Log Sliger S620 - ITX Master Piece!

[MarcParis]

AFAIK the m2 bend is because Asus uses too large / tall cooling pads. There are fixes found on the web, that tell you the proper size and potential replacements. Seen a few briefly mentioned at r/sffpc.

cu, w0lf.

Thanks for the tip! I'll check

For me there are at least 2 issues :

• top thermal pad thickness as you mentionned
• not tall enough pad below...as if it was expecting a double side m.2 SSD

I should have a third opportunity to fix it. I was even thinking to use a standard heatsink to remove any stress, but the width clearance is pretty narrow.

 

[MarcParis]

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Sliger S620 : Fixing SSDs : Onboard & USB 4 (03rd January 2026)

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A quick one for today.
As noted in my previous post, I faced 2 issues related to my m.2 SSDs :

• Top m.2 slot on my motherboard Asus X870i a little bit bent
• USB4 SSD enclosure very slow during writing operation (270Mo/s vs 3Go/s while reading)

Top m.2 SSD

To fix this one, I considered replacing the original heatsink with another one but the RTX 5090 is very close to it. Thus I decided to keep the original heatsink but I loosened the captive screw (the one near the i/o) slightly.

Without heatsink :

With heatsink :

I’m pleased with the final result, as the bend is almost gone!

USB 4 SSD Enclosure : terrible write speed

Here is what I got from Crystaldisk Mark with my 990P inside a Ugreen D700 USB 4 enclosure :

Pretty terrible…

My first thought was related to hardware. Thus I tried different cables, SSD, USB4 enclosures, flashing firmwares (Asmedia chip on my motherboard)...but nothing helped!

Finally I read again the product description of the Ugreen D700 on the Amazon page and I saw an interesting Q&A, related to bad writing speed. In fact it is related to Windows driver strategy. By default, for SSD USB enclosures, Windows is disabling Caching…mostly to prevent data loss (it is making sense).

To change this factor, you need to go to “Device Manager/Drives/Your drive/Property/Strategy” and enable best performance.

Et Voilà! With cache enabled, the writing speed issue is solved!

More to come soon, stay tuned!

 

[MarcParis]

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Sliger S620 meets again the D15S : the King is dead, long live the King ! (06th January 2026)

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While building a setup inside the Sliger S620, there is clearly an elephant in the room : to use the Noctua D15 CPU cooler. After all this case was designed mainly for this massive heatsink.

As not so obvious as it can be, my first experience using the D15S within the S620 was not totally positive. Back to 2021, I used an AM4 (PGA) setup (Asus B450i) and I was not impressed, especially due to the bad acoustics (rear intake generated massive vibrations & parasite noise) & it was very cumbersome. However the D15S proved to be pretty effective at CPU cooling.

https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/sliger-s620-itx-master-piece.16505/


The Noctua D15S

As I wanted to push the limits on this build, I decided to try again the Noctua D15S CPU Cooler inside the Sliger S620.
Please keep in mind that the D15S is an alternative version of the D15 with an asymmetrical heatsink and only 1 fan (NF-A15).

This time, several elements are helping it :

• AM5 socket, using LGA. This is a critical point, as in the S620, we often remove the CPU heatsink for maintenance (GPU removal, SSD removal). With a LGA socket, where the CPU is firmly secured, it is WAY easier compared to a PGA socket ((AM4) where the CPU has almost 100% chance to come with the heatsink.
• AM5 negative offset (-7mm) mounting bars. This is helping the proper position of the heatsink within the S620, leaving good clearance with either the GPU and the top of the case!
• My better experience on cooling components without generating tons of parasite noise…

Here is the final setup :

AM5 Offset mounting bars



No rear intake fan, just one fan on the D15S setup as push (intake from rear). Please note the comfortable clearance between the CPU cooler heatsink and the RTX 5090 FE





One side exhaust fan (Noctua NFA12x25 Chromax)


Overall the installation / removal of the D15S is simple inside the S620 with this combination.

But what about the performance?
I was expecting an important CPU cooling improvement but GPU/SSD downgrade…I was wrong…totally wrong even.

