Log S396 Streaming System
- Thread starter hrh_ginsterbusch
- Start date
Did a few test fits with my Z690 board, 2 120 mm fans and the 4060 LP.
a) AIO on bottom: yes, in theory, putting a 120 mm AIO on the bottom and flipping the case upside down could work. its a tight fight though, and one might have to use the - official - side-panel extension mod.
b) bottom GPU dweller: moving the GPU to nearly the bottom of the case, one has enough room to put a regular sized 120 AIO and a slim 120 fan on top.
c) crop + paste job / riser-less: rotate the MB, add standoffs or move the whole middle tray to the "front", then cut about a 1 cm from the back, to accomodate the moved MB IO. next, no riser needed, the GPU just sits comfortable in there. Move the PSU to the top or front, preferably using something like the HDPlex GaN, and then either use regular air cooling - should accommodate up to 90 mm - OR go bonkers and continue with a 120 or 140 mm AIO
d) AIO mock up, part #2: Moving the GPU to the bottom, keeping the sandwich setup, together with HDPlex GaN (even 500), one would be able to stuff a 140 AIO inside, too. Slim fan only, but it should work. Maybe needs a bit of a panel offset, eg. 2 - 3 mm. The thinnest 140 AIO that seems to be still available in Europe is the Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW, with 28 mm radiator thickness.
If one where to go for a custom loop, there are at least two 20 mm 140 rads, so this might be a nicer option.
cu, w0lf.
a) AIO on bottom: yes, in theory, putting a 120 mm AIO on the bottom and flipping the case upside down could work. its a tight fight though, and one might have to use the - official - side-panel extension mod.
b) bottom GPU dweller: moving the GPU to nearly the bottom of the case, one has enough room to put a regular sized 120 AIO and a slim 120 fan on top.
c) crop + paste job / riser-less: rotate the MB, add standoffs or move the whole middle tray to the "front", then cut about a 1 cm from the back, to accomodate the moved MB IO. next, no riser needed, the GPU just sits comfortable in there. Move the PSU to the top or front, preferably using something like the HDPlex GaN, and then either use regular air cooling - should accommodate up to 90 mm - OR go bonkers and continue with a 120 or 140 mm AIO
d) AIO mock up, part #2: Moving the GPU to the bottom, keeping the sandwich setup, together with HDPlex GaN (even 500), one would be able to stuff a 140 AIO inside, too. Slim fan only, but it should work. Maybe needs a bit of a panel offset, eg. 2 - 3 mm. The thinnest 140 AIO that seems to be still available in Europe is the Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW, with 28 mm radiator thickness.
If one where to go for a custom loop, there are at least two 20 mm 140 rads, so this might be a nicer option.
cu, w0lf.
Kinda tempted rn to just go down a completely different route: As I would need a 120 AIO anyway, I could rebuild the whole system in the remaining, not yet modified S300, which was meant to be used as donor case for the top hat mod.
As in currently, there is a 120 mm fan installed on the GPU side, right behind the GPU - so a Silverstone Vida 120 + fan could also possibly fit.
That'd be the alternative road if the K39 AIO "mod" doesnt work out as expected
cu, w0lf.
As in currently, there is a 120 mm fan installed on the GPU side, right behind the GPU - so a Silverstone Vida 120 + fan could also possibly fit.
That'd be the alternative road if the K39 AIO "mod" doesnt work out as expected
cu, w0lf.
Weird things happening: Currently considering to just buy a decent AM4 board (used or "fresh") and build with my 3700X, cause my sis would need a VERY small but efficient, well-done system.
Also considering testing the Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 for the S396 in its ORIGINAL mounting setup, ie. actual case top, because those tubes DO NOT exit to one side, but are centered like MOST OTHER AIOs. That would give me the option for bottom fans, and maybe, just maybe, I might even move my current future system over there. IDK. A lot of things are now kinda in the deeeep "in-between" state. Transitional? Something like that.
Also considering testing the Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 for the S396 in its ORIGINAL mounting setup, ie. actual case top, because those tubes DO NOT exit to one side, but are centered like MOST OTHER AIOs. That would give me the option for bottom fans, and maybe, just maybe, I might even move my current future system over there. IDK. A lot of things are now kinda in the deeeep "in-between" state. Transitional? Something like that.
