Nope. Still using the original one that came with mine, and it's one of the better ones out there.
DAN A4-SFX v4.1
- Thread starter dondan
- Start date
Dan/all,
Is enabling ECO mode still the more practical approach in terms of choosing AMD over Intel for the A4 SFX?
Zen 5 is coming out, and, although I've always been using intel, it seems like I'll have an easier time enabling ECO mode instead of intel's PL1/PL2 adjustments. This is assuming I'm trying to get the most performance out of a 92mm.
Thoughts?
Is enabling ECO mode still the more practical approach in terms of choosing AMD over Intel for the A4 SFX?
Zen 5 is coming out, and, although I've always been using intel, it seems like I'll have an easier time enabling ECO mode instead of intel's PL1/PL2 adjustments. This is assuming I'm trying to get the most performance out of a 92mm.
Thoughts?
This is promising for thermals.
AMD ECO mode is a nice easy setting to get a no fuss cooler and quieter solution with small 92mm air cooler.
That's not to say Intel isn't fairly easy too - you can just set PL1/2 limits and it effectively does the same thing. Nothing preventing you setting PL1/2 to say 65W base TDP, maybe even less if you wanted to.
Intel often has better power usage at idle but runs away with it under higher boost clocks. Slightly underclocking max boost clock speed in BIOS or with software like Throttlestop, and limiting power levels, you can achieve very good results although it may still be overall less efficient than AMD under most loads.
My A4 has a 5600X running 45W ECO mode under the Noctua L9a. Very good thermals given my custom, quieter fan curve. It being a 65W chip can run at stock OK, but the fan will have to run much louder to keep up.
Very nice, I am keeping my eye on Zen 5 and am happy to see them bring the 9600X and 9700X back down to 65W base TDP as it was on the 5600X and 5700X. I hadn't read about the improvements to the heat spreader before now - any gains there could be very welcome with limited cooling capacity.
I am about to build a second faster machine in another A4 and was considering the i5-14400F. However, I know I will get much better performance from the upcoming Ryzen 9600X so will wait for release and reviews to see what performance and power usage is like.
Thanks for your input.
Just cause I'm learning here before upgrading--why 9600X instead of 9700X if they both allegedly have 65w TDP? Price difference, since you already have another PC?
No problems mate
I should add that you can usually set power limits on AM4 and AM5 CPU's manually too, not just limited to one setting of ECO mode on or off. ECO mode is just easier to enable and you are potentially getting a more efficient CPU under load at certain wattages. Interesting timing that you ask, with news the 9700X is rumored to be bumping to 120W.
But I didn't know that before I gunned for the 9600X. I do currently have another PC with a 7800X3D, this one is additional.
Not a big need for more than 6 cores for just gaming and HTPC use, especially something as fast as the 9600X will likely be.
Saves me a bit of money and potentially power usage/heat if the rumors come to fruition.
Similar reasons I'm happy with a 4070 Super even though a 4070 Ti Super exists that can fit. And just getting a A620 motherboard instead of B650.
It's value oriented, looking to build something lean, quiet and highly efficient with nothing more than it needs.
To add more info at risk of confusing matters more, it's true you can't rely on just TDP and power usage to gauge how hard it is to cool.
Intel and AMD differ on CPU die sizes, power density, layouts, hotspots and physical build of the entire chip which effects the efficiency of the heat spreader.
I think Intel are somewhat easier to cool at the moment when comparing 14th gen to Zen 4 at the exact same wattage. I could be wrong though and that is going to depend on each chip.
You also have the whole LGA 1700 heat spreader bending issue to contend with on Intel, which does hurt thermals, but at least is preventable.
Intel and AMD differ on CPU die sizes, power density, layouts, hotspots and physical build of the entire chip which effects the efficiency of the heat spreader.
I think Intel are somewhat easier to cool at the moment when comparing 14th gen to Zen 4 at the exact same wattage. I could be wrong though and that is going to depend on each chip.
You also have the whole LGA 1700 heat spreader bending issue to contend with on Intel, which does hurt thermals, but at least is preventable.
The biggest eye-opener was the photo editing benchmark. If this is the kind of task you're going to be throwing regularly at your CPU, it's self-evident which one you'd choose and it's the Ryzen 7 9700X. And just like the 9600X, it does all this with a maximum power budget of 88 W.
