I'm not gonna name this one specifically based on a case, because this build has changed cases more often than other people change their underwear or so.
It started in the Meshlicious with a 280 AIO (be quiet Silent Loop 2), then it got moved to the S400, next I decided to actually start work on the S300 / S396 custom mod, and from there it got moved again, to the SG16 in which it resides .. for now.
"For now" meaning: I'm not too fond of the case. It's loud, whiney and I wasnt able to properly decouple the AIO from the case, so its vibrating quite a bit .. and the air intake concept is rather garbage, even with all panels removed.
Hence I ordered YET ANOTHER case, which hopefully gonna stay in use a bit longer.
I briefly considered putting it in the SGPC K77 Lite, but I actually gotten to like the format that lets me comfortable put the system inside - instead on top of - a Kallax shelf. And also am still not impressed with the PSU as intake. Maybe I gonna do some hack'n'slay on that and fix it with a nice opening to the front at some point, and THEN reuse it. But not before that, nope!
Back to topic of the new soon-to-be housing:
Updates: Went with the 120 AIO + push-pull. And the GPU juuuust fits without making the panel bulge.
120 AIO? No biggie. Air cooling? Also no biggie. Might even try out the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini just to see if it can compete with or even beat the SS135.
Potential issue: The GPU is the v1 of the Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 8 GB, which sits at 51 mm thickness; at best no issue, at worst I've got to keep off the side panel for now, and replace the GPU with something equally good, but thinner (eg. RTX 3060 12 GB or 4060 / 5060). - THAT didnt become an issue, BUT the mounting / fix-the-GPU in place thingy on the slot cover was SUCH. A. HUGE. FSCKING. PITA! Horrible concept! 
Current overall system specs (as of 2025-08):
- CPU: Intel i5-13500 (+ Thermalright Contact Frame)
- CPU Cooling: Thermalright Frozen Edge 120 + Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW (pull) + Silverstone Air Slimmer 120 (push)
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge Wifi DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 8GB (v1)
- PSU: Fractal Ion SFX Gold 650W, SFX-L
- Case now (since 2025-08-18): Nouvolo Borg in white
- Case before: Silverstone SG 16 (white)
cu, w0lf.
It started in the Meshlicious with a 280 AIO (be quiet Silent Loop 2), then it got moved to the S400, next I decided to actually start work on the S300 / S396 custom mod, and from there it got moved again, to the SG16 in which it resides .. for now.
"For now" meaning: I'm not too fond of the case. It's loud, whiney and I wasnt able to properly decouple the AIO from the case, so its vibrating quite a bit .. and the air intake concept is rather garbage, even with all panels removed.
Hence I ordered YET ANOTHER case, which hopefully gonna stay in use a bit longer.
I briefly considered putting it in the SGPC K77 Lite, but I actually gotten to like the format that lets me comfortable put the system inside - instead on top of - a Kallax shelf. And also am still not impressed with the PSU as intake. Maybe I gonna do some hack'n'slay on that and fix it with a nice opening to the front at some point, and THEN reuse it. But not before that, nope!
Back to topic of the new soon-to-be housing:
Updates: Went with the 120 AIO + push-pull. And the GPU juuuust fits without making the panel bulge.
Potential issue: The GPU is the v1 of the Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 8 GB, which sits at 51 mm thickness; at best no issue, at worst I've got to keep off the side panel for now, and replace the GPU with something equally good, but thinner (eg. RTX 3060 12 GB or 4060 / 5060).
Current overall system specs (as of 2025-08):
- CPU: Intel i5-13500 (+ Thermalright Contact Frame)
- CPU Cooling: Thermalright Frozen Edge 120 + Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW (pull) + Silverstone Air Slimmer 120 (push)
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge Wifi DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 8GB (v1)
- PSU: Fractal Ion SFX Gold 650W, SFX-L
- Case now (since 2025-08-18): Nouvolo Borg in white
- Case before: Silverstone SG 16 (white)
Original setup:
The case gets a strategic cut out approx 6 x 7 cm mostly above the mainboard side has gotten a 7 x 11 cm rectangular hole in the bottom of the case, and a small cut on the middle frame to allow AIO tube routing. System has been inverted, and with the already existing fan mounting holes, the radiator + fans have been successfully mounted to the case.
