Log Portable workstation (K77 Lite)

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Ordered and should arrive this weekend:

- NA-FD1 - we'll see how to mount them properly
- 2 of the new NF-A6x15
- Arctic has got some nice daisy-chain fan "splitter" cables, ordered one
- another set of triple fan splitters
- nicer, taller, rectangular, white / silver-colored case feet

Another one for the To-Do-List:

- custom cables! the regular SF750 are all nice and good, but the length has been going on my nerves, i.e the GPU cable is too long and clunky, while the ATX cable is always "just enough" and thanks to that, not really easily routable

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Oh, totally forgot about this chunky guy: I also ordered an Arctic S8038-10K, to replace the intake fan for the NH-D9L and Silver Soul 110.

Aside of pushing up to 102 CFM, it should work perfectly well as a makeshift fan duct, too

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Nightly madness: Adding the Arctic 80 mm fan to the NH-D9L.





Making sure the fan doesnt dislocate itself when being kickstarted, so both a bit of cardboard AND duct tape so the cardboard doesnt drop into the fan blades, too.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Currently stuck at the top fan topic. First I tried using zip ties and laminated wire (whatever those things are called that keep new cables together), but thats just too annoying to remove all the time.

Next step was to use the long screws supplied with the Silverstone FTF 6025 and 4010. Those got nice big hand-turnable nuts, so one can easily mount and somewhat easily unmount the fans whenever needed.

Now, that still only allows you to use three mounting points, the last one is more or less blocked by the mainboard. Worse, any fan behind that is only able to use two mounting points, except if you put it right above the CPU cooler. Even then, its not easily done, you need to install the fan BEFORE you install the mainboard. And that adds further issues, because there is not much space left on the top, etc.

Two days ago, I came up with option no. 4: Just mount the bloody thing on top, be damned if it doesnt look great
If required, we still can just attach some fan mounts, et voila!

To do this, we use a bracket with an oblong hole. I got a bunch of these, originally for the A4-H2O 280 build. Add screws, which you need to mount them to the case using nuts, next add the fans to them, now apply everything carefully, et voila!

Yeah, horrible idea, it kinda works, but its even worse than before

Onto the FIFTH option: Ordered 120 to 140 fan adapters. Those got long nice mounting holes. So you first mount them to the case, then you mount the fans on top. Why 140s? Thats what I got a lot of sitting around, all thanks to the above mentioned build (failure experiment). So I gonna add two Silent Wings 4 140 Pro for now, and if this works well, I gonna replace them with SW 4 HS in white.

Kinda ought to create some masking mini-panels, maybe just use white sturdy cardboard paper and be done with it. Or find someone to 3d print me stuff, at best a real top hat, so the whole contraption is less annoying to use

With all of this added to the top, this is now nearly a 13L case - fans + adapter adds about 30 mm to the top = 25 + 3, so its 29 x 28 x 16 = 12.992 L

If I was to go with a top hat in white, I might also get away with less, ie. use the Air Slimmer 140, so maybe 1 cm less, if I'm lucky. Would still make it 12.5L.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Also arrived today: The 120 to 140 fan adapters.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

At this point, I really think the best option is going with a top-intake and back exhaust setup. So one big 140 as intake, with a fan duct to the CPU cooler, then exhaust at the back with the Arctic S8038 (for now).

As I'm conducting my CPU fan tests, the next step after the Silver Soul 110 is going to be the Silver Soul 135, so maybe I'm going to replace the Arctic 80 mm with the 92 mm fan of the Silver Soul 110 and add another fan duct. Which entirely depends on the SS135 performance.

As there are going to be TWO intake fans, the VRM + rest of the board should be cooled sufficiently, too.

For the GPU I'm going to add longer intake fan ducts, and see whether or not additional bottom fans make any difference.
Exhaust should be to the sides, and as there is also a short pass-through exhaust, similar to the Founders Edition, this one is going to be ducted to the side as well.

Edit: Just realized the PSU exhausts to the top, so we can only go with one 140 as intake. But at its back there is still enough space for at least two 60 mm fans, and as I already got the NF-A6x15, those should do for now. Might even be enough space for a 92 mm slim, too

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Ordered the side panel, plus some helpers (surface attachble cable holders) AND some DRGB bling.

Gonna use said bling for the final "spruce up" build in the AP201, and then try moving it over to the K77 Lite as well.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Started rebuilding, ie. replacement of the NH-D9L with the Silver Soul 110.

Those "hacks" people came up with using "coffee filters" to clean up thermal paste etc. clearly never were tested outside the US. In most European countries, coffee filters are a very rough and totally not cotton soft thingy

... so it's business as usual. Ie. iso + kitchen paper towels.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Ok, after another check with the backpack, its kinda .. meh. VERY tight fit if I was going with the top hat / fan thingy.

BUT there is also the other option: Moving the MB one slot lower. Obviously I'd have to add my own stand-offs (ie. make holes in the side for it), but it would easily allow for at least one 120 or even 140 mm regular sized fan INSIDE the case.

Going for the top outside mounted fans first, but using slim 140s. Only if that doesnt work out, am I going with moving the MB down one slot + adding my own stand-offs.

There is also the future side panel to arrive on Friday. Could also be Saturday or even Monday, with christmas parcel traffic tight AF.
Using that might be another option, ie. slim fans inside top, and one side mounted fan for improved airflow. Might be like: Intake CPU cooler, exhaust top with fan duct, and a side fan to cool the rest of the board and add some fresh air for the PSU.

Optimization it is

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Finally managed to uninstall the NH-D9L and replace it with the Thermalright Silver Soul 110. Did sleep mostly through the days till today. Recharging, I guess. Was busy AF with work at least the last 2 months. Guess my body needed that looooong sleep recovery.

Anyways, the bloody fan cable is just about slightly too long when mounted in the other direction to annoy you. Yes, you can put it underneath the fan brackets so its less dangling around, but at this point, after re-seating the cooler for like the fifth time, and the bloody brackets getting stuck in any possible direction, I'm just like: Yeah, whatever. JUST SIT THERE AND STFU (yeah, the cooler didnt reply anymore ).

As I only got two case fans for now, I'm going to run them from one header, and the two different CPU fans from independent headers, so the regular 92 mm fan that comes with the Silversoul 110 on one, and the Arctic S8038-10 on the other, so that I'm able to like adjust each fan curve to the other. Basically 100% on the 92 mm fan is approx 50% on the 80 mm (max CFM is 100, while on the 92 its 54). The 92 mm of the SS 110 is already one of the most powerful PWM 92 x 25 mm fan available, the only others that gets up the same CFM are two variants of the same 92 mm fan by Pabst, which reach 60 CFM. But even the "lower" speed one costs 35+ Euro, so ..yeah.

My plans for the SS 135 is to go with the SS 110 92 mm fan to be added onto the VRM / IO plate side, and maybe even go with a P12 Max in front .. we're gonna see how this ends. Air ducts is gonna be a thing anyway - also to see whether an additional fan is even required or if the overall push power is enough already.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

After having the MB out right now, I did a few more tests. So indeed, if one would move the MB about one slot lower, there would be enough space for regular sized fans. BOTH a 120 OR a 140 mm fan. And also for mounting a 140 AIO on top - space is exactly enough for the Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW.

For the GPU, 2.5 slots would still work.

Kinda wish there was a K77 Pro - with a simple option to do exactly that, like pre-set short mounting points for the MB, and maybe a partially replaceable backplate, eg. one that allows for 3 slots as of now, and the other goes down to two. Then, with a different mounting frame for fans, one could attach them right where the 92 mm thingy sits now. Or some kind of top mounting holes / standoffs.
Now add 140 mm fan mounting options, and one could indeed use a 140 mm radiator on top. Maybe add a front exhaust for the PSU. Et voila!

Yeah, pretty simple and effective, but would make this case like 200% more efficient

Thats kinda like the Meshlicious vs. Meshroom S - we're in the Meshlicious stage right now. Lotsa DIY. But feels worth the effort.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Had some very nasty "no video signal" issues rn. I just finished putting everything back, but no signal, only fan spin.
Did first remove the fans, including the jet turbine (maybe overload of the PWM port?), but nothing helped.

I did notice a slight misaligned of the GPU after putting it back in, but that thing always had fitting issues, so I didnt give it much thought.
Just to be on the safe side, I unseated and reseated it, nothing. Removed it completely - but still only fan spin, no keyboard lights, no nothing.

Only after removing everything and reassembling it outside of the case, did it work.

So now IDK, maybe its the case, because from the very beginning, the MB standoffs seemed slightly misaligned - or is it me just having forgotten to check if all cables had been properly plugged in .. or did I overtighten the CPU cooler?

We gonna see, I'm reassembling in the case now. Lets hope It was either the plugs or the CPU cooler. Else I might have to give up on the case - for now.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Now fully tested: Silversoul 110, dual-fan setup, NF-A9 + TL-B9W

Doesnt seem to make any difference whether the second fan is added directly to the heatsink or just acting as a case intake fan. Guess its because the fan is sitting about 1 - 2 cm above the CPU cooler (thats why I also got the S8038, that'd fit perfectly .. BUT FOR THE NOISE! ).