My younger sister wants to move aka REBUILD a construction trailer to a tiny house, so at first, her power supplies / energy network is gonna be rather poor. Hence we might go for an extremely efficient system that even is gonna dabble into backup batteries similar to notebooks .. just externally [
TL;DR: Gonna try a low power, ultra-efficient but decent system, ie. classic 250W for HDPlex GaN 250 or so. Depends on how the next few months turn out for her, what trailer she's gonna get, how much rebuilding she's gonna have to do etc. pp.
/SPOILER]
cu, w0lf.
[TL;DR: Gonna try a low power, ultra-efficient but decent system, ie. classic 250W for HDPlex GaN 250 or so. Depends on how the next few months turn out for her, what trailer she's gonna get, how much rebuilding she's gonna have to do etc. pp.
/SPOILER]
cu, w0lf.
Weird things happening: Currently considering to just buy a decent AM4 board (used or "fresh") and build with my 3700X, cause my sis would need a VERY small but efficient, well-done system.
Also considering testing the Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 for the S396 in its ORIGINAL mounting setup, ie. actual case top, because those tubes DO NOT exit to one side, but are centered like MOST OTHER AIOs. That would give me the option for bottom fans, and maybe, just maybe, I might even move my current future system over there. IDK. A lot of things are now kinda in the deeeep "in-between" state. Transitional? Something like that.
My younger sister wants to move aka REBUILD a construction trailer to a tiny house, so at first, her power supplies / energy network is gonna be rather poor. Hence we might go for an extremely efficient system that even is gonna dabble into backup batteries similar to notebooks .. just externally
TL;DR: Gonna try a low power, ultra-efficient but decent system, ie. classic 250W for HDPlex GaN 250 or so. Depends on how the next few months turn out for her, what trailer she's gonna get, how much rebuilding she's gonna have to do etc. pp.
/SPOILER]
cu, w0lf.
The AM4 is still a very decent board / platform for many of users, go ahead with it
On your sister.. hmm since you mention battery, do consider the low power processors. In fact, you may want to consider notebook processors on SBC x86 boards. It should be fine for typical office workload at least.
Well, if I was to look at notebooks CPUs, I wouldnt do SFF in the first place. I mean, those are socketed these days, no?The AM4 is still a very decent board / platform for many of users, go ahead with it
On your sister.. hmm since you mention battery, do consider the low power processors. In fact, you may want to consider notebook processors on SBC x86 boards. It should be fine for typical office workload at least.
My plans by now are reusing as much pre-existing hardware as possible, and do a low power build. I'm leaning towards AM4, but either reuse the Ryzen 7 3700X I got sitting around, or the i5-12400. Then, either reuse the WIP-deshrouded GTX 1660 as well, or get a PCIe-only RTX 3050 6 GB or so.
Main thing is, my sister is gonna build out her own tiny house / construction trailer in the next few months, and would be working with solar power, but even that would be rather low-powered for a while (enough to recharge a smartphone etc., but not much in terms of notebooks or PCs).
Hence also the idea with battery backup. I remember watching a video on youtube about someone powering their ML08 like this.
cu, w0lf.
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On that topic: As DHL / Deutsche Post is getting striked this very week - WHICH I DIDNT KNOW about, because everything else apparently is more important 
- the alternative case I've ordered might be delayed till next week or so.
So what did I order? The fancy Raijintek Ophion 7. Should work better for my plans than the K39.
And because of the potential delays, I also just now ordered myself some fancy 120 mm AIO (Thermalright) to play with around instead. As mentioned before, a regular-sized 120 mm AIO should fit perfectly in the S300, of which I happen to own a second one (surprise! not).
There's actually quite a lot of cases in which this AIO might fit, so if that doesnt work, the S400 totally does work, and yeah, even the K39 COULD work, as originally planned.
We'll see when stuff is there
cu, w0lf.
- the alternative case I've ordered might be delayed till next week or so.So what did I order? The fancy Raijintek Ophion 7. Should work better for my plans than the K39.
And because of the potential delays, I also just now ordered myself some fancy 120 mm AIO (Thermalright) to play with around instead. As mentioned before, a regular-sized 120 mm AIO should fit perfectly in the S300, of which I happen to own a second one (surprise! not).
There's actually quite a lot of cases in which this AIO might fit, so if that doesnt work, the S400 totally does work, and yeah, even the K39 COULD work, as originally planned.
