Inwin Chopin GPU 1050 ti Mod - Pluto

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108

Hello all, I’m making a short worklog for a small mobile build I'll be working on. This originally was going to be a quick build but I got a couple ideas when I found the InWin Chopin case. I noticed that it had room on the bottom of the case for a long PSU but I figured it may be possible to replace it with a low-profile GPU and just use a HDPLEX instead of the included PSU. Other than that I want to try to make the build as cool and silent as possible, through the use of Noctua fans.

Hardware:
[CPU]:
Intel i5 – 8400
[GPU]: Zotac GeoForce GTX 1050 Ti Low Pofile
[MOBO]: Asus Strix Z370-I
[RAM]: G.Skill TridentZ RGB 2×8 16GB - 3000
[NVMe]: Samsung 970 Evo 250GB
[SSD NVMe]: Samsung 860 Evo 1TB
[PSU]: HDPLEX 160W DC-ATX
[CASE]: InWin Chopin
[COOLER]: Noctua NH-L9i

Other:
[GPU FANS]:
NF-A4x10 FLX x3
[CASE FAN]: NF-A4x10 FLX
[PSU FAN]: SoundOriginal Blower Fan
[RISER]: Fractal Design Flex VRC-25 PCIE x16

The theme for this build is going to coincidence with another build I am currently doing, COSMOS. I found that the colors of the Noctua fan strongly resemble that of Pluto, and also due to the builds size I decided to name it so and continue on with the cosmos based theme.

There won't be too many mods to the build and hopefully I should be able to get the GPU mounted in the case without increasing the size of the chassis.

I hope you guys enjoy the build, this shouldn't require too much time so it should be completed quickly.

Thanks all.

Updates







 
Last edited:

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108




I made sure to keep the clutter in the case to a minimum so I chose to use a NVMe with no other HDDs, and the result is this compact motherboard.





As you can see here the cooler pretty much uses as much room as it can get.





Now with the main components out of the way I can start working on the GPU.





I started by making the cuts needed to fit the GPU below the motherboard tray, as well as a cut at the back for the IO and two cuts at the bottom of the case to allow for additional airflow.





It fits pretty snug in there and there is plenty of room in between the motherboard tray and the card to fit the riser.

















The riser takes up some additional room at the back but by using different riser and modifying the other side of the case I should be able to get it to fit. Also the cases' rear panel has a protruding shroud to give a small bit of room for the riser as well.

The next thing to do from here is change the fans on the GPU, as the current fans sound like a small turbine, and to mount the GPU in the case. Thanks all.​
 
Last edited:

CC Ricers

Shrink Ray Wielder
Bronze Supporter
Nov 1, 2015
2,233
2,556
The InWin Chopin is 84mm wide. This is close to the absolute smallest width you can fit an LP card perpendicular to the motherboard. This is pretty much what I wanted to see done to the Chopin to make it a perfect LP case.
 

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108
Epic work, the true spirit of SFF !

Thanks! I've been getting into sff alot recently and even have another build with the skyreach 4.

The InWin Chopin is 84mm wide. This is close to the absolute smallest width you can fit an LP card perpendicular to the motherboard. This is pretty much what I wanted to see done to the Chopin to make it a perfect LP case.

Yeah it's a very tight fit, but by using the panel with the protruding mesh I am able to give myself a bit more room. I've seen alot of people ask if it's possible to put a GPU in this case and I thought I would give it a try.
 

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108


On the left is the PSU the Chopin came with. On the right is the HDPLEX 160W direct plugin. By using this with a external brick I'll be able to save a large amount of room inside of the case.



The only issue is that because of the G.Skill ram it cant fit. But thats fine, I can try just adding a extension cable and placing the HDPLEX somewhere else.





First I'll have to make an addition cut for the 24 Pin cable.





Here is the build so far with all the additional cuts and mods. You'll see later in this update that I increased the side of the bottom right hole to allow more air intake for the GPU.



Before painting.



The paints I use. But i decided against putting on a clear coat at the end.



After Primer.



After painting it black.



Now that the case is spray painted I put in the 24 pin extension cable. However its pretty messy, but I can just use a cable comb to hold them in place.



It holds pretty tight and you can actually see the comb at the top of the cable.





Now to just heat-shrink the Front I/O cables.



I think all togather it looks much cleaner than what it would look like if I had directly plugged in the HDPLEX.



The front of the case so far.



And the back.





I mount the HDPLEX on the back with some spacers to allow the heatsink some room to breathe. I am looking into adding a squirrel fan to keep it cool if I can find a quiet enough one.



And here it is with the cable connected. I do not know much about the HDPLEX's so if anyone knows if using a extension cable or having the heat-sink turned towards the case has any problems I would greatly appreciate some tips.



Now for the GPU. When I orrignally tested this 1050ti the cooler sounded like a turbine compared to the Noctua Fan so I'll be trying to build my own cooler for it.