Here is the benchmark, using the torture test on the Speedway, to simulate combo CPU-GPU use. The RTX 5090 FE is at stock settings (575W TDP)


As a summary of the comparison between the Cerberus-X and the S620 :

• RTX 5090 FE Core temperature : -3°C (71°C vs 74°C)
• R7 9800X3D temperature : -13°C (68°C vs 81°C)
• SSDs : no difference (~50°C)
• Chipset : as a side note, the Chipset/VRM fan speed was noticeably reduced versus the IS-67-XT setup (from 4000 rpm to 2000rpm)

As simple as it is, the S620 has just beaten my Cerberus-X. I would assume that the RTX 5090 FE thermals were on par with fewer fans (I was unable to replicate those GPU temperatures whereas I managed to do it on the CPU), but the R7 9800X3D is noticeably improved, thanks to the rear intake of fresh air on the S620, that the Cerberus-X is lacking (ATX motherboard is creating a bigger gap from the rear panel, and no side exhaust while using tower cpu cooler).
The D15S is also improving the temperature of the other components (SSDs, VRM, Chipset) versus the IS-67-XT.

The King is dead, long live the King!

The Noctua NF-A14x25r G2 fan

As an addition, I tried the new Noctua NF-A14x25r G2 fan, especially as it is existing in black version now.

Here is a direct comparison NF-A15 (Gen 1) vs the NF-A14x25r G2





Replacing the fan inside my setup was rather simple. I even took the opportunity to dissamble/assemble (without repasting) the heatsink to check for the top ssd.






I’ve redone my thermal test and I discovered another point : to get proper rear intake of fresh air, the 14cm fan has to spin at around 1000rpm.

In fact I tried the NF-A14G2 at 900rpm and 1050rpm.
At 900rpm, the R7 9800X3D took 5°C above the NF-A15 (1000rpm)
At 1050rpm, the R7 9800X3D temperature was the same as the NF-A15 (1000rpm)




Overall, I consider the Noctua NF-A14x25r G2 as an improvement, not really by its pure thermal performance but by its ratio noise/performance that is outperforming the NF-A15.
With the NF-A15 I was limiting its speed to 1000rpm to limit its noise (mostly a specific “hum” noise that is clearly audible & disturbing). The NF-A14x25r G2 is allowing higher speed (higher performance) as it can reach higher speed with less noise.


Since I got the R7 9800X3D, taming its heat was an issue. I clearly hate when it is reaching its thermal limit of 95°C, like on most SFF build. By moving to the S620 I’m able to fit the D15S and definitely tame the R7 9800X3D, while achieving best in class thermals & noise!

Clearly my target to beat the Cerberus-X is achieved and I’m a little bit surprised after all.

To finish, here is the final setup :

• Case : Sliger S620, desktop-horizontal orientation
• Motherboard : ASUS ROG STRIX X870-I GAMING WIFI
• CPU : AMD R7 9800X3D (CO -14)
• RAM : Corsair Vengeance 2x24Go DDR5 7600 MTS CL36 (DOCP I profile)
• CPU Cooler : Noctua D15S Chromax + Offset -7mm (NM-AMB12) with reverse flow (intake from the rear). Only push orientation to avoid turbulences
• PSU : Corsair SF1000 with stock cables
• RTX 5090 FE : Undervolted
  Core Curve : 825-910 : 2700 MHz
  GDDR7 +3000
  Power limit : 100%
• SSD #1 : Samsung 9100 Pro 2To (Slot 1 gen5)
• SSD #2 : WD SN850X 2To (Slot 2 gen4)
• SSD #3 : Samsung 990 Pro 4To Through USB4 port
• Bottom Fans : 2xFractal Design HP-12 (intake ~1000rpm)
• Side Fans : 1xNoctua NFA12x25 Chromax (Exhaust ~1400rpm)
• Custom fan curve : Yes ("Fan control" Software)

More to come, stay tuned!

 

[Arboreal]

S620 for the win!
Damn you Imgur for bailing out of allowing content in the UK rather than controlling inappropriate stuff.
So much I can't see any more

 

[MarcParis]

S620 for the win!
Damn you Imgur for bailing out of allowing content in the UK rather than controlling inappropriate stuff.
So much I can't see any more

Thanks!
What do you mean for Imgur? you cannot see my pictures?

