Log Portable workstation

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

As I need a working AND portable system ASAP, I decided to postpone further fumbling around with the annoying situation (both 280 AIO and 240 AIO vs PSU vs 2nd m2 slot) and pick the "FU edition" aka S400 V2 w/ PCIe 4 riser + AXP120-x67 + Silverstone Air Slimmer.



Little image dump:

Portable Workstation: S400 v2 “FU Edition” – Image Dump – WP Devil

New specs (2024-11-13):

Premise: White-themed build (Case + GPU)

Case: Miningeek MiniNeo S400 v2 (Shiny Snake S400 clone) in white
CPU: Ryzen 9 7950X + Thermal Grizzly Contact & Sealing Frame
MB: Asrock B650E PG-ITX
RAM: 64 GB DDR5 5200 (main build) / 32 GB DDR5 5600 CL30 (test build) - both Corsair Vengeance
Storage: 2x 2 TB (FireCuda 530 + SK Hynix P41)
PSU: Corsair SF750 (2018)
GPU: Inno3D RTX 4070 Twin X2 OC White Stealth with "hidden" power connector
Riser: PCIe 4 supplied with the case
CPU Cooling: Thermalright AXP90-X53 Full Copper + Thermalright TL-B9W + 25 mm fan brackets (both courtesy of Silver Soul 110)
Case fans: Arctic P12 Max + Scythe Kaze 120 Slim (my original tests didnt show any improvements with top-mounted fans, but it might be different with a more power-hungry setup)
Case feet: tba (original ones for now)

PC Part Picker (completed build): https://pcpartpicker.com/b/mKW323

To-Do:

- install an OS (Linux, probably MXLinux or Siducation as main OS, Endeavour as secondary) - done (Endeavour + MX Linux)
- move the main NVME drive from the current system to this one (Firecuda 530)
- maybe also do a slight mod to the MB / middle frame, because the second m2 slot is on the back of the MB, and might clash with the m2 cooler

Mods:

- GPU stand-off mod - required, as the USB 3 Gen 3.2 cable is once again not properly fitting in the case IO panel; would have to cut away on the mounting stand-offs; for now I gonna use it with the PCI slot panel

- CPU side panel mod: the classic 10 mm neodym magnet mod from before, because the side panel is sitting too tight on the CPU cooler; this only affects AMD, it isnt an issue with intel!

Additions:

- HDPlex GaN 500 - sitting around and waiting for deployment

- 140 mm AIO (Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW) - waiting for arrival of the additional AM5 mounting kit; so far, only a "has been taken to the post office" acc. to Taiwan Post; is supposed to be shipped via air-mail; Update 2024-10-06: Has arrived at FRA, is already entered into the DHL tracking system ("Maxi-Brief") and should arrive in the next few days

- maybe use a Flex-ATX PSU instead, as the HDPlex GaN is slighty too long - except if I was to do a mod to its casing to "move" the power cable opening to the top, similar as seen at RelaxingSFF

Planned Mods:

- 140 mm AIO - should in theory fit in the PSU location, but needs mounting options; I've just ordered the Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW + 2x Air Slimmer 140 ARGB; depending on my mood, its either going to be slim push-pull or big fat push-pull (SilverStone Shark Force 140 ARGB)

- custom cables - as much as I like the nice cables of the SF750, having built in the same case before with the Fractal Design Ion+ 650W, some of the cables, esp. the ATX MB power cable, feels .. less than optimal; color scheme is either gonna be white or a b/w one

- maybe replace the case feet with the second set I got for the A4-H2O; should allow bottom fans, eg. one of the SilverStone Air Slimmer 140s

Spoiler: original plans til mid september 2024

As I need a working AND portable system ASAP, I decided to postpone further trials - and continuous fails - with the 280 AIO mod in the A4-H2O, and just build a "regular" system with a 240 AIO.

A bit of a back story:
Yesterday night, I tested whether or not the Meshi would fit comfortable in the backpack I aquired, and well, the answer is: noish. In German, there is this fancy word called "Jein" / "Jain" (its not a part of the official vocabulary, but people use it nonetheless). It means: Yes and no - combined.