These fans are incredibly quiet, especially for their size. I tested them at full load and they didn't produce much noise at all compared to the stock fans at idle.



The shroud for the GPU.





Here is the near complete custom cooler.



And a rough picture to show how the fans intake air. The bottom of the Chopin unibody has openings on the front and back of the case for the two non-center fans to breathe. I'll be cutting a hole for the center fan to intake air as well, but I'll have to wait for the next update to do that as I'm waiting for the new unibody to be delivered.

I'm fairly new to these new mods, specifically the HDPLEX and Custom Cooler, and I'd love feedback on what to do or If I'm doing anything incorrectly or if I can be doing either of these two better.
 
Last edited:

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108
Inspiring to see this mod, it's getting my fingers itchy to hack up my own InWin Chopin ! Well done, keep it up !

Thanks so much! I'll be completing the build soon, the next update will probably be the last, I just have to wait for one more part to be delivered and run some thermal tests and benchmarks.
 

chrzr

What's an ITX?
Jul 17, 2018
1
1
Wow! Really nice build! I just signed up here to comment. I stumbeled upon this post while researching for possibilities to add a GPU to the Chopin, as I'm currently in the process of building a 2400g system for travelling. I thought about adding some kind of eGPU later on, but I might as well go the same route as you!
 
  • Like
Reactions: CroyAlore

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108
Wow! Really nice build! I just signed up here to comment. I stumbeled upon this post while researching for possibilities to add a GPU to the Chopin, as I'm currently in the process of building a 2400g system for travelling. I thought about adding some kind of eGPU later on, but I might as well go the same route as you!

Thanks! Yeah I've seen a lot of people interested in the idea of putting a GPU in this case. So far it looks like it can if you heavily mod the case. So far thermals are looking good, maxing out at 68 degrees with a stress test, but I'll see what it is once the unibody is added as it will most likely go up with the unibody.
 

tinyitx

Shrink Ray Wielder
Jan 25, 2018
2,279
2,338
May I ask:-
1. What temp did the GPU have when using its original shroud-fans?
2. The maxed out temp of 68C is when all 3 Noctua fans spin at max speed?
3. When kind of load temp (and ambient temp) do you get for the onboard M.2 SSD?

Your mod is looking quite clean.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CroyAlore

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108
May I ask:-
1. What temp did the GPU have when using its original shroud-fans?
2. The maxed out temp of 68C is when all 3 Noctua fans spin at max speed?
3. When kind of load temp (and ambient temp) do you get for the onboard M.2 SSD?

Your mod is looking quite clean.

1. I'm afraid I didnt run many tests when I had the original shroud-fans on so I dont know.
2. Yes thats with all three fans maxed out, even with them maxed out the noctua fans are very quiet realitivley speaking.
3. Right now I am testing "Best Case Scenario" with the case having niether the side panels or the unibody on with the system on its side to allow the GPU's to breath and these are the results after running 3dMark skydiver Stress Test:
NVME: Min: 35c Max: 45c
CPU: Min: ~39c Max: ~74c
GPU: Min: 29c Max: 60c

These are of course not realistic conditions for the case and I'll be able to run much more realistic tests after tomorrow once the unibody comes in and I close of both sides with the perforated side panels.
 

rcodi

SFF Gamer
Aug 5, 2017
176
165
Consider removing the side VRM sink if you haven't already, it's not necessary and also improves airflow considerably. Did the same thing when I had an A4 with the same cooler/cpu setup and saw a few degrees of improvement.

Awesome idea for the low-pro GPU by the way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CroyAlore

CroyAlore

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Jul 13, 2018
23
108
Amazing build. Love it!

Thanks! I appreicate the kind words :D

Will be watching closely!

I've got one or two updates left, I'm just deciding on some last parts and fixing a couple of glitches within the system.

How do I report for porn?

Haha thanks! XD

Very impressive so far! Lots of ingenuity and excellent craftsmanship going on here.

:thumb:

Thanks so much, I try to focus on the small details of a case, so SFF cases may be just for my style.

Love those tiny noctua fans!

Originally I didn't like the color but they've grown on me and goes so well with the color scheme. The small ones are amazing quality and very quiet.

Consider removing the side VRM sink if you haven't already, it's not necessary and also improves airflow considerably. Did the same thing when I had an A4 with the same cooler/cpu setup and saw a few degrees of improvement.

Awesome idea for the low-pro GPU by the way.

Thanks! I may look into that. At the moment I'm running some thermals and all of them are coming out pretty good. The only one I'm still concerned with is the GPU. When the case is standing up they are maxing out at about 81c but when the case is on its side (In the case of the test sitting on its face, the gpu maxes out at 68c. So I'm trying to get some feet so that I can place the case on its side and allow the GPU to breath fully.