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Start of my Cerberus-X Odyssey (From: 01st May 2017) (rewriting on the 09th November 2024)
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Hi all,
I'm rewriting this first article about my beloved Sliger Cerberus-X on the 09th November 2024, i.e. more than 7 years since I built my first setup inside.
My Cerberus-X deserved a better, shorter, simpler overview!
This case remains a masterpiece, despite its age, and I will try to summarize all my experiments!
Let's start with the video from @Josh | NFC that glorifies my pre-production Cerberus-X (in Carmine Red! color is no longer available since 2021!)
Let's do a brief summary of its main specs :
Here are pictures of the Cerberus-X Orientation :
Let's move to case size comparison : The Cerberus-X definitely belongs to the SFF family!
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Cooling setup tested : General points
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Cooling inside Cerberus-X is a vast, almost endless, topic. Since 2017, I was able to test many setups, but the main difficulty is to find the best suited compromise between CPU, GPU temperatures AND noise AND performance. Other components, like RAM, VRM, m.2, were basically never an issue in my use case.
Here are my current priorities (2024) :
Based on my experience, here are some tips :
Back to the Cerberus-X cooling!
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Cooling setup tested : Watercooling setup tested (inside Cerberus-X)
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To be clear, after all my testing, I will not recommend watercooling inside the Cerberus-X, either on the CPU or the GPU or both.
Custom watercooling is completely possible, but it would require very important experience and will lead to average thermal results and a complete loss of easy maintenance.
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Cooling setup tested : Aircooling setup tested (inside Cerberus-X)
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There are 2 main categories inside air coolers that fit the Cerberus-X : C-shape (like the Noctua C14S) and Tower (like the Noctua U9S).
As the Cerberus-X was designed based on the 4U server size, this is leading to a maximum cooler height of 145mm (without the side hinge) and 142mm (with the side hinge)
My current (10th Nov 2024) recommendation is easily going to the Noctua C14S (side exhaust). I would not recommend a smaller C-shape cooler than the Noctua C14S as air flow would not be optimal.
I'll continue my investigations, especially on the CPU tower style (like the Noctua D12L or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini), but not only...
To be continued !
Start of my Cerberus-X Odyssey (From: 01st May 2017) (rewriting on the 09th November 2024)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
I'm rewriting this first article about my beloved Sliger Cerberus-X on the 09th November 2024, i.e. more than 7 years since I built my first setup inside.
My Cerberus-X deserved a better, shorter, simpler overview!
This case remains a masterpiece, despite its age, and I will try to summarize all my experiments!
Let's start with the video from @Josh | NFC that glorifies my pre-production Cerberus-X (in Carmine Red! color is no longer available since 2021!)
Let's do a brief summary of its main specs :
- Case size without panels & feet : 364 x 170 x 354mm (21.9l)
- Case size with panels & feet : 380 x 172 x 358mm (23.4l)
- Possible Stands : Vertical (beware of GPU SAG) & Horizontal (my favorite by far, as if it is so close to open test bench table)
- Motherboards compatibility : E-ATX, ATX, Mini ITX & Mini-DTX (Not compatible with Micro-ATX)
- PSU compatibility : ATX (rear mount) but I strongly recommend SFX (or SFX-L) PSU (front mount)
- GPU compatibility : Max theoretical length/height : 329/152mm but I recommend approx 310/140mm in order to handle it inside the case.
- CPU Cooler : I will dedicate a specific chapter on cooling inside the Cerberus-X
- 8 full height expansion slots : life saver to update case or motherboard connectivity (m.2, Thunderbolt, Network, etc...)
- Side bracket is stiffening the whole case steel frame and is perfectly aligned with side panel vents (better airflow)
- All Side/Top panels are toolless! It is so convenient to open the case in 3 seconds!
- Compatible with strong case handle!
- Please note that black top panel with the Carmine red side panels was a pre production mistake...but I love this mistake : mixing red & black is gorgeous! Ultimate combo was Red side panels and top & front black panels!
Here are pictures of the Cerberus-X Orientation :
- Horizontal : Finally it is not taking a lot of space on my desk as we put stuff on it (except on the vents of course)
- Vertical : It is also working well. Nice spot to take a nap also! My only issue with the vertical stand is the GPU sag
Let's move to case size comparison : The Cerberus-X definitely belongs to the SFF family!
- Cerberus-X vs N-ATX v2
- Cerberus-X vs N-ATX v2 vs SM550
- Cerberus-X vs Node 202
- Cerberus-X vs N-ATX v2 vs FormD T1 2.5
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Cooling setup tested : General points
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooling inside Cerberus-X is a vast, almost endless, topic. Since 2017, I was able to test many setups, but the main difficulty is to find the best suited compromise between CPU, GPU temperatures AND noise AND performance. Other components, like RAM, VRM, m.2, were basically never an issue in my use case.