Yes, it somehow fits, but NO, you cannot put anything else into the backpack; maybe a mouse, but not even a very flat keyboard like the Sharkoon PureWriter would fit without breaking it.

But the A4-H2O as well as the S400 and the S300 fit perfectly, with enough space to spare for keyboard, mouse, and maybe a smaller portable monitor.
So, FOR NOW, this build log is going to focus on a merely "normal" build in the A4-H2O.

Later on, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, it might change into a less normal AIO build in the S400 V2. But depending on my mood, it could even turn into a very un-normal, but "classic" air cooled build. Also see my ponderings at the S400 Liquid Cooling Mod thread.

So, the usual specs info dump:

Case: Dan Case A4-H2O w/ black panels
CPU: Ryzen 9 7950X + Thermal Grizzly Contact & Sealing Frame
MB: Asrock B650E PG-ITX
RAM: 64 GB DDR5 5200 (main build) / 32 GB DDR5 5600 CL30 (test build) - both Corsair Vengeance
Storage: 2x 2 TB (FireCuda 530 + SK Hynix P41)
AIO: Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 + 2x Arctic P12 Max
PSU: Corsair SF750
GPU: Inno3D RTX 4070 Twin X2 OC White Stealth with "hidden" power connector
Riser: PCIe 4 supplied with the case / with the "server-focused" PCIe riser cable as a fallback option
Case fans: 2x 120 mm slim (bottom), probably Scythe Flex 120 Slim, potentially detachable for secure transport
Case feet: 3 cm rectangular furniture feet (link is mentioned somewhere in the 280 thread)

Yet to aquire:

- RGB strip for the bottom, sth. akin to the Phanteks DRGB strip, but without any proprietary BS (suggestions, anyone?)

Planned Mods:

a) variable PSU mounting bracket - like suggested over at RAAM version of A4-H2O - I'd drill holes on the outer borders of the bracket, to mount brackets with screws, and remove the side "panels" of the PSU holder. Then one could move the PSU to whatever desired position

b) slight cut out at the bottom of the mainboard mounting tray, so that the second M2 slot is going to work properly. Its like half a cm thats more or less blocking it; I could still use it but I wouldnt be able to install a M2 cooler (be quiet MC1 Pro).

Occassional picture dump on my Insta:

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Addendum: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/6tr4NG

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I'd like to add Silverstone Shark Force 120 ARGB instead of the P12 Max, but there is next to zero reviews about them
Yeah, could just buy em, but then it might end in having another set of unused fans sitting around.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Another update: While preparing the build, I tried replacing the USB-C 3.1 cable with a 3.2 variant; failed, because of the very exclusive design.

Workaround: I used the Graugear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which comes with a PCie slot bracket. Going to use this, as there is exactly one slot left behind the GPU; eventually I might also make some cutouts for the rest of the front IO in the bracket, and thus ALL the cable clutter is being located at one location.

If I was to use an external DAC (board comes with SPDIF / Toslink out), I could even skip this step, the additional USB 2.0 port is not really helpful anyway.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

AIO: Thermalright Frozen Edge seems to be a candidate for tube routing underneath the PSU.

It feels like a really solid, well-thought out unit. Comes pre-installed with fans and a fan hub.

Its just two parts to pull from the package - the whole AIO and the assets, which include said fan hub, the mounting brackets + backplate for 1200/1700, AM4 /AM5 mounting brackets, and short screws for attaching the radiator to a case fan or radiator bracket.

As mentioned in the specs, going to replaced the fans with 2x Arctic P12 Max.

The pre-installed fans are TL-B12s. Nice, soild, with rubber corners et all.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Mainboard:

Moved things over from the Z690 board, ie. RAM + the SK Hynix P41.

Both boards have an almost identical layout, but the B650E weights about 300g less (approx 650g, including the massive m.2 cooler).

