The Mini-ITX build begins.

[Lazzer408]

I used this one and this one, the second kept it a couple degrees cooler, and was also marginally quieter. Either worked though

Either have PWM? Looks like the second one did. How thick is it and how large is the opening?

 

[[Ion]]

Either have PWM? Looks like the second one did. How thick is it and how large is the opening?

The second one has PWM, the first one doesn't. I'm not sure if I even have either of them, I'll dig around tomorrow and if I can find one of them to get a measurement for you

 

[Lazzer408]

The second one has PWM, the first one doesn't. I'm not sure if I even have either of them, I'll dig around tomorrow and if I can find one of them to get a measurement for you

Found it...

* Application: Server & Storage Equipment
* PWM Fuction: 2.05A avg, 3.2A peak,
* Fan Dimension: 137 (L) x 94(W) x 33(H)mm
* PWM Signal duty cycle Speed: 0-20% 1000RPM, 100% 5750RPM
* Rated Voltage: DC 12V
* Max. Air Flower:48 CFM

 

[Lazzer408]

I bought one for $10. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Lazzer408]

The solid copper skived-fin heatsink from ebay arived today. Dynatron P12G. $29 shipped.

Dimension: 90 x 92 x 26.5 mm.
Pitch: 1.5 mm.
Thickness of fin: 0.5 mm.
Number of fins: 46.
Height of fin: 20 mm.
Height of base: 2.3 mm.
Length of base: 92 mm.

Here's the results again using the small blower.

Idle - 35c (was 37c)
Load - 64c (was 69c)

That's looking a bit better. Can't beat solid copper. The fin density is lower and the physical size is a little bit smaller but it's performing better. The first one was bumping the chipset heatsink but that isn't a problem with this one.

Here's a shot of the two side by side and a shot of the bottom of the first heatsink. You can see the fins on the new heatsink are fewer but thicker. I'm sure the thicker fin helps pull the heat from the base more quickly.

 

[Chicken Patty]

So looks like this one is a winner

 

[Lazzer408]

This may be helpfull for others looking for a good SFF Socket 775 solution. The Dynatron P12G, with an 80x15mm thin fan, managed these impressive numbers.

Idle - 28c
Load - 52c

Remember this is with an E6750 2.66@3.0

The fan is a Best Cooler sb8015m12s-n. I can't find any information on this fan. It's just a 2-wire generic China fan and always runs full speed. It is quieter then the Stock Intel cooler but could be heard across a quiet room. If the CPU is ever at full load I doubt your in a quiet room.

 

[Chicken Patty]

Awesome stuff lazed, thanks for all the info

 

[Lazzer408]

For shits and giggles I'm going to make a duct out of a cereal box just to see if the two case fans can keep it cool. Combined they move more CFM then a single 80x15mm and it would eliminate one fan in the system.

Awesome stuff lazed, thanks for all the info

Not a problem CP. I'm glad someone comments now and then.

 

[xrealm20]

awesome work Laz, I hope to see your itx all finished up --

/sub'd

 

[Lazzer408]

One solution found. Twin 60mm and a duct work great. I have some plastic somewhere to do it right. The cardboard is a bit leaky. I can probably expect a degree or two less once everything is notched out to fit. It's hotter blowing out because it's sucking some heat off the toasty northbridge but it will work that way and stay below 70c.

The only thing left to try is the Dell blower but I think the housing is too wide.

EDIT - I'll probably pick up a set of these PWM fans. 2 will get me >50cfm with PWM on high. I'll also find out how well the mobo's 4-pin can drive parallel PWM fans. One will need the tach lead removed ofcorse.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6..._Fan_126015BU.html?tl=g36c365s947&id=MGu7vrr6

Blowing in:
Idle - 29
Load - 55

Blowing out:
Idle - 38
Load - 66

EDIT - adjusted the angle on the duct to move it away from the fans. (blowing out)
Idle - 33c
Load - 60c

 

[Lazzer408]

Things like this really bother me. Here's a nice 400w 'claimed silent' supply that would be prefect but someone dropped the ball with the breakout. Does a m-atx really have the room to stuff a breakout like that? Nope. Could have been a good choice but...

 

[Chicken Patty]

For shits and giggles I'm going to make a duct out of a cereal box just to see if the two case fans can keep it cool. Combined they move more CFM then a single 80x15mm and it would eliminate one fan in the system.



Not a problem CP. I'm glad someone comments now and then.

Things like this really bother me. Here's a nice 400w 'claimed silent' supply that would be prefect but someone dropped the ball with the breakout. Does a m-atx really have the room to stuff a breakout like that? Nope. Could have been a good choice but...

http://www.acousticpc.com/images/a_silenx_micro_atx_psu_lg_lite_pic.jpg

Looks like blowing in is a winner, those are mighty fine temps for been such a small case. Your persitance has paid off bro

That PSU looks like it has too much cabling, is there a PSU made for ITX builds? Like hardly any length in the wires?