Here are my current priorities (2024) :
- Full performance of the components : Thermal throttle is a no go. Undervolting is completely fine but should not lead to underclocking. My best example remains undervolting the RTX 3090 FE with a specific frequency/voltage curve.
- Noise at low load/idle : aiming at silence, fanless or very very quiet fan spinning at around 400-600rpms, with no air turbulence.
- Noise at high load : aiming at "quiet". Basically noise can not distract me from my activity.
- GPU temperature : As it is the most power hungry component, it tends to be the noisiest of all the components. Temperature of the GPU core, but also Memory are important. Of course, "coil whine" is something I hate.
- CPU temperature : Since 2017, CPU workload, even during gaming, has increased significantly. This parameter remains important, but this is the last priority of this selection. Thus it is playing a complementary factor.
Based on my experience, here are some tips :
- Priority #1-2-3 : Exhaust hot air, exhaust hot air, exhaust hot air, exhaust hot air
- Avoid air turbulence : For fans placed in PULL position (generally intake : case fan or radiator/heatsink fan), be careful to create a 5mm gap between the vent and the fan. As example you can use Noctua Spacers (for 92mm, 120mm, 140mm)
- Avoid too many fans : It is a common mistake (I did it..
) to overpopulate our case with too many fans! Better focus on "state of the art" fans (with no motor & rattling noises) strategically placed and well set up. - To manage fan speeds following all components temperature, "Fan Control" software remains the reference (and it is French..
) - Avoid too often start/stop : Fanless option for GPU & PSU, when properly handled is great. However, for CPU & Case fans, I prefer to keep the fan spinning at inaudible level (around 400-600 rpm). The main reason is that CPU load is never totally idle, as you can have some background tasks (windows or Steam update, download, etc...) that trigger CPU. When your CPU heatsink is too small, this is leading to almost permanent start/stop of the fans.
- For watercooling setup, never put the pump on the highest position.
Back to the Cerberus-X cooling!
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Cooling setup tested : Watercooling setup tested (inside Cerberus-X)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be clear, after all my testing, I will not recommend watercooling inside the Cerberus-X, either on the CPU or the GPU or both.
Custom watercooling is completely possible, but it would require very important experience and will lead to average thermal results and a complete loss of easy maintenance.
- Using 92mm watercooling AIO (rear intake, side exhaust) : This led to the best GPU thermals, easiest maintenance and average CPU thermals (similar level as Noctua U9S). However the pump noise, at idle, is something very distracting for me personally. Avoid push-pull fan configuration (without enough clearance) due to massive air turbulence noise.
- Using 92mm custom watercooling (rear intake, side exhaust) : Compare to the 92mm AIO setup, slightly improved thermals but noise levels were higher (difficult air bubbles draining) and maintenance was way more complicated.
- Using 240mm customer watercooling (bottom intake, side exhaust) : Best CPU thermals reached! Pump acoustics were the best (inaudible)! However, GPU temperature was bad leading to a very noisy setup during high load. Maintenance was also difficult as it was requiring regular water filling, as the pump was the highest point. At last, I experienced some leaks, almost killing my motherboard/CPU.
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Cooling setup tested : Aircooling setup tested (inside Cerberus-X)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are 2 main categories inside air coolers that fit the Cerberus-X : C-shape (like the Noctua C14S) and Tower (like the Noctua U9S).
As the Cerberus-X was designed based on the 4U server size, this is leading to a maximum cooler height of 145mm (without the side hinge) and 142mm (with the side hinge)
- Using Noctua C14S (passive intake, side exhaust, perfectly aligned with the side panel) : This led to the best GPU thermals, good maintenance and good CPU thermals. Noise level is excellent, but not perfect (further investigations ongoing).
- Using Noctua U9S (passive-rear intake, side exhaust) : This led to the best GPU thermals, best maintenance and average CPU thermals. Noise level is excellent (even at full load)
- For experiment only : Using Cryorig C7 (47mm tall) : This led to the best GPU thermals, best maintenance and terrible CPU thermals. Noise level is bad
My current (10th Nov 2024) recommendation is easily going to the Noctua C14S (side exhaust). I would not recommend a smaller C-shape cooler than the Noctua C14S as air flow would not be optimal.
I'll continue my investigations, especially on the CPU tower style (like the Noctua D12L or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini), but not only...
To be continued !
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