 

[Arboreal]

Thanks!
What do you mean for Imgur? you cannot see my pictures?

No, I cannot see your pictures or any other Imgur content, including my own pictures.
Rather than comply with the UK Online Safety Act, Imgur was blocked to UK residents

Quotes from BBC News from September 2025
”Image-hosting platform Imgur has blocked people in the UK from accessing its content.
Imgur is used by millions to make and share images such as memes across the web, particularly on Reddit and in online forums.
But UK users trying to access Imgur on Tuesday were met with an error message saying "content not available in your region" - with Imgur content shared on other websites also no longer showing.
The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said it recently notified the platform's parent company, MediaLab AI, of plans to fine Imgur after probing its approach to age checks and use of children's personal data.
The BBC has approached MediaLab AI for comment.
A help article on Imgur's US website, seen by the BBC, states that "from September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available".

and

“Some Imgur users and reports speculated as to whether Imgur moved to block UK users from its services, rather than comply with child safety duties recently imposed on some platforms under the Online Safety Act.
Among these are requirements for sites allowing pornography or content promoting suicide and self-harm to use technology to check whether visitors are over 18.”

 

[MarcParis]

No, I cannot see your pictures or any other Imgur content, including my own pictures.
Rather than comply with the UK Online Safety Act, Imgur was blocked to UK residents

Quotes from BBC News from September 2025
”Image-hosting platform Imgur has blocked people in the UK from accessing its content.
Imgur is used by millions to make and share images such as memes across the web, particularly on Reddit and in online forums.
But UK users trying to access Imgur on Tuesday were met with an error message saying "content not available in your region" - with Imgur content shared on other websites also no longer showing.
The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said it recently notified the platform's parent company, MediaLab AI, of plans to fine Imgur after probing its approach to age checks and use of children's personal data.
The BBC has approached MediaLab AI for comment.
A help article on Imgur's US website, seen by the BBC, states that "from September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available".

and

“Some Imgur users and reports speculated as to whether Imgur moved to block UK users from its services, rather than comply with child safety duties recently imposed on some platforms under the Online Safety Act.
Among these are requirements for sites allowing pornography or content promoting suicide and self-harm to use technology to check whether visitors are over 18.”

Pretty harsh!

I thought it was only related to 18+ content...

Is there any viable alternative to Imgur to your knowledge?

 

[Arboreal]

Pretty harsh!

I thought it was only related to 18+ content...

Is there any viable alternative to Imgur to your knowledge?

It is harsh, and lazy too. Other organisations have put in more strict age verification processes and scrutinised content more, they seem not to want to do this.
I haven’t found a suitable alternative yet, but could possibly get round the restrictions with a VPN

 

[MarcParis]

VPN remains a viable option.
I'll check for alternative of Imgur. I found ImgBox. I'll give it a try.

 

[MarcParis]

Here is a trial of ImgBox :

Not so bad, what do you think?

 

[Arboreal]

That's great, thank you for going to all that effort Marc

 

[MarcParis]

That's great, thank you for going to all that effort Marc

No issue, I've updated my last post on the S620, could you see all images now?
https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/sliger-s620-itx-master-piece.16505/post-295274

I find ImgBox pretty good so far, where Imgur is more intrusive.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I'm wondering: Does the AM5 offset make any big difference with a single CCD CPU? I'd expect much better temps with eg. my 7950X, but the X3D CPUs normally only get one CCD.

cu, w0lf.

 

[MarcParis]

I'm wondering: Does the AM5 offset make any big difference with a single CCD CPU? I'd expect much better temps with eg. my 7950X, but the X3D CPUs normally only get one CCD.

cu, w0lf.

Even from Noctua statement on single CCD chip, the AM5 offset is, at best, -2/3°C on AM5. It is up to 2xCCDs chip where you can reach -5°C...potentially.

On my build the AM5 offset is pairing perfectly with the D15S, also with an offset...it is helping the assembly while leaving enough gap between the GPU and the CPU heatsink...whereas on the standard D15S, the gap will be too narrow.

 

[MarcParis]

Best trial ever!

 

[MarcParis]

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Sliger S620 & the Noctua D15 G2 : unexpected outcome ! (14th February 2026)

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Sorry for the delay of my log. I’m currently handling another personal project, a pretty captivating one.

