For this build, I decided to keep the aluminum bezel while using a Zotac GTX 1080 Mini. I was inspired by @CubanLegend 's Ant Man build (especially the video that accompanied it), as well as @DocH 's Rare Breed build.
First, a parts breakdown:
Since I was keeping my aluminum bezel, I first had to remove the stock fans and shroud from the GPU. to replace those fans, I used two Noctua NF-A9x14 fans attached with zip ties to the heatpipes of the GPU cooler. I connected both of them with a y-adapter, and then to a GPU fan header adapter.
Since the GPU heatsink and the front bezel make direct contact (not even a mm of clearance I think) I decided to add a 0.5 mm thick thermal pad to better pull heat away from the GPU and into the bezel. I found this helped cooling a bit, maybe a drop of 5 degrees celcius or so.
At first, this made the area of the bezel closest to the graphics card extermely hot (the heat died down around the bend of the bezel, and near the power button). To better combat this, I removed my 2.5 inch SSDs, and replaced them with a M.2 NVME drive. This allowed me to transfer the sky mount to behind the GPU, and install a slim scythe fan controlled by my motherboards fan header. With this fan, the bezel gets hot, but not extremely so. At least safe for me to pick up, while it is under load (although I don't know in what situation I would do this).
I haven't run very extensive tests yet, but so far my peak GPU temperature under 100% load is about 78 degrees celcius. Not great, and with a bit of tuning I am sure this could come down more, but it is fine for my purposes at the moment.
I also decided to add my own detachable feet to my case, so that it can lay in the horizontal position underneath my monitor (I need to grab a picture of my desk...)
All in all, being able to cool the GPU from three different angles has been very interesting, especially in such a small case. Combating thermals while working in a reduced volume has been interesting, and this implementation I believe is much better than a case double the volume (like my previous case, the Node 202).
A link to a gallery of my build is shown below.
First, a parts breakdown:
PSU: GUnique ArchDaemon w/ 400 watt brick
Power Switch: NFC Black Switch
PCI Extender: NFC Ribbon Cable
Mobo: Asus Z270i
RAM: 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance 3200
CPU: Intel i5 7600k
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i
SSD: 1 TB Samsung 960 Evo
GPU Fans: 2 x Noctua NF-A9x14, Scythe Slim 120mm (backplate fan)
GPU: Zotac GTX 1080 Mini
Extra: Gelid CA-PWM-02 Fan Adapter, Arctic 0.5mm Thermal Pad
Power Switch: NFC Black Switch
PCI Extender: NFC Ribbon Cable
Mobo: Asus Z270i
RAM: 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance 3200
CPU: Intel i5 7600k
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i
SSD: 1 TB Samsung 960 Evo
GPU Fans: 2 x Noctua NF-A9x14, Scythe Slim 120mm (backplate fan)
GPU: Zotac GTX 1080 Mini
Extra: Gelid CA-PWM-02 Fan Adapter, Arctic 0.5mm Thermal Pad
Since I was keeping my aluminum bezel, I first had to remove the stock fans and shroud from the GPU. to replace those fans, I used two Noctua NF-A9x14 fans attached with zip ties to the heatpipes of the GPU cooler. I connected both of them with a y-adapter, and then to a GPU fan header adapter.
Since the GPU heatsink and the front bezel make direct contact (not even a mm of clearance I think) I decided to add a 0.5 mm thick thermal pad to better pull heat away from the GPU and into the bezel. I found this helped cooling a bit, maybe a drop of 5 degrees celcius or so.
At first, this made the area of the bezel closest to the graphics card extermely hot (the heat died down around the bend of the bezel, and near the power button). To better combat this, I removed my 2.5 inch SSDs, and replaced them with a M.2 NVME drive. This allowed me to transfer the sky mount to behind the GPU, and install a slim scythe fan controlled by my motherboards fan header. With this fan, the bezel gets hot, but not extremely so. At least safe for me to pick up, while it is under load (although I don't know in what situation I would do this).
I haven't run very extensive tests yet, but so far my peak GPU temperature under 100% load is about 78 degrees celcius. Not great, and with a bit of tuning I am sure this could come down more, but it is fine for my purposes at the moment.
I also decided to add my own detachable feet to my case, so that it can lay in the horizontal position underneath my monitor (I need to grab a picture of my desk...)
All in all, being able to cool the GPU from three different angles has been very interesting, especially in such a small case. Combating thermals while working in a reduced volume has been interesting, and this implementation I believe is much better than a case double the volume (like my previous case, the Node 202).
A link to a gallery of my build is shown below.
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