That means it's not only easier to keep cool, but it's also cheaper to run and won't deluge your office space with copious amounts of heat. Compared to the Intel chips, it's an absolute win.
Awesome news.
That means it's not only easier to keep cool, but it's also cheaper to run and won't deluge your office space with copious amounts of heat. Compared to the Intel chips, it's an absolute win.
Awesome news.
DDR5 VLP UDIMM has been announced and should be listed "soon" on Mouser / Digikey:
www.apacer.com
I know this thread has slowed down substantially, but does anyone have ANY experience with AM5 Mini-itx motherboards and I/O shroud removal? Basically, with VLP DDR5, my black ridge + 120mm noctua should be possible in my next upgrade with m.2 heatsink removal and possibly I/O shroud.
Very Low Profile DDR5 VLP UDIMM — Apacer Technology
Apacer is recommended for DRAM/SSD. From high-speed data transmission to data protection, we could provide various industrial SSD/DRAM products.
I know this thread has slowed down substantially, but does anyone have ANY experience with AM5 Mini-itx motherboards and I/O shroud removal? Basically, with VLP DDR5, my black ridge + 120mm noctua should be possible in my next upgrade with m.2 heatsink removal and possibly I/O shroud.
My A4 SFX lives another gen. BR + 120mm Noctua fits with AM5 mini-itx. Pics showing how insanely tight it ended up with I/O proximity.
I mean, thats cool, but: Now it completely blocks your RAM slots?
Even with VLP, this seems next to impossible?
cu, w0lf.
I mean, thats cool, but: Now it completely blocks your RAM slots?
Even with VLP, this seems next to impossible?
cu, w0lf.
VLP is on the way--but no reason it should block. The VLP will slot lower than the black locking mechanisms shown. The retention bracket of the cooler runs between the slots. There's another sff member who has already done it from the same ram manufacturer.
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Build completed with A4-SFX / 9800X3D / Noctua 120mm Slim + Black Ridge. VLP DDR5 being available allowed me to move into 120mm. Without the help of some folks in the SFF community, I would've had much more guesswork.
The build still needs some wires tucked and thermal tests. For now I've turned on eco mode 105W and thermal limit to 90C in BIOS. I've been enjoying my games that have blown me away with performance especially newer emulators which are cpu-intensive. The acoustics are solid and noticeably different than 92mm.
There's a couple factors to consider when moving into 120mm: The I/O shroud of the motherboard, the M.2 heatsink height, and the ram height. These could all get in the way depending on motherboard model.
Notes for future A4-SFX builders:
-The Black Ridge 92mm 4 screw holes protrude outward, slightly. If using the Noctua 120mm in push configuration (air toward motherboard), the fan will clip against these protrusions. I designed a very basic 3D printed 1.5mm spacer to fix the issue, although you're honestly good with some foam cut-outs, too. No adhesion was necessary. I used the Black Ridge mounting bracket for the I/O side, and gravity helped on the other side. Photo is included showing this.
-ASRock works without the need for more involved modding. The two slight mods were the 1.5mm spacer and removing the M.2 heatsink. The noctua in push mode will blow air directly at the M.2, however you can also buy a lower profile copper plate for a couple bucks. Ideally in the future, more mini-itx motherboards will revise their crowded I/O shrouds.
The build still needs some wires tucked and thermal tests. For now I've turned on eco mode 105W and thermal limit to 90C in BIOS. I've been enjoying my games that have blown me away with performance especially newer emulators which are cpu-intensive. The acoustics are solid and noticeably different than 92mm.
There's a couple factors to consider when moving into 120mm: The I/O shroud of the motherboard, the M.2 heatsink height, and the ram height. These could all get in the way depending on motherboard model.
Notes for future A4-SFX builders:
-The Black Ridge 92mm 4 screw holes protrude outward, slightly. If using the Noctua 120mm in push configuration (air toward motherboard), the fan will clip against these protrusions. I designed a very basic 3D printed 1.5mm spacer to fix the issue, although you're honestly good with some foam cut-outs, too. No adhesion was necessary. I used the Black Ridge mounting bracket for the I/O side, and gravity helped on the other side. Photo is included showing this.
-ASRock works without the need for more involved modding. The two slight mods were the 1.5mm spacer and removing the M.2 heatsink. The noctua in push mode will blow air directly at the M.2, however you can also buy a lower profile copper plate for a couple bucks. Ideally in the future, more mini-itx motherboards will revise their crowded I/O shrouds.
