Log mATX SFF, research + builds (Mesh-mATX) - finished

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Got me some more assets for my Dremel (8260), so I can haz make fancy wooden panels. Have some birch "craft wood" (Bastelholz) sitting around that I planned to use for the top hat of the S396, but using one or two for testing out how far I get with carving custom air vents for a front or top panel of the Meshroom D .. shouldnt hurt.

When I'm good enough with it I gonna order properly sized veneered plywood anyway. The above mentioned wood panels are DIN A4, so would only work for the top (aka front) panel anyway. I've seen several decent priced mixed kits in DIN A3 on Amazon and other stores, so those gonna be the start. Or I just bother the next best local carpenters workshop

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

just tested: setting up the PSU with stand offs on the bottom instead of top of the case ... works pretty darn well

so basically similar to how it's done in the FormD T1.

picture dump incoming...

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Welcome 2026, and also welcome working 64 GB of DDR5. Had to check if they work, because I've read somewhere about someone unlucky having had 2x32 DOA ...

.. on that topic: The RAM training of the Asrock B650E PG-ITX is really quick and solid. At least with Corsair and Kingston modules. The very first start was a bit bumpy, but aside of that - and that weird CMOS reset mishap, but by now I guess the CMOS battery either is faulty or slowly nearing its EOL - its been a smooth solid ride.

And also I feel I slowly start to understand why Gearseekers titled their Meshroom D review "D is for Disappointment" - it feels like a LOT of missed chances with the Meshroom D, esp. in terms of cable routing options. Something like the SAMA IM01 with simple metal hooks everywhere to attach zip ties, velcro straps or even twisty wires to .. is nowhere to be seen.

Next, some decisions like how to mount the SFX (or ATX) PSU when using the Extension Bracket feels very lackluster, and lets not get started about the bottom not having a panel at all ..

On the upside, I just figured out, if you wanted to install a 280 mm radiator when using mATX, you could either go with HD Plex GaN or a Flex-ATX PSU. Both would fit perfectly side-by-side to the mainboard. Sure, still need to figure out how to mount it securely, but still - its an option that would work.


Thanks to this test build with my original setup from the K77 Lite (Asrock B650E PG-ITX + Silversoul 135 w/ Arctic P12 Max, also reusing the 92 mm fan of the Silversoul 110 as intake fan, Seasonic SGX-750 etc.) I now at least know that everythings works, and where I might want to add potential cable attachment options. For this, I got the choice of several types of those double-side taped zip tie mounting points, plus the auto-zip thingies one usually finds in office pre-builds like Lenovo, Dell, HP and the likes.

The PSU seems to sit rock-solid despite my fears of shoddy mounting, but I dislike how the ATX and EPS cables have to be bend away. So I'm going to give my initial mockup test a try, ie. by mounting the PSU to the bottom of the case. From the looks it should sit safely, too, but. put less stress on the ATX cable and maybe also improve routing options for the GPU power cable.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Next step, probably this evening or maybe on Saturday, is replacing the MB with the MSI Mortar B850, ie. moving CPU + RAM + Storage + CPU "protection" frame over, and also installing the Thermalright 240 Edge in white.

Then its testing time, with the original fans first - never tested that before; ie. I had the same AIO, but just in black, in the A4-H2O build - next move to the P12 Pro, and finally go a bit insane with the S12038

Plans are to go for a 160W manual mode + decent UV / PBO setup.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

A few more updates: Did a test fit with the mainboard, looks like the strategy of mounting the PSU to the bottom instead of top of the case would work out.

Now I've tested with the original PSU again, ie. the Goat, aka SF750, which I had to abandon in-between because the CPU power cable didnt reach far enough. But with the Meshroom D, it looks like as if it does reach easily. At worst, we still can switch to the suggested method in the extended manual - only available on the SSUPD website - which recommends to route the CPU power cable behind the "motherboard tray" (probably meaning the MB itself, as there seems to be no routing option behind the actual tray, except maybe with a power drill or a dremel).