Planned top hat:
Then from the second purchased case, the top frame is going to be cut at approx 6 - 7 cm length, to create a top hat, which will be placed on top of the main body; attachment is either using neodym magnets or folding the cut top frame by 90°, similar to the original structure, drilling screw holes both on the 90° angled bracket and the primary case, and then screwing them together. Both options should lead to a similar look as with the FormD T1, so a visible, but smooth transition from main body to top hat.
To-Do List:
- Add 60 mm fan for VRM cooling - only 60x10 or 15 would work, 25 mm is too tall; went with an 80x15 instead (Thermalright TL-8015)
- Replace PSU with a true SFX one (Corsair SF600 or Seasonic SGX / Phanteks Revolt SFX) - SGX-750 installed
- Try to add other fans to improve cooling performance - added 120 mm fan to the GPU side, might add a slim 92 or 120 mm to the PSU bottom, too
- Add + connect ARGB controller (the one supplied with the AIO)
- Add spacer / radiator / fan mounting bracket (to reduce noise and also better overall mounting; currently only the front fan is directly mounted to the case)
- Prepare the top hat (both side panels + the top frame of the second case)
- Find nice case feet
- Replace Manjaro with Endeavour OS (optionally)
Specs:
- CPU: Intel i5-13500 (+ Thermalright Contact Frame)
- AIO: Silverstone Vida 240 + 2x Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW (120 mm)
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge Wifi DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S (from pre-existing build) - to be replaced with FireCuda 510 1 TB
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 (also from the pre-existing build)
- PSU: SeaSonic SGX-750 (true SFX)
- Case fans: 80 mm Thermalright TL-8015 for VRM cooling , Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW on the GPU side (improved all the temps by about 2 - 3 C)
Updated PPL: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/ZsV2rH
The case gets a strategic cut out approx 6 x 7 cm mostly above the mainboard side has gotten a 7 x 11 cm rectangular hole in the bottom of the case, and a small cut on the middle frame to allow AIO tube routing. System has been inverted, and with the already existing fan mounting holes, the radiator + fans have been successfully mounted to the case.
Planned top hat:
Then from the second purchased case, the top frame is going to be cut at approx 6 - 7 cm length, to create a top hat, which will be placed on top of the main body; attachment is either using neodym magnets or folding the cut top frame by 90°, similar to the original structure, drilling screw holes both on the 90° angled bracket and the primary case, and then screwing them together. Both options should lead to a similar look as with the FormD T1, so a visible, but smooth transition from main body to top hat.
To-Do List:
- Add 60 mm fan for VRM cooling - only 60x10 or 15 would work, 25 mm is too tall; went with an 80x15 instead (Thermalright TL-8015)
- Replace PSU with a true SFX one (Corsair SF600 or Seasonic SGX / Phanteks Revolt SFX) - SGX-750 installed
- Try to add other fans to improve cooling performance - added 120 mm fan to the GPU side, might add a slim 92 or 120 mm to the PSU bottom, too
- Add + connect ARGB controller (the one supplied with the AIO)
- Add spacer / radiator / fan mounting bracket (to reduce noise and also better overall mounting; currently only the front fan is directly mounted to the case)
- Prepare the top hat (both side panels + the top frame of the second case)
- Find nice case feet
- Replace Manjaro with Endeavour OS (optionally)
Specs:
- CPU: Intel i5-13500 (+ Thermalright Contact Frame)
- AIO: Silverstone Vida 240 + 2x Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW (120 mm)
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge Wifi DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S (from pre-existing build) - to be replaced with FireCuda 510 1 TB
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 (also from the pre-existing build)
- PSU: SeaSonic SGX-750 (true SFX)
- Case fans: 80 mm Thermalright TL-8015 for VRM cooling , Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW on the GPU side (improved all the temps by about 2 - 3 C)
Updated PPL: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/ZsV2rH
Rebuilding to the Miningeek Neo S400 (a Shiny Snake S400 clone) right now. Components being reused are all as detailed in the spoiler below, except for the AIO.