Removed the overkill PCIe 5 m2 cooler - its also blocking one fan header, so even worse. Replaced it with the be quiet non-pro m2 cooler.
As there is still a heatpipe leading away onto the VRM cooling / IO cooling section, the M.2 should be very well cooled and not in need of the M2 Pro (which comes with one heatpipe).

That one is being saved for the back of the mainboard - when its time, the FireCuda 530 is gonna move there.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

And hooray, looks like as if the package with the screws etc thats supposed to lurk around in the case has gone lost. I probably put it at a specific place thats "meaningful", and now it turns out: IT. IS. NOT. *sighs*

Not that I dont have any other screws from the bazillion of other cases and projects .. maybe some of the Meshlicious or Meshroom S gonna fit. And OC I got a fancy set of offset screws ages ago, too.

Update: Found it.
I did indeed put it in a "relevant" place: The box of the Z690. It was underneath the top layer of the cardboard inlay.
And THAT is why we put stuff always back in its original boxes / places if we dont use it right now.

Yes, it contains standoff screws. And some fancy zip-ties. And other screws, among those, the ones for the mainboard, too.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Update on the AIO: It goes over the PSU, or it gets the hose again!

Had to move the radiator to the hindmost position, and its still a tight fit. Both for the tubes being bent AND the tube length to reach the CPU!

Side-mounted AIO was so much easier in comparison

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Picture dump on the insta:


More pictures in preparation. Finished most of the cable fun. Rerouted the AIO fan cables, should be almost invisible (except for the Noctua Y-splitter cable). Also see my cursing about the PSU mb cable at the ancestor build thread.

Big image dump on the blog when I'm done. Hopefully, this weekend.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Reminder to self: When you buy fan guards, make sure they're AS FLAT AS POSSIBLE.

The most effort I had was NOT installing them (and finding out I could do the Arctic pre-install LF 2 trick with the fan cables, too), but that one wasnt quite that level. Had to slightly force down the radiator after.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

More stuff gotten done:

1. Fan fun: Had to replaced the fan splitter with the fan hub supplied by Thermalright, just because its one LOONG cable, while the Noctua Y-Splitter is two short cables that end in one PWM connector. Didnt work as nice as with other cases. Also didnt want to permanently damage them, so I swallowed the bitter pill and used said fan hub.

2. USB 3.2 Gen 2 extension "card": Installed a 90° adapter, threaded the cable of the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 through the PSU cables, and got it properly routed, too. Hooray for GPU stand-off mod

3. CPU: Installed. Removed SAM.

4. Thermalgrizzly Contact & Sealant Frame: Installed. Looks all fancy now. Except its already covered in grey goo.

5. CPU Waterblock: Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 - is installed now. Total PITA to get it locked on the mounting mechanism, and the tubes looked like they might bulge quite a bit, but so far .. no.

6. Added all panels (except on the front) back for the first time in 3 months: No bulging like feared before. Even on top: No issue.

7. Moved stuff around and used most of the S396 peripherials to test if the bloody thing actually runs.

Without further ado: IT RUNS!

8. Forgot that P12 Max are insanely loud when at full blast. First thing I had to figure out is how to setup up a fan curve, that Asrock "cleverly" hides away under H/W Monitor > "Fan-Tastic". Also changed the XMP profile to its correct one. 4800? wtf?

... and THATS IT. For now.

NOW, to the bed and sleeeeep!

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

A few more updates:

a) Did the fan curve.

HUGE REMINDER: Arctic P12 Max are 3300 rpm! 30% on them is NOT the same as with regular fans!

So, 30% = 990 ~= 1000 rpm, vs. normal fan, which would be between 600 and 700 at that point.

Curve thus looks more like: 20%, 35%, 45% and 60% at 80 C, with full blast past 85 C (might be better to set it to 90 C or so).

b) Second M2 slot on the backside of the mainboard: Might have to pull out the dremel, its so-so clashing with the bottom cutout of the MB spine. Has a touch of the issue of the Z690 PG.

c) M2 issue, other option: Just got an SFF to SFF extension card delivered. Allows for moving the M2 to another position, with a 20 cm long cable. Apparently mostly used for AMD handhelds, the ratings / reviews on Amazon read all like that, including the raging negative ones.