To briefly improve the PSU mounting situation, I'm going to use a specific SFX-to-ATX PSU adapter for the first time with this PSU, and I think also in general. This should allow for better positioning the PSU, ie. to move it slightly forward compared to the orignal position, adding both more distance to the mainboard as well as improving the cable routing situation.

The issue at hand is: With the original mounting position, moving the PSU to sit mostly flush with the front part of the case is NOT POSSIBLE, because the upper frame of the case is interfering with the PSU; about 1 - 2 mm are blocking it from fitting. Ie. this actually would work if the supplied PSU standoff screws were slighty longer, or if there were additional standoff screws, like with the Meshroom S GPU bracket.

Picture dump incoming soon

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Current state of the art: All installed in air cooler mode, ready for test run.

NP: Idles - Progress

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

btw: PSU on top in most front position is ONLY possible with SF750. Any other PSU doesn't want to be mistreated like that. Feels like improper/shoddy testing from the manufacturer.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Figuring out the tie down/mounting options in a case that doesn't have any is ... such a drain.

92 mm Front intake, gets "mounted" using zip ties, to the bottom and, as soon as the AIO is in, to the lower side fan / rad mounting bracket. Ugh.

40 mm Top exhaust for the PSU, tied down on the PSU standoffs.

And finally, 92 mm slim back exhaust, the easiest, as it can use regular screw / mounting holes.

At least, in theory, I could replace the front panel with one that would allow for proper mounting options, eg. a 3d printed or a wooden one.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

So the biggest advantage of the Meshroom D, aside of being able to reuse most components from the Meshroom S, is: Being able to replace panels. Really looking forward to this, cause the full mesh optic is kind of a meh thing, aesthetically. Got some "bastelholz" / "handicraft wood panels" that I originally bought for the S396, but havent used yet. Gonna take one or two for testing out visuals vs. airflow vs. noise level, and then get "proper" ones, ie. in a slightly darker color, like cherry wood or

Ironically the extender bracket adds a similar visual improvement as the solid metal part does on the Asus AP201 or the IO side shield thingy of the Shiny Snake and Deepcool cases. If there ever was a Meshroom D v3, I'd love to see either the extension / extender bracket as an INCLUDED part, OR visually more appealing side panels. Obviously BOTH would the best

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Replaced the Silver Soul 135 with the Frozen Edge 240, using the original fans.

Had fun with a fuse repeatedly blown, until I figured out: Its not the PC, its the other power bar - potentially either broken or the wall socket is just one of those "custom" ones that doesnt have any grounding; sadly the Brennenstuhl power bars dont show you if there is one or not, only the APC Schneider do.

After connecting the system to the power bar on the other side of the room, all worked well, just like before.

First test run without side panel, 100% CPU load for 20 minutes: 60.8 C max.

Second test run with side panel, 10 minutes, full CPU load: 63 C max

NVMe max in both test scenarios: 39.9 / 33.9 / 37.9 (composite / sensor 1 / sensor 2)

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Latest test result with the P12 Pro installed, still with Eco mode enabled, closed panels, 20 minutes run time:

CPU max. temp: 60.4 C, NVMe max temp: 34.9 C.

So a solid 3 C lower than the stock fans for the CPU, and 5 C lower for the NVMe section.

Next tests will be:

- default mode (ie. untamed / 170W)
- test with Lian Li Uni P28 (both in Eco and default mode)
- maybe re-test with Arctic P12 Max

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Fine-tuned the fan curve a bit. Might get a bit higher temps now, but the fans are less annoying. Well, I _DID_ run the same curve for air-cooling with AIO / liquid cooling, so its basically my own fault. But before, I was just testing, not actively setting up.

Edit: Flipped the back fan to intake. Also tested what fans might fit underneath the radiator, and at least with my rather slim GPU (120ish mm wide) 80 x 25 is a tight fit, but 80 x 15 should work very nice. Gonna buy 3 - 4, probably Thermalright TL-9015W, to match the white theme. Also wont break the bank - esp. for testing.

Onto a different topic: Yesterday, I realized my CPU is now nearly 4 years old, BUT: a 7950X is still nothing to sneer at.

