Context
I was working on an open-source "web 3.0" project I shall not name with crazy stupid long compilation times (close to 10-20 minutes), the whole software stack/architecture was wrong but well... it's way too deep into sunk-cost fallacy. I got tired off my 5yo laptop slow CPU and bus, even with 32GB RAM.So I got dumb: I wanted a small box that packs the most powerful CPU available for the socket AM4 with a motherboard that supports ECC memory in an ITX case. And why not use a 120mm quiet AIO?
Note: be angry at hardware makers like to Linus Torvalds and use ECC memory if you can.
Hardware
Case | DAN A4-SFX v4.1 |
Mobo | B550 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ax |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X |
GPU | MSI Radeon RX6500XT Mech 2X OC (172mm) |
RAM | Samsung 2x16GB DDR4-3200 CL22 ECC unbuffered Dual Rank (1x8Go) |
SSD | Samsung 980 Pro M.2 1TB (NVMe) |
AIO | Corsair Hydro H60 (120mm) |
PSU | Corsair SF600 Platinum (125x63.5x100mm) |
Cables | CableMod 24Pin ATX (150mm) + 8Pin EPS (300mm) + SATA Power (100mm) |
Fan | Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM (120x15mm) |
Fan grid+filter | Silverstone (120mm) |
Build
Tight fit but overall ok, I wanted to use a passive PSU at first (Silverstone SST-NJ450-SXL) but it was a stupid idea. Switched to a more compact Corsair SF600.- I had to cut a 120mm square into the side panel to have the radiator further away from the PSU, you can see there is a ~4mm gap between them. The fan is attached to the side panel a grid+filter on top
- The radiator sits at the bottom of the case, there is a ~1mm gap with the front USB-C port
- I ordered custom length cables from CableMod because otherwise it was a compacted mess and the airflow was quite bad
- There is ~2mm extra room at the end of the GPU
BIOS settings
- CPU: ECO mode (less power drawn => lower temperatures)
- AIO pump: maximum (4000+ RPM)
- AIO radiator fan: auto (~1100 RPM average)
- ECC: enabled