Parts being used:
- Case: Miningeek Neo S400, 10.8L
- CPU: Intel i5 13500
- CPU Air Cooler: Testing out several LP cooler options, but probably going to settle with the Thermalright AXP120-x67
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge Wifi DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S (from pre-existing build) - to be replaced with FireCuda 510 1 TB
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 (also from the pre-existing build)
- PSU: Fractal Ion SFX Gold 650W, SFX-L
- Case fans: 2x 120 mm, one slim 15 mm and a regular 25 mm; Silverstone Air Slimmer ARGB + Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW
New PPL: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/7yTH4D
Parts being used:
- Case: Miningeek Neo S400, 10.8L
- CPU: Intel i5 13500
- CPU Air Cooler: Testing out several LP cooler options, but probably going to settle with the Thermalright AXP120-x67
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge Wifi DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S (from pre-existing build) - to be replaced with FireCuda 510 1 TB
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 (also from the pre-existing build)
- PSU: Fractal Ion SFX Gold 650W, SFX-L
- Case fans: 2x 120 mm, one slim 15 mm and a regular 25 mm; Silverstone Air Slimmer ARGB + Silverstone Air Blazer 120RW
New PPL: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/7yTH4D
Starting point of my Meshlicious Streaming System, as mentioned in the Mesh-mATX-Build Log.
Parts being used:
- Case: Meshlicious all mesh panels, black, PCIe 3 Riser (replaced with EZ-FAB PCIe 4 Riser)
- CPU: i5 13500
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S (from pre-existing build)
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 (also from the pre-existing build)
- PSU: Fractal Ion SFX Gold 650W, SFX-L (repositioned to the back / GPU side of the case)
- AIO: be quiet Silent Loop 2 280mm (has been working flawlessly as a space heater so far)
- Spacer set for testing out the standoff mod (was a requirement to be able to install the GPU in "itx" position)
- additional fans for improved cooling (92 mm or 120 mm slim size fan on top as exhaust, 50 mm for VRM cooling etc.)
Some notes on the choice of components:
CPU: i5-13500 because its pretty versatile, and potential future upgrade path (and then having an upgrade path for the the NAS / media server, too), and also not meant as a gaming system.
AIO: Overkill, but I want to test out things, eg. if my RX 6800 fits side by side with the radiator, for future building within the Meshroom S. Side effect is getting a very low-noise system, too.
PSU: Originally planned to reuse the Seasonic Focus PX 550, but after a test fit in the case, the fumbling around with the missing space seemed to be too tedious. On the other hand, going straight for a Loki 1000W SFX-L for the main build seemed a bit of overkill, so I went for a compromise and decided to pick a mid-tier SFX PSU (in terms of power).
SSD: Might add another 1 TB Transcend 220S, because of its high TBW, and then set both up as RAID1
PPL for reference: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/mw8vRB
Parts being used:
- Case: Meshlicious all mesh panels, black, PCIe 3 Riser (replaced with EZ-FAB PCIe 4 Riser)
- CPU: i5 13500
- Board: MSI MPG B760i Edge DDR 4
- RAM: 2x 16 GB, Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3600
- SSD: 1 TB Transcend 220S (from pre-existing build)
- GPU: Asus Phoenix RTX 3050 (also from the pre-existing build)
- PSU: Fractal Ion SFX Gold 650W, SFX-L (repositioned to the back / GPU side of the case)
- AIO: be quiet Silent Loop 2 280mm (has been working flawlessly as a space heater so far)
- Spacer set for testing out the standoff mod (was a requirement to be able to install the GPU in "itx" position)
- additional fans for improved cooling (92 mm or 120 mm slim size fan on top as exhaust, 50 mm for VRM cooling etc.)
Some notes on the choice of components:
CPU: i5-13500 because its pretty versatile, and potential future upgrade path (and then having an upgrade path for the the NAS / media server, too), and also not meant as a gaming system.
AIO: Overkill, but I want to test out things, eg. if my RX 6800 fits side by side with the radiator, for future building within the Meshroom S. Side effect is getting a very low-noise system, too.
PSU: Originally planned to reuse the Seasonic Focus PX 550, but after a test fit in the case, the fumbling around with the missing space seemed to be too tedious. On the other hand, going straight for a Loki 1000W SFX-L for the main build seemed a bit of overkill, so I went for a compromise and decided to pick a mid-tier SFX PSU (in terms of power).
SSD: Might add another 1 TB Transcend 220S, because of its high TBW, and then set both up as RAID1
PPL for reference: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/user/fwolf/saved/mw8vRB
cu, w0lf.
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