So even if the latest Intel refresh felt really tempting, and also, that overkill MSI Z890 board, compared with the lackluster implementation on the X870, is a mouth-watering combo. But then: I just got that MSI B850 mATX - which gives you PLENTY of all that, plus enough fan headers, and I never really had a huge need for TB3/4 anyway, even when I was still ThinkPadding.

Maybe upgrade to a 9950X3D, when the next bigger thing drops. Supposedly the additional cache helps quite a bit in Linux countries as well: https://www.phoronix.com/review/windows-linux-amd-9950x-9950x3d

cu, w0lf.

 

[ignsvn]

Gonna buy 3 - 4, probably Thermalright TL-9015W, to match the white theme. Also wont break the bank - esp. for testing.

In the event it gets hard to find the Thermalright fans, you can try ID Cooling fans as well, they are very similar.

In fact, if you don't mind looking at AliExpress, try to search for Teucer or Magos fans. Again they are "eerily" similar with the Thermalright 9015. Probably cheaper.

I suspect these brands share the same OEM.

I've been using Teucer 9015 (yes the code is also similar) as my CPU fans for almost a year now without issue.

Onto a different topic: Yesterday, I realized my CPU is now nearly 4 years old, BUT: a 7950X is still nothing to sneer at.

Eh that's still a very decent CPU. Previously I used i5-4670 for almost 8 years

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

In the event it gets hard to find the Thermalright fans, you can try ID Cooling fans as well, they are very similar.

In fact, if you don't mind looking at AliExpress, try to search for Teucer or Magos fans. Again they are "eerily" similar with the Thermalright 9015. Probably cheaper.

yeah, AFAIR ID Cooling creates some of the ... fans .. AND heatsinks for Thermalright.

Which is also why I soon gonna rebuild my 13700k system with a bit of insanity into a Raijintek Ophion 7L - or at least sth similarly sized. Cause I found a test with ID-Cooling IS-67-XT + 13700k. PL was at 180 W, and the calculated loss was about 8% in multicore and 3% in single core (using Cinebench 23), so I think thats completely okay. I'm currently running it with a PL of 200W, so with a bit of UV or the equivalent of that for Intel, I should be able to even improve on that.

cu, w0lf.

 

[MarcParis]

yeah, AFAIR ID Cooling creates some of the ... fans .. AND heatsinks for Thermalright.

Which is also why I soon gonna rebuild my 13700k system with a bit of insanity into a Raijintek Ophion 7L - or at least sth similarly sized. Cause I found a test with ID-Cooling IS-67-XT + 13700k. PL was at 180 W, and the calculated loss was about 8% in multicore and 3% in single core (using Cinebench 23), so I think thats completely okay. I'm currently running it with a PL of 200W, so with a bit of UV or the equivalent of that for Intel, I should be able to even improve on that.

cu, w0lf.

Not surprising as my combo IS-53XT heatsink with Noctua NF-A9x14 (2200rpm) is able to cool an undervolt 12600K (-8.5mv) with no big issues.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

While Artemis II mission is doing a fly-by around the moon, I prepare for somewhat finishing the original build planned out 4 years ago. The AIO seems to be in need of a repaste, so I thought I could move the whole assembly towards the now vacant meshroom S. APU build (mostly).

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

And here for a last image, that didnt upload, because apparently the max limit size has changed to < 2 MB per image for silver supporters, showing ALL the systems together, including the one in progress (test fit using my spare AM4 board, with a very much working 3700X + 16 GB RAM).

cu, w0lf.

 

[MarcParis]

I was wondering how you managed to upload directly some photos.. Gotcha it is linked to your silver support..

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I was wondering how you managed to upload directly some photos.. Gotcha it is linked to your silver support..

Yeah, I eventually gonna get around (re)installing some sort of gallery script on my own webspace, but for now the regular upload function has to suffice.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

And finished. Just got stuck when trying to mount the radiator. lotsa fun.

Prepped yesterday, built today, from 3 to nearly 10 pm (CEST).

Now looking into what I can get in terms of additional fans, as I had to go the route of "above mainboard" with the AIO (Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 + Arctic P12 Max).

.. and also, pizza

cu, w0lf.

ps: pictures follow, just need to downscale them for the forum upload.