's my three HDDs that seem to be causing problems. On open air, the case runs fine. After a day of leaving the case closed on top of a table with the system running (under no load), I came home to the CPU coolers running noisily at full blast. My best diagnosis is that the HDDs are at the front of the case with little-to-no circulation and eventually this heat starts to spread through the case and it's more still and dense than the few fans I have in the system can manage.
So, the only places I can attach fans to help circulate things are the bottom filtered intakes and the rear exhaust. I could theoretically mod more mounting points, but I'm trying to avoid that if I can since the only real places are two visible panels (front and top) and the top panel is the only removable one, which could be a hassle to have a cable plugged into the motherboard on.
The bottom intakes, are--of course--obstructed by my motherboard, but there seem to be holes to mount tiny fans in the exposed portion of the filtered intake areas. According to the specifications, this is "6 x 60mm fans." I think 6 sounds noisy and miserable, but I believe I have that many front PWM connectors on my Mobo...
Are there any 60mm PWM fans I could use in this case that won't be extremely loud?
The long story short is that this is my home server, but the plan was for it to be in my living room and double as a HTPC. This case is one of the only ones I could find that could fit my motherboard AND fit in my entertainment center.
I had to take a dremel to the removable HDD cage in order to keep it from interfering with one of my two CPU coolers. Then, there wasn't enough clearance between my (overkill) EVGA Supernova 1300 G2 and my HDDs that were mounted in the drive cage, I couldn't fit them and the cable headers (both the SATA Power and the modular cable connectors)...
It's been a headache assembling the system, but I eventually made it work with that case mod and a smaller power supply.
As one might expect, forcing a bunch of hardware to fit in a case--having to go so far as cut things and shrink the power supply--my thermals stink. Interestingly, it's my three HDDs that seem to be causing problems. On open air, the case runs fine. After a day of leaving the case closed on top of a table with the system running (under no load), I came home to the CPU coolers running noisily at full blast. My best diagnosis is that the HDDs are at the front of the case with little-to-no circulation and eventually this heat starts to spread through the case and it's more still and dense than the few fans I have in the system can manage.
So, the only places I can attach fans to help circulate things are the bottom filtered intakes and the rear exhaust. I could theoretically mod more mounting points, but I'm trying to avoid that if I can since the only real places are two visible panels (front and top) and the top panel is the only removable one, which could be a hassle to have a cable plugged into the motherboard on.
The bottom intakes, are--of course--obstructed by my motherboard, but there seem to be holes to mount tiny fans in the exposed portion of the filtered intake areas. According to the specifications, this is "6 x 60mm fans." I think 6 sounds noisy and miserable, but I believe I have that many front PWM connectors on my Mobo...
Are there any 60mm PWM fans I could use in this case that won't be extremely loud?
The long story short is that this is my home server, but the plan was for it to be in my living room and double as a HTPC. This case is one of the only ones I could find that could fit my motherboard AND fit in my entertainment center.