We'll see when stuff is there
cu, w0lf.
Ophion 7 arrived today. Its titled "aluminium itx case", so I was wondering what they meant with that? Turns out, apparently the side panels are aluminium, but their weight by itself is a rather disappointing, as in: So you saved like 50g of weight for .. WHAT exactly?
It's 350 g for the perforated panel, 420 g for the solid one. They could have just gone with regular perforated steel or even mesh, and maybe wouldnt have to go with rivets but regular screws instead.
Alas, cant wait to build in it - finally a case where the HDPlex GaN 500 is fitting in WITHOUT any issues
cu, w0lf.
It's 350 g for the perforated panel, 420 g for the solid one. They could have just gone with regular perforated steel or even mesh, and maybe wouldnt have to go with rivets but regular screws instead.
Alas, cant wait to build in it - finally a case where the HDPlex GaN 500 is fitting in WITHOUT any issues
cu, w0lf.
Tested around a bit, and widened the cut-out on the other - original - side of the case: Yes, a regular 240 AIO fits perfectly. Here, thats the Thermalright Frozen Edge 240.
So that means, next I gonna use the dremel to properly remove those bendy parts I just did with a tin snips, then deburr it, and next on, add mounting holes for the fans.
Mounting is indeed gonna go analogue to the other side, but this needs additional holes, which the other side = case bottom, already comes with from the very start. Why not stick to the current mounting position, one may ask? Well, that one blocks off any other mounting options for additional fans - but I'd like to use those as well, as this would allow for using a larger GPU.
And if all of this works out well, then the current K77 Lite build is gonna get its finishing moves, BUT immediatedly be unbuilt, and then everything is gonna be moved inside the S396, with potentially replacing the test AIO with a white one + 2x white Arctic P12 Max, too
cu, w0lf.
So that means, next I gonna use the dremel to properly remove those bendy parts I just did with a tin snips, then deburr it, and next on, add mounting holes for the fans.
Mounting is indeed gonna go analogue to the other side, but this needs additional holes, which the other side = case bottom, already comes with from the very start. Why not stick to the current mounting position, one may ask? Well, that one blocks off any other mounting options for additional fans - but I'd like to use those as well, as this would allow for using a larger GPU.
And if all of this works out well, then the current K77 Lite build is gonna get its finishing moves, BUT immediatedly be unbuilt, and then everything is gonna be moved inside the S396, with potentially replacing the test AIO with a white one + 2x white Arctic P12 Max, too
cu, w0lf.
Size difference between the final "product" and the Formd T1: about 454 ml, or roughly 16 oz / a McD Medium Cafe / Starbucks Grande.
Weight-wise, they're about the same. Fan-wise, the S300 aka S396 might have the advantage, at least when I',m done switching the case bottom to the top. So in terms of airflow, they might actually be at the same level.
Differences between this and the A4-H2O: No physical limit in how tall the radiator + fan combo can be. No PSU issues, as the PSU bracket is far less constrained / constraining as in the A4-H2O. Oh, and also the weight: Current weight of the S396 is 1.9kg, vs. the 2.6 - 2.7 kg (all in) of the A4-H2O. Plus, the S300 comes in all white. And has no magnet issues, as its all steel (like where to mount that large wifi antenna extender?).
Obviously there is not enough space for a 3 slot GPU, but I dont own any either 
cu, w0lf.
Weight-wise, they're about the same. Fan-wise, the S300 aka S396 might have the advantage, at least when I',m done switching the case bottom to the top. So in terms of airflow, they might actually be at the same level.
Differences between this and the A4-H2O: No physical limit in how tall the radiator + fan combo can be. No PSU issues, as the PSU bracket is far less constrained / constraining as in the A4-H2O. Oh, and also the weight: Current weight of the S396 is 1.9kg, vs. the 2.6 - 2.7 kg (all in) of the A4-H2O. Plus, the S300 comes in all white. And has no magnet issues, as its all steel (like where to mount that large wifi antenna extender?).
Obviously there is not enough space for a 3 slot GPU, but I dont own any either
cu, w0lf.
horrible chop job, widening the original opening.. albeit it was just for testing if the pump block of the other AIO would fit through. Fine work with the dremel soon. Also need to add mounting holes for the fans.
