Today I'm proposing you some off topic about my node 202 build (existing since late 2016)....I guess I never posted it before, surely because I was focused on my main rig with Cerberus-X.
Anyway, as I upgraded my node 202 this week-end, I found it was worth to share with you (like
@Nanook thread..
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
).
I chosed
Node 202 for several reasons, back to 2016...and I guess those reasons are completely still valid :
- Efficient horizontal stand (cooling & noise)
- Compatible with 2.5 slots and full length GPU...with 2x120 fans intake
- SFX PSU (not SFX-L) (I guess my experience with external psu on S4 mini is the reason..
)
- Decent cpu cooler clearance (58mm with dust filters and 65mm without)
- Sober style & Affordable
- 10.2 liters volume
Here are my components (recycling most of my former/current gaming rigs) :
- CPU : Intel core i7 4770K (underclocked to 3.5Ghz all cores @0.92v, around 65w on load)
- MB : Asrock Z97e ITX/AC
- GPU : MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X (2 slots, 140mm tall, 279mm long, 1x8pins + 1x6pins)
- SSD :
- Samsung 840 pro 240Go
OCZ Vertex 3 120Go (faulty and corrupt data - RIP)
- Crucial MX500 M.2 1To Sata in a Startech box 2.5" to m.2
- PSU :
Corsair SFX SF600 Gold (removed as too noisy on load with hot ambiant air)
- Corsair SFX SF450 Gold
- Cooling :
Node 202, as most SFF, is not a case to begin to build PC..
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
We need to cram a lot of components in a small area. All components must be selected with care and airflow needs to be studied..
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Aim for 65w TDP CPU and 150W GPU. Above, it's unbalanced and too hot for the case...leading to either cooling, noise or/and throttle issues.
Let's start with some photos of my previous Node 202 build.
I recycled my ID-cooling IS-VC45 heatsink from my S4 mini. It was doing a correct job to cool an
undervolted 6700K but my core i7 4770K, even underclocked/undervolted was very hard for it to keep it cool. (as far as I read, core i7 4770K has ram controller integrated that creates hot spot. This weakness was corrected on core i7 4790K)
I tried to put Noctua NF-A9x14 or NF-A9 PWM like that :
However it was always recycling its own hot air during, not so long, gaming session...(cpu cooler was too short to reach top cover).
Thus I attached directly a Noctua NF-F12 PPC 2000 PWM on top of the cover to exhaust hot air and cool cpu...and it works...at least decently...on stress test (cpu test from 3D mark time spy) I was reaching 100°C on cores...not great...but for gaming it was plenty enough!
I removed top fins on RAM sticks to fit 120mm fan.
This cpu cooling setup teached/reminded me that exhuast hot air from SSF/Case is a critical point (I guess you understand my trials/success with NH-C14S in exhaust mode in Cerberus-X)
However I was not completely satisfied as my IS-VC45 was too short by around 1cm (gap between heatsink and top fan), and of course, it's not compatible with AM4..
Thus I looked for cpu cooler replacement.
My requirements were quite simple :
- Easy to fit mini ITX MB (keep 95mm square size, avoid 120mm cooler)
- Intel LGA 115x & AM4 compatible (bye bye Samuel 17 or big shuriken 2 or AMD Wraith Spire)
- Tall enough to reach top cover (bye Cryorig C7 or Noctua nh L9i)
- Short enough to avoid any ugly mod on node 202 (adding spacer on cover. By NH-L12)
At the end of the day I was quite desperate, till I undersood clearly cpu cooler clearance on Node 202.
- Node 202 cpu cooler height : 58mm with dust filters and 65mm without
I don't know WHY fractal design is not communicating on this...keeping only 58mm on their website.
With some additional search I found only 1 example of node 202 + Noctua NH-L9x65..in russian.
After all data compiled, physical checks/measurements on my node 202, I decided to order Noctua NH-L9x65.
My plan was to use NH-L9x65, as intended with NF-A9x14 in exhaust (65mm tall) mode OR to put a NF-a12x25 on top cover with heatsink alone (around 66mm tall)...if clearance allows it.
Without too much suspense, here is answer,
Noctua NH-L9x65 is fitting just barely to Node 202 without top dust filter (CPU cooler needs to face also top grid).
Thermals are definitely WAY better. I jumped directly to Intel Burn Test v2.54...and it was succesful and reached temperature were around 75-80°C...It's more than 20°C improvements as I never tested Intel burn Test (just cpu test from 3D mark time spy).
I didn't even try to put an NF-A12x15 with NH-L9x65 heatsink...but additionnal 1mm height is too much. However I can look for other slim 120/140 pwm fan with thickness of 14mm or less..
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
But this will be for another day..
PS : Most difficult part of assemblying a node 202 is to handle passthrough just near 2.5" disk bracket. With patience, patience and again patience it's all good..
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
PS 2 : My MB is getting older...I've lost chassis fan header..I don't know from how long as I'm not monitoring stuff on this setup. Hopefully cpu fan header is still working properlly.