 

[Lazzer408]

Looks like blowing in is a winner, those are mighty fine temps for been such a small case. Your persitance has paid off bro

That PSU looks like it has too much cabling, is there a PSU made for ITX builds? Like hardly any length in the wires?

You would think. It's almost as if there's a higher power at work blocking my progress. Corporate I'm sure. I think -someone- just doesn't want high power SFF computers. As if -someone- is pulling strings to keep PC gaming in the tower and console gaming where it is. The same reason the Xbox's don't run Windows software. The hardware can do it but their software limits it.

Thermaltake, Coolermaster, whoever, could easily do what I'm doing and there's a market for it. They just don't/won't/can't do it. The TT Mozart Sx was the closest thing but it's 18.5 x 17.3 x 3.5" 1120cu-in. I'm sitting at 12 x 12 x 2.5" 360cu-in.

The downside to blowing in is the heat gets trapped in the case and winds up getting sucked into the videocard. Whatever solution I use must blow outward. Blowing out on the CPU right side causes cool air to be brought in on the left side. The GPU will recieve that cool air first.

 

[Lazzer408]

I wanted to see how well that little 80x15mm fan worked on the new heatsink (post 332) but with the top of the fan close to the "cover".

Idle - 32
Load - 64c

Without the blockage it was 28c/52c

I might just stick with that for simplicity sake. I can even fit a 92x15mm fan on it and the screw holes would land on an area of the heatsink that I can drill and tap. 92x15mm PWM fans are hard to find though. I know one of the Shuttle cases use it. The 92mm fan should take the temp down a nudge.

To solve the PWM problem... The second pic is a schematic that -should- allow many fans to run in parallel, including my case fans. The key to using a mosfet is to use a logic-level device. Intel specifications call for 5v max on the PWM pin. A logic-level mosfet, pull-up resistor, and 5v zener solve that problem. I have to update the 4-pin to 3-pin thread with the new mosfet-based schematic.

 

[xBruce88x]

lookin good, nice to see some updates on this build!

that will make a great lan party rig lol (very portable)

 

[Lazzer408]

The PWM circuit works great BUT it squeels like a pig. The switching frequency off the motherboard's PWM is too low. Intel specs require 21khz-25khz (inaudible). My board is around 15khz (audible). Should I call Zotec and bitch at someone? Maybe they can fix it in a BIOS update. Other then that the fan control works great.

I sent them an email. I'll call them Monday and ream them out.

 

[mmm995]

awesome project

I dont know if your case fit but i can recomend a nice psu
X-SPICE KIRA 530W its normal ATX.... , BUT its very short psu with 120mm fan and runs very warm and silent
also you can replace fan for slim 12mm scythe + throw case and you will save abotu 20mm about

or maybe use 60mm fans on sides

 

[Lazzer408]

awesome project

I dont know if your case fit but i can recomend a nice psu
X-SPICE KIRA 530W its normal ATX.... , BUT its very short psu with 120mm fan and runs very warm and silent
also you can replace fan for slim 12mm scythe + throw case and you will save abotu 20mm about

or maybe use 60mm fans on sides

I can't fix an ATX supply in 2-1/2"

 

[mmm995]

atx psu is 85mm tall
2-1/2" = 63mm

kira has 120x25mm fan so without fan will be 60mm so wihtout case and fans on side will fit
I guess

 

[Lazzer408]

atx psu is 85mm tall
2-1/2" = 63mm

kira has 120x25mm fan so without fan will be 60mm so wihtout case and fans on side will fit
I guess

The width will increase the depth of my chassis as well. I'm trying to avoid as much custom modding as I can. I think I found a PSU (380w) that seems to be holding up well under full load and not very hot either. "Safely warm" suits it well. This supply does take it's air in from the bottom which I'm not too thrilled about. If I can I'd like to find a nice quiet mATX PSU with single or dual dual 60mm fans to avoid the hole in the bottom of the chassis.

Something like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338038

 

[xBruce88x]

what about this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338009

 

[Lazzer408]

what about this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338009

Dimensions 5.75”(W) x 3.25”(H) x 4”(D) It's an ATX rear footprint but shorter. No-go.

 

[Lazzer408]

Bruce you may like this as it's testing your suggestion of this fan.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119067

How many ways can I skin a cat? I'm sort of bent on a 'suck through' blower-style CPU cooler. The reason being is that ALL of the CPU's heat gets blown out of the chassis. I have one Dell blower on the way but in the mean time... Here is yet another cpu cooler design using a standard 90mm fan with 1/2 the outer frame cut out. A cardboard shroud is glued on to make it function like a blower-style fan. It's not an ideal centrifugal fan but it does work. I should mention this isn't a very fast fan either. Not too bad really.

Idle - 39
Load - 65

 

[Solaris17]

This is awesome.