Log Portable workstation

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Prepared the AXP90 today night.

The method of installing an NF-A9 using the original mounting brackets is, as others already suggested, is by bending the brackets at the "V"-corner using a set of pliers, until they fit both the top of the fan and the lowest part of the CPU cooler.

Other option: Just order another Thermalright CPU cooler with 92x25 mm fan, and replace it

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Further progress: Finished preparing everything, but am waiting for tomorrow, when several important things, like 2.5 mm screw nuts for the Thermalright AXP90, are gonna arrive.

Aside of that, there is also a possible different upgrade path: SGPC K77 Lite.
Just ordered, should arrive mid of next week. Plans are to do a few CPU cooler tests, ie. Noctua NH-D9L, Silver Soul 110 and 135, and then potentially replacing the side panel with something Meshy, to install the Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

As mentioned in the generic S400 thread, I finished installing the AXP90-X53 with the 25 mm fan mod. The Noctua-style color scheme looks really good in combination with the copper cooler and the black and white overall color scheme of the rest of the case. The Asrock MB contains touches of red, so this ends in an unintentionally pleasant presentation

Alas, having two fans on top installed is a MUST.

What also is a must: Having a REALLY GOOD slim 120 mm fan. Did have the Scythe Kaze Slim before, and it really didnt help anything. Yes, it moves air, but the heat keeps getting trapped. Replaced it with the Silverstone Air Slimmer, and the temps dropped immediatedly!
Esp. noticable with the VRM / NVMe, but also, the CPU doesnt suffer as long as before from high heat temps.

Current setup is now:
- Arctic P12 Max in the back
- Silverstone Air Slimmer 120 in the front

In theory, there would be space for 140 mm fans, but as there is no proper mounting option (classic ziptie wont work because of missing hooks / holes to attach them to), thats a thing for a future excursion, eg. 3d printing.

Up next on my improvement list are:
- adding either a 40 or 60 mm fan on top of the NVMe section to see if this improves temps / increases the hysterestis threshold
- bottom intake fan - needs a mod of the case bottom to route a PWM cable through, and also, proper tall case feet, but should improve temps further, so .. all worth the effort

cu, w0lf.

ps: pics soon, I need to sleep

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

A few statistics:

a) Temps under full load with Air Slimmer 120 on top / above the mainboard:
- with NF-A9: 82° C
- NVMe: 48° C

b) Temps under full load with Scythe Kaze Slim 120 on top:
- with NF-A9: 89° C
- NVMe: 52° C

c) Temps under full load without any fan on top:
- with NF-A9: 91° C
- NVMe: 52° C

The Scythe Kaze Slim basically moved no air, while the Air Slimmer is totally worth the money (a drop of 7° C on CPU and 4°C on NVMe!).

Thermalright Silver Soul 110 is supposedly arriving soon, so the next test is going to be with its 25 mm fan (54 CFM).

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

TR Silver Soul 110 has arrived, as well as the 135.

First one is for testing with the AXP90, the second one is gonna be used for the SGPC K77 Lite at the mid / end of next week

Another idea for the K77 Lite is to use a solid side panel with specific cut-outs, eg. GPU side vents, and an exhaust area with a mesh / protection guard, depending on what type of AIO might fit in there (in theory, even a 240 might work)

cu, w0lf.

 

[immolationepoch]

A build log looks much better with pictures.. Just a suggestion.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

A build log looks much better with pictures.. Just a suggestion.

They are residing on Insta for now.

But I added a fancy link in the starter post just for you.
Also, you wont see much anyway.

I may or may not write a more detailed building guide in my own blog when I find the time to.
Personally I think thats much more helpful than looking at sketchy, wonky pictures

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

New toy has arrived: K77 Lite. Two days earlier than expected, which is a good thing.
The amount of stuff included, compared to other cases, is really nice. There is even a (3pin) 92 mm fan - not pre-installed, but put inside the case inside its packaging, safety-attached with a zip tie. They certainly could elevate that with a pwm fan, and if its an RGB one, even better, but its still a nice touch.

Did a quick "test fit" of the Meshroom S side panel - by just putting the whole (empty) case on top, as the bloody panel didnt want to come off easily - and it fits tremendiously well. So next step would be to buy either a Meshlicious or Meshroom S side panel, and cut accordingly.

Yeah, I'm not a friend of glass side panels.

To recap: 11.6L, no riser, 2.3 kg, up to 135 mm CPU cooler height (officially), 120 mm AIO side bracket (which might even be able to handle a 240 AIO), optional handle on top.

Finish is decent, some parts are clearly kept simple or a bit rough on the edges to cut costs, but alas, quite an enjoyable experience.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Currently trying to figure out how to mount the HDPlex GaN 500 to the new case.

The ideas evolve around using two L-brackets to mount the PSU to, and then screwing those in place, either onto the bottom (mesh holes) or the top. Other option might involve screwing the PSU to a set of long metal brackets and then these to the very same L-brackets.

Alas, a dedicated SFX mounting bracket for the PSU would be .. so swell!

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Why the HDPlex GaN 500? Because this solves a lot of issues in one go:

1. The idiotic position of the PSU extension cord: Its located right above the GPU, between the mainboard, so there is no chance of the cable to be routed elsewhere. With the HDPlex GaN, I just gonna reroute it to the bottom / lowest PCI slot of the case, et voila!

2. Blocked top exhaust: Regular PSU blocks the exhaust and thus only allows for 90 mm fans. With this, I'm able to install both a slim 120 and a regular 120 mm fan on top.

3. 240 AIO or 240 mm radiator: This allwos for setting up a 240 side-mounted radiator. With an SFX or even ATX PSU, this route would be blocked. Abeit I'm going for air cooling - for now

Neutral stuff:
1. weight distribution: regular SFX bracket + SF 750 is about the same weight as the HDPlex GaN 500 + the mounting options I consider (L-bracket or a sheet metal with oblong hole mounted on the PSU and THEN mounted on L-brackets)

2. cable routing: its not better, just different.

Negative stuff:
Basically just the mounting situation

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Latest test results with replaced fan (from Silver Soul 110):
FYI: Quick copy + paste from my notes.

a) Full Load, 10 minutes, Silversoul 110 Fan
- cpu: 93.6 °C / 94.9 / 95° C
- nmve: 56.9 °C / 57.9 °C / 58.9 / 59.9 °C
- wifi: 40 °C

b) Idle, after 10 minutes cooldown time
- cpu: 43.2 °C
- nvme: 49.9° C (43.9 / 46.9)
- wifi: 33 C

Might have to redo the NVMe cooler, or do a comparison between this one and the original Asrock heatsink.
Compared to the AXP120-X67, the NVME seems to be taking a much harder hit.

Gotta admit, I wanted to do get this test finished before moving the whole system over into the K77 Lite, where other CPU cooler tests await (namely: Silver Soul 110, 135 and Noctua NH-D9L).

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I guess I gonna start a new thread as soon as I move everything over to the new case.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Finished build published over at PCPartPicker:

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/mKW323

cu, w0lf