I'm 100% sure those folks never considered that THIS stuff is NOT meant for their Asus ROG handheld, but just "normal" PCs

d) PSU standoff mod: I might be able to lower the PSU by about 1 cm using standoffs, to easen the AIO tubes and potentially avoiding getting the PSU extension cord caught in the P12 Max. Normally even 2 cm would be possible, but then I would lose the hard-earned option for using the USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, as the 90° adapter would clash with the PSU.

e) AIO: Might help myself to another Silverstone Vida 240, just to reduce a bit of weight, improve noise levels and maybe even cooling performance (case 22 mm vs. 27).

THAT one totally depends on whether or not I can aquire something like a custom riser cable. IF I get a custom one, obviously NOT.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

So, PSU standoff mod: Doesnt really help ANYTHING, except if the tubes of your AIO come down RIGHT ON TOP of it.
To make it REALLY work, one would had to REMOVE the "side flaps" of the PSU mounting bracket.

I managed to add insanely long standoffs aka radiator screws (30 mm long), but it doesnt help anything because of the above mentioned issue.

What WOULD benefit the tubes is moving the PSU to the front. That works if your GPU is no longer than 250 mm. Mine is exactly that length, there is like no space left, but if you move the PSU down a bit, you can somehow add about 1 - 2 mm of distance. Now we just need some kind of mounting option, et voila! MUCH BETTER fitting for the tubes.

If I had the choice I'd rather flip the PSU upside down, like its done in the T1 (with the power connector to the bottom), and move it towards the bottom of the case as much as possible, ie. so that there is just enough space left for the PSU extension cord to slot into the PSU.

Combine: PSU cables on top + front mount = might even allow for a 92 or 120 mm side intake, but deffo more airflow, waaay less stressed tubes and waaay more space to stuff your cables into.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Going to implement some mods, even if somehow magically the search for a custom-made PCIe riser cable is successful.

a) Adjustable PSU mounting bracket - as detailed in the opening post and originally suggested in RAAMs build log

b) A small cut-out on the mainboard tray to allow the M2 slot located on the backside of the mainboard to properly work.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Two more posts on Insta:

No. 1: CPU + Thermal Grizzly Contact Frame Installation, finishing the initial build process


No. 2: Had to reopen the case crudingly, because the PSU extension cord is only to be mounted from the inside. Plus replacing the feet with 3 cm long furniture feet


cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Currently working on doing a PSU mounting mod.

What I cant do now is the original "variable PSU mounting bracket" mod, because that needs much more preparation time, which I simply dont have this week, but what should be doable is moving the PSU to the front.

Mounting to be done with several 90° brackets. For this, I removed most of the plastic clips for the front panel. Some of those are in the way, others can be used as mounting points for the brackets. Probably going to replace the front panel with something else anyway, so its ok.

What this helps a lot is: AIO tubes are under way less stress. Have to reroute both the EPS and the GPU cable, but thats no biggie.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Somehow this doesnt really work out.

Right now I'm so pissed off from this "THAT is how its supposed to be" BS, that I'm testing the OLD configuration again.

And somehow, it might actually work?!? Might need shorter standoffs, but the original riser-ipede with the original riser + the one from the Meshroom S, seems to look kinda .. good? AIO fits, despite fears of potential issues with the cablery?!?

Guess I'm gonna move things around tomorrow a bit, despite its my birthday and I'm supposed to a) bake a cake (for myself) and b) do a raid train. *sighs*

Might continue in the OLD build log.

cu, w0lf.

 

[Brian McGuigan]

I found I could not find a case that I was interrested in, as I wanted a portable Workstation-Server, with hot-swappable external drives, that I could carry in my briefcase. So I have designed my own. I will be posting details shortly.

It is less than 5 litres in size, consists of an ITX Motherboard, with a HD-PLEX 250W GaN ATX PSU at one side. It too is only 170mm long, so fits quite nicely. It's fanless, and does not involve using an external power adapter.