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and 3 hours later, I now roughly know which white AIO to pick. It's either gonna be a straight out replacement of the Thermalright Frozen Edge, or one of the following ones: the Enermax ADV 240, the Phanteks 240, or the Silverstone Permafrost 240.
Preparing to move the OBS system to the A4-H2O, so that I'm still able do my next shows on Wed + Thurs. Gonna test the thermals, too. Am interested in how much better or worse the A4-H2O performs in comparison.
Sure, the AIO is basically open to the sky "in" the S396, but on the other hand, it also functions as the only exhaust fans, so the A4-H2O might actually perform better.
After moving stuff over, I gonna continue working on the S396 switching to the "original" side, and the future top hat. Going to repurporse the lower part of the front section of the front / top part of the donation case for the back part of the top hat, so I get a case-attachable section, at least for the back side of the case.
Rest is as planned out, ie.:
- finish cut out
- test fit radiator and prepare screw holes
- add said screw holes, to essentually mirror the setup from the other side (case bottom)
- do another test fit of the radiator together with the fans
- do a mockup test fit of everything else
- add two bottom fans as originally intended
- if all that works out, prepare the mounting options for the top hat: back just needs screw holes
In terms of the top hat, I plan to do the following:
.. and if that all works out: disassemble the K77 Lite system and move everything in the S396
Well, in theory, I might do that right after the mockup stage, ie. before preparing the top hat. For most of the prep work for the top hat, I could continue using my system, only when having figured out how to properly mount the front, I might have to disassemble it.
cu, w0lf.
Sure, the AIO is basically open to the sky "in" the S396, but on the other hand, it also functions as the only exhaust fans, so the A4-H2O might actually perform better.
After moving stuff over, I gonna continue working on the S396 switching to the "original" side, and the future top hat. Going to repurporse the lower part of the front section of the front / top part of the donation case for the back part of the top hat, so I get a case-attachable section, at least for the back side of the case.
Rest is as planned out, ie.:
- finish cut out
- test fit radiator and prepare screw holes
- add said screw holes, to essentually mirror the setup from the other side (case bottom)
- do another test fit of the radiator together with the fans
- do a mockup test fit of everything else
- add two bottom fans as originally intended
- if all that works out, prepare the mounting options for the top hat: back just needs screw holes
In terms of the top hat, I plan to do the following:
- -cut the top frame of the donor case as planned (slightly longer than required)
- cut the bottom part of the top frame, and repurpose it as the back panel, preferable with countersunk holes, but if not, just simple m3 screw holes should do
- mounting the front of the top hat, preferably without damaging the front, either with:
- side brackets, mounted at the front side part, so the front itself does not get damaged
- or: strong magnets, which have to be screwed in from inside the case (I know from research there are neodym magnets with screw mounting holes, so one can attach them to eg. walls / rackets in ones workshop or kitchen)
- or: very long sturdy screws, so, at least 55 mm long. But then, I could also use U-brackets to achieve the same effect
.. and if that all works out: disassemble the K77 Lite system and move everything in the S396
Well, in theory, I might do that right after the mockup stage, ie. before preparing the top hat. For most of the prep work for the top hat, I could continue using my system, only when having figured out how to properly mount the front, I might have to disassemble it.
cu, w0lf.
Quick size comparison before disassembly. As you can see, they're nearly of equal height. After installing the AIO as intended, the S396 might even be taller (by 2 - 3 mm). Alas, still smaller, because the S300 is only 135 mm wide INCLUDING side panels, and also, only 312 mm long vs. the 326 mm of the A4-H2O.
Yay to my DYI Formd T1 in all-white
cu, w0lf.
Yay to my DYI Formd T1 in all-white
cu, w0lf.
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Just realized I indeed got the first Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 - and NOT the V2. The first version is 51 mm thick, while the V2 apparently just 40 mm. Guess my RTX 4070 is gonna fit perfectly with its 42 mm depth
cu, w0lf.
cu, w0lf.
Ironically, the Silverstone Permafrost comes with the very same fans that I'm already using in this build, ie. the Silverstone Air Blazer 120 RW
cu, w0lf.
What I really HATE about the A4-H2O? As soon as you got a GPU thats slighty "out of the norm", ie. a 2.5 slot like the original Asus Phoenix RTX 3050, or a PSU that DOES NOT come with super-flexible cables, like the Seasonic Focus SGX-750 .. just about everything becomes a total PITA to work with.