In fact, as I noticed the Noctua NH-D15 G2 was also built with an offset on the heatsink, I decided to try it inside my S620.

Let’s start with some photos to compare the NH-D15S (6 heatpipes, smallest cold plate) vs the NH-D15 G2 (8 heatpipes, largest cold plate) heatsink. On paper the NH-D15 G2 has +20% heat exchange surface, and it seems accurate.




Let’s move inside the S620.
It is important to note that the NH-D15 G2 is using an updated version of the assembly mechanism. There are 2 changes : Support bars are different and the screws are now torx (vs cruciforme).

The big question remains : Does the NH-D15 G2 fit inside the S620…the short answer is “ALMOST!”

With the NH-D15 G2 paired with an Asus X870i, I was able to fit a 120x25mm fan as an intake of fresh air. However, as I experiment back to 2021 (see first post on this thread), this is a BAD choice, as it is creating huge turbulence noise. In addition, as the fan is crammed between the heatsink & the case, it is creating massive additional air resistance. To put it simply, in order for the fans to start I need to exceed 40% on the PWM…the minimum speed is 900-1000rpm…not quiet at all, especially with the generated turbulence. I really don’t understand why some people still recommend this setup! The only positive point is the performance, at least, on the CPU temperature, not really on the GPU…but we will see that later.



Even if the above point was purely optional, there are hard road blocks to fit the NH-D15 G2 inside the S620 :

• The heatsink is colliding with the clamp of the fixing point of the side panel. This is increasing, by a lot, the force to remove the side panel. Lucky I was, I did not damage the heatsink.
• The major blocking point remains the side bracket…it is not compatible. The heatpipes are placed in a different way compared to the NH-D15S G1 and the side bracket is bumping into them. I was just able to put it in one position, with only one screw to secure it.

My overall feedback on the NH-D15 G2 remains a mixed bag. The CPU performance is increased, especially with this rear intake fan (see below the thermal torture test), but it is mechanically not compatible with the S620.
In the end, I simply moved back to the NH-D15S, even keeping its original fan NF-A15. Clearly my experience with Noctua G2 stuff is pretty not positive so far, especially as my reference point is the Noctua G1 stuff..

Reaching 54°C on the CPU with the noctua NH-D15 G2 with an additional rear fan (beware of the turbulence noise) vs 68°C with a NH-D15S without any additional fan. However the GPU temperature is higher.


Enjoy!

 

[Mark13]

unfortunately no pictures.

I got my setup with side (12x25mm) and top exhaust (2x 12x15mm). U12A is "pulling" air from rear. However, I do not have a fan on rear, as whatever fan I had there (15 or 25mm) there was a annoying sound present (seemes it originated at the "case holes"). Maybe ill put one there at some point again and put it at low RPM. But dunno how much it would improve it all.

I found in both the Sliger 610 and 620 that case INTAKE fans need to be positioned 5 to 10mm from the panel sides to eliminate fan intake noise. Nuts and bolts with spacers are the smoothest, but zip-ties and spacers works just as well if a bit clumsy to install. My usual default is 10mm. This is the same on all panels except the bottom with its open wire pattern. This intake noise does not seem to be any worse than any other cases I have tried out. I know the 5800X can run hot, but my 5950X cools very nicely in a 620 with a much smaller Thermalright Silver Soul 135.

 

[MarcParis]

I found in both the Sliger 610 and 620 that case INTAKE fans need to be positioned 5 to 10mm from the panel sides to eliminate fan intake noise. Nuts and bolts with spacers are the smoothest, but zip-ties and spacers works just as well if a bit clumsy to install. My usual default is 10mm. This is the same on all panels except the bottom with its open wire pattern. This intake noise does not seem to be any worse than any other cases I have tried out. I know the 5800X can run hot, but my 5950X cools very nicely in a 620 with a much smaller Thermalright Silver Soul 135.

I agree with your opinion and that's why I'm limiting all my intake fans on Sliger S620 or the Cerberus-X to approx 1000rpm, even with a spacer of 5mm.

On my Cerberus-X I'm using Noctua Spacers (5mm), whereas on the S620 there is a natural spacer already.