At the side of that I have a Drive Bay holding three 2.5" hot-swappable Drives. Two will be in a RAID 1 array, behind a Gen 4.0 or 5.0 M.2 NVMe SSD Cache Drive. The third drive bay will be used for Hard Drive Backups, which I've been using since 1976. At the bottom of the Drive bay I have a USB Front Panel with USB C, USB A, Audio I/O and Power Switch. A separate M.2 NVMe SSD will house the O/S - probably Gen 4.0.

That's it - no GPU! I'm not a Gamer - unless you count Solitaire. Never had a GPU. (I lost interest in 'modern' pc games, when Doom came out in the early 90's.)

The whole case is ony 370x188x94mm. Without the Drive bays the width would be 107mm less.

The internal height is dictated by the 80mm Noctua Fan. I had two, to start with, until I calculated that one fan, on its own, was capable of purging the air in the case three times every second! My initial design also included custom-loop water cooling until i found that a Thermalright AXP90-X53 FULL Copper Low-profile Air Cooler, would handle any CPU I was likely to throw at it. I also discovered that the two fans, would also be quieter that the radiator fan alone, in my custom-loop solution.

The design of the case is relatively simple too: 3mm aluminium base plate, 19mm Tasmanian Oak sides, and 3mm clear acrylic top, held down by Mirror Screws, with brushed aluminium covers. The front 25mm is black aluminium exhaust fins, with the black drive bays and a 5in Display Panel. The whole Case Cover is held on by two screws, one each side at the back. All of the Guts of the computer, remain attched to the base plate, and can be run in the open-air, is required.

I am hoping to use an AMD Ryzen 8050 'Strix Halo' as an APU, but we are not yet sure whether this will be available on the AM5 platform. If it's not I'll revert to a 9950. In which case, at some future time I might need a GPU.

I could have incorporated a low-profile GPU into the case, but this meant I'd need a bigger PSU, as well - making the whole thing somewhat ungainly. So, I've built in an external PCIe Slot into the side of the case, and designed a DIY epu capable of taking a three slot GPU of up to 300mm long and a SFX PSU that fits into the remainder of my briefcase - as a contingency.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Yeah, HDPlex GaN or even "just" a Flex ATX PSU solves a lot of issues one gets with "regular" SFX PSUs. It'd INSTANTLY solve this issue with the PSU bracket or position, too.

My next build after this one is gonna be in the S400 V2, with a custom back panel - a friend of mine who is a master goldsmith is gonna help out, she's got all the tools for this and is about 1000% better in detailed fine craftsmanship than I am - and then I might even switch directly to the HDPlex GaN 500W, because my system in its future = current state doesnt take more than 400W anyway. IF it was going full blast, which is almost only a thing with synthetic benchmarks

Might call it S400 V3 or so, or maybe X400, as its not gonna change much, no radical changes except for the back panel and some small additions for the side mount.

Yes, I fully intend to be able to side mount a 280 mm radiator. But could also be that I just switch back to aircooling. 125 mm should work, but maybe even 130. Would still be enough to mount my NH-D9L - would love to see how far this thing goes with an 7950X (albeit in 105W Eco mode =~ 142W).

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Talking about HDPlex GaN: Ordered the 500W. As they have storage in Germany (and it was being displayed as "in stock"), it should arrive quickly (or at least quicker).

This should solve all my future hassles (for now). No massive improvements in term of AIO mounting in the A4-H2O, but certainly better airflow.

Aside of that, I'm pondering a mixed push-pull configuration. So, slim pull fan on the left side behind the MB area, push pull on the right side, maybe even with slim + normal sized fan.

Main reason is the usual, ie. potential clash of the riser cable with the fan blades. And the single push-pull would allow for overall better temps while hopefully reducing noise levels. Esp. because I'm kinda sceptical how "well" the fans against the side panel mesh is gonna work, in terms of turbulences (also see Fractal Terra).

cu, w0lf.