Fan duct might improve this.

Also, need to add a bit of the NA-FD1 fan duct between the case fan grill and fan, case noise is annoying at higher speeds. Its probably the fan grill, but could be also a combination of this + vibrations transfered to the case. Should fix both issues, hopefully.

The back grill pattern is different to the one for the top and bottom, as in: long thin vertical slits, vs. a simple hole pattern (diameter 1 cm, with approx 2 mm distance to each other).

Edit: Thermals as follows:

This is with full sustained load / all-core + all threads. All temps in C (what else??!):

1. 10 minutes
   • 72.6 (tcl)
   • 72.2 ( tcdd1 )
   • 68.6 ( tccd2 )
2. 20 minutes
   • 76.1 tcl
   • 76.6 tcdd1
   • 71.9 tccd2

During the test, max temp for the NVMe was 49.1° C.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Potential additional improvements: Add a NF-A6x15 above the PSU. It gets handwarm on the corner of the case, really not nice. There is approx 2 cm distance between the PSU mount and the top of the case, so the NF-A6x15 should fit snuggly.

Also I'm still tempted to just cut a nice 90 mm hole in front of the case, add some mesh or fan grill, and turn the PSU by 180°.

I'm still really like: I want a "Pro" version of this case. One that gets rid of all the minor and bigger issues, like these:

- moving the MB down half or a full PCIe slot, or just adding 1 - 2 cm in height, et voila: Full size fans would fit
- back intake: either the same pattern as in top, or just a simple mesh
- front exhaust for the PSU
- PCIe slot mounting in a proper way, ie. with the "hook-in" like every other case got; S300 / S400 shows you how to achieve that in a very simple manner, too!
- different PSU extension routing option - bottom right corner as I'm already DIY using it
- a MESH SIDE PANEL!
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 or 2 front IO
- front IO: OR the option to add your own, with removeable standoffs instead of the fixed ones, because "aftermarket" extensions tend to be made for PCIe slots or 3,5" add-in cases, so they sit FLUSH to the case

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Added the 4 mm Noctua "fan duct" aka FD1 aka fancy foam between the case and the fan, and the noise has mostly been gone - except during full speed. So its indeed propably the "slats" that create the loud noise aka there is turbulences.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Next: Replace the SS110 with the S135. Test with original fan, and after that, replace it with a P12 Max. Maybe do a test drive with an additional front fan, eg. another Air Slimmer 120 or, if it doesnt fit, the TR-9015.

I'm also tempted to test the SI-100. There is some great test results by others, showing its on par with at least the SS110 if not even the SS135 and the NH-D12L. So yeah, could be nice

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Image Dump of the SS110 setup.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Preparing for the upgrade to the Silver Soul 135. Just checked: The Air Slimmer 120 should pair very well with the default Thermalright CPU fan, at least RPM-wise, as its got 1800 rpm max, while the CPU fan got 1850 rpm max.

There is no space at the back (of the CPU cooler heatsink) anyway, and I dont think I could mount the NF-A9 or one of the Thermalright 92 mm fans properly either.

So the test setup is going to be:

1. Thermalright Silver Soul 135 with the default fan in the middle.
2. Dual-fan setup with Silverstone Air Slimmer 120 in front
3. Single fan setup with the Arctic P12 Max
4. Maybe do a quick fan duct test

After that, I plan to do another test with the SI-100, with the original fan + the P12 Max, and then pick the setup that performed the best, as in: BOTH in terms of cooling AND noise level.

Next, I'm gonna add air ducts for both the CPU and GPU, may also add a bunch of Silverstone FTF 4010 side exhausts (for the GPU), and play around with Curve Optimizer and PBO

Oh, and somewhere in-between I'm going to add the custom side panel. Might just use a workaround with some brackets as an interim solution, but the main plan is still: cut the overhead off, and mount the panel using screws to the case frame.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Before switching to the "big" CPU coolers (ie. SS 135 + SI-100), I'm gonna give the SS 110 combo a last try, I mean, test: Arctic just released a new series of 92 mm fans, the P9 series. They range from a P9 Silent up to a P9 Max, and the latter one is the one I ordered and gonna test this weekend, if all goes as planned

Compared to the TL-B9W - 54 CFM, 2200 rpm, 2.24 mmH₂O - its sitting at 58 CFM, 6.16 mmH2O, with up to 4300 rpm, and got that 0-db-mode included, too (anything below 5% PWM goes to shut down). I expect it to be much more silent than the S8038, while still pushing a bit more air than a regular 92 mm fan

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

P9 Max has arrived. I've opened a separate thread for images, testing etc.

Alas, test results are gonna be posted here first, anyway.

cu, w0lf.