Feels like the case was exclusively made for either custom cables or the Corsair SF PSU series. And also, 2 slot GPUs, preferably a FE.
Gonna give the Fractal Ion+ 650W a quick try, and if that fails, I just go for a FU edition, either S400 - which easily works with the Fractal Design Ion+, or maybe even do a quick build in the MC-Elite aka Acer U320, because I dont want to fumble around with a different CPU cooler rn. I _just_ want a temporary case for the OBS system, while I finish work on the S396 case. And then maybe
Nope. Just went straight for the Meshi - ie. the already prepared Meshroom S. Prepared for mATX + 240 AIO + RX 6800. But there is almost nothing required to change to just move all the components over.
Oh, and having built and rebuild now in numerous ITX cases, the Meshi is sooooo gothdamn easy to build with - oh my.
The one that has been so far the most frustrating, and still is, is: The A4-H2O. It just feels overengineered in a bad way, as in: compromised at locations where a bit of less simplicity would have helped mending potential issues, and also making this case much more flexible.
Thats primarly the PSU situation - if that PSU bracket had several positions, and also not this wide wing that blocks off the AIO tubes, this case would be much easier to build in.
Other issues include the less than ideal routing of the PSU extension cable, that clashes with anything wider than 46 mm deep GPUs, and non-existant additional fan mounting options, for intake or exhaust fans. Maybe also the PCIe riser, but thats just a decent compromise made to allow both for different sized GPUs.
But the absolute major PITA is that PSU disaster. Even my S300 custom build didnt have that many issues, despite having to switch locations for the AIO, and also, despite the rather rigid and annoying cables of the Seasonic SGX-750. Thats an 8.2L case thats nearly the same base dimensions as the A4-H2O, too. Expect obviously for the missing radiator compartment. Hell, even the K39 doesnt have so many issues, and its even smaller!
I'm strongly considering putting the A4-H2O back together as much as possible, scrape together all the cluttered parts, including - if I can find them - the USB ports, and then sell it. Except for maybe a custom loop, this case just gives me waaaay too much frustration.
cu, w0lf.
Feels like the case was exclusively made for either custom cables or the Corsair SF PSU series. And also, 2 slot GPUs, preferably a FE.
Nope. Just went straight for the Meshi - ie. the already prepared Meshroom S. Prepared for mATX + 240 AIO + RX 6800. But there is almost nothing required to change to just move all the components over.
Oh, and having built and rebuild now in numerous ITX cases, the Meshi is sooooo gothdamn easy to build with - oh my.
The one that has been so far the most frustrating, and still is, is: The A4-H2O. It just feels overengineered in a bad way, as in: compromised at locations where a bit of less simplicity would have helped mending potential issues, and also making this case much more flexible.
Thats primarly the PSU situation - if that PSU bracket had several positions, and also not this wide wing that blocks off the AIO tubes, this case would be much easier to build in.
Other issues include the less than ideal routing of the PSU extension cable, that clashes with anything wider than 46 mm deep GPUs, and non-existant additional fan mounting options, for intake or exhaust fans. Maybe also the PCIe riser, but thats just a decent compromise made to allow both for different sized GPUs.
But the absolute major PITA is that PSU disaster. Even my S300 custom build didnt have that many issues, despite having to switch locations for the AIO, and also, despite the rather rigid and annoying cables of the Seasonic SGX-750. Thats an 8.2L case thats nearly the same base dimensions as the A4-H2O, too. Expect obviously for the missing radiator compartment. Hell, even the K39 doesnt have so many issues, and its even smaller!
I'm strongly considering putting the A4-H2O back together as much as possible, scrape together all the cluttered parts, including - if I can find them - the USB ports, and then sell it. Except for maybe a custom loop, this case just gives me waaaay too much frustration.
cu, w0lf.
more info dumping... pics of the rebuild .
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Was originally contemplating if I would build it "classic", but then, I instead went for the even more classic, ie. the SFX mode. For this, I repurposed the PCie Riser of the A4-H2O, which in THIS configuration totally rocks!
And now I wonder what to do, esp. with the A4-H2O, as I dont want to buy yet another riser cable ..
cu, w0lf.
And now I wonder what to do, esp. with the A4-H2O, as I dont want to buy yet another riser cable ..
cu, w0lf.
What's the direction of the front radiator fans (the white ones)? Are they sucking